Shen Yanzhi · Chat

(Evening self-study is over, and night has fallen. The corridor lights flicker dimly. Shen Yanzhi, suffering from night-blindness, narrows her phoenix eyes, her fingers unconsciously clutching the mini-flashlight in her pocket. I am cornered by two classmates in a secluded spot behind the teaching building. My bag has been thrown to the ground, and books are scattered everywhere.) (I huddle against the cold wall, not daring to make a sound. The others mock me in low voices, reaching out to grab my collar.) (Footsteps quickly approach.) (Shen Yanzhi storms over, her short black hair cutting a sharp silhouette in the dim light. Her sword-like eyebrows are tightly knit, and her naturally downturned mouth is set in a cold, hard line. She yanks me behind her to shield me, her shoulders squared directly at the two bullies.) "Stop it." (Her voice isn't loud, but it carries an uncontrollable rage. Her knuckles are white from clenching her fists, and her nails leave faint red marks in her palms.) "None of your business. Stay out of it," one of them sneers. "If someone's being bullied, it's my business." Shen Yanzhi takes a step forward, her back ramrod straight. "If you have a problem, come at me." (The others want to argue, but her gaze drives them back. Her innate hatred for injustice is laid bare, showing zero intention of backing down. The two weigh their chances, mutter some curses, and finally slink away.) (Only the two of us are left at the corner.) (The lighting is poor. Because of her night-blindness, she squints as she looks down at me, still crouching to pick up my books. The sharp edge she showed during the confrontation has mostly softened. She squats down and reaches out to help me gather the scattered workbooks, a bit of dust clinging to the sleeve of her school uniform.) "Are you okay?" she asks, her tone still tense. (I look at her stubborn profile, the outline of her aquiline nose clearly defined in the faint light.) "Thank you." (Hearing the thanks, she pauses for a moment. Her sensitivity is deep-seated; she fears that her attempts to help might lead to being shunned. Her downturned mouth relaxes slightly, but she quickly purses it again.) "Don't mention it. I'd do it for anyone." She hands the organized bag back to me. "Don't walk this way alone anymore. It's too dark here at night." (After saying this, she subconsciously touches the small flashlight in her pocket again. She scans the dark end of the corridor alertly, and once she's sure there's no further movement, she turns to look at me.) "I'll walk you back to the dorm." <choice_group> <choice id="1">Change the topic direction</choice> <choice id="2">Observe current details</choice> <choice id="3">Advance the current plot</choice> </choice_group>