The next day, the drama room felt… different.
Not crowded like before.
This time, it was quieter. Focused.
Only the selected students were there.
Zhao Xia dropped her bag on a chair and looked around. "Why does this suddenly feel serious?"
"Because now you can't just sit and judge people," XinYue said.
"…I still can."
XinYue ignored her.
Her eyes moved across the room—
And stopped.
Lu Shiye was already there.
Of course he was.
Sitting near the window, one arm resting on the desk, script open—but he wasn't really reading it.
More like flipping pages without interest.
Zhao Xia followed her gaze.
"Oh. Him again."
XinYue looked away immediately. "Relax."
"I am relaxed," Zhao Xia said. "I just don't like overly popular people."
"Why?"
"They act like they own oxygen."
XinYue almost smiled.
---
"Alright," the teacher clapped once. "We'll start with the main pair today."
Zhao Xia slowly turned her head toward XinYue.
"…Good luck."
XinYue gave her a look. "Shut up."
"XinYue. Lu Shiye. Come here."
Of course.
XinYue walked up first.
Lu Shiye followed—unhurried, like always.
They stood facing each other.
Not too close.
But close enough to notice.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"You don't look nervous," Lu Shiye said.
His tone was casual.
Like he was just stating something obvious.
XinYue blinked once. "I am."
"Doesn't show."
"…Good."
A small pause.
Then he nodded slightly. "Yeah."
That was it.
But somehow, it wasn't awkward.
Just… quiet.
---
"Start from the ballroom scene," the teacher said.
XinYue looked down at the script.
Lu Shiye didn't.
Of course he didn't.
"Whenever you're ready," he said.
Not bossy.
Just calm.
XinYue took a breath.
Then started.
Her voice was steady.
Not perfect—but real.
When she reached his line, she glanced up—
And he was already looking at her.
Not intensely.
Just… focused.
He delivered his line smoothly.
No extra effort.
No showing off.
And that made it worse.
Because it felt natural.
Too natural.
---
"Stop," the teacher said after a while.
They both stepped back slightly.
"Good," she nodded. "But you two are too distant."
Zhao Xia coughed from the back. "Emotionally or physically?"
"Both," the teacher said without looking at her.
A few students laughed.
XinYue felt her ears warm slightly.
Lu Shiye didn't react.
"Again," the teacher said.
This time—
"Stand closer."
XinYue hesitated for half a second.
Then stepped forward.
Lu Shiye adjusted his position too.
Now there was barely any space between them.
Not uncomfortable.
But noticeable.
"Continue."
---
The scene restarted.
XinYue tried to focus on the lines.
But now—
She was aware.
Of everything.
The distance.
His voice.
The way he didn't rush his words.
When it was his turn again, he paused slightly—
Then said his line.
Softer this time.
Closer.
And for a second—
XinYue forgot her next line.
Just for a second.
Lu Shiye noticed.
Obviously.
"…You're supposed to reply," he said quietly, only for her to hear.
Not teasing.
Not mocking.
Just reminding.
XinYue snapped back. "I know."
She continued.
This time without missing.
---
"Better," the teacher said.
Zhao Xia whispered loudly, "Progress."
XinYue shot her a look.
---
Break time.
Zhao Xia immediately walked up to her. "So?"
"So what?"
"So THAT."
XinYue frowned. "It's just practice."
"Yeah," Zhao Xia said slowly. "Sure."
Before XinYue could respond—
"Your line delivery is good."
Both of them turned.
Lu Shiye.
Of course.
Zhao Xia crossed her arms instantly.
XinYue blinked. "…Thanks."
"You pause too much before emotional lines," he added. "But it works sometimes."
That sounded like a compliment.
And criticism.
At the same time.
XinYue nodded. "I'll fix it."
He shrugged lightly. "No need to rush."
Then he looked at Zhao Xia.
"Your friend's loud."
Zhao Xia raised an eyebrow. "And you're very observant."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Then he walked away.
---
Zhao Xia stared at his back.
"…I don't hate him."
XinYue looked at her. "That was fast."
"I still don't like him," Zhao Xia corrected. "But I don't hate him."
"Big difference."
"Very big."
XinYue glanced toward the window again.
Lu Shiye was back in his spot.
Like nothing happened.
But for some reason—
That small conversation stayed.
---
Across the room—
Someone else was watching.
Her eyes fixed on XinYue.
Then on Lu Shiye.
Her grip on the script tightened slightly.
She didn't say anything.
But it was clear—
She had noticed everything.
---
Yeah.
Now it's set.