So it was you…

His seat was empty.

Xiao entered the classroom and looked at the desk beside his. The absence of Nu Yang screamed into the blank space. The air felt heavy. The voices of the other students were quieter, like he had stepped into a world where everything was a little more distant.

He sat down slowly, his fingers brushing against Yang's pencil case, still there, unopened, unused.

— Did he miss class today? — he whispered to a classmate.

The boy only shrugged and looked away. Everyone seemed uncomfortable, and that made Xiao's chest tighten.

The teacher entered and started the lesson. Xiao pretended to pay attention, but his mind wandered. He felt the weight of something he couldn't name. Like an important letter that never arrives.

...

Elsewhere in the school, Nu Xian stood in front of the coordination office door. Her expression was firm, but her eyes betrayed her unease.

— My brother was suspended for protecting someone — she said, staring at the coordinator. — I just want to know who started the rumors.

— Nu Xian.

The woman gently placed coffee into her favorite mug, one that had Xian's face printed on it — comically so. Xian didn't like her at all. She hated looking at that wrinkled face and hearing that dragged-out voice.

— The school will take responsibility.

Nu Xian knew that wouldn't solve anything. She didn't trust adults, even if she was about to become one.

She left politely.

Taking a deep breath, she discreetly pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and called.

Bzzz... Bzzz...

— Yang Yang?

"I told you not to call me that."

— Whatever. Are you okay?

"I'm fine."

Nu Xian could tell his voice was a little weak.

— You're worried about Xiao, aren't you?

Yang took a moment before replying.

"I think I am."

Xian smiled lightly.

— It's good to hear my brother saying what he feels.

She continued.

— But you have to say it to Xiao.

She noticed her brother blushing.

— No need to get nervous.

"Changing the subject."

"Xian, don't get yourself into trouble."

— Idiot. Do you think I'm like you?

Before he could reply, she hung up. She took another deep breath. She was determined to find out the truth.

...

The school hallway was nearly empty. Nu Xian walked slowly, adjusting the hem of her uniform skirt, her eyes scanning every face she passed.

She had asked around, heard hushed whispers, but no one would talk openly. Fear, shame, loyalty... all mixed in the air.

As she passed near the art room, a soft laugh caught her attention.

She stopped.

In the corner of the room, a girl was sitting, sketching in her notebook. It was Mei Lin, Xian's friend since the start of the year.

She looked nervous, fidgeting with her fingers, glancing around — waiting for something, or someone.

Xian took a breath and approached slowly.

— Mei Lin?

The girl looked up, surprised.

— Oh, Xian! Everything okay?

Her voice was low, almost pleading.

Xian kept her gaze steady.

— I need to talk to you.

Mei Lin closed her notebook slowly, avoiding eye contact.

— About what?

— The rumors. I want to know who started it all.

Mei Lin's face changed. It tensed, as if about to break.

— Why do you want to know?

Xian took a firm step forward.

— Because it's destroying Nu Yang. And Xiao, too.

Mei Lin ran her hand through her hair, nervous.

— I... I didn't mean for it to go this far.

— So it was you.

Silence fell between them like a wall.

Mei Lin looked up, eyes glassy.

— It wasn't my intention. I just wanted him to notice me.

Xian clenched her fists, a storm of sadness and anger rising.

— You hurt more than just yourself.

— I know...

Xian stepped back, her chest heavy.

— I need to think.

She turned to leave, but paused.

— And sorry about the beating my brother gave your cousin. I hope he recovers soon.

She walked out and shut the door.

Though she still felt a mix of anger and sorrow, she also felt relieved. She could hear footsteps approaching.

— What are you doing here, young lady?!

It was the coordinator.

— Thought this was my classroom — Xian replied, faking innocence, giving a forced smile before returning to class.

...

Yang sat alone in his room, a simple space.

He perched on the edge of his bed, fists clenched, eyes fixed on the floor. The adrenaline from the fight still coursed through his veins, mixed with the weight of the suspension he hadn't yet fully processed.

His phone buzzed softly on the nightstand, but he hesitated to answer. The last thing he wanted was more questions, more judgment.

He closed his eyes, searching for calm.

— I did what I had to do... — he whispered to himself.

But doubt echoed inside his chest.

— Did I do the right thing? Will this help Xiao? Or just make it worse?

A different sound. A message.

It was from Nu Xian.

"If you need to talk, I'm here. You're not alone."

Yang smiled, a little relieved.

He picked up the phone, fingers trembling.

He replied with a single word:

"Thanks."

And in that moment, something inside him shifted.

He didn't have to carry everything alone.

...

At the school gates, Nu Xian saw Xiao Xing. He was alone, standing near the gate, shoulders slumped like the world weighed down on him. It was like he was invisible to everyone — and maybe he wanted to be.

— Xiao! — she called, running to him.

Xiao looked up slowly. When he saw Xian, he tried to smile, but couldn't hide the dull look in his eyes.

— Hey, Nu Xian...

— Are you okay?

He shrugged slightly.

— I... I guess. It's just strange. Nu Yang... he disappeared.

She nodded, her face serious.

— I looked into it. I found out who started the rumors.

Xiao's eyes widened, heart pounding.

— You did?

Xian hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure if she should say it now. But Xiao deserved the truth.

— It was Mei Lin.

Xiao went pale.

— Mei Lin? But... she's your friend.

— Was — Xian replied coldly. — She did it because she liked my brother. And she couldn't handle being rejected.

Xiao lowered his gaze, voice trembling.

— So he... got suspended because of me?

— No — Xian said firmly. — He was suspended because he did the right thing. Because he refused to let you be alone. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

Xiao was silent for a while, then whispered:

— Does he hate me now?

Xian smiled slightly, shaking her head.

— Hate you? Xiao, he blushed just hearing your name. You should've seen his face.

Xiao blushed too, turning away. Part of him wanted to smile, another part still felt guilty.

— I... I want to tell him something.

— Then tell him — said Xian, pulling out her phone and handing it to him. — Call. Message. Anything. He needs it as much as you do.

Xiao held the phone, uncertain.

— You think he wants to hear me?

— He's been waiting for it, Xiao.

They looked at each other. It was a fragile moment, but real. Like they were finally stepping out of a dark tunnel.

— Thanks, Nu Xian.

She shrugged, pretending indifference.

— Just fixing my brother's mess. — But deep down, she smiled proudly.

They began walking to the gate.

The sky was turning orange.

Before they left, a voice called out.

— Nu Xian!

It was Mei Lin, accompanied by her cousin. His face was badly bruised. Xian was surprised her brother's punch did all that.

Silence fell.

Xian stopped walking. So did Xiao. They turned slowly.

Mei Lin stopped a few steps away, eyes uncertain. She held her cousin's arm gently, as if shielding him from the world — or from herself.

— What do you want, Mei Lin? — Xian asked, voice sharp.

Mei Lin looked at her cousin, then at Xiao, finally meeting Xian's gaze.

— I... I just wanted to apologize.

Xian raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

— Why? Because of his face? — she nodded at the boy's bruises. — Or because everyone knows what you did?

— Both. — Mei Lin's voice barely rose above the wind.

Xiao shrank slightly, unsure if he wanted to be there. But he couldn't walk away.

— You know you can't just undo this, right? — Xian continued. — Rumors spread fast. But scars? They take time.

Mei Lin squinted, holding back tears.

— I know. I don't expect forgiveness. I just... needed to say it. I messed up. Badly.

Her cousin stared at the ground, clearly uncomfortable. He didn't seem ready to defend her — or maybe didn't know the full story.

Xiao took a deep breath, voice low.

— Why me? Why mess with that?

Mei Lin looked at him, guilt in her face.

— Because you were always with him... and because... I was jealous.

Silence again. The word "jealousy" hung heavy in the air.

— I liked Nu Yang — she said, voice cracking. — But he only had eyes for you, Xiao. Never for me.

Xiao couldn't reply. His heart raced.

— So you tried to push him away from me — he murmured. — By making everyone believe a lie?

Mei Lin nodded.

— I was selfish. Immature. Cowardly.

Xian crossed her arms.

— And dumb too.

Mei Lin looked at her, didn't respond. Didn't cry. Just nodded again.

— Just... please — Mei Lin said finally — let me try to fix this. I'll tell the school the truth. That Yang only did what he did because of me.

Xian uncrossed her arms, surprised.

— You'd do that?

Mei Lin nodded. For the first time, her voice was steady:

— I don't want to run away anymore.

Xian looked at Xiao, who was visibly shaken. Still, he gave a small nod.

— Alright — he said. — If you do that... maybe things can start to get better.

Mei Lin smiled sadly. Not a smile of relief — one of acceptance.

— Thank you for listening.

She turned and walked away with her cousin.

Xian let out a deep breath.

— That was... intense.

Xiao still held the phone Xian had given him. He looked at the screen, fingers hovering over the buttons.

— I'm going to call him.

Xian smiled.

— Took you long enough.

Xiao smiled back, a little shy.

— You think he'll answer?

— He's been waiting for that ring since the day he stood up for you.

He pressed the call button.

Bzzz... Bzzz...

The wind gently rustled the trees. The golden sunset bathed Xiao's face as he waited.

Bzzz...

Until, on the other end of the line...

"Hello?"

— Yang... it's me.

Silence.

— Xiao?

— Yeah. I... I wanted to thank you.

A faint chuckle from the other side. Almost relieved.

"Thought I'd never hear that from you."

— Me neither.

Xiao smiled.

And in that moment, something between them began to mend.