The Next Morning
The Feng siblings prepared for school, with Xiao handing Mei a crisp white uniform. "Mei, wear this. It's our school uniform," she said with a gentle smile.
Ling chimed in, "Hurry up, or we'll be late for class!"
As they headed to the classroom, Mei gazed around with wide eyes, taking in the surroundings. She asked Xiao, "Sister, where's brother?"
Xiao replied, "He's already ahead of us."
Ling warned Mei, "Listen carefully, Mei. You're new here, so don't do anything that'll embarrass us."
Mei rolled her eyes, responding with a hint of defiance, "You're too much! I promise I won't mess up today."
When they entered the classroom, all eyes turned to them. Mei stood between Xiao and Ling, feeling self-conscious. The siblings greeted their teacher with respect. "Sorry we're late," Xiao apologized.
The teacher smiled and said, "We haven't started yet, Lady Feng Xiaoyan." Her gaze fell on Mei, and she asked Xiao, "Who's this? Is she one of our new students?"
Xiao introduced Mei, "She's my sister, Feng Mei'yin, our new student."
The teacher nodded and instructed them to take their seats.
Ling pointed Mei to an empty seat in the front row. "Mei, sit there."
Mei quickly responded, "I know!"
As Mei walked to her seat, she stared at her classmates, taking in their serious expressions. "They all look so serious," she thought. Lost in thought, Mei tripped, causing some students to stifle their giggles.
Ling closed her eyes, while Yang shot Mei a disdainful look.
Cheng muttered under his breath, "Clumsy!" but Mei didn't hear it.
Xiao asked Mei with concern, "Mei, are you okay?"
Mei stood up, still smiling. "I'm fine. Sorry about that!"
As the teacher began the lesson, Mei's attention wandered. She gazed around the room, her eyes scanning the students with curiosity. "Who's that beautiful girl sitting next to brother Yang?" she wondered, her thoughts drifting away from the lesson.
Her gaze shifted to Ling and the tall, handsome boy sitting in front of her. "Sister Ling and he would make a great pair," Mei thought, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
But her smile faltered as she felt someone's gaze on her. She turned to see Yang and the girl sitting behind Yang, who smiled and waved discreetly. Mei's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly looked away, her heart racing.
"Ah, it's them! They're the ones I... Wait, what was it again? They're the ones I competed against," Mei thought, her mind racing with memories.
Meanwhile, Yuxi nudged Yuming, his friend, because she was disturbing his peaceful listening.
"What's wrong with you?" Mo Tian (Yuming) whispered.
"Pay attention," Yuxi replied, his voice firm and authoritative.
Mo Tian retorted, "You're always going on about this. I already know it. You know it too, so why are you still listening?" Her tone was laced with sarcasm.
Yuxi's eyes rolled in exasperation.
"Just look at her," Mo Tian said, pointing to Mei, who was avoiding eye contact. Yuxi's gaze followed, his expression unreadable.
"Tell me, what do you think of her now that you've seen her twice?" Mo Tian asked, her voice teasing.
"She looks clean and suits the uniform," Yuxi replied, hisr
voice neutral.
Yuming made a face at Yuxi's response, her expression skeptical. "You're really observant now. Do you like her?" Mo Tian teased.
Yuxi's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Shut up, Yuming," he warned, his voice firm.
But Mo Tian continued to tease him, her words punctuated by Yuxi's growing frustration.
Just then, Bai Linyan, the girl sitting next to Yang, turned around and scolded them. "Keep your voice down. We can still hear you," she said, her voice stern.
Mo Tian shot back, "Just cover your ears, Bai Linyan."
Yuxi intervened, his voice calm and authoritative. "Enough ,don't cause trouble."
After their morning classes, the Feng siblings headed to the school Inn for lunch. "We'll eat together for now, Sister was invited by Bai Jing," Ling said, her voice casual.
Yang nodded, while Mei gazed around the cafeteria, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if she was searching for someone or trying to avoid someone. "Hey, Mei, are you okay?" Ling asked, noticing Mei's distant expression.
Mei turned to her siblings, her eyes flashing with accusation. "Why didn't you tell me they're here?" she demanded.
"Who's 'they'?" Ling asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Yang chimed in, "I think she's talking about Mo Yuming and Qin Yuxi. It's normal for them to be here; they're students, after all."
Ling added, "What's wrong, Mei? Do you have a problem with them? Can't you forget about..."
Mei quickly covered Ling's mouth, her face reddening. "Shut up, guys! I was just surprised to see them, that's all."
Yang teased, "I heard them talking about someone earlier, but I wasn't sure it was you."
Mei's expression turned playful, and she asked Yang, "Are you sure?"
Ling chimed in, "he said he's not! Are you deaf?"
As they chatted, the students around them began to whisper and giggle. Mei's eyes widened as she turned to Yang. "What's going on?"
Yang replied, "The Qin siblings are here."
Mei's gaze drifted to the entrance, where Yuxi, Yijun, and Mo Yuming were walking in. Their eyes met Yuxi's, and time seemed to stand still. Mei's heart skipped a beat as she felt an intense rush of emotions - a mix of excitement, nervousness, and vulnerability. She couldn't look away, her eyes locked onto Yuxi's piercing gaze. For a moment, it felt like the entire cafeteria had melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a sea of unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
Ling tapped Mei's arm, breaking the spell. "Mei, stop staring. They might think we're fans or something."
Yang teased, "Don't you admire Qin Yijun, Sister Ling?"
Ling shot Yang a withering look. "Shut up, Yang. That's impossible."
Mei looked confused. "Who's Qin Yijun?"
Yang explained, "That's the guy who walked in before Yuxi. They're siblings."
When Mei saw Yijun, a smile spread across her face. "I knew it! I thought they would make a great pair, Sister Ling and him."
Ling rolled her eyes. "You two, shut up. I'm not paying for your food if you keep talking nonsense."
Just then, the Qin siblings and Mo Yuming approached their table. Mei's eyes widened as she quickly looked away. "Why are they here?" she wondered.
Yijun politely asked, "Excuse me, may we join you? The tables are full, and we'd like to share yours."
Yang nodded, his expression friendly. "The table is big enough, and we don't have much food. You can join us."
Yijun smiled, and they sat down, Mei's eyes darted around the table, trying to avoid any gaze. The air seemed thick with tension, and Mei's heart was racing. Ling, oblivious to the tension, chatted with her, "After we eat, just stay in the room and study your books." Mei nodded along, trying to appear interested, but her mind was elsewhere.
Yijun, meanwhile, seemed calm and collected, his eyes fixed on Mei's profile. "Is she Lady Feng Mei'yin?" he asked Ling and Yang. They nodded in response. "She does have a certain beauty. You two are indeed siblings." Yijun's gaze drifted to Ling, who was quietly observing the conversation.
Mo Yuming suddenly joined in, her voice teasing. "Mei'yin! It's great to see you again." Mei's eyes narrowed as she looked at her, her gaze piercing.
Yijun asked, "Have you two met before?" Mo Yuming began to answer, "Yes, she's the girl we told you about, the one that Y-" But Yuxi quickly interrupted, feeding Mo Yuming a piece of food. "Shut up and eat properly." Yuxi's tone was serious.
Mo Yuming complained, her mouth full, "This tastes awful." Yijun watched them with amusement, while Mei kept her eyes fixed on her food.
Mei stood up, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll just... go get something." She quickly escaped the table, feeling someone's intense gaze on her back. Mei's heart skipped a beat, and she quickened her pace, eager to escape the intensity of his gaze.
Yijun asked again, "Where's Xiaoyan?" Yang didn't hear the question, so Yijun looked at Ling for an answer. "Ah, Bai Jing invited her," Ling replied directly.
As they finished their lunch, Yijun stood up, smiling. "Thanks for letting us join you. We should do this again sometime."
Yang nodded, grinning. "Sure. It's always more fun with more people."
After lunch, they headed back to their respective rooms. Yijun, Yuxi, and Mo Yuming walked together, heading to their rooms.
"You noticed, Yuxi, Lady Mei'yin couldn't look at us properly," Mo Yuming said with a teasing smile, twirling her hair around her finger.
"Even I wouldn't look at you for long," Yijun chimed in, his tone playful.
"What do you mean?" Mo Yuming asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Your face is just so funny, maybe she didn't want to look at you because she didn't want to embarrass you," Yijun teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Yuxi couldn't help but smile briefly.
" You're crazy!" Mo Yuming exclaimed, trying to hit Yijun, but he dodged her easily.
As they walked, they passed by the Bai siblings and Xiaoyan. They exchanged greetings, and Yuxi's eyes met Bai Linyan's.
Mo Yuming noticed the exchange gaze and wrapped her arms around Yuxi's, smiling up at him.
Bai Linyan gave her a disdainful look.
"What are you doing?" Yuxi asked with lower voice.
"Just let me do it... look at Linyan," Mo Yuming whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Did you see my siblings, Yijun?" Xiao asked.
"They went back to their room. We had lunch with them earlier," Yijun replied.
"Good," Xiaoyan said.
"It's good that Mei'yin didn't do anything embarrassing," Bai Cheng said, his tone cold.
Xiao shot him a warning look. "I know you don't like Mei, but don't speak about her like that in front of me," Xiao said, her voice firm.
Bai Jing intervened, calming the situation. "Please forgive my brother. Let me talk to him about his behavior."
Everyone felt the tension, and Yijun decided it was time to excuse themselves.