Chapter 34: Whispers in the Shadows

The tension that had settled in Mei Lin's chest lingered throughout the week. Li Wei's cryptic words and the silence that followed left her feeling more unsteady than ever. She found herself thinking about him constantly, each unanswered question pulling her further into a web of confusion and worry.

At school, things were no less complicated. The rumors about Mei Lin and Li Wei had started to fade, but the whispers of their relationship still lingered in the halls. People gave them sidelong glances, curious and expectant, as if waiting for some grand revelation that would explain everything. But Mei Lin had no answers—only the same questions that haunted her day and night.

It was Li Na who finally pulled her out of her thoughts during one of their shared classes. They were sitting near the back of the room, trying to pay attention to the lecture on economic principles, but Mei Lin's mind was elsewhere.

"Okay, spill," Li Na whispered, leaning closer to Mei Lin. "You've been a space cadet for days now. What's going on with you and Li Wei?"

Mei Lin sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Honestly? I have no idea. We had another... conversation, I guess. But it's like every time I think we're getting somewhere, he just shuts down again."

Li Na raised an eyebrow, her expression thoughtful. "Sounds like he's keeping you at arm's length for some reason. Have you tried just... I don't know, asking him straight up?"

"I have," Mei Lin replied, her voice heavy with frustration. "But he keeps saying there are things he can't tell me. And the way he says it... it's like it's something serious. Something big."

Li Na frowned. "That's... weird. I mean, I get that his family is super rich and powerful, but what could be so important that he can't even tell you?"

Mei Lin shook her head, feeling more lost than ever. "I don't know. And it's driving me crazy."

Li Na leaned back in her chair, tapping her pen against her notebook thoughtfully. "Well, maybe it's time to take a step back. Give him some space to figure things out on his own. If he really cares about you, he'll come around eventually."

Mei Lin considered her friend's words, feeling a pang of uncertainty. Could she really step back from Li Wei? Could she give him the space he seemed to need, even if it meant staying in the dark for a little longer?

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Later That Afternoon

After class, Mei Lin found herself wandering the campus again, her thoughts heavy. She didn't have a clear destination in mind—just the need to move, to clear her head. The cool autumn air brushed against her skin, a reminder that the seasons were changing, just as her feelings for Li Wei were evolving into something deeper, something harder to ignore.

As she rounded a corner near the library, she saw a figure standing in the shadow of a large tree. At first, she thought it was Li Wei—her heart skipping a beat in anticipation—but as she drew closer, she realized it wasn't him.

It was Liu Feng.

Mei Lin hesitated for a moment, her steps slowing. She hadn't seen Liu Feng since their confrontation in the cafeteria weeks ago, but the memory of his angry words still lingered. He was standing alone, staring at the ground, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket. There was something different about him now, something more subdued and less threatening.

Before she could decide whether to approach or keep walking, Liu Feng looked up and spotted her. His eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she saw something she hadn't expected—regret.

"Mei Lin," he called out, his voice softer than she remembered. "Can we talk?"

Mei Lin felt a flicker of hesitation. The last time they had spoken, Liu Feng had been furious with her, accusing her of leading him on while secretly being involved with Li Wei. But now, there was no anger in his eyes—only a quiet, uncertain sadness.

Against her better judgment, Mei Lin nodded and walked over to him. "What is it, Liu Feng?"

He shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if unsure how to begin. After a long pause, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I... I just wanted to apologize. For what happened before. I said some things I shouldn't have, and I've been feeling like an idiot ever since."

Mei Lin blinked in surprise. An apology was the last thing she had expected from Liu Feng. "You... you don't have to apologize," she said slowly. "It was a complicated situation."

"Yeah, but I made it worse," Liu Feng muttered, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I was jealous. I thought... I thought you and I had something, and when I saw you with Li Wei, I just... lost it."

Mei Lin frowned, her emotions a mix of sympathy and discomfort. She had never meant to hurt Liu Feng, but she hadn't been able to stop the way her feelings for Li Wei had developed. "I didn't mean for things to turn out the way they did," she said quietly. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Liu Feng nodded, his jaw tight. "I know. I just... I needed to say I'm sorry. For what it's worth."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their shared history hanging between them. Mei Lin didn't know what to say, but something in Liu Feng's demeanor had changed. The arrogant, self-assured boy she had once known seemed to have disappeared, replaced by someone quieter, more introspective.

"Thanks, Liu Feng," Mei Lin said finally, her voice soft. "I appreciate it."

Liu Feng looked up at her, and for the first time in weeks, there was no anger in his eyes. Only something that resembled closure. "I hope things work out for you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "With Li Wei, I mean."

Mei Lin's heart skipped a beat at his words, but she nodded, unsure of how to respond. "Thanks."

With that, Liu Feng gave her a small, sad smile before turning and walking away, leaving Mei Lin standing alone in the shadow of the tree.

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That Evening

Mei Lin sat at her desk, staring at her phone. She had been avoiding checking it all afternoon, afraid that there might be another message from Li Wei that she wouldn't know how to respond to. But when she finally picked it up, there was nothing. No missed calls, no texts—just silence.

She sighed, setting the phone back down and leaning her head in her hands. The conversation with Liu Feng had left her feeling unsettled, but also... relieved. It felt like a chapter in her life had finally closed, and yet, there was still so much she didn't understand about the new chapter that was unfolding with Li Wei.

As she sat there, lost in thought, her phone buzzed. Her heart jumped, and she quickly picked it up, hoping it was a message from Li Wei.

But it wasn't.

It was a message from Li Na: You're not gonna believe this. I overheard something today—something about Li Wei's family. Meet me tomorrow after class.

Mei Lin's heart raced as she read the message. What could Li Na have overheard? And what did it have to do with Li Wei's family?

She quickly typed a reply: What did you hear?

Li Na's response was immediate: I'll explain everything tomorrow. Just... be ready. It's big.

Mei Lin stared at her phone, her mind spinning with questions. Whatever Li Na had learned, it seemed like it was finally going to give Mei Lin the answers she had been searching for.

But was she ready to hear the truth?

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End of Chapter 34

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