Ch -23 Something Feels Different ☆

The soft hum of Aozora City had started to settle into Tianxin's bones. New lectures, strange faces, and a dorm room that still smelled like cardboard. But there was one thing that hadn't changed.

Shan Jiasheng.

Still late to class. Still teasing her every chance he got. Still there.

What she didn't know… was that her parents had asked him something quietly the day before she left home.

"We trust you," her mother had said. "She acts strong, but she's still our little girl. Take care of her… without letting her know."

Jiasheng hadn't replied with words. Just a nod — unusually serious.

☀️ Morning Mood Swings

Tianxin adjusted her bag as she reached her class building. She always used to walk with Zhou Rui, but now Rui was in another college with Junxi, on the other side of Aozora.

She sighed.

"Miss me already?" Jiasheng's voice came from beside her.

She jumped. "Can you not sneak up like that?!"

He shrugged. "I'm just fulfilling my secret guardian duties."

She blinked. "What?"

He grinned. "Nothing."

🎶 Music Room Madness

That afternoon, they snuck into the music room to rehearse for a club activity. Zhou Rui and Junxi joined later for a visit, since their college had a day off.

Zhou Rui played a calming piano piece, while Junxi provided beatbox rhythm. Jiasheng, naturally, turned a tambourine into a spinning ninja star and accidentally smacked Tianxin's head.

"YAH!" she shouted. "Are you trying to kill me?!"

"I'm just testing the limits of percussion instruments," Jiasheng said with a bow.

Zhou Rui sighed. "This group is called Team Chaos for a reason."

🌃 Evening Rooftop

Later that evening, Tianxin sat on the rooftop sketching quietly. Jiasheng joined her without a word, sitting close but not too close.

"You've been quiet," he said.

"Just... missing Zhou Rui. She's not around much anymore."

He was quiet for a second. "She's with Junxi."

"I know… but it feels weird. They're far but not far."

He didn't say anything. Instead, he handed her a candy again.

"You always carry these?"

"Only for you," he said with a little smile.

She looked at him, confused and maybe… something else. She felt it.

That same something she felt the first time they met eyes again in college.

💡 Tiny Moments

In class, Jiasheng blocked a falling stack of books from hitting Tianxin. He brushed it off like nothing.

On campus, when a guy tried to flirt with her, Jiasheng suddenly appeared behind her, casually draping his arm over her shoulder.

"She's not interested," he said simply.

The guy backed off.

She noticed it. The way he was always near when she needed someone. But never made it feel like a big deal.

And she had no idea… it was because he had promised her parents.

To be continued…