After a few days, things started turning back to the way they had been. The familiar rhythm of campus life returned—voices echoing in the hallways, sneakers squeaking on polished floors, and the occasional whoops or laughter that only Zhao Xia seemed to generate.
XinYue and Zhao Xia were already at it. Near the basketball court, they ducked behind a row of benches, giggling quietly as they prepared their "mission." Paper airplanes, folded from discarded worksheets, flew across the empty corridor. One hit a locker with a sharp thunk, bouncing off and sending another student spinning around, confused.
Li Hanyan appeared just then, walking toward them from the other side of the hall. He froze for half a second, eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the scene.
"…Really?" he asked, tone calm but with an edge XinYue knew meant trouble.
Zhao Xia grinned, unbothered. "What? We're just… aerodynamics testing," she said, as if that explained everything.
XinYue tried not to laugh, ducking behind Zhao Xia as another paper airplane sailed past. Li Hanyan stepped closer, hands tucked into his pockets, and with a single glance, stopped one of the mischievous projectiles mid-flight, pinching it between his fingers.
"Hmm," he said quietly, "some things never change."
Zhao Xia nudged XinYue, whispering, "He's noticing us. Mission accomplished."
XinYue's cheeks warmed slightly. "Do you have to always make it dramatic?" she whispered back.
Li Hanyan didn't answer. Instead, he crossed his arms and watched them with that impossible expression—equal parts amused and exasperated. His eyes flicked to XinYue more than once, subtle, protective, just enough for her to notice. A slight tightening in his jaw told her more than words ever could.
"Okay, okay," Zhao Xia said, throwing her hands up, "we surrender! No more chaos today… maybe."
XinYue laughed, and even Li Hanyan allowed the corners of his lips to twitch in a small smile.
As they walked toward the cafeteria later, Zhao Xia looped her arm through XinYue's. "See? Campus chaos returns, and we're still untouchable."
Li Hanyan fell in step beside them, slower than them, but his eyes stayed on XinYue, subtle and careful, as if measuring the distance between playful chaos and danger.
And XinYue realized—little by little, day by day—they were slipping back into the rhythm of being close, of teasing, of laughing, of living… together.
It felt like home.