That made her pause. The smile didn't disappear, but it froze, like glass catching light. "You're always so careful with your words."
"Careful words avoid unnecessary trouble," he said.
Their food arrived, the silence stretching as they both lifted their utensils. He ate with measured grace; she barely touched her plate.
"Tell me something, Senior Haoyu," she said after a beat, her tone light but laced with something sharper. "When you heard I was getting engaged to Gu Jianhong… did it surprise you?"
Qin Haoyu looked up briefly. "No. Your families have been close for years."
"Not even a little surprised?" she pressed, half-smiling.
He paused — long enough for her to think, for one foolish second, that she'd caught him off guard. But then he set his cup down with a faint clink.
"I wish you both well," he said, voice calm, polite, detached.
Her smile froze.
That was it — no flicker in his eyes, no strain in his tone. Nothing.
She laughed softly to hide the sting. "You really don't change, do you?"
"I take that as a compliment," he said mildly. "Consistency builds trust."
Her throat felt tight, but her pride wouldn't allow her to look away. She leaned forward slightly, her smile sharp. "Then I'll trust you to wait a little longer for that signature."
Qin Haoyu's brows lifted a fraction, but his tone remained even. "If you're delaying it for personal reasons, Miss Feng, I suggest we move past them."
"Who said it's personal?" she countered, smile never faltering.
"Then let's not make it one."
Finally, Feng Xinyue set her fork down. "You really won't look at me differently, will you?"
Qin Haoyu glanced up. "I've always respected you, Miss Feng."
"Respect," she repeated quietly. "How… cold."
He stood, adjusting his cuffs with quiet precision. "Thank you for the meal. My assistant will be in touch."
Without another glance, he turned and left, his steps steady — the very image of composure.
Feng Xinyue watched him go, her jaw tightening before her expression smoothed again. The waiter came to clear the table, and she waved him off, eyes still fixed on the door.
When it finally swung shut behind Qin Haoyu, she picked up her glass and took a slow sip.
"Still the same," she murmured, her reflection trembling in the wine. "But that's fine, Senior Haoyu... Haoyu… I've never been one to give up easily."
---
The bell rang, sharp and clear, slicing through the chatter that filled the classroom.
Chairs scraped, students burst into laughter, and the room erupted into the usual chaos of lunchtime.
Xi Jiayi hadn't moved. She sat in her seat by the window, calmly stacking her books with mechanical precision. Her eyes flicked briefly to the door—calculating the fastest way out—when a hesitant voice stopped her.
"Um… Xi Jiayi, right?"
She turned slightly.
A girl stood by her desk, clutching a notebook to her chest like a shield. Her dark bangs brushed over a pair of round glasses, and her voice was soft enough that it almost drowned beneath the noise of the room.
"I—I'm Shi Yan," the girl stammered, offering a small smile. "I sit two rows ahead. The teacher said you just transferred, so I thought maybe… you'd want the notes from this week?"
She extended the notebook with both hands, knuckles white from how tightly she held it.
Xi Jiayi blinked, caught off guard. The offer was so… normal. So far from what she expected.
Her expression didn't change much—just a subtle tightening at the corner of her lips. "Thank you," she said evenly, her tone neutral, almost businesslike.
Shi Yan froze for a second before realizing Xi Jiayi had actually accepted the notebook. Her shoulders sagged in visible relief.
"Ah, great! I—I was worried you'd think I was bothering you."
Xi Jiayi looked at her, expression unreadable. "You weren't."
Shi Yan's grin widened instantly. "Good! Then… maybe tomorrow, if you need help, I can—"
Before she could finish, the loud laughter of a few boys nearby broke the moment. Shi Yan flinched, lowering her voice again. "Um, anyway, enjoy lunch!"
She gave a quick wave before hurrying back to her desk, practically glowing with self-congratulation.
Behind her, Xi Jiayi stared at the notebook resting on her desk.
Her reflection in the window looked faintly bemused.
"…Strange," she murmured under her breath, lips curving just slightly before her expression went flat again.