Today at school was unusually quiet, as though the building itself was holding its breath. The usual chaos of voices, laughter, and hurried footsteps was muted, replaced by an unsettling stillness that clung to the hallways and classrooms alike. Even the air felt heavier, thick with an unspoken tension that made normal conversation feel out of place. One thing stood out immediately to both Yang Jun and Zhao Kai.
Liu Jian was not around.
Ordinarily, his presence was impossible to miss. Whether it was his voice echoing down the halls or the trail of trouble that seemed to follow him, Liu Jian brought energy with him wherever he went. His absence left a noticeable void, one that made the school feel strangely hollow. At first, Yang Jun thought Liu Jian might simply be late or skipping class
