"What are you staring at?" he hissed under his breath, his tone sharp but quiet.
His hair was longer than most boys, covered half of his face. Yang Qinru could only see the tip of his nose. His skin was pale and fair, perhaps just as fair as her. He also appeared thinner compared to other boys.
Yang Qinru tilted her head. He reminded her of a small dog, barking furiously despite his unassuming appearance.
Yang Qinru then looked at his name tag.
A small smile tugged at her lips.
Xie Xinglin.
She didn't know why, but the name felt familiar, like a piece of a puzzle she had yet to solve.
Xie Xinglin squinted at Yang Qinru through his tousled hair, his expression filled with equal parts irritation and disinterest.
"Do I have something on my face?" he muttered, his voice low enough to avoid catching the teacher's attention but sharp enough to make his annoyance clear.
Yang Qinru leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Nothing at all. You're just uglier than I remember."
The corner of Xie Xinglin's mouth twitched, his annoyance deepening into something more dangerous. "It seems you haven't changed in three months."
"Neither have you," she shot back with a small smirk. "Still as cranky as ever."
The tension between them didn't go unnoticed.
Students in the classroom exchanged nervous glances, unsure if the sparks between the two would ignite into a full-blown confrontation.
The tension between them was palpable, and the rest of the class watched nervously, anticipating an explosion.
They had all witnessed Yang Qinru's fiery temper and Xie Xinglin's sharp tongue. Having the two of them seated next to each other felt like watching a lit fuse inching toward a barrel of gunpowder.
Xie Xinglin scoffed and turned his attention to the teacher, clearly dismissing her. "Unlike you, I actually pay attention in class."
Yang Qinru raised an eyebrow but didn't respond. Instead, she propped her elbow on the desk, her chin resting on her palm.
As the teacher began the lesson, Xie Xinglin's focus shifted back to his notes, his pen moving swiftly across the page.
Yang Qinru, on the other hand, stared at him curiously. Was this the same boy who had shared her ranking battles all those years ago? The one who had always pushed her limits with his sharp remarks and infuriating arrogance?
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
She watched him take notes with quiet intensity.
"Stop staring at me," Xie Xinglin muttered without looking up, his tone curt.
Yang Qinru blinked, startled. She hadn't realized she was staring.
"Who's staring? You think too highly of yourself," she quipped, crossing her arms and looking away.
"Good," he replied, his voice dripping with indifference. "Keep it that way."
When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, students scrambled to leave, eager to escape the tension-filled atmosphere of the room.
Xie Xinglin immediately packed his things and made for the door.
Yang Qinru, however, wasn't in a rush.
As she stood and stretched lazily, Wang Ye, the blond troublemaker, sidled up to her.
"Boss, you and Xie Xinglin are like oil and water," he said, grinning. "Or maybe fire and gasoline."
Yang Qinru rolled her eyes. "Don't be dramatic."
"But seriously," Xiao Yu pressed, "He's been on a roll while you were gone. Perfect scores, winning debates—he's basically the prince of the academy now. Aren't you going to knock him down a peg?"
Yang Qinru tilted her head, a sly smile forming. "Oh, I will. But it's no fun if he's not trying his best. Let him enjoy his moment for now."
Later that afternoon, Yang Qinru found herself walking through the academy's east wing, the greenhouse catching her attention again.
She remembered spending countless hours there in the past, though the exact details were hazy.
Her footsteps slowed as she approached the glass structure, curiosity pulling her closer.
Inside, the air was warm and fragrant, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and damp earth.
Rows of plants stretched out before her, their vibrant colors creating a serene atmosphere.
Lost in thought, she nearly jumped when a voice spoke behind her. "Didn't expect to see you here."
She turned to find Xie Xinglin standing at the entrance, his hands shoved into his pockets.
His sharp features were framed by the soft sunlight streaming through the glass, giving him an almost ethereal appearance.
Yang Qinru quickly composed herself. "And what brings you here, Xingyin?"
"None of your business," he replied, stepping further inside. "And it's Xinglin." he corrected.
Yang Qinru smirked. "Relax. I'm not here to steal your precious plants."
Xie Xinglin ignored her comment and walked past her, heading toward a cluster of delicate orchids.
He inspected them carefully, his expression softening ever so slightly.
Yang Qinru watched him in silence, surprised by the unexpected tenderness in his demeanor.
"Didn't peg you for a plant lover," she remarked.
He didn't look at her as he replied, "There's a lot you don't know about me."
Yang Qinru crossed her arms, leaning against a nearby table. "Then enlighten me."
Xie Xinglin finally turned to face her, his arrogant eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her want to beat him up.
"Why should I? You're not worth the effort."
His words were like a dagger, but Yang Qinru refused to let him see her flinch.
Instead, she laughed softly, masking the sting with mock amusement.
"Same old Xie Xinglin," she said. "Always trying to get under my skin."
"And you make it so easy," he retorted, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
As Yang Qinru left the greenhouse, she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder at Xie Xinglin one last time.
After class, Yang Qinru met up with Wang Ye and the other troublemakers.
They were lounging under a large tree near the greenhouse, laughing and joking as if they owned the place.
"Boss!" Wang Ye greeted her enthusiastically, waving her over. "Lin Yu's treating us tonight. You coming?"
Yang Qinru plopped down on the bench beside him. "Of course. Free food isn't something to pass up."
"You saw Xie Xinglin today right?" another boy teased, waggling his eyebrows. "Bet you two will start war again."
She rolled her eyes. "He's not worth my time."