Lin Jiajia lifted her head from her desk, eyes glazed as she tried to focus on the teacher's words. Her head felt heavy and dizzy, and she instinctively glanced toward the seat in front of her. The woman she had loathed the most was truly gone. Was she dreaming? Or had everything she experienced in that dream really happened?
Ling Xue had vanished from her life.
It felt surreal; she had watched everything unfold, yet the person in the dream was both her and not her. As the bell rang to signal the end of class, Lin Jiajia stood up, causing her rickety desk to topple over. Normally, this would have been embarrassing, but she felt surprisingly calm as she righted it without haste.
Her classmates merely glanced at her before turning away, their previous attitudes of hatred and ridicule replaced by indifference. Even An Rong, who used to bully her, just huffed and looked away when their eyes met. Lin Jiajia was baffled. Could everything she dreamed have been real?
At that moment, two men walked into the classroom, carrying a brand-new desk. They approached Lin Jiajia and set the desk down in front of her.
"What's going on?" Lin Jiajia asked, noticing that her old desk had been destroyed long ago—slashed, broken, and barely usable.
"This is the school's arrangement. Since your desk is broken, it must be replaced," one of the men explained.
Lin Jiajia felt a twitch in her lips. Why hadn't they done this sooner? Still, aware of her new situation, she managed a simple, "Thanks."
"I had them replace your desk," said Leng Ao, sauntering over with his hands in his pockets. He looked down at her with a casual air.
Seeing him made Lin Jiajia instinctively frown. Confusion washed over her. Logically, she should feel excited or happy to see him, yet all she felt was irritation.
"What's this about?" she asked, her hands itching with a sudden urge to confront him.
Leng Ao frowned slightly. "You're not happy? I got you a new desk."
"Thanks," she replied coolly, tilting her head back to meet his gaze. He was tall and handsome, his bright eyes sparkling like stars.
This was the first time she was so close to Leng Ao, yet there was no thrill, just a strange detachment.
"Are you satisfied with the desk?" he asked, noticing her scrutiny. She could sense his nervousness, and he rubbed the bridge of his nose as he spoke.
"Oh, thanks," she repeated.
He lifted his chin, an earnest look in his eyes. "Last time, I mentioned that you could be my girlfriend. Have you thought about it?"
Girlfriend? When had that happened? Lin Jiajia scoffed internally; she didn't recall any such agreement. So much had shifted—Ling Xue was gone, and now Leng Ao wanted her as his girlfriend.
It felt like a fantasy, one she hadn't dared to dream about. Hesitation filled her, and she remained silent.
The hope in Leng Ao's eyes dimmed slightly, but he pressed on. "Since you're not replying, I'll take that as a yes. From now on, you're one of my people."
"I haven't agreed to anything. Leng Ao, don't decide for me," she said coldly. When had she found the confidence to speak with such authority?
His expression faltered, a mix of anger and hurt crossing his face.
Lin Jiajia walked around him and left the classroom, her mind swirling with confusion. How had her world changed so dramatically after just a short nap?