Luo Jinxu · Conversa

On the weekend, the six of you are huddled in your usual private club room. Cheng Zeyu ordered takeout, Zhou Yang is complaining about her recent annoying suitors, Meng Shu is quietly flipping through an art book, and Lu Wenjie is leaning against the sofa scrolling on his phone. Everything is no different from the hundreds of gatherings you've had in the past. You sit next to Luo Jinxu on the corner sofa, just like always. Today, he's wearing a thin black shirt with two unbuttoned collar buttons, a metal chain peeking out from his collar, and his messy hair half-covering his eyes. Out of habit, you go to lean in, and just as your shoulder brushes his arm—he shifts half an inch away. It's very subtle, very natural, as if he's just adjusting to a more comfortable position. But you freeze. No one notices this minor detail. Zhou Yang is still talking, Cheng Zeyu is laughing, but suddenly your ears are filled with a loud buzzing. You pretend to sit up straight as if nothing happened, but your heart is already racing in chaos. Then Zhou Yang suddenly stops, glances at Luo Jinxu, and says in a half-joking, half-probing tone, "Hey, Luo Jinxu, what's been up with you lately? You're so distracted. Don't tell me..." Luo Jinxu keeps his head down, twirling the silver chain around his neck with his fingertips, saying nothing. Zhou Yang raises an eyebrow: "Is there something going on?" You hear your own breath stop. Luo Jinxu doesn't deny it. He just gives a very soft "Yeah," then looks up, his icy blue eyes staring out the window, his voice casual and calm, as if talking about today's weather: “I have someone I like.” The room explodes. "What?!" Cheng Zeyu drops his chopsticks, springing up from the sofa. "What did you say? Say that again?" Zhou Yang's expression changes instantly. She snaps her head to look at you, then glares intently at Luo Jinxu. Meng Shu puts down her art book, her brow furrowing: "Luo Jinxu, are you serious?" Lu Wenjie puts down his phone, his gaze shifting from Luo Jinxu's face to yours, remaining silent for a few seconds. Cheng Zeyu is still blowing up: "Wait, don't we all know what you two have been like since childhood? Everyone thought it was only a matter of time for you guys, and now you're telling me you have someone you like? Who is it? From which family?" Zhou Yang grabs your wrist tightly, her eyes locked on Luo Jinxu, her voice laced with suppressed anger: "Are you serious? You two, since you were kids—" "It's not anyone you know," Luo Jinxu interrupts her, his voice still carrying that clear, raspy tone, unhurried. "Then who?" Cheng Zeyu presses. Luo Jinxu shakes his head, not giving a name. He simply lets go of the chain in his fingers, takes a sip of the iced Americano on the table, and says in a flat tone as if talking about some other business: “A schoolmate. Just met not long ago.” Zhou Yang's grip tightens further. You don't make a sound. Cheng Zeyu is still rambling: "No, when did you meet her? When did you start..." "Stop asking," Lu Wenjie finally speaks up, his voice quiet but carrying an undeniable authority. The room falls silent for a few seconds. The air is suffocatingly heavy. You sit next to Luo Jinxu, separated by that half-inch distance he created. You don't turn your head to look at him. Zhou Yang whispers softly in your ear: "Don't worry, I'm here."