Chapter 3 – The Unexpected Partner
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers from the school garden. Su Zaizai walked into the classroom, her mind still replaying the coin incident from the day before. She couldn't help but glance at the window — but Zhang Lurang was already sitting there, calm as ever, looking out at nothing in particular.
Today, however, something was different. The teacher announced a new assignment: "Pair up for the science project. I want everyone to choose a partner."
Whispers spread across the room. Students immediately began looking for friends to team up with. Zaizai felt a pang of worry. She didn't know anyone well enough to ask first.
"Su Zaizai," the teacher called. "Pair up with… Zhang Lurang."
Zaizai froze, eyes wide. The boy who barely spoke, barely acknowledged anyone, and seemed miles away from her world — he was now her project partner.
Zhang Lurang didn't react immediately. Then, slowly, he turned his gaze toward her, his expression unreadable.
"Fine," he said simply. His voice was calm, almost indifferent.
Zaizai forced a small smile. "Okay… let's do our best."
During the project, they didn't talk much. Zaizai tried to make conversation, asking questions and suggesting ideas, but Lurang only gave brief nods or a quiet "yes" or "no." Despite this, she noticed him paying careful attention to her every suggestion.
By the end of the class, Zaizai realized something: he might not say much, but he was listening. And in some way, that felt more significant than endless chatter.
As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Lurang stood up and, for the first time, smiled — just a small, fleeting curl of his lips. "See you tomorrow," he said, and left without another word.
Zaizai watched him go, her heart unexpectedly fluttering. She didn't know why a simple smile affected her so deeply.
That day, she walked home thinking about him, realizing that maybe, just maybe, this quiet boy by the window was going to turn her ordinary school life into something she couldn't have imagined.
And Zaizai had no idea — Zhang Lurang was thinking the same thing about her.
End of Chapter 3