After getting ready, she left her small apartment and stepped into the cool morning air, the sky barely lightening as the sun rose. Her heart beat a little faster with each step she took toward the school, her mind racing with anticipation. When she finally caught sight of the classroom window, her heart skipped a beat—there he was, sitting quietly at his desk, seemingly lost in thought. Just a few students lingered in the room at this early hour, giving her the chance she’d hoped for. She took a deep breath, glanced quickly at her reflection in a nearby window, and walked inside, a small, shy smile playing at her lips.

Inside, Jun Hao had his head resting on his folded arms, looking completely drained. Shu Qi guessed he’d been up late studying again, his usual habit. She quietly slipped into her seat beside him, careful not to disturb him. Up close, his face looked peaceful, even vulnerable, and she found herself smiling softly.

“My baby Jun Hao is even more handsome than I thought,” she murmured under her breath, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. Get a grip, Shu Qi! She quickly refocused on her books, determined to keep herself in check. This was about studying, after all. But every so often, she couldn’t resist glancing over at him.

About twenty minutes later, the morning bell chimed, and Jun Hao stirred, lifting his head groggily. Shu Qi greeted him with a bright, “Good morning!” Her tone was warm, without any trace of judgment or teasing, just a simple, sincere hello.

He blinked, momentarily taken aback, his eyes lingering on her friendly expression. She was smiling openly, as if seeing him made her happy. He thought about replying, hesitated, and then looked away, reminding himself it was better to keep his distance.

Shu Qi, unfazed by his silence, simply went back to her work, a small smile still lingering on her lips. She understood he wasn’t someone who opened up easily, and she was happy to give him his space. Yet, from the corner of his eye, Jun Hao couldn’t help but notice her every now and then—her furrowed brow as she struggled with a math problem, the way she lightly tapped her pencil as she thought. He remembered the tip she’d left him the day before, a kind and unexpected gesture. Maybe he could return the favor and help her with the math?

The teacher dismissed the class not long after, and while Shu Qi stayed behind to wrestle with her homework, Jun Hao took out a piece of paper, scribbling down the solution she seemed to be stuck on. Just as he was about to offer it to her, the girl sitting in front of Shu Qi turned around with a cheerful smile.

“Hi! I’m Xiao Yu. You’re the new student, right?”

Shu Qi looked up, momentarily surprised, but quickly returned Xiao Yu’s friendly smile. “Yes, I am. Nice to meet you!”

As they exchanged pleasantries, Shu Qi’s thoughts raced. Wait… isn’t this the heroine’s best friend? The sweet, innocent Xiao Yu? She studied the girl a little closer, taking in her gentle smile and kind eyes. It was just as the book described—Xiao Yu was warm, approachable, and exactly the type of person anyone would want by their side.

Shu Qi tried not to get ahead of herself, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of excitement. If Xiao Yu’s here, then I might be closer to the story’s main events than I thought.

Their conversation flowed easily as they discovered common interests, from books to music, and Shu Qi felt a growing sense of relief at having made a friend so soon. When she asked for help with the math problem, Xiao Yu was eager to assist, leaning over her notebook to explain the steps with a reassuring smile.

Jun Hao quietly folded the paper in his pocket, watching as Xiao Yu took the role he’d considered stepping into. Strangely, he felt a pang of disappointment. He brushed it off, but the feeling lingered. Why did it matter to him who helped Shu Qi?

The next morning, Shu Qi arrived early again, taking her seat beside Jun Hao. She glanced his way, offering her usual “Good morning,” her voice soft and cheerful. He nodded, seeming a bit more at ease today but still distant.

Days turned into a gentle rhythm. Shu Qi continued her early arrivals, seizing small moments to exchange quiet greetings with Jun Hao. Their exchanges were brief, sometimes little more than nods or glances, but Shu Qi didn’t mind. Every day felt like a step closer, and she was patient, letting things unfold naturally.

One afternoon, long after most of the class had left, Shu Qi stayed behind, deep in her homework. She was struggling with a particularly tricky equation when a shadow fell over her desk. She looked up to find Jun Hao standing there, hesitant but holding a piece of paper. Wordlessly, he placed it in front of her—a neatly written solution to the math problem.

Surprised, Shu Qi looked up, meeting his eyes. “Thank you, Jun Hao,” she said softly, her voice warm with gratitude.

He shrugged, his face turning slightly away. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, trying to sound indifferent. But there was something in his eyes—a flicker of warmth, a small crack in his guarded demeanor.

As Shu Qi studied the solution he’d given her, a new feeling settled in her heart. Beneath his reserved nature, there was kindness, a quiet willingness to help, even if he tried to hide it. It made her want to understand him better, to uncover the gentle person behind the silence. And for now, she was content to take things slowly, savoring each small glimpse into the real Jun Hao.