In The Glass Cage

Qin Wan Tang walked slowly down the long corridor, her cheeks faintly flushed. Her soft black hair fell neatly down her back, carefully groomed. In her hands was a small tin box, covered with cute little rabbit stickers. Today, she had specially made pastries for Mo Jing Han. As she stepped into the classroom, her gaze immediately stopped at the seat by the window. The boy was sitting there, head lowered as he read, completely focused. Sunlight filtered through the glass, highlighting his delicate features. His naturally slightly wavy black hair, long lashes trembling faintly, and skin so fair it almost seemed to glow under the morning light. Indeed, the title of “school heartthrob” was not just a rumor. Hearing her footsteps, Mo Jing Han slightly raised his eyes. His gaze swept over her, as indifferent as ever. “You’re early today.” He said. “My dad had some work to do, so he left early and dropped me off on the way.” She smiled brightly and held out the small box to him. “This is for you. I made it myself.” He took it, neither fast nor slow. “Thank you.” She looked at him intently, as if trying to find even the slightest change in his expression, but… he really was like a still painting. “Um… can I come over to your house today?” she asked softly, trying to dispel the silence between them. “There’s a math problem I still don’t understand.” “Have you ever understood anything?” he replied flatly, his tone calm yet merciless. It was the truth. Qin Wan Tang might be beautiful, gentle, and well-liked. She came from a good family and had talent in singing, dancing, and musical instruments, teachers all praised her. The only problem… she was terrible at almost every subject and had no intention of trying. Her family had already planned for her to attend an arts school in the future. His blunt words made her cheeks flush red, whether from embarrassment or hurt, it was unclear. “I… I mean…” “Another day.” He sighed softly, then suddenly reached out and gently patted her head, a rare act of tenderness. “I have a student council meeting today.” “Mm, okay… I understand.” Her voice grew softer. Mo Jing Han glanced at her dejected expression, his eyes flickering slightly. In the end, he couldn’t quite bear it. “Come to my house this weekend, okay?” He said. Qin Wan Tang froze, then joy burst within her. “Okay!” “Good girl.” He smiled faintly, a rare smile. “Don’t forget to bring your math book.” That simple invitation colored Qin Wan Tang’s entire day in bright hues. Even her usual meals seemed to taste better. Su Lan looked at her daughter, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Did something good happen today, sweetie?” “Jing Han invited me to his house, Mom!” Qin Wan Tang couldn’t hide her excitement, her eyes sparkling. Su Lan paused for a moment, then laughed. “Oh really? Looks like all your efforts have finally paid off.” “I think… he might like me too,” she said, her voice softening. “My daughter is so lovable,” Su Lan replied gently. “And you’ve known each other since childhood. Constant dripping wears away the stone, sooner or later, something will come of it.” The two families had always been close. Qin Wan Tang’s feelings for Mo Jing Han were like an underground stream, quietly flowing through her childhood. When she was little, she would toddle after him, trying step by step to stand closer to him, even working hard to get into the same high school. But he had always been the same, cold and distant. So today’s rare gentleness from him felt like a leaf falling onto a still lake, stirring ripples of anticipation. The next morning, Qin Wan Tang went to school as usual. But the moment she stepped into the classroom, she noticed something different, the atmosphere was livelier, more restless. A group of classmates had gathered around a desk, chatting and laughing non-stop. She frowned slightly, confused, and reached out to pull her close friend Lin Nuan over. Lowering her voice, she asked, “What are they doing?” “A new student,” Lin Nuan replied briefly, her eyes still drifting toward the crowd. “Something Dao, I think. She is pretty cool.” “It’s just a new student…” Qin Wan Tang said, puzzled. “I thought maybe some actor or singer had come.” “Aiya, our little darling Tang Tang,” Lin Nuan laughed, lightly tapping her forehead, “she’s pretty and friendly, of course people like her.” Lin Nuan narrowed her eyes, her tone teasing. “What? Are you jealous?” “I’m not!” Qin Wan Tang immediately denied, so quickly she didn’t even think. Then her voice slowed, tinged with hesitation. “But… I’ve never seen someone get welcomed this quickly right after transferring.” Lin Nuan crossed her arms, tilting her head in thought. Her expression gradually turned strange. “Now that you mention it… she only said one sentence to me earlier, but I already felt… a good impression.” She frowned, as if she herself couldn’t understand it. “That feeling… was kind of strange. Like she has some sort of charm.” Just one greeting could make people feel favorable? Was she on Aphrodite’s level or something?