Chapter 11 – The Unexpected Help
It was Monday morning, and the school was alive with the usual chatter of students catching up after the weekend. Su Zaizai hurried through the crowded corridor, her bag bouncing against her shoulder. Today was the day she had to finalize part of their science project, and she needed Zhang Lurang's help.
As she entered the lab, she immediately saw him, already at the workbench, carefully arranging magnets for their experiment. His presence was calm yet commanding, as if he owned the quiet space around him without needing to say a word.
"Morning," Zaizai said, approaching him.
He glanced up, his dark eyes meeting hers briefly. "You're late," he remarked casually, though the corners of his lips hinted at something like amusement.
"I know, I know… traffic and… life," she replied, trying to laugh it off.
They worked in silence for a while, the soft clinking of magnets and scribbling of notes filling the air. Zaizai felt herself stealing glances at him, fascinated by the careful way he handled each piece, the precision in his movements.
Suddenly, one of the magnets slipped from her hand and clattered loudly on the floor. She bent down quickly to pick it up, only to realize she had dropped more than one. Papers and small parts were scattered around, and Zaizai's heart sank.
"Wait," Lurang said, stepping closer. Without a word, he knelt beside her, methodically gathering the fallen items and placing them back on the table. His hands were steady, efficient, and precise.
"Thanks… I… I don't know how I managed to mess this up," Zaizai admitted, feeling a little flustered.
Lurang looked at her briefly. "It's fine," he said simply. "Just focus. Don't overthink."
His calm reassurance had a strange effect on her. The anxiety that had bubbled up melted slightly under his composed gaze. For the first time, Zaizai realized that his quiet support — the simple act of helping her without fuss or complaint — meant more than words could express.
As they finished arranging the experiment, Zaizai noticed him watching her carefully, not in judgment, but with attention and care. It was subtle, quiet, yet deeply comforting.
"See? Easy when you have help," he said, standing upright and dusting his hands off.
Zaizai smiled, feeling warmth spread through her chest. "Yeah… thank you, Lurang. Really."
He nodded once, his expression returning to its usual calm neutrality, but Zaizai noticed a small, almost imperceptible softness in his eyes. She knew that behind his quiet demeanor, he had acknowledged her — in his own unique way.
As she packed her things and left the lab, Zaizai felt a growing certainty. Each small interaction, each quiet moment, was slowly building a bridge between them. And though no one else could see it, she and Zhang Lurang were sharing something extraordinary — a connection formed not in grand gestures, but in subtle, unspoken care.
End of Chapter 11