PAIN - CHAPTER11

That day at the cinema, the two of them parted almost in silence.

After returning the workbook to Yu Luoyin, Bai Xun Yin never went back to the library again. With barely half a month left of summer vacation, she hid herself at home, expressing her attitude quietly but clearly.

She didn’t know what Yu Luoyin was thinking, but she had no intention of playing those vague and dangerous games with him.

People always said, “You’re students. Do what students are supposed to do.” It sounded ordinary and overused, yet it was true.

Bai Xun Yin forced herself to forget the days she’d spent with Yu Luoyin. If she owed him anything, she had already repaid it.

Still, reason was one thing, and emotion another. Even when she knew what was right, the emptiness crept in, tugging at her heart.

Even A-Mo could tell something was off.

“Yin Yin, school’s starting in two days. You really don’t want to go out and have some fun?” A-Mo sprawled across her desk, fidgeting with her trinkets. “You’ve been home for so long. You look… down lately.”

Really? Bai Xun Yin’s long lashes trembled. She didn’t answer.

Her slender fingers gripped a pen, the tip hovering over a blank sheet for a long while, unsure what to write.

The truth was, she didn’t dare to go out.

Every time she stepped outside, she’d see the bus stop at the entrance of the neighborhood—and she’d remember those days she used to take that same bus to meet Yu Luoyin.

The warm afternoons at the library would come rushing back. The scent of wood, the quiet seats divided by pine latticework, the hours spent solving problems together, the WeChat messages that lingered into the night.

It hadn’t rained much that summer in Linlan. Every day was dry and bright, just like those days they shared.

But now, the chat box that once overflowed with endless talk about math and life had stopped—frozen in time since a week ago.

His last message still sat there, calm yet restrained, tinged with a subtle irritation:
Bai Xun Yin, why are you avoiding me?

She never replied. The message sat there like a splinter lodged too deep to remove.

She couldn’t answer him, because she wasn’t innocent—she was avoiding him.

Because of his teasing words, his unpredictable moods. And because she was afraid of herself, afraid of being tempted.

Yu Luoyin was the dream of every girl in school. Like a forbidden fruit in Eden—beautiful, irresistible, but dangerous to touch.

Lost in thought, Bai Xun Yin didn’t notice A-Mo still chattering beside her. Fortunately, A-Mo was the type who could fill any silence with her own imagination.

Then came the question that pierced through the calm like a needle.

“By the way, Yin Yin, you once said you met someone special. Who was it?”

A-Mo really didn’t know when to stop.

Bai Xun Yin frowned and childishly covered her ears.

Not listening, not listening—just shut up already.

Ever since she was little, even after the occasional bullying at school, Bai Xun Yin had never hated going to class.

But this time was different.

For the first time, she didn’t want to go back. Not because of the lessons—but because of who she might see there.

Her nerves were shot that morning. Dressing, eating, getting ready—everything took twice as long. By the time A-Mo yelled from outside, her mother was already giving her strange looks.

“Come on, Yin Yin! Why are you so slow today?” A-Mo grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the bus. “Usually it’s you rushing me, and now look who’s dawdling!”

Thankfully, A-Mo’s chatter helped ease her tension, if only a little.

She didn’t know why she felt so anxious. She hadn’t done anything wrong. But her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

On their way to campus, A-Mo suddenly leaned in, whispering, “Hey, guess what—I heard we might be getting new classes this year.”

A-Mo had some distant aunt who worked at the school and always brought the juiciest gossip.

Bai Xun Yin looked up, startled. Her eyes seemed to ask, Really?

“Apparently, yeah. They’re setting up two elite classes for the top students. You know, the kind that aim for top ten universities.”

Elite classes. It wasn’t unheard of, but for their school—it was new.

Bai Xun Yin frowned slightly, deep in thought. If it was true, maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing. At least she wouldn’t have to share a class with Sheng Chu Ran anymore.

But… what if Yu Luoyin ended up in the same one?

Her lips pressed together, unsure if she wanted that or feared it. Maybe both.

And just as she was lost in those thoughts, fate decided to play its little trick.

Because right then, A-Mo gasped. “Oh hey, isn’t that the guy from the amusement park?”

Bai Xun Yin froze.

She looked up and saw Yu Luoyin and Li Yuan standing by the school gate, armbands marking them as student inspectors for the week.

The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, scattering gold over his shoulders.

His black hair was shorter than before, his fringe still falling over his pale forehead. His dark eyes were deep, unreadable. When they swept over her, Bai Xun Yin felt her breath catch in her throat.

He spoke softly, his tone cool and detached.
“Student ID.”

Startled, Bai Xun Yin fumbled through her bag, her fingers trembling slightly. It had been weeks since she’d last seen him, and the sudden encounter left her completely off balance.

Yu Luoyin’s gaze flicked down, taking in the contents of her bag—books, a water bottle, nothing more. Simple. Clean. Just like her.

Finally, she found the ID tucked in a pocket and handed it over.

He glanced at it, then frowned. “The cover’s torn?”

She blinked. It was true—the corner had been bent weeks ago, but she hadn’t bothered to fix it.

“Torn means invalid,” he said lazily, slipping it from her fingers. “I’ll hold on to it. I’ll get you a new one later.”

Li Yuan watched his friend quietly, amusement tugging at his lips.

“Alright,” Yu Luoyin said after a pause, giving her a last look. “You can go.”

Bai Xun Yin’s cheeks burned. She turned away quickly, pretending not to notice how his gaze lingered—sharp, almost invasive.

Even A-Mo felt the strange tension. The moment they entered the gate, she was already whispering excitedly, “Yin Yin, that was him, right? The guy from the amusement park? The one who gave us five hundred yuan? He’s so handsome! And why did he take your ID? Don’t tell me he likes you?”

The words hit like sparks to a match.

For a high school girl, nothing was more dangerous than the thought he might like you.

Bai Xun Yin’s ears turned crimson. She clapped a hand over A-Mo’s mouth before she could say another word.

Finally, silence.

Later that morning, Yu Luoyin and Li Yuan returned to class after inspection duty.

“Bro,” Li Yuan sighed, “you really don’t know how to chase a girl, do you? Taking her ID? That’s not romantic—it’s weird.”

Yu Luoyin gave him a glance cold enough to shut him up.

“What, did I say something wrong?” Li Yuan muttered. “She’s cute, man. Makes people want to protect her.”

Yu Luoyin didn’t answer.

He simply reached into his pocket and pulled out the confiscated ID.

Flipping it open, he stared at the photo inside.

It was taken when she’d first entered high school—fifteen or sixteen at most. The uniform hung loosely on her small frame, the collar a little too wide, revealing her slender neck.

A simple ponytail framed a delicate, porcelain face. The plain background, the poor lighting, none of it could dull her quiet beauty.

Her eyes were soft and clear, like glass brushed with mist.

He stared for a long time before taking out his phone and snapping a photo of it.

He didn’t know it then—but for years to come, that one small picture would haunt him.

Every time he looked at it, sleep would slip further and further away.