⭐ If you're enjoying the story, please vote, comment, and add it to your library to support it! ⭐
I didn't plan to get close to Lin Xiaoyu.
That was the problem.
She wasn't loud like Yueyin.She didn't demand attention.She didn't shine under lights.
She simply… noticed things.
And people like that were dangerous.
The day after the café performance, Yueyin dragged me out of the apartment.
"Xiaoyu wants to treat us," she said casually while putting on her shoes. "She said you looked tired."
I frowned. "She said that?"
"Yes." Yueyin glanced at me. "Why? Are you nervous?"
"No."
She smirked. "You are."
I wasn't.
At least, that's what I told myself.
We met at a small noodle shop near campus. Cheap, quiet, and unremarkable—exactly the kind of place Xiaoyu seemed to like.
She was already there when we arrived, waving lightly.
"You came," she said, smiling.
"You invited us," Yueyin replied, sitting down immediately. "Obviously."
Xiaoyu laughed softly, then looked at me.
"Did you sleep at all last night?"
I paused.
"…A little."
She nodded, as if that confirmed something.
That look again.
Like she could see the parts of me I didn't show.
Yueyin talked nonstop, replaying every second of her performance, exaggerating reactions and applause.
Xiaoyu listened patiently, occasionally asking questions—but not about the crowd.
She asked about Yueyin.
"How did you feel before going up?""Did your hands shake?""Did it feel different than singing at home?"
Yueyin answered honestly.
Too honestly.
I watched quietly.
Xiaoyu wasn't feeding her ego.
She was grounding her.
At some point, Yueyin went to the restroom.
The silence that followed wasn't awkward.
Just… calm.
"You're doing a good job," Xiaoyu said suddenly.
"With her," she added, as if clarifying.
I looked up. "What makes you say that?"
She stirred her noodles slowly. "She's calmer lately. Still spoiled," she smiled, "but calmer."
I didn't deny it.
"She trusts you a lot," Xiaoyu continued. "More than she realizes."
I met her eyes. "And you?"
She blinked. "Me?"
"She listens to you."
Xiaoyu looked down, surprised. "That's because I don't push."
That was the difference.
Yueyin leaned on me.
Xiaoyu stood beside her.
⭐ If you're enjoying this slow emotional development, please vote, comment, and add the story to your library! ⭐
After lunch, Yueyin's phone rang.
Her expression changed.
"I… need to take this," she said, already standing. "I'll be back."
She wasn't.
She texted ten minutes later.
Something came up. Don't wait for me.
I sighed.
Xiaoyu smiled knowingly. "She does that."
"Yes."
We walked out together.
The afternoon air was warm, sunlight filtering through the trees.
Neither of us rushed to leave.
"You're not what I expected," Xiaoyu said as we stopped near the street.
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that good or bad?"
"Good," she replied easily. "Most people who manage others want control."
"And you think I don't?"
She shook her head. "You want safety."
That hit harder than it should have.
"…You're observant," I said.
She smiled. "Only because I care."
Silence.
Not heavy.
Just honest.
As we parted ways, she hesitated.
"If she performs again," Xiaoyu said, "I want to be there."
I nodded. "You always are."
She looked at me for a second longer than necessary.
"So are you," she replied.
Then she left.
That night, I lay awake longer than usual.
Not thinking about views.
Not thinking about hate.
Thinking about how dangerous it was to let someone see me clearly.
The system flickered faintly.
[Notice:]Emotional variable detected.
I ignored it.
Some things didn't need optimization.
Before sleeping, my phone buzzed.
A message from Xiaoyu.
"Don't forget to eat tomorrow."
I stared at it.
Then typed back.
"You too."
Simple.
But my chest felt… lighter.
And that scared me more than the industry ever could.
⭐ To support the story, please vote, comment, and add it to your library! ⭐