Zhao wasn't used to attention.
Especially not from girls like her.
He stood at the balcony of his apartment, fingers gripping a warm cup of green tea, his thoughts tangled in everything about Xueyin—or rather, Meilin. Her voice. Her gaze. That subtle, wicked smile she gave him at the bookstore.
The way she listened when he spoke.
The way she touched his hand while laughing softly.
She was like a story he didn't want to stop reading.
Downstairs, the doorbell rang.
He blinked out of his thoughts and went to check. Opening the door, he froze.
Meilin stood there, wearing a slim black jacket, lips painted a soft cherry pink, eyes glinting with confidence.
"Hope I'm not interrupting your peaceful nerd life," she said, holding up a book. "You forgot this."
Zhao's eyes flicked to the book she held—it was the one he'd recommended to her earlier that day. He hadn't even realized he left it behind.
"Oh… thank you," he said, stepping aside.
She entered slowly, her perfume following behind—sweet and laced with danger.
The apartment was modest, warm, and tidy. Books lined the shelves, and his laptop was still open beside a stack of old manga volumes.
"You really do live like a lonely scholar," she teased, running her fingers over the spine of a book. "No posters. No mess. Not even a single secret stash of snacks?"
He laughed nervously. "I like peace."
She turned, her eyes locking with his. "Peace is boring."
There was a silence that stretched between them.
She stepped closer. "You didn't ask why I came."
"Why did you?" he asked, voice low.
She smiled. "Because you're cute… and because I'm bored."
Zhao's cheeks flushed, but he didn't step back. "You're not like most girls."
Meilin's smile curled at the edge. "No. I'm not."
Her fingers brushed lightly over his shirt collar. Just a gentle touch. But it sent electricity down his spine.
"I like smart boys," she whispered. "Ones who know when not to ask too many questions."
He swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "What if I want to ask?"
She leaned in close—her lips nearly touching his ear. "Then you better be smart enough to handle the answers."
He froze.
She pulled away with a wink. "See you later, professor."
And with that, she left—leaving behind only her perfume… and a heart racing too fast for comfort.
---
Meanwhile, across the city…
Ryu Xian sat in his car, one hand on the wheel, the other clenched on his thigh. Jin's words echoed in his head.
> "She's not who you think she is."
> "She's Meilin… not Xueyin."
He didn't want to believe it—but now that he knew, so much made sense.
But that didn't stop the ache. Or the jealousy he felt when he saw her smile at Zhao like that.
Ryu hit the steering wheel lightly, frustration bubbling under his skin.
> What is she doing with him?
> Why does it bother me so much?
He didn't have answers.
But he knew one thing.
Meilin wasn't done playing games.
And neither was he.