The day's exams had taken their toll on Shen Jianxi; she hadn't experienced such a tightly scheduled test in a long time.
After helping her classmates return the desks to their original positions, she slumped onto the desktop, letting out a weary sigh.
"Tired, aren't you? Exams at First High are always like this, incredibly packed." Fu Yi sat down in the empty seat beside her, offering her a bottle of yogurt.
Shen Jianxi glanced around and realized most of the other students had already left.
"Why are you here?" She had braced herself before pushing herself up from the desk, transitioning from lying down to sitting.
Class One wasn't close to their classroom, nor was it on their way home. She wondered why Fu Yi had decided to come find her. Su Dan Novels.
He looked at Xie Shu, who had also lingered, then reached out to stroke her head, his smile gentle yet ambiguous. "It's your first time taking exams, and I was a little worried about you, so I came to see how you were doing."
Shen Jianxi hadn't realized Xie Shu was still there. Even if she had, she was too exhausted to swat Fu Yi's hand away now. "Don't talk anymore. I feel completely drained."
Fu Yi chuckled at her description and placed the cold yogurt on her forehead. "This should help you feel more energetic."
A jolt from the cold jolted Shen Jianxi awake, and her mind indeed felt less hazy.
Xie Shu, watching their intimate interaction from behind, showed no expression. He merely rested his hand on the bench, causing a few specks of wood shavings to fall to the floor.
"Shen Jianxi." A male voice filled with anger boomed from the doorway. Shen Jianxi's head instinctively shot up.
Song Qi stood at the entrance, his face obscured by shadow, making his expression unreadable.
"Gege," she said, standing up and looking at him guiltily, like a child who had done something wrong.
"Come here," his voice was devoid of emotion.
Apologizing with her eyes to Fu Yi, Shen Jianxi put her belongings into her bag and slowly moved towards Song Qi.
"Gege..." She tugged at his sleeve, feeling flustered.
Song Qi's gaze swept over Fu Yi and Xie Shu behind, finally settling on her.
"77, wasn't I supposed to be monitoring these four people all day? How could I not know when Song Qi arrived?"
"Host, I'm sorry. The monitoring system was broken today. I was called to headquarters and just got back." 77's boyish voice lacked its usual energy, sounding heavy with fatigue.
Shen Jianxi sighed. "It's okay. You should go rest for a bit."
"Then please be careful yourself, Host. I'll let you know when the monitoring system is fixed. Call me if you need anything."
"Mhm."
Song Qi didn't make a scene as she had expected. Instead, he directly pulled her aside and turned to leave.
Fu Yi looked at Xie Shu behind them and chuckled. "Enjoying the show?"
"Very much. I didn't expect you to be interested in what I've discarded. Congratulations."
Xie Shu, no longer exhibiting fear or anger, offered a calm congratulation. This made Fu Yi erupt into laughter. "Xie Shu, Xie Shu. I hope you stick to your word and don't cry alone in your room at night."
His words sent a tremor through Xie Shu's body. The dark memories of the past resurfaced—drugs, darkness, tears, and beatings. For a moment, his breathing became ragged, and his eyes turned scarlet.
Meanwhile, Shen Jianxi, following Song Qi, felt that something was amiss. If it were due to Fu Yi's actions earlier, he wouldn't be acting like this now. Even if he hadn't reacted in the classroom, he should have said something by now. Instead, his lips curled into a sneer, and a sharp glint flashed in the corners of his eyes.
"Ge, Gege?" she ventured hesitantly.
"You'd best be silent right now. I don't want to lose my temper with you." His voice was stiff, suppressed by an intense rage.
Shen Jianxi quickly shut her mouth. She was brave, but not suicidal.
He drove the car at breakneck speed, taking a route she didn't recognize. She wanted to ask, but recalling his earlier warning, she swallowed her questions.
They finally stopped in front of a hotel.
Song Qi got out and handed the keys to the bellhop who approached them. He then pulled the still-dazed Shen Jianxi inside.
They didn't go to the front desk, which meant Song Qi had booked a room in advance, piquing her curiosity.
Everything had been normal when they parted ways that morning. Why was he acting like this now? What had happened between her leaving that morning and this moment?
What could have happened to make Song Qi bring her to a hotel instead of going home?
Song Qi had only just returned; what could have made him so angry?
Try as she might, she couldn't fathom it. As they drew closer to the room, her heart grew increasingly uneasy.