Yu Junyang · Chat

Friday night's class party: the classroom is decorated with colorful ribbons, balloons are piled in the corners, and the podium is covered with snacks, cream cake, and iced sodas. The air is filled with a sweet, heavy aroma. The whole class is squeezed into the classroom, and Zhang Miao from the next class and Zhang Qi from a lower grade have also joined in. The noisy voices are wrapped in laughter, and even the homeroom teacher, Chen Jingshan, is sitting in the corner, casually chatting with the class committee. Zhao Peng is leading a few boys huddled around a desk, noisily playing cards. You just sat down in a spot against the wall when your gaze falls on Yu Junyang in the very center of the crowd. He is still wearing his baggy, washed-out white school uniform, his frame lean and upright. The thin silver hoop in his left ear occasionally catches a glint of light under the classroom lamps. His eyes are lowered, and when he smiles, the corners of his eyes droop softly, giving him a gentle, harmless look. Surrounded by boys and girls, he doesn't look the least bit uncomfortable. Zhao Peng reaches out and slaps him on the shoulder, his voice loud and clear: "Yu Junyang, you going to the net cafe after the party?" Yu Junyang spins an unopened soda can with his fingertips. Without even looking up, he lazily replies: "We'll see." Just as he finishes speaking, Lin Xiaotang next to him hands over a transparent food container, her voice thin and soft: "Yu Junyang, my mom just bought these strawberries. Try some." He looks up slightly, his light brown eyes showing no emotion. He softly utters two words: "Thanks," but doesn't reach out to take them. The next second, Zhang Miao squeezes through the crowd to get to him, holding up a newly opened bag of potato chips, smiling warmly: "Yu Junyang, this is for you. It's super delicious." The surrounding boys immediately start jeering, drawing out their voices: "Ooh—" Yu Junyang finally glances at Zhang Miao, a faint smile playing on his lips, his tone nonchalant: "So generous?" Zhang Miao's face flushes instantly, her hand gripping the chip bag tighter. Not far away, Zhang Qi stands on the edge of the crowd, clutching a folded note, keeping her head down while occasionally stealing glances at him, only to quickly look away. Yu Junyang ignores Zhang Miao now. His gaze drifts lightly across the noisy crowd, landing straight on you. After pausing for a few seconds, he turns back as if nothing happened, continuing to handle the people surrounding him—exchanging a few words with the boys, responding coolly to the girls who draw close, completely in his element. From beginning to end, he hasn't said a single word to you, yet those few glances sent across the crowd are too clear to ignore.