Chapter 13 – The Library Challenge
It was a quiet Thursday afternoon, and the library had become Zaizai's refuge from the noise of the school. She had brought her notebook, textbooks, and a pencil case overflowing with pens, determined to finish her part of the science project before the weekend.
As she settled into her usual spot near the back, she noticed Zhang Lurang already there, leaning against a bookshelf, scanning some reference materials. His presence was calm and almost magnetic, drawing her gaze despite herself.
"Lurang," she called softly, trying not to sound too eager.
He turned slowly, his dark eyes meeting hers. "You're here early," he remarked, his voice low but not unkind.
Zaizai smiled. "I wanted to get ahead on our project. I thought… maybe you could help me figure out a part I don't understand."
Lurang raised an eyebrow, then moved toward her table. "Show me," he said simply, sitting down across from her.
For the next hour, they worked in companionable silence, only speaking when necessary. Zaizai noticed small things she hadn't before — the way he tilted his head when concentrating, how he tapped his pen lightly against the table when thinking, and the careful way he corrected her mistakes without making her feel inadequate.
At one point, Zaizai sighed, frustrated with a particularly tricky section of the experiment. "I just don't get it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lurang leaned closer, his dark eyes intent on her notes. "You're overcomplicating it," he said softly. "Focus on the basics first, then the details will follow."
His guidance was gentle, yet there was a firmness in his tone that made her heart skip a beat. Zaizai realized that she trusted his advice completely, more than anyone else's.
As the library clock ticked on, Zaizai found herself stealing glances at him more often than she intended. Each glance revealed something new — the faint softness in his gaze when he looked at her, the small gestures of care he didn't even notice he was making.
Finally, they packed up their things. Zaizai felt a pang of disappointment that the quiet, intimate study session had to end.
"Thanks… for helping me," she said, her cheeks warm.
Lurang nodded once, his usual calm expression returning. "Don't make it a habit," he said lightly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.
Zaizai laughed softly, feeling her heart flutter. "I won't… maybe."
As she left the library, she realized that their moments together, no matter how small or ordinary, were becoming the highlights of her days. The quiet companionship, the subtle care, and the unspoken connection were growing stronger with each shared glance and each word spoken softly between them.
And Zaizai knew, deep down, that she was beginning to rely on these moments — on him — more than she wanted to admit.
End of Chapter 13