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More students began returning to the classroom.

After the bell rang, Su Hui could no longer turn around. Just before she faced forward, she added another compliment: “Your dad is so thoughtful.”

Le Ya was at a loss for words.

She didn’t bother explaining. Once she said anything, it would only pique their curiosity and lead to endless questions.

Let them think whatever they wanted.

Le Ya sighed, placed the cake back into the paper bag, and tucked it into her desk drawer. She then took out the card.

As Su Hui had described, the card was exquisitely designed.

There wasn’t much written on it, but there was a signature—not his real name, but Chen Yang’s WeChat username. That was why she had recognized it instantly.

After all, she only knew one person who used such an unusual username, and none of her classmates would do something like this.

The teacher for the evening’s study session had already taken their seat behind the podium.

Le Ya thought for a moment and decided to open the milk tea.

Since the weather was cold, the drink had been kept at room temperature. Drinking it now made no difference—it was sweet and pleasant.

Tonight’s homework wasn’t heavy.

Le Ya had already completed half of her test paper, and she was working on a major problem similar to the one from last month’s exam.

This reminded her of the math test paper that Chen Yang had lent to her teacher. At the time, she had written on it with a pencil, though she had erased her markings afterward. She wondered if Chen Yang had noticed.

Le Ya pursed her lips.

Perhaps too many things had happened tonight, as she found herself less focused on solving problems.

After a long while, she sighed and pushed all other thoughts aside.

The water dispenser room was bustling with students, and Le Ya found herself waiting in line behind a group of girls. She didn’t recognize them, but their conversation quickly caught her attention.

The short-haired girl said, “… She’s been quiet lately. I wonder if she’s given up. After all, it’s been two years. If she keeps going, I’ll have to give her credit.”

The long-haired girl replied, “Even someone as beautiful as her can’t win. We can only admire from afar. Too bad he’s not in our class.”

“Cold-hearted,” the short-haired girl remarked.

Le Ya couldn’t help but feel they were talking about someone she knew.

“So you’re always wandering around his corridor, huh?” the short-haired girl teased. “Have you seen him yet?”

The long-haired girl defended herself. “I’m just passing by—I’m not doing it on purpose.”

The short-haired girl laughed. “Do you even believe that yourself? You ‘pass by’ four or five times a day. If that’s not for Chen Yang, who would believe you?”

Both girls were from Class Nineteen, separated from Class Seventeen by Class Eighteen. Their corridor was close to another wing of the building, but most girls preferred to walk past Class Seventeen.

Class Seventeen had the biggest reputation in the school.

Especially Chen Yang.

After every major exam, the top student in the grade had to give a speech on stage—and that spot was always occupied by Chen Yang without fail.

Not to mention, everyone gossiped about those incidents.

In high school, boys like him were the most attractive. Girls passing by could easily spot the bright yellow and red hair among the crowd—except for Chen Yang, whose black hair stood out uniquely.

Some had seen Chen Yang smoking; others had witnessed him dealing with people. Those moments left an indescribable impression.

Hearing this, Le Ya confirmed they were indeed talking about Chen Yang.

She hadn’t expected to overhear such gossip while fetching water.

Xie Qingyu lightly nudged her from behind. When Le Ya turned around, Xie Qingyu winked and whispered conspiratorially, “They’re talking about Chen Yang, right? But what they’re saying sounds more like…”

She trailed off, not wanting to say anything potentially offensive. After all, Chen Yang was technically a student sponsored by Le Ya’s family—if any of this turned out false, she’d regret her words.

Le Ya shook her head and stayed silent.

Xie Qingyu continued, “Let’s listen to more gossip.”

Having just transferred to the main campus, they lacked information.

After waiting for a long time, it was finally the short-haired girl’s turn to fill her bottle.

If they stayed any longer, class would start soon.

As the girls prepared to leave, they noticed Le Ya and froze momentarily.

Though the lighting wasn’t very bright, her pale complexion stood out sharply against theirs—a clear sign of someone well taken care of.

The girl closest to Le Ya felt it most acutely, noticing the dewy glow of her skin.

This was the kind of complexion girls dreamed of having.

Realizing they were staring at her, Le Ya gave a shy smile.

Her smile was faint, catching the girls off guard.

Their conversation abruptly halted. The short-haired girl smiled awkwardly but stumbled slightly as she turned to leave, bumping into Le Ya.

Caught off guard, Le Ya staggered, nearly falling over if not for Xie Qingyu steadying her. Something fell from her ear and clattered to the floor.

The short-haired girl regained her balance and apologized profusely. “I’m so sorry! That wasn’t intentional—are you okay?”

What was she saying?

Le Ya’s ears buzzed. Something felt off. She reached up and realized her hearing aid had fallen out. Now, she couldn’t hear anything.

The surrounding sounds were muffled, as if covered by a thick veil, growing increasingly chaotic.

This sensation hadn’t hit her in years. Her face paled.

Frantically, Le Ya scanned the ground for the device. Seeing the short-haired girl still talking, she gripped Xie Qingyu’s hand tightly.

Xie Qingyu asked, “What’s wrong?”

Le Ya couldn’t hear her clearly. Her voice trembled as she rasped, “My… my hearing aid… it fell…”

Startled, Xie Qingyu shoved the short-haired girl aside. “Move! Let me find it. We’ll deal with this later.”

Le Ya crouched down to search as well.

The floor outside the water room was wet with drips of water, and there were no incandescent lights—it was essentially pitch dark. Le Ya feared the hearing aid might have fallen through the railing onto the corridor below.

For the first time in years, she felt utterly helpless. Having relied on her hearing aid for so long, she couldn’t bear the silence of a soundless world.

Even Xie Qingyu’s words were inaudible.

The short-haired girl knelt down. “Are you looking for something? Can I help? I really didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Xie Qingyu snapped, “We’re looking for a hearing aid!”

Water puddles dotted the floor, and she worried the hearing aid might have landed in one of them—that would be disastrous.

It was small, likely bounced far away.

After scanning the area, Le Ya spotted it not too far away.

Her eyes lit up, her heartbeat quickening. Just as she reached for it, a slender hand picked it up.

She looked up—it was Chen Yang.

He squatted halfway across from her, his lips moving for a few seconds. He seemed to be saying something, but she couldn’t hear a word.

Chen Yang held out his palm, extending it toward her.

Behind him, countless classrooms glowed like dazzling lights. The air seemed to quiet down.

Snapping back to reality, Le Ya reached for the hearing aid in his palm. Her fingertips brushed against his warm skin, sending a jolt through her.

She whispered softly, “Thank you.”

Even her own voice sounded distant. Feeling uneasy, she wiped the device on her clothes and put it back on.

Only then did the cacophony of voices flood back into her world. Though chaotic, she welcomed the noise, willing to listen to it forever.

Chen Yang asked, “Can you hear me now?”

Le Ya exhaled in relief. “… Yes.”

All her senses seemed to converge on her ears. Sounds were unusually clear, carrying a strange intensity.

Chen Yang watched as color returned to her previously pale face.

Almost instinctively, he reached out, gently pinching her earlobe—soft, delicate, and plump.

Startled, Le Ya’s eyes widened.

Chen Yang withdrew his hand nonchalantly.

Behind them, Xie Qingyu heard the commotion and turned around. “Did you find it?”

“Mm,” Le Ya responded.

She stood up. The short-haired girl, shocked by the unexpected development, stammered upon seeing Chen Yang nearby.

Le Ya reassured her. “It’s fine.”

She could tell the collision hadn’t been intentional. The water room was cramped, and it was easy to trip while trying to exit. The other girl must’ve been startled too.

The short-haired girl sighed in relief. “I’m so sorry.”

She glanced at Chen Yang before grabbing her friend and hurrying away. Even after walking some distance, she couldn’t resist turning back for one last look.

That gesture earlier… she had noticed it.

Le Ya also turned her head, only to find Chen Yang already gone.

“What are you looking at?” Xie Qingyu touched her ear. “You weren’t scared just now, were you?”

Le Ya shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

Xie Qingyu patted her chest. She had been worried the hearing aid might get stepped on in the chaos. Thankfully, it was found.

She then asked, “Was that Chen Yang just now?”

Le Ya, bent over filling her bottle, hummed in confirmation.

Xie Qingyu said, “I never thought it’d really be him. I didn’t believe it before—my mistake for misidentifying him last time and misleading you.”

Recalling the incident at the security office, she found it almost theatrical.

After finishing, the two headed back together.

Just before class began, all the students returned to the classroom.

Chen Yang pushed open the back door and entered.

Hearing the rustling noise, Wu Yami bit her lip and turned to ask, “Did you guys finish the cake already?”

Liang Qian had been engrossed in his phone.

Upon hearing the question, he glanced at Chen Yang, who was focused on solving problems, and replied, “Yeah, it wasn’t big. How long could it take to eat?”

Wu Yami wanted to say she hadn’t seen them eat it at all.

But since Liang Qian had already spoken, her questions would likely go unanswered, so she decided to stay silent.

The biology teacher entered the classroom.

Wu Yami quickly turned her head.

Liang Qian wanted to ask where the cake Chen Yang had brought earlier went but restrained himself, fearing it might lead to an uncomfortable topic.

On second thought, he figured it out.

Hearing about the cake, Zhao Mingri chimed in. “Why spend so much on a cake? Only blue-blooded elites can afford it.”

Even though he spent money freely, he rarely splurged like this.

Such a tiny cake would be gone in two or three bites—not worth it. With that money, he could buy plenty of food.

Liang Qian winked. “Why are you asking so many questions?”

He glanced at Chen Yang beside him. Though focused on a problem, his tightly pressed lips betrayed his foul mood, radiating irritation.

Zhao Mingri pouted.

Liang Qian pinched him and scribbled a note: Brother Yang has his reasons for buying something so expensive.

Zhao Mingri fell silent, still confused.

Suddenly, the biology teacher glanced over. Liang Qian and Zhao Mingri stopped talking and pretended to study while secretly playing on their phones.

It wasn’t until halfway through the self-study session that they finally started on their homework.

Liang Qian struggled with a problem and begged Chen Yang to let him copy his test paper. “This question is so hard, Brother Yang. I can’t solve it. Just let me see your answer.”

Without looking up, Chen Yang replied, “The formula’s in the book.”

Hearing this, Zhao Mingri teased, “Serves you right for not paying attention in class.”

Liang Qian retorted, “Oh, like you’re any better. If you’re so smart, why don’t you—”

Before he could finish, the window suddenly opened.

Homeroom teacher Zhou Mingchun appeared outside, having silently observed them for who knows how long. He had probably seen everything.

Even the most unruly students grew nervous under his gaze.

Liang Qian clamped his mouth shut and flipped through his textbook.

Zhou Mingchun stared at them for a moment, his expression unreadable, before turning to Chen Yang, his brows slightly furrowed.

He said, “Chen Yang, come out for a moment.”

His tone was heavy.

Wu Yami immediately tensed up.

Liang Qian, flipping through his book, was surprised to see Chen Yang being called out by the homeroom teacher. Something about the tone didn’t sit right.