Chapter Two: Becoming Classmates

Last night, after searching for hours and finding nothing, Yu Sheng sat in the classroom, yawning endlessly.

What is this? She must be lying to me! Yu Sheng thought indignantly. Otherwise, how could there not be a single trace?

“Did you play games all night? Why are you so sleepy?” her desk mate, Lin Ning, asked with concern.

“No, of course not. If I were gaming, I’d definitely have called you.”

Lin Ning seemed about to reply when their homeroom teacher suddenly entered, interrupting their morning reading.

“Everyone, pause for a moment.”

Yu Sheng looked toward the front. Standing behind the teacher was none other than Gu Yan.

“This is the new student joining our class today. Please introduce yourself.”

Gu Yan’s gaze brushed over Yu Sheng and lingered for a moment before he spoke. “Hello, everyone. My name is Gu Yan. I’m glad to become your classmate.”

Yu Sheng had considered the possibility that he’d transfer to her school, but she’d never imagined he’d join her class, much less become the student sitting behind her.

Isn’t this a bit too much of a coincidence?

“Hi... hi!” Yu Sheng secretly greeted Gu Yan as he walked past her.

As for why she was being secretive, Yu Sheng wasn’t entirely sure—she simply felt it was better to keep their acquaintance hidden.

Gu Yan nodded at her and took his seat.

In the days that followed, Yu Sheng found no chance to speak with him again—he was always surrounded by people.

Is this what it means to be naturally popular? Yu Sheng thought helplessly.

Her home was not far from school—about a ten-minute walk.

At noon, after parting ways with Lin Ning at the school gate, Yu Sheng saw Gu Yan walking slowly ahead of her after only a few steps.

“Hey!” Yu Sheng caught up and patted Gu Yan on the shoulder.

She’d expected to startle him, but he seemed to have foreseen it. He simply turned, glanced coolly at her, and continued walking.

Huh? What’s with him?

“What’s wrong with you? Why do you always look like someone owes you money?”

“It’s not wise to get too close to me,” Gu Yan said, fixing Yu Sheng with a steady gaze.

“Why? Are you in some mortal danger or something?”

Yu Sheng had only meant to joke, but Gu Yan’s expression darkened even further.

He said nothing, just kept walking.

“Come on, I was only joking. No need to take it so seriously.”

She still knew nothing at all—was he being too harsh?

Gu Yan reflected on his behavior and felt he might have gone too far.

“In the future, don’t make jokes like that, all right?” Gu Yan’s tone suddenly softened as he spoke to Yu Sheng.

She was clearly startled by his abrupt change in attitude.

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Fine, I get it.”

Gu Yan turned away and sighed softly.

I’m being too hasty. Let things take their course—slow and steady.

When Yu Sheng got home, she found her younger brother, Yu Chen, was there too.

“What are you doing back? It’s not even Friday.”

“None of your business!”

“So you’re itching for a beating, huh?” Yu Sheng said, raising her fist as if to hit him.

“He’s not staying in the dorm anymore. From today, he’ll be eating at home,” Wei Yabo, their mother, intervened just in time to prevent a skirmish.

Yu Sheng and Yu Chen usually got along well; aside from their constant bickering and play-fighting, they were close siblings.

“But why? Weren’t you the one who insisted on living at school in the first place?” Yu Sheng was baffled.

“Don’t ask. I just don’t want to eat in the school cafeteria anymore. I want to live at home,” Yu Chen mumbled before burying his head in his food.

Yu Sheng looked at Wei Yabo for answers, but she only shook her head, equally puzzled.

What on earth happened?

Given Yu Chen’s stubborn nature, unless something significant had happened, he’d never change his mind so abruptly.

Yu Sheng made a mental note to keep an eye out, but continued to chat and laugh with Wei Yabo over dinner as if nothing had happened.

During PE class that afternoon, Yu Sheng’s mind wandered back to the question—why had her brother suddenly moved back home?

Yu Chen attended No. 1 High School, one grade below Yu Sheng, who was a sophomore. Both attended prestigious schools in the city, but hers was closer to home, while his was a good half-hour walk away.

What could have driven him to make such a change?

“What’s wrong? Did the new kid’s mood rub off on you?” Lin Ning asked.

“Huh?” Yu Sheng didn’t quite catch her meaning.

“You look so troubled—I thought Gu Yan’s gloominess had gotten to you.”

“No, not at all. Hahaha.”

So Gu Yan’s sour mood was a universal observation.

“I was just thinking about why my brother suddenly stopped living in the dorms. My dad was going to buy him an electric bike so he could commute, but he flatly refused, saying he wanted to board. Yet after only a few months, he’s back home.”

“Well, maybe he just found it inconvenient. What’s the big deal?” Lin Ning was puzzled.

“You don’t understand—my brother is unbelievably stubborn. Once he makes up his mind, he never regrets it. Even if he does, he won’t back down. He’d rather suffer than admit he was wrong.”

“Maybe something happened that seriously affected him?”

“Who knows! Forget it,” Yu Sheng said, rubbing her head. Maybe he just had a sudden change of heart.

“What do you think that transfer student is always up to, wandering around the field all mysterious? He’s a good-looking guy, but seems a bit off in the head,” Lin Ning said anxiously, watching Gu Yan pace the track as if searching for someone.

Following Lin Ning’s gaze, Yu Sheng saw Gu Yan indeed behaving strangely on the sports field.

What is he doing every day? This morning too—sometimes he’s cold to me, but sometimes he talks as if we’ve known each other for years.

Watching from a distance, Gu Yan had no idea how odd his behavior appeared to others.

He simply wanted to observe everyone closely, to anticipate what might happen.

If he succeeded, could he prevent it?

At that moment, feeling someone’s gaze, Gu Yan looked over to see Yu Sheng and Lin Ning.

They’d been close friends and desk mates since their first year. If she knew...

Gu Yan waved to them and walked their way.

Neither Yu Sheng nor Lin Ning expected him to greet them, and both were momentarily stunned.

Once they realized, they waved back.

“Your brother’s back home?” Gu Yan asked, straight to the point.

Lin Ning looked bewildered, and Yu Sheng was surprised too—she’d never mentioned having a brother.

“Yes... yes, he is. How did you know?”

“I saw him. By the way, you’d better pay attention to your brother’s situation.”

“Oh, okay.”

With that, Gu Yan glanced at the dumbfounded Lin Ning, hesitated, then turned and left without another word.

Once she’d recovered, Lin Ning stared incredulously at Yu Sheng. “You two know each other?”

“Not really—he just rents a place from my family, so I met him a day before you all did.”

Yet somehow, he speaks to me as if he’s known me for ages.

But, I don’t think he’s ever even met my brother before?