Being "Crushed" - Chapter 25

Six years ago —

After finishing the extracurricular activities, Song Yuhan slipped back into her usual routine.

To her, those few days away felt like a fleeting dream. Once she woke up, nothing about her daily life had changed — except for one dominant presence.

Though she and Lu Sifang were in separate classes, their classrooms located several floors apart, she often found herself “accidentally” catching sight of him passing by her classroom door.

Every time he walked past, a stir followed him. Song Yuhan overheard the whispers — and he drew more attention than anyone else.

“That little troublemaker’s back again…”

“I’ve been seeing him hanging around our class a lot lately, it’s strange!”

“Yeah, I never saw him at school before. Why is he suddenly so diligent?”

“Isn’t he supposed to be fierce? How come he’s not scared of the noisy crickets here?”

“That voice is a little better… but still needs some work.”

Song Yuhan always sat by the window in the first row, a spot that made her easily visible whenever someone entered. This visibility was both a blessing and a curse for Lu Sifang.

He liked it because it meant she was always in clear view, but hated it because other boys came just to look at her — and he had to chase them off.

Zhou Su, watching him glare repeatedly at the unruly figure pacing from the front door to the back, grew curious. She then turned to Song Yuhan, who was busy with her exercises, seemingly unaware of the scene outside even though class had started.

“Song, be honest,” she said, her fingers forming a mock gun, lips sealed.

Song Yuhan looked up, tilting her head with a curious expression. “Explain what?”

Zhou Su sighed, looking at her wide, clear eyes. Such a cool and charming guy — how could his personality be so adorable?

“Ahem, did anything happen between you and the little overlord during those days?” She coughed lightly, then asked bluntly. She didn’t want to keep guessing; she needed to know.

Song Yuhan blinked, lashes fluttering nervously, then glanced away. “Nothing…”

Zhou Su squinted. “Really?”

Song Yuhan hesitated. A lot had happened, but did she really need to say it all?

“Well, we were partners for a few days, and he said some strange things…”

“What, he confessed to you?!” Zhou Su jumped up, the noisy classroom suddenly quieting.

“?”

Song Yuhan was surprised. That’s not how she meant it.

Zhou Su covered her mouth, sitting back down softly. “No, why didn’t you tell me? I’m not saying you should stop noticing him!”

Song Yuhan pursed her lips. “No, it doesn’t make sense…”

“But he passes by our class every day, everyone knows he’s here to see you!” Zhou Su looked out disdainfully, then suddenly worried. “Ah, I made a mistake! I should have followed you. I’ve only been single a few days… just came back from trouble!!”

Song Yuhan scoffed. “He isn’t troublesome, is he?”

“How could he not be!” Zhou Su slammed the table. “He’s got a bad reputation, and he’s plotting against you! If this gets out, no doubt people will call you a ‘parent’!”

“Parent?” Song Yuhan was stunned by the unfamiliar phrase and didn’t react for a moment.

Zhou Su puffed her cheeks, mustering courage. “I have to warn him — keep him away from you!”

“Huh?” Song Yuhan was confused, but before she could respond, Zhou Su rushed out, heading straight to Lu Sifang, who had just scared off some admirers.

Zhou Su was stopped by an unexpected visitor — Chen Kezhong, the class’s notorious idiot. Seeing Zhou Su finally paying attention to Song Yuhan, Chen Kezhong gathered courage to approach.

As classmates, Song Yuhan couldn’t refuse and turned back to her studies, while Chen Kezhong and Zhou Su talked quietly.

Meanwhile, Lu Sifang, having chased away a few boys trying to spy, admired their fleeing backs when a voice called out.

“Hey, you! Yes, you!”

Lu Sifang turned, spotting a girl with short hair approaching calmly. Surprised, he thought she was addressing someone else — after all, his fearsome reputation preceded him, and no one usually dared confront him.

But seeing no one else behind him, he realized the warning was for him.

His eyebrows lifted, no longer hidden, standing openly.

Zhou Su stood in front, her height seeming small next to Lu Sifang’s imposing figure, though she didn’t seem to notice. She bristled with anger:

“Listen, I warn you! No matter how much of an overlord you are, don’t get near her or try to give her advice! You’ll only hurt her…”

It was clear who “her” was — the only girl he had been involved with so far.

Lu Sifang frowned but didn’t hide his expression. With an arrogant smile, he said, “What if I don’t want to stay away?”

“You have bad intentions!” Zhou Su was furious, staring fiercely at the arrogant “evil king.” “With me here, you don’t stand a chance!” Saying this, she glared at him once more before turning back.

But Lu Sifang wasn’t fazed. Shaking his head, he looked again at the person occupying his thoughts.

Unexpectedly, a bespectacled nerd quietly stood next to Song Yuhan, speaking gently to her.

Lu Sifang’s hand clenched, and he silently stared through the window at them.

He was on high alert — it was annoying.

But they were so focused on their conversation that they didn’t notice anyone watching them.

Back inside, Zhou Su heard gasps as Lu Sifang stepped forward boldly instead of backing off.

This made her mad, but she didn’t dare intervene. She could only clench her teeth and curse silently.

“Dong dong—” Lu Sifang impatiently knocked on the glass, waiting for a reaction.

Chen Kezhong looked up, saw Lu Sifang’s dark, intense face, and was quickly frightened away.

Song Yuhan glanced back, blankly meeting those dark eyes, and her heart seemed to skip.

Noticing her finally looked at him, Lu Sifang’s lips twitched in a subtle smile. But as he saw the surprise on her classmates’ faces behind her, the words Zhou Su said echoed in his mind:

“You’ll hurt her…”

His face instantly darkened, and just as the bell rang, he walked away without a word.

Watching the tall, solitary figure retreat, Song Yuhan blinked, feeling as though something inside her had been torn apart.

Yet in class, she didn’t ponder too deeply about why she felt this way.

After school, Lu Sifang followed Song Yuhan’s path quietly, watching her get into a special car.

It was late, with few people around. His tall frame stood out clearly in the sparse crowd.

Slowing his pace, Lu Sifang stopped under a streetlamp in the alley, staring coldly at the shadows on the ground.

“You’re bold,” he muttered.

“Lu Sifang, what are you doing?” Huang Mao, his friend, dropped his bangs, puzzled. “I haven’t even found you yet, but you already sent me a challenge? Crazy!”

Lu Sifang tossed his bag carelessly. “A bet.”

Looking Huang Mao straight in the eyes, his tone serious: “If I win, you never bother me or the people around me again.”

Lu Sifang had avoided trouble before, but now, seeing Huang Mao only growing worse, he took the chance to put an end to it.

Huang Mao glared back, furious. “And if I win?” He clenched his teeth, ready to fight.

Lu Sifang’s eyes sharpened. “I won’t lose.”

“I’ll make sure you do!” Huang Mao growled.

— Three minutes later —

“Brother! Let me go! I was wrong! I swear I’ll never appear in front of you again, I’ll study hard! Please, let me go!”

…

For many days after, Song Yuhan didn’t see Lu Sifang at all.

Rumors spread — the once arrogant overlord seemed changed. No fights, no disruptions. He came to school on time, paid attention in class, and didn’t even nap.

Teachers and classmates wondered if he had been hurt emotionally, especially noticing the fresh injury at his mouth’s corner.

Then he said simply:

“It’s nothing. I just want to see what it’s like to be a good student.”

Everyone thought it was a passing whim, expecting him to return to his old self soon.

But Lu Sifang kept it up for two whole months.

When the exam rankings came out for second and third year, everyone was shocked. His usually average grades had skyrocketed — jumping to the top ten in science.

This stunned all who saw the list. People whispered excitedly.

Meanwhile, Song Yuhan remained steady, still top in liberal arts.

Standing in the crowd, she glanced at the rankings, ready to leave, but then stopped — her eyes caught the science list.

Seeing a familiar name high up startled her.

Before she could react, a tall, handsome figure appeared beside her. A fresh sea-salt lemon scent filled the air. She glanced sideways.

Under the sun, the black-haired boy stood straight, handsome profile, eyes scanning the chart, as if searching for something.

Suddenly, he found it. His tense brow relaxed, a familiar mischievous smile tugged at his lips. Turning to meet Song Yuhan’s eyes, he confidently extended his hand:

“Hello, classmate Song. Let’s officially get to know each other. Sixth in science — Lu Sifang.”