Chapter 16 – The Unexpected Compliment
The morning sun spilled gently into the classroom, illuminating the soft dust motes dancing in the air. Su Zaizai was sitting at her desk, nervously tapping her pen against the notebook. Today, they were supposed to present a portion of their science project, and her heart pounded at the thought of speaking in front of the class.
Zhang Lurang, sitting at his usual spot by the window, seemed calm as ever. His dark eyes occasionally flicked toward her, not in judgment, but in quiet observation.
"Zaizai," he said softly, as she hesitated over her notes. "You'll do fine."
She blinked, startled by the unexpected encouragement. "W-what? You… really think so?" she stammered.
He shrugged lightly, his expression unreadable, though there was a faint hint of warmth in his gaze. "Yes. You prepared well. Just… trust yourself."
Zaizai felt a rush of gratitude, her cheeks warming. His words, simple as they were, gave her a surprising boost of confidence. She straightened in her seat, determined to do her best.
During the presentation, she spoke clearly, following the order Lurang had suggested during their preparation. She felt his presence beside her, calm and supportive, and it steadied her nerves. When she finished, the class applauded lightly.
As she returned to her seat, Lurang nodded once, almost imperceptibly, but Zaizai could feel the quiet acknowledgment of her effort. For the first time, she realized that his support wasn't just in his actions or advice — it was also in his quiet faith in her abilities.
After class, as the students packed up, Zaizai lingered, wanting to speak to him. "Lurang… thank you," she said softly.
He looked at her, his dark eyes meeting hers. "You did well," he said simply. "Don't doubt yourself so much next time."
Zaizai smiled, feeling a warm glow spread through her chest. His quiet compliment, delivered without fanfare, meant more to her than any grand praise ever could.
Walking home that afternoon, she replayed the moment over and over in her mind. It wasn't just that he had complimented her — it was how he had done it, calmly, sincerely, and without expecting anything in return.
Zaizai realized that with Lurang, even the smallest gestures could leave the deepest impact. Each shared moment, each quiet word, was slowly weaving a bond between them — one she knew she couldn't ignore, no matter how hard she tried.
End of Chapter 16