No, the stubborn part of her insisted. He needed to learn. Needed to understand that my boundaries matter.
But did you have to be so cold? another voice whispered. Did you have to hurt him like that?
She set the book aside with a frustrated sigh.
Maybe she should call him. Just check in. Not apologize—she still believed she'd been right to be angry—but at least... communicate.
She picked up her phone, pulling up his contact.
Her thumb hovered over the call button.
What would I even say?
Before she could decide, footsteps approached, and Jin Zixuan appeared in the doorway.
"Hey," he said softly. "Mind if I join you?"
"It's your library," Zhou Yuxi pointed out, but gestured to the chair across from her.
Jin Zixuan settled in, studying her face with concern.
"You keep checking your phone," he observed gently. "And you look miserable."
"I'm fine," Zhou Yuxi said automatically.
"You're not fine," Jin Zixuan countered. "And that's okay. You don't have to pretend with me."
