Chapter 48:Spotlight

For the rest of the day, Shen Yu felt like he was under a spotlight. Every time he turned a corner, hushed whispers followed. Every glance he met, someone quickly looked away, only to start whispering again. It was as though the world was talking about him, and no matter how hard he tried to ignore it, it was impossible to escape.

"I swear, if one more person looks at me like that—" Shen Yu muttered, barely containing his frustration.

Bai Xue, ever the one to find amusement in his misery, giggled beside him. "You're famous now! Maybe you should just accept your fate."

"My fate?!" Shen Yu hissed, glancing around. "I did not ask for this!"

As if on cue, another message popped up on the school forum. Bai Xue, always quick with her phone, pulled it out and her eyes widened dramatically.

"Oh wow," she gasped, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Shen Yu snatched the phone from her before she could go any further. "What now?!"

"Breaking: Lu Zhixuan and Zhao Rui seen leaving school together. What does this mean?!"

Shen Yu's heart sank. "But we just walked out the gate at the same time!"

Bai Xue wiped a fake tear from her eye, pretending to be moved. "It's beautiful. Your love story is truly inspiring."

"I will throw your phone into the river," Shen Yu growled, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Before she could tease him any further, a shadow fell over them. Lu Zhixuan appeared, arms crossed, watching Shen Yu with that infuriatingly amused expression.

"Looks like you're handling this well," he remarked dryly, his voice laced with something that made Shen Yu's stomach flip.

Shen Yu shot him a glare. "You! You're the reason for all of this!"

Lu Zhixuan tilted his head, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Oh? So you admit we're in this together?"

Shen Yu opened his mouth, then closed it again, unsure of how to respond. "That's not what I—"

"Too late. You said it," Lu Zhixuan interrupted, his tone victorious, as if he'd just won some great battle.

Bai Xue burst out laughing. "Oh, this just keeps getting better."

Shen Yu covered his face with both hands, wanting nothing more than to disappear. "I hate my life."

Lu Zhixuan leaned in slightly, his voice lowering, teasing. "Are you sure about that? Because I think you like this attention more than you admit."

Shen Yu peeked at him from between his fingers, heart racing. The way Lu Zhixuan was looking at him—smug, teasing, but with something softer behind it—made his breath catch in his throat. It was the kind of look that made him feel exposed, vulnerable, and he hated it.

He was in so much trouble.