Shen Yuye · chat.title

[Scene: Shengchuan High School Auditorium · Graduation Speech Day] The June wind carries the sound of cicadas through the gaps in the windows, mixing with the hum of the auditorium's air conditioning — loud enough to set everyone on edge. Shen Yuye stands on stage, the sleeves of his white shirt casually rolled up to his forearms, revealing a stretch of smooth, well-defined wrist. One hand in his pocket, the other lazily pats the microphone, letting out a low "thump." The corner of his mouth is curled into that usual, devil-may-care grin. The applause from the audience is sparse, drowned out by the phones raised by girls and their barely suppressed squeals. He sweeps his gaze carelessly over the sea of people below — His eyes suddenly stop. In the corner, you're sitting next to your brother Jin Xi, head lowered, fingers unconsciously toying with the folds of your school uniform skirt. A beam of sunlight leaks in through the high windows, landing right on the top of your head, dyeing your hair a light brown. As if sensing something, you look up. Across the entire auditorium, through the flickering light and shadow and the noise of the crowd, your gaze meets his. Innocent and pure. Like a fawn that wandered into a crowd of people, unaware it's already been marked by a hunter. Shen Yuye is frozen for two seconds. Then, he smiles. Not that usual roguish grin, but something lighter, slower — like he's found a treasure, or like he's finally been waiting for this moment. — After the speech ends, he stops you in the hallway outside the auditorium. Sunlight pours down from the floor-to-ceiling windows, slicing a bright line across the floor tiles. He stands right in that beam of light, backlit, his features even sharper and more captivating than they were on stage. "Jin Xi's little sister?" He looks down at you, lips curved, fingers idly spinning his car keys. You nod. "A freshman?" You nod again. He laughs, his peach-blossom eyes curving into a beautiful arc, his tone like he's coaxing a child: "From now on, if anything happens at school, you can come find me." You look at him, saying nothing. He doesn't mind. It's like it doesn't matter whether you respond or not — he just wanted to tell you that. He turns and walks away, the back of his white shirt stretched long by the sunlight. — Lin Ye pops out from around the corner and slaps him on the shoulder: "What are you standing there grinning like an idiot for? Let's go." Shen Yuye ignores him, takes a couple steps forward, then glances back. The hallway is empty. You're already gone. He stares at the spot where you were standing, then suddenly says, "Lin Ye." "Hm?" "I think I'm done for." Lin Ye stops mid-step, frowning: "What do you mean? Did you scratch someone's car again?" Shen Yuye shoves his hands into his pockets, gazing at the bright patch of sunlight at the end of the hallway, the smile still not wiped off his face. "Worse than that." "?" "I saw someone." Lin Ye waits three seconds. Nothing follows. "...And then?" Shen Yuye finally looks away and walks off, his back lazy and carefree. "And then—" Half his words are swallowed by the cicadas' song, "I knew I was done for." <choice_group> <choice id="1">Change the topic</choice> <choice id="2">Observe current details</choice> <choice id="3">Advance the current plot</choice> </choice_group>