They rode side by side, bicycles gliding smoothly down the wide road. The morning breeze tugged lightly at Jia Lan's hair, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and early spring blossoms. Neither spoke for a while, the silence oddly comfortable, broken only by the rhythmic squeak of pedals and the occasional chime of another bicycle passing.
Jia Lan kept her gaze forward, lips curved in the faintest of smiles despite herself. Shen Mingrui, though, was sneaking glances every few moments, the brightness in his eyes impossible to hide. He looked as though he were memorizing this simple image—her cycling ahead with calm grace, sunlight tracing her profile.
As the college gate finally loomed into view, crowded with students flowing in like a river, Shen Mingrui slowed his pace. He straightened a little, his grin widening as if he'd just completed some grand mission.
"Well, Lan Lan, this is where I'll leave you," he said cheerfully, his voice warm. "I've got to head the other way for work."
He placed one hand on the handlebars, the other lifting in an easy wave. "Have a good day, don't let anyone bother you. Goodbye, Lan Lan!"
The way he said her name was so full of earnestness it almost sounded like an endearment.
Before Jia Lan could reply, he was already pedaling off, his figure quickly merging into the morning stream of bicycles. He didn't look back, but the spring in his movements betrayed just how delighted he was with their short ride together.
Jia Lan lingered for half a breath, shaking her head. He really looked absurdly happy, as though simply pedaling alongside her had made his entire day. With a small huff of amusement, she tightened her grip on the handlebars and guided her bicycle into the crowded gate, her posture as poised and unruffled as ever.
"Jia Lan!"
The sudden voice nearly made her jump. Lin Yu appeared out of nowhere like a spring uncoiling, her mischievous eyes glittering as she hooked an arm through Jia Lan's.
"Who was that just now?" Lin Yu's tone was sharp with curiosity. "Handsome, tall, and the way he smiled at you—ay, it's suspicious."
Jia Lan gave her a calm sidelong glance. "My neighbor. That's all."
"Neighbor?" Lin Yu's jaw fell open dramatically, as though Jia Lan had just claimed the moon was her roommate. "He looked more like a young master sending off his beloved wife to school."
Jia Lan chuckled lightly, not bothering to explain further. "Then his acting skills are better than I thought."
Behind them, the flow of students carried Bai Xue along, but her posture was stiff, every step deliberate. She hadn't recognized Shen Mingrui, but his polished shoes, crisp collar, and self-assured demeanor spoke of status she herself could never claim. Her nails dug crescent marks into her palm as she glared daggers at Jia Lan's back.
Inside the classroom, the professor entered briskly, the slam of his heavy book on the desk cutting through the morning chatter.
"Winter is over," he declared sternly. "I hope your brains haven't frozen! Let's begin."
The room groaned collectively, shoulders slumping, but Jia Lan sat poised and ready. Her pen moved across the page with quiet precision, eyes cool and attentive.
"Sir, mercy," one boy muttered under his breath.
The professor's sharp gaze immediately pinned him. "Mercy? Save that for the heavens! I am here to thaw your minds, not pamper your laziness."
Snickers broke out. Someone at the back whispered, "Thaw us gently, professor, not roast us alive."
The professor snapped the chalk against the board with a crack. "Quiet! Today we test who actually studied."
Halfway through, the professor suddenly called out, "Bai Xue. Stand and answer this."
The color drained from Bai Xue's face. She rose slowly, hands trembling against her desk. The problem written on the board loomed at her like an enemy general.
"Well?" the professor prompted impatiently.
"I—I…" She opened her mouth once, twice, but no words came. The silence stretched.
A boy in the back snorted. "Looks like her brain's still in hibernation."
The class rippled with laughter. Bai Xue's cheeks flamed scarlet.
The professor slammed the chalk down again. "Sit! If you spent less time whispering in corners and more time opening your book, you wouldn't embarrass yourself like this."
Bai Xue lowered herself into her chair, face burning so hot she thought she might combust. She kept her eyes firmly on her desk, unwilling to see the smirks around her.
But when her gaze flicked up, her humiliation deepened. Just two rows away, Jia Lan sat poised and unbothered, her pen moving steadily across her notebook. Her posture was perfect, her expression calm, as though the professor's harsh scolding had nothing to do with her world. The light from the window caught the curve of her profile, making her look untouchable, serene.
To Bai Xue, that serenity was unbearable.
It's her, she thought bitterly, her nails digging crescents into her palms. Always her. Everything goes wrong because of her.
When class finally ended, chairs scraped and students let out sighs of relief. A few immediately swarmed toward Jia Lan with eager faces.
"Jia Lan, can you explain this question again? The professor was going too fast I couldn't catch it."
"Yes, yes, me too. How did you rearrange it so quickly?"
Jia Lan smiled politely, the corners of her lips soft. She leaned forward gracefully, her slim finger pointing at their notes. "Here. You just need to shift this part over it looks complicated, but once you see the structure, it's simple."
Her voice was gentle, unhurried, and clear. Within moments, their frowns faded into dawning realization.
"Ohh! That makes sense now."
"Thank you, Jia Lan. You're a lifesaver."
She inclined her head slightly, like a proper lady. "You're welcome. Just practice it a few more times it'll come naturally."
As the students drifted away, murmuring their thanks, Jia Lan's presence lingered like the faint fragrance of flowers graceful, composed, admired.
Lin Yu plopped herself into the seat beside her, resting her chin on her palm, eyes mischievous. "Honestly, it's like watching a queen distribute wisdom to her subjects. You even make tutoring look elegant."
Jia Lan chuckled lightly. "Don't exaggerate."
"I'm not exaggerating," Lin Yu huffed. "Look, look at Bai Xue." She tilted her head subtly. "She's glaring at you like you stole her steamed bun at breakfast."
Jia Lan's brows arched as she glanced over. Indeed, a short distance away, Bai Xue sat stiff, her pretty face twisted with hostility. Her eyes were locked onto Jia Lan with undisguised resentment.
Lin Yu leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially, "Never go anywhere with her. She looks like she'd push you into a ditch if she could."
Jia Lan let out a small laugh, voice cool. "Why would I go anywhere with someone like that?"
"Good," Lin Yu said firmly, nodding like a soldier. "Because if you did, I'd have to rescue you. And honestly, I don't want to wrestle in the mud with her."
Jia Lan pressed her lips together, hiding her amusement. The image of Lin Yu rolling in the dirt in defense of her was almost too much.
"Don't laugh at me!" Lin Yu said, puffing her cheeks. "I'm serious. That girl is trouble. You'd better keep your distance."
Jia Lan's smile deepened, her eyes calm and steady. "I have no intention of doing otherwise."
And with that, she closed her notebook, her elegant composure making it clear: Bai Xue's hostility was like dust against polished jade it would never stick.
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