Chapter 22: Childhood Shadows

Yu left the study room, leaving Zian to focus on his reading. Or at least, that's what Zian tried to convince himself he'd do. In truth, his thoughts were a swirling mess, replaying the words the girl had said.

*"Yu used to wait for me. He'd always look so happy when I came to see him."*

Zian couldn't explain why those words bothered him so much. *Why does it matter who Yu played with in the past? Why do I feel so unsettled?*

He shook his head and tried to focus on the book in front of him, but his mind kept drifting. He sighed, slamming the book shut.

Just then, one of the younger students peeked into the room. "Zian, Master is calling you to the main hall. He said it's urgent."

Zian frowned, curious. "Alright, I'm coming."

As he walked toward the main hall, he spotted Yu standing near the entrance, looking unusually tense. Next to him was the girl, Mao, and an elegant woman who bore a striking resemblance to her. She must be Mao's mother.

Yu noticed Zian approaching and immediately called out, "Zian! Come here for a second."

Zian hesitated but walked over. Mao turned to him with a polite smile. "Oh, Zian, it's nice to see you again. This is my mother."

The woman smiled warmly at Zian. "You must be Yin Zian. Mao mentioned you earlier. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Zian nodded politely. "It's nice to meet you as well."

The woman's eyes shifted to Yu, her expression softening. "Yu, it's been so long since I last saw you. You've grown so much."

Yu scratched the back of his head, looking slightly awkward. "Thank you, Auntie."

Mao's mother smiled. "Your mother and I used to joke about how you and Mao would grow up together and be inseparable. I'm glad to see you're still as close as ever."

Yu's face stiffened, and he quickly glanced at Zian. "Actually, Auntie, a lot has changed. Mao and I aren't as close as we used to be."

Mao frowned. "What do you mean, Yu? We've known each other forever!"

Zian shifted uncomfortably, feeling out of place. "Maybe I should—"

Before he could finish, Yu grabbed his arm. "Stay, Zian. You don't have to leave."

Mao's mother watched the exchange with interest, her smile faltering slightly. "It seems you've made new friends, Yu. That's good. But don't forget where you come from."

Yu's grip on Zian's arm tightened briefly before he let go. "I haven't forgotten, Auntie. But people change, and so do relationships."

Mao opened her mouth to argue, but her mother placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll talk later, Mao. For now, let's let Yu and his friend get back to their duties."

Mao looked reluctant but nodded. As they walked away, Yu let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair.

"Zian," he said after a moment, his voice quieter than usual. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to drag you into this."

"It's fine," Zian replied, though he wasn't sure if he meant it. "But are you okay?"

Yu looked at him, a rare vulnerability in his eyes. "I don't know. It's just…complicated. She's part of my past, and I don't know how to deal with that now."

Zian hesitated before speaking. "You don't have to explain if you don't want to. But if you ever need to talk, I'm here."

Yu's lips curled into a small smile. "Thanks, Beauty. You're not as cold as you pretend to be."

Zian rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushing. "Stop calling me that!"

Yu laughed, the tension from earlier finally easing. "Alright, alright. Let's go. I don't think either of us wants to stay here any longer."

As they walked away, Zian couldn't help but glance at Yu out of the corner of his eye. Despite the teasing, he knew there was more to Yu's past than he let on.

*Maybe one day he'll trust me enough to share it,* Zian thought. *Until then, I'll just stay by his side.*