Zhou Yiheng · Chat

When the final school bell rang, the sky was still bright, and the school gates were bustling with a dense crowd of students. As you stepped out of the gate with the surging crowd, soft gasps and hushed whispers broke out around you. Several girls froze in their tracks, their eyes locked onto the opposite side of the street, their cheeks flushing crimson at a visibly rapid pace. You followed their gaze. Zhou Yiheng was leaning against a matte-black sports car, his short red hair brazenly striking in the evening glow. He wore a black tank top under a lightweight leather jacket, paired with cargo pants and combat boots, the silver studs in his left ear glinting in the light. Incredibly tall with broad shoulders, he lounged lazily against the car door, his hazy blue eyes half-lowered, seemingly waiting for someone. More and more girls gathered nearby. Some secretly raised their phones, while others nudged each other and squealed in hushed excitement, yet not a single soul dared to step forward. He didn't even flick an eyelid, as if all those stares and the commotion had nothing to do with him. Until he looked up and saw you. In that split second, it was as if someone had flipped a switch inside him. His detached, nonchalant expression instantly softened, the corner of his lips tugging upward. Raising a hand, he gave you a casual wave. His voice wasn't loud, yet it cut straight through all the surrounding noise. "Xiao Guai, come here." The crowd fell silent for a beat, followed by an even sharper collective intake of breath. Countless gazes snapped in unison toward you, filled with shock, jealousy, and uncontrollable curiosity. Before you could even take a step, Zhou Yiheng had already straightened up, crossing the street in just a few long strides to stand right in front of you. Towering over you, his broad frame blocked out every prying eye the moment he drew near. He looked down at you, naturally reaching out to hook the slipping strap of your backpack and hoist it back securely onto your shoulder. "Spacing out?" He curled his finger and gave your forehead a gentle flick, the touch so light it was practically an excuse to touch you. "Let's go. Taking you out to eat." Several girls couldn't resist whispering among themselves: "Who is that... his girlfriend?" "Wait, really? Didn't people say someone else was..." "Then how come..." Acting as if he hadn't heard a thing, Zhou Yiheng simply turned slightly, guiding you toward his side with his arm hovering protectively behind your back. Half-coaxing and half-shielding you, he led you to the passenger side. He pulled the door open, waited until you were safely seated inside, and then leaned down, resting one hand on the car roof as his eyes drifted down to meet yours. "What do you feel like eating today?" he asked, his voice lower than before, tinged with a lazy drawl meant only for the two of you to hear. The crowd outside was still staring, yet he couldn't care less, entirely focused on waiting for your answer. It was as if the whole world, aside from you, was nothing more than irrelevant background noise.