The cafeteria buzzed with the lively chatter of students gathered in their cliques.
Tables were filled with neatly arranged trays of gourmet lunches, and the aroma of freshly prepared dishes wafted through the air.
In the middle of it all, Yang Qinru sat at a long table surrounded by a mix of students. Despite her reputation for being a 'Tyrant', her position as the top student and her striking presence made her a magnet for attention.
Wang Ye, sitting to her right, was grinning as he recounted a story that had the others at the table laughing. He gestured animatedly, and Yang Qinru occasionally nodded or smiled politely, though her focus was more on her tray than the conversation.
"She's like a queen," someone whispered from another table.
"Yeah, and look at him." The speaker nodded toward Wang Ye. "Always glued to her side like a loyal knight."
While Yang Qinru was the center of attention, another figure sat alone at a distant corner of the cafeteria. Xie Xinglin.
Xie Xinglin's presence was undeniable, even when he chose to isolate himself. His sharp features and icy demeanor exuded an aura that kept people at bay. Though some students occasionally dared to glance his way, none had the courage to approach him.
The last time someone tried, it had ended disastrously.
The girl, a bubbly underclassman, had approached him with a bright smile and a carefully rehearsed speech. "Xie Xinglin, I… I want to be friends with you!" she had said, her voice trembling with excitement.
Everyone in the cafeteria had held their breath, waiting to see how he'd respond.
Xie Xinglin had barely glanced at her before replying, his tone flat and merciless. "Friends? With someone who doesn't even know the difference between ambition and opportunism? Spare me the pretense."
The girl had stammered, her face turning red. "I…I just thought—"
"You thought what? That attaching yourself to me would somehow elevate your mediocrity? Don't embarrass yourself further."
"Let me guess," he had continued, his gaze piercing. "You think hanging around me will elevate your status, make you popular, maybe even get you some favors. How shallow."
He had then listed, in excruciating detail, all the ways her actions revealed her true intentions. By the time he finished, the girl's face was pale, and her eyes brimmed with tears.
She had run out of the cafeteria, sobbing.
Since then, no one dared to approach him.
Back at Yang Qinru's table, Wang Ye nudged her with his elbow.
Hey, do you think he's going to spend his entire life alone?" Wang Ye asked, nodding toward Xie Xinglin.
Yang Qinru followed his gaze but didn't respond immediately. Her expression was unreadable, though her eyes held a flicker of curiosity.
"He seems to prefer it that way," she finally said, her tone neutral.
Wang Ye chuckled. "He's like a villain from a drama—always brooding and scaring people off. If he didn't look like that, no one would care about his attitude."
"He's like some tragic antihero in a novel. Don't you feel even a little sorry for him?"
Yang Qinru glanced in Xie Xinglin's direction, her expression unreadable. "No."
Wang Ye blinked. "Wow. That's cold, even for you."
"Why should I feel sorry for him?" Yang Qinru replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "He chooses to be alone. If he wanted company, he could easily have it."
"That's true, but—"
"Besides," she cut him off, picking up her drink, "I doubt he'd appreciate anyone's pity."
Wang Ye leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "You're impossible to read sometimes, you know that?"
Yang Qinru ignored him, but her gaze flickered briefly back to Xie Xinglin. Their eyes met for a split second, and she quickly looked away, focusing back on her tray.
The atmosphere at Yang Qinru's table remained lively, with students vying for her attention or attempting to impress her. Yet, no matter how animated the conversation grew, her thoughts kept drifting back to Xie Xinglin.
She couldn't deny that his solitary figure stood out, not because he was trying to, but because his very presence demanded attention.
"Why do you keep looking over there?" Wang Ye asked suddenly, breaking into her thoughts.
"I'm not," Yang Qinru replied curtly, taking a sip of her drink.
Wang Ye raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
As lunch neared its end, Yang Qinru gathered her things and stood up.
The chatter around her quieted as everyone watched her leave.
She could feel their eyes on her back, but she ignored them, walking out of the cafeteria with her usual poise.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break.
Students scattered from the cafeteria, their chatter filling the halls.
Yang Qinru walked out of her classroom, her bag slung over one shoulder. As usual, Wang Ye was waiting by the door.
"Hey, top student, done conquering the academic world for today?" he teased, falling into step beside her.
She rolled her eyes but smirked. "You're one to talk. Didn't I just catch you dozing off in math class earlier?"
"Shhh," Wang Ye whispered dramatically, glancing around. "Don't ruin my reputation. I have an image to uphold."
"An image of slacking off?"
"Exactly." He grinned.
As they made their way down the corridor, Yang Qinru's gaze fell on the large bulletin board near the entrance.
It was plastered with flyers, announcements, and a new list of rankings. The bold letters at the top read: Midterm Results: Top 10 Students.
The yesterday was just a monthly exam ranking.
Yang Qinru's name gleamed at the top, followed immediately by Xie Xinglin's. Her lips curled into a small, satisfied smile.
"Of course, you're number one again," Wang Ye remarked, noticing her expression. "And look who's sulking in second place."
Yang Qinru followed his gaze to the opposite end of the hallway.
Xie Xinglin stood there, seemingly indifferent as he glanced at the rankings. His dark eyes were unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his expression that hinted at his displeasure.
"Doesn't he ever get tired of trying to beat you?" Wang Ye muttered.