Chapter 12 – A Rainy Shortcut
The afternoon sky was gray, heavy with clouds, and a gentle drizzle had begun to fall as Su Zaizai left school. She hurried along the familiar path, trying to avoid puddles, her bag pressed tightly against her side.
Just as she rounded a corner, she spotted Zhang Lurang walking ahead of her, umbrella in hand. He hadn't noticed her yet.
Zaizai hesitated. She hadn't planned on meeting him, but something inside her urged her to follow. Keeping a small distance, she trailed him as he took a shortcut through the quieter streets near the school.
When he finally realized she was there, he stopped and glanced back. "Why are you following me?" he asked, calm but with the faintest hint of curiosity in his voice.
Zaizai blushed, caught off guard. "I… I wasn't following! I just… uh, needed a shortcut too."
Lurang tilted his head slightly, studying her, then sighed softly. "Fine. Walk with me, then."
The two of them moved together under his umbrella, close enough that the edges brushed against each other. Zaizai's heart raced, and she found herself careful not to step on his feet or let her shoulder touch his.
"You always take the same shortcuts?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Mostly," he replied simply, eyes on the road ahead. "It's faster and quieter."
Zaizai noticed how effortlessly he moved, confident yet unhurried, and she felt a quiet admiration growing within her. For a moment, she wished they could always walk like this — side by side, the world around them muted, the rain providing a gentle rhythm to their steps.
As they reached the corner where their paths diverged, Lurang stopped. "You'll be fine from here," he said, his tone neutral but considerate.
Zaizai nodded, reluctant to leave his side. "Thanks… for letting me walk with you," she said softly.
He gave a faint nod. "Don't mention it."
And then he was gone, disappearing down the street, leaving Zaizai standing in the drizzle with her heart pounding. She realized something — it wasn't the umbrella, the rain, or even the walk itself that mattered. It was the quiet companionship, the unspoken understanding, the small moments that made her feel seen and safe in his presence.
That day, Zaizai understood that sometimes, connections weren't formed in grand gestures or dramatic words. Sometimes, they were formed in the rain, in shared silences, and in the subtle attention of someone who truly noticed you.
And in her heart, she knew that with Zhang Lurang, these moments were only beginning.
End of Chapter 12