AS CH 11

Chapter 11

He walked into the classroom silently, just like always. Wherever Lü Chenyue passed, the classmates would tacitly glance at him, only to quickly avert their eyes again.

Of course, among those glances, one in particular stood out—no longer the same as before. That gaze used to carry a hint of confusion and indifference. Now, it burned with an intense, complex look that made Lü Chenyue feel incredibly uncomfortable, as if it was trying to see right through him.

With his head lowered, Lü Chenyue’s heart started pounding wildly for no reason. He kept telling himself to ignore it—ignore that person—and to just go about his routine, distracting himself with his usual tasks. He believed that if he didn’t respond, that person would eventually give up and stop looking at him.

But who would’ve thought that gaze would follow him every single break between classes, no matter where he went—even during gym class. No matter how much he tried to disappear, that gaze never gave up, always searching for him.

It wasn’t until the final school bell rang that Lü Chenyue felt like he could finally breathe. Spotting Xiao Yuqi packing up, he hurried to gather his own things and quickly approached him.

“Here. Thanks.” His voice was as flat as ever, and he looked at Xiao Yuqi with the same expressionless face.

Xiao Yuqi was momentarily stunned by the sudden interaction, clearly not used to being this close to Lü Chenyue. Still, he accepted his notebook and replied, “You’re welcome.”

“If you don’t mind…” Lü Chenyue’s monotone voice gave away nothing. “I’ll walk with you to the school gate.” Without waiting for a response, Lü Chenyue took the initiative. It was obvious he was using Xiao Yuqi as an excuse to escape Xu Wenhao’s presence.

Xiao Yuqi nodded stiffly, replying in a meek voice, “O-okay…” He didn’t understand why Lü Chenyue had suddenly approached him.

But as soon as the two walked out the classroom door, Xu Wenhao rushed up from behind and cut them off, standing directly in front of Lü Chenyue.

“Lü Chenyue, don’t go. I need to talk to you.”

“But I don’t want to talk to you at all,” Lü Chenyue snapped coldly, not even sparing him a glance.

Xiao Yuqi, naturally timid, stood off to the side, unsure of what to do as the tension between the two built like a standoff between enemies. He was just wondering whether to step in and mediate when Lü Chenyue suddenly pulled him away.

“Did you have a fight with the class monitor?” Xiao Yuqi finally asked in a low voice once they were out of Xu Wenhao’s line of sight.

It really was strange—Lü Chenyue never interacted with anyone in class, so how had he ended up entangled with Xu Wenhao? When did it even start?

Also, Xiao Yuqi had noticed something odd about the way Xu Wenhao looked at Lü Chenyue—so strange, so unfamiliar, and so complicated. How should he describe it? He wasn’t the smartest person, but even he could tell that Xu Wenhao didn’t look at anyone else the way he looked at Lü Chenyue.

“No, we didn’t fight,” Lü Chenyue said bitterly. “I just don’t want anything to do with him.” Why did he have to bring up Xu Wenhao now?

“But… we’re about to graduate. There’s not much time left to be around each other. If there’s been some misunderstanding, wouldn’t it be better to talk things out?” Xiao Yuqi offered gently.

“I have nothing to do with him—no misunderstanding, nothing! He’s the one who keeps pestering me, and it’s driving me crazy!” The more Lü Chenyue spoke, the more irritated he became. The emotions welled up inside him, and he ended up venting all that frustration onto Xiao Yuqi.

Shouted at for no apparent reason, Xiao Yuqi just looked at Lü Chenyue in stunned silence. Even Lü Chenyue was startled by his own outburst, instantly regretting the way he’d lost control.

Why did he take it out on Xiao Yuqi?

“…Sorry. I didn’t mean to…” Lü Chenyue apologized, guilt clear in his voice.

“It’s okay, I was being nosy.” Xiao Yuqi smiled faintly. He knew it hadn’t been intentional.

“No, I know you meant well. But really… there’s nothing between me and him…” Lü Chenyue said quietly, as if removing a mask. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes dimmed.

Xiao Yuqi, who always felt a little awkward in social situations, suddenly didn’t know how to comfort him. Maybe silence was the best support he could offer right now.

“You probably think it’s strange that I suddenly came to talk to you, right?” Lü Chenyue clutched the straps of his backpack tightly, as if drawing strength from them. He explained, “I realized that in some ways, we’re alike. You also do your own thing and keep to yourself… but unlike me, you actually get along with people in class. At least someone talks to you. I don’t know who I can turn to…”

“At first, I just wanted to use you to avoid someone. I’m sorry… But I also just wanted to be friends. Can we… can I be your friend?” His voice was unsure as he said the last part. His palms were sweating, and his knuckles had turned white.

Xiao Yuqi blinked in surprise, then smiled sheepishly. “Sure!”

“But… can you not bring up ‘Xu Wenhao’ in front of me again?” Lü Chenyue added firmly. Just hearing that name made his chest tighten with anger for reasons he couldn’t understand.

Xiao Yuqi nodded obediently. “Okay.”

As the two walked together to the school gate, a girl suddenly ran up to them. She thrust something into Xiao Yuqi’s hands and ran away with her cheeks flushed red.

Xiao Yuqi stared at the item in his hands, still stunned, not knowing how to react. Lü Chenyue patted him on the shoulder. “Looks like she really likes you.”

Xiao Yuqi was flustered. “But I don’t even know who she is…”

“If you really don’t like her, and she approaches you again, just tell her directly. Got it?” Lü Chenyue said bluntly.

“…Got it. Thanks.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you.”

This was the first time Lü Chenyue had ever made a friend. He looked at Xiao Yuqi, unsure what to do next. After a short, awkward silence, Xiao Yuqi finally spoke.

“Chenyue, I can’t talk for long. I have to get home. Sorry.”

Lü Chenyue shook his head gently. “It’s fine. See you.”

“See you.”

The two then walked off in opposite directions.

(To be continued…)
T/L: Aaww, he finally made a friend (ᵒ̴̶̷᷄﹏ᵒ̴̶̷᷅)b