The peaceful morning passed.

Lu Yu was duly sentenced to stand in punishment by his homeroom teacher.

Truth was, skipping class or morning assembly hadn’t fazed the teacher before.

But this time was different—there was a clear distinction.

This time, Lu Yu and Lin Beixing had skipped the flag ceremony together.

The teacher would never punish Lin Beixing. Top student, model kid—she didn’t even need to explain her absence.

All that simmering “wrath” poured straight onto Lu Yu’s head.

As the class underachiever, he’d shouldered quite the burden.

He spent the whole morning standing by the back wall, caught in the draft.

The breeze cleared his mind, banishing drowsiness. He stood lazily, keeping slight distance from the bulletin board. His gaze drifted between the podium ahead and Lin Beixing’s back.

Lin Beixing hadn’t turned around again. She looked drained, her usually straight spine now slightly curved.

Head bowed, eyes fixed on her textbook, barely glancing at the board—no one knew what she was really thinking.

*Ding-ding-ding—*

As the bell for the final morning class rang, Lu Yu’s punishment ended.

The teacher had only said “stand till noon,” no threats of all-day detention.

He knew Lu Yu might just refuse. These days, standing was the harshest punishment left. Anything harsher risked trouble—no teacher dared cross that line lightly.

“It’s over, Bro Lu.”

Ren Jie let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He’d genuinely feared his Bro Lu might’ve dozed off against the wall.

And honestly? His Bro Lu was totally capable of it.

“Let’s eat.”

Lu Yu stretched his arms, fished his meal card from his backpack.

“C’mon, c’mon—you’re wiped. Gonna grab two chicken legs later, huh?” Ren Jie trailed behind as they headed downstairs.

Lu Yu paused, then nodded firmly. “Yeah.”

He *was* exhausted. Up since six—copying homework, standing punishment—it all drained you.

They reached the canteen early. At this hour, it was a sea of students. Lu Yu queued at the least crowded window.

His eyes swept the hall.

No Lin Beixing.

Given her delicate frame, she’d likely wait till the rush faded. Vegetarian dishes stayed available anyway.

Lu Yu suddenly realized—he barely knew her.

A flicker of regret stirred. What he’d said on the rooftop earlier…

She didn’t need reminders.

She was clearer-headed than anyone.

What she truly needed… maybe just encouragement?

Lu Yu gritted his teeth.

But he wouldn’t offer it.

Telling a girl already drowning in pressure—on the verge of jumping or collapsing—to “hang in there”?

That wasn’t encouragement. That was shoving her deeper.

He couldn’t do it.

“Next! What’re you having today, bro?”

Ren Jie peered into the window. Dishes were fresh and plentiful. He picked several before stepping back.

Lu Yu ordered little: one chicken leg, stir-fried greens, pork with red peppers. They found a table.

Ren Jie grumbled the lunch lady’s “Parkinson’s” had worsened—hands shaking like an old man’s.

Lu Yu ate silently, listening.

“Bro Lu, Bro Lu!” Ren Jie nudged his back with an elbow after a bite. “Class Monitor Lin’s here. You’ve been scanning for her this whole time, huh?”

Ren Jie knew his brother too well.

He pointed left-front, whispering, “Right there.”

No trick this time. Lin Beixing had just entered, walking straight to the quietest queue.

Beside her stood Lan Xi—her closest friend.

Lu Yu ate slowly. The chicken leg tasted too salty. He chewed deliberately, pace slowing.

Ren Jie across the table matched his rhythm, unspoken understanding between them.

A five-minute meal stretched to ten.

Only when Lin Beixing and Lan Xi approached with trays did Ren Jie feel release.

Jiangshui No.1 High’s canteen was vast, seats plentiful.

Plenty of empty spots deeper in the aisle. But Lin Beixing wouldn’t escape—not with Lan Xi holding firm.

Every time she tried slipping toward a distant seat, Lan Xi yanked her back.

Clothes straining, Lan Xi refused to let go.

Lin Beixing was trapped. Only she knew her friend’s stubborn streak.

“Hi, bro~ Anyone sitting here?”

Lan Xi, gripping Lin Beixing’s arm, beamed at Ren Jie.

Ren Jie sat bolt upright. Just being called “bro” by a girl from another class made his ears burn.

“N-no one! Please, go ahead…” He gestured politely.

Lan Xi laughed brightly and sat beside him.

Lin Beixing hesitated—but within ten meters, only the seat beside Lu Yu remained.

“Um… You’re Lu Yu, right? Is this seat free?” Lan Xi smiled at him.

Lu Yu took a bite. Paused. Shook his head slightly.

“No.”

“Go on.”

Lan Xi gave her friend a gentle push.

If decorum allowed, she’d have kicked Lin Beixing’s butt to hurry her up.

Lin Beixing sat beside Lu Yu without a word.

A faint, clean breeze followed her—carrying the scent of scrambled eggs with tomatoes. *Her lunch*, Lu Yu noted.

She ate silently, spoon hovering.

Lu Yu stayed quiet, nibbling his chicken leg.

Silence stretched between them—a sharp, unfamiliar distance. Nothing like their chats from yesterday, or the day before.

“Hey bro, you’re Lu Yu’s friend, right? What’s your name?”

Lan Xi bit her spoon, sensing the tension.

*Just as I thought*, she mused. Something was off today.

She’d seen the hurt in Lin Beixing’s eyes at noon.

Her gaze landed on Ren Jie.

Ren Jie floated on cloud nine.

For an eighteen-year-old perpetually single since birth—face-to-face chats with girls were rare treasures. A sweet, pretty girl like Lan Xi talking to *him*? Bliss.

“Y-yes! Ren Jie—*Ren* as in kind, *Jie* as in outstanding…” He scratched his neck, flustered.

“Done eating?” Lan Xi eyed his half-full tray, feigning innocence.

Whether he caught her hint or just melted under her gaze, Ren Jie snapped upright. “All done!”

“Then let’s go.”

Lan Xi grabbed his arm without hesitation.

Face crimson as a monkey’s butt, neck stiff, Ren Jie vanished before he could signal Lu Yu.

Silence settled over the table. Only the canteen’s muffled chatter remained.

Lin Beixing stared at her spoon, lifting plain rice to her lips.

Lu Yu set down the cleaned chicken bone. His own tray sat untouched.

He glanced at her simple vegetarian meal.

Without a word, he pushed his tray forward.

“I haven’t touched it. Clean… Want to try?”

He expected calm refusal.

But she held the spoon between her teeth, hesitated a heartbeat—then nodded, soft as a kitten.