PAIN - CHAPTER 5:

The days between the beginning and end of the month slipped by in a blur, and before she knew it,

it was once again the night when Bai Xun Yin, Sheng Chu Ran,

and Zhong Qin were on duty to clean the classroom.

Once or twice every month, this was the time when they would pull the same trick

locking the classroom doors.

Bai Xun Yin didn’t want to stay late either.

She’d rather leave early with the others than risk being locked in.

But if she left, the classroom wouldn’t get cleaned,

and the next morning the homeroom teacher,

Shen Lang Li, would scold her anyway.

Sheng Chu Ran’s family had close ties with the school,

or else Shen Lang Li wouldn’t be so openly biased.

Everyone knew it was practically an open secret

Bai Xun Yin being locked inside was Sheng Chu Ran’s favorite way to vent her temper.

And everyone played along. Even Bai Xun Yin herself cooperated.

Waiting for the security guard to unlock the door later was still better

than openly quarreling with her classmates and

teacher and ending up being targeted in class.

But tonight, Sheng Chu Ran didn’t just lock the door and leave.

Instead, she walked right up to Bai Xun Yin.

Bai Xun Yin frowned slightly, lowering the blackboard eraser in her

hand and looking at them with quiet confusion.

Sheng Chu Ran stared into those clear, watery eyes and felt her anger rise.

Her voice turned low and cold.

Come with me somewhere.

Bai Xun Yin shook her head and wrote two simple words on the board.

Not going.

Whatever Sheng Chu Ran wanted, she had no interest in joining.

She’d already endured enough of Sheng Chu Ran’s petty torments

cooperating with them was her bottom line.

You think you get to decide? Sheng Chu Ran snapped, eyebrows lifting sharply.

She grabbed Bai Xun Yin’s thin arm and yanked her down from the podium.

Neither of the three girls bothered to take their bags.

They stumbled and shoved each other out of the classroom.

Pain flared across Bai Xun Yin’s arm where Sheng Chu Ran’s grip had dug in,

leaving fresh red marks on her pale skin.

Call Lu Ye, Sheng Chu Ran urged Zhong Qin impatiently once they reached the hallway.

Tell him we’ve got Bai Xun Yin with us.

Ask him to come and bring Yu Luo Yin along.

Only then did Bai Xun Yin understand.

Sheng Chu Ran wanted to use her as bait to get

Lu Ye to show up so she could see Yu Luo Yin.

Bai Xun Yin couldn’t help a short, bitter laugh.

She wrenched her arm free while Sheng Chu Ran was distracted talking to Zhong Qin.

Sheng Chu Ran stumbled back a few steps, caught off guard.

What are you doing? Sheng Chu Ran snapped.

Bai Xun Yin said nothing. She simply went back, grabbed her schoolbag, and turned to leave.

Hey, I’m talking to you! You can’t go! Sheng Chu Ran’s spoiled temper flared.

She and Zhong Qin blocked Bai Xun Yin’s way. If you leave, Lu Ye won’t come!

Bai Xun Yin almost laughed aloud.

She typed quickly on her phone and held the screen up for Sheng Chu Ran to see:

Lu Ye and I have nothing to do with each other. He doesn’t like me.

Using me won’t bring him here.

She could tell what kind of person Lu Ye was proud, self-respecting.

He’d made his feelings clear that day. There was no way he’d come running for her,

much less bring Yu Luo Yin along. Sheng Chu Ran was being absurd.

But Sheng Chu Ran refused to believe her, blocking her way no matter what.

She’d gone too long without seeing Yu Luo Yin and was desperate.

Bai Xun Yin refused to be used as anyone’s stepping stone for love.

Ignoring the sharp sting of nails scratching her arm, she used all her strength to break free and ran.

Her breath caught in her chest as she dashed down the stairs, faster than she thought she could

move, racing toward the school gates.

Behind her came Sheng Chu Ran’s furious voice.

Bai Xun Yin! You just wait!

That was going to make things worse she knew it.

Tomorrow, and the next day, class would be unbearable.

But right now, she just needed to get away.

Her mind felt tangled, like a ball of yarn clawed by a cat.

Afraid Sheng Chu Ran might chase after her, she didn’t look back.

She nearly ran straight into someone.

Almost.

Her shoe nearly stepped on a pair of white sneakers.

A faint sandalwood scent surrounded her.

Long fingers steadied her by the shoulder,

then withdrew politely, letting her regain balance.

Embarrassed, Bai Xun Yin lifted her gaze to apologize

and froze when she met a pair of black eyes.

Deep as obsidian, gentle as starlight reflected in water.

Yu Luo Yin.

She remembered his face but it was his eyes that left the strongest impression.

He spoke first, his voice low and calm.

Are you alright?

Bai Xun Yin stumbled back two steps, bit her lip, and typed quickly on her phone,

I’m fine, thank you. She held it up for him to see.

This time, she wasn’t going to be rude. Even if she couldn’t speak, she could still be polite.

Yu Luo Yin didn’t seem surprised. His gaze drifted from the phone to her delicate hand,

then to her arm, where fresh scratches streaked across the pale skin.

His eyes darkened.

He touched her arm lightly, his tone turning cool.

What happened here?

Startled, Bai Xun Yin jerked away as if shocked by electricity.

The sudden contact made her ears flush pink.

She shook her head quickly, then nodded once to show she was fine before turning to leave.

She ran off again, just like the last two times he’d tried to talk to her.

Yu Luo Yin watched her slim figure fade into the distance and smiled faintly, almost amused.

He had come because Lu Ye told him she’d be here yet she ran away again.

So why was he still standing there?

With a soft chuckle, he turned and walked off, tall and straight-backed against the evening light.

That day, Linlan finally saw a clear sky.

The evening breeze was warm and dry.

Bai Xun Yin slowed to a stop only after running far from the school, her breath shallow.

Her phone rang then.

It was Amo.

The bright, cheerful voice filled her ear before she could say a word.

Yinyin! My transfer’s approved! Dad said I can join your class next semester!

You guys are starting summer break in two weeks, right? I’ll be back in Linlan then!

Bai Xun Yin couldn’t speak, but she smiled faintly.

The irritation, the confusion they all faded, replaced by quiet relief.

Maybe she’d just overheated earlier. Linlan in June was like that

the heat pressed down until you could barely breathe.

When Yu Luo Yin’s fingers brushed hers, it wasn’t her imagination.

It was just the heat burning and real.

Amo, she mouthed silently, please come back soon.

She missed her.

They’d been together since elementary school,

even attending the same high school until Amo’s family

moved away to another city for business.

Life had been harder since. Losing her voice,

losing her friend it made every day feel heavier.

But now Amo was coming back.

The thought brought her a rare spark of happiness.

After hanging up, Bai Xun Yin texted her two simple words.

Waiting for you.

With something to look forward to, the last two weeks passed quickly, and summer arrived.

For second-year students, this was their last taste of freedom before senior year

the final stretch before exams consumed their lives.

It was tradition at No. 3 High for rising seniors to move to the east wing

a separate building reserved for third-years, their battlefield.

Everyone had to move their own desks and chairs.

Unfortunately, the day it happened, Linlan was drenched again.

Not a drizzle, but a downpour.

Bai Xun Yin sighed at the rain streaking down the window.

Most girls asked boys for help and just held umbrellas beside them.

She didn’t have anyone to ask.

Even the boys who once offered were quickly called away by Sheng Chu Ran’s crowd.

So she sighed softly, lifted an umbrella in one hand, and tried to carry her chair with the other.

The moment she stepped out from under the eaves, her pant legs soaked through.

The chair slipped in her wet hands.

She clenched her teeth. So what if she got sick? She’d just finish this first.

Tucking the umbrella away, she gripped the chair with both hands and trudged through the rain.

By the time she was halfway there, her hair was plastered to her face, and she could barely see.

She stopped to catch her breath, wiped rain from her cheeks, and

bent down again to lift the chair.

Then a hand pressed lightly on her shoulder.

Pale, slender fingers.

A shadow covered her head a black umbrella.

She turned in surprise and saw the sharp lines of Yu Luo Yin’s face.

Without a word, he took the chair from her, lifting it effortlessly.

I’ll help you.

His tone was quiet, almost casual, as he nodded for her to walk ahead.

She hesitated.

What, can’t I? he said with a faint smile, handing her the umbrella. Learn from the others.

Hold it for me.

Other girls were giggling and coaxing boys to help while they held the umbrellas.

She was the only one struggling alone.

Bai Xun Yin’s cheeks flushed pink. She hesitated,

then took the umbrella carefully, her fingertips brushing his.

The rain drowned out everything, but her own heartbeat sounded loud and clear.