The following day, the events of the courtyard still simmered in Mei Lin's mind. Despite her best efforts to push thoughts of Li Wei aside, his piercing green eyes and cold demeanor lingered like a shadow. She hated that a single interaction had such an effect on her. She wasn't someone to get easily ruffled—especially not by people like him.
As she walked to her classroom, the hallways of Yunhai Academy bustled with energy. Friends laughed, groups of students chatted, but Mei Lin remained focused. She was used to this environment, and she kept her head down, careful not to get caught up in the endless gossip that floated in the air.
But today, the whispers seemed louder than usual.
"Did you hear what happened yesterday?" one girl murmured to another as Mei Lin passed.
"I saw it! Li Wei actually spoke to her," the other replied, her voice hushed but brimming with excitement.
Mei Lin's steps faltered. They couldn't possibly be talking about her, could they? She paused, pretending to adjust the strap on her bag as she listened in.
"She's so bold, talking back to him like that. No one dares to cross Li Wei," the first girl said.
"You think she's trying to catch his attention?" the second girl asked, a note of jealousy creeping into her voice.
Mei Lin felt a rush of frustration. Of course, the gossipers would twist things. Nothing had happened, other than Li Wei's arrogance. She wasn't interested in him at all, but now the entire school seemed to think otherwise. She hurried away, her mind racing. This was the last thing she needed—rumors. Especially involving someone like Li Wei.
When she finally reached her classroom, the stares were unmistakable. People glanced at her, whispered, then quickly looked away when she met their eyes. Her stomach churned with irritation, but she kept her head high. She wasn't going to let this nonsense get to her.
At the back of the room, she spotted her best friend, Xiao Rui, waiting for her. Xiao Rui, with her bubbly personality and a penchant for knowing everyone's business, waved her over with an all-too-knowing grin.
Mei Lin groaned inwardly.
"So," Xiao Rui began as soon as Mei Lin sat down, "when were you planning on telling me you had an 'incident' with Li Wei?"
Mei Lin shot her a warning glance. "It wasn't an incident. We bumped into each other, that's all."
Xiao Rui's grin widened. "Oh? Just bumped into each other? Because according to half the school, you two had a moment."
Mei Lin sighed, burying her face in her hands. "There was no moment. He was rude, I told him off, end of story."
"Are you sure? Because rumor has it he's interested." Xiao Rui wiggled her eyebrows.
"Rumor has it wrong," Mei Lin said firmly, her voice laced with irritation. She couldn't believe how quickly things had spiraled out of control. How could a simple, unpleasant encounter turn into this?
As if the universe had decided to taunt her further, the door to the classroom slid open—and in walked Li Wei.
Mei Lin stiffened immediately, her back going rigid as her eyes flickered toward him. His presence seemed to fill the room, commanding attention without even trying. Several students whispered excitedly, casting glances between him and Mei Lin.
Li Wei didn't acknowledge the buzz of gossip. He walked to his seat at the front, his posture relaxed, his face as unreadable as ever. But there was a tension in the air now, an unspoken awareness that Mei Lin couldn't ignore. She could feel eyes on her, waiting to see how she would react.
To her surprise, Li Wei's gaze shifted briefly toward her, so quick that she wasn't sure if she had imagined it. But that fleeting glance was enough to make her heart pound, despite herself. She gritted her teeth, determined not to let it show.
Xiao Rui, oblivious to Mei Lin's inner turmoil, leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "See? I told you. He's looking at you."
"Xiao Rui, stop it," Mei Lin hissed, her irritation flaring again.
Class began, but Mei Lin found it difficult to concentrate. Her thoughts kept drifting back to Li Wei, to the ridiculous rumors spreading like wildfire, and to the way her life had suddenly become entangled with his. This was exactly what she wanted to avoid—being part of the endless social drama that came with attending Yunhai Academy.
After class, Mei Lin packed up quickly, eager to escape the stares and whispers. She didn't need this added stress, not with exams on the horizon. As she made her way out of the classroom, Xiao Rui following close behind, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Mei Lin."
She froze.
Li Wei's voice was smooth, almost too calm. Slowly, she turned to face him. He stood there, his expression as unreadable as ever, but there was something different in his gaze. It wasn't the cold indifference from yesterday—there was a hint of curiosity, maybe even something softer, though it was hard to tell.
"What do you want?" Mei Lin asked, her voice steady despite the swirl of emotions inside her.
Li Wei looked at her for a long moment, his gaze intense but unreadable. "There are things you don't understand."
Mei Lin's eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"
He didn't respond immediately, and for a moment, she thought he might just walk away again. But then, to her surprise, he spoke.
"Don't believe everything you hear," he said quietly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. "And don't assume you know me."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Mei Lin standing there, her heart racing and her mind reeling. His words echoed in her ears, unsettling her more than she wanted to admit. She didn't know him—of course, she didn't—but why did it feel like there was something more beneath his cool exterior?
And why did it bother her so much that she wanted to find out?
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End of Chapter 2
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