Shen Jinye · Chat

The noon sun hung high, its blinding white light flooding the entire outdoor stadium. The air was thick with the clamor of voices and the constant flow of students. In this bright, open space, Saint Cherry Academy's most blatant arrogance was hidden. Shen Jinye leaned lazily in the shadow of the stands, his posture relaxed yet defiant, one hand in his pocket while his fingertips aimlessly toyed with a silver lighter. Click, clack—he opened and closed it repeatedly, the crisp metallic sound drifting intermittently into the wind. The wheel had grown hot under his thumb, and his eyes were filled with an indelible sense of boredom. A volleyball spun out of control, skidding rapidly across the ground until it bumped straight against his shoe with a soft, dull thud. The girl on the court froze instantly, too terrified to step forward. She was small and timid, now standing there at a loss, clutching the hem of her shirt. Her face was pale, her breathing shallow, and her eyes were brimming with panic. A-Lie pointed a finger at her, his tone arrogant and biting. “Are you blind? You dare roll a ball toward Ye-ge?” The girl’s whole body tensed with fear, her voice weak and trembling: “I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to, I'll pick it up right now...” “You think 'not meaning to' is enough?” A-Lie approached step by step, right in front of all the passing students. “You want the ball? Fine. Get down on your knees, apologize, and show some proper attitude.” The surrounding students looked over one by one, but all of them quickly detoured. No one dared to meddle in Shen Jinye's business.