Behind The Mask

Chapter 3: The Spotlight Grows

Li Xin woke up to the sound of his alarm ringing in his ears. His first morning in the dorm had been uneventful, but now that the other guys had returned, the atmosphere was more uncomfortable. As he got dressed in his boy’s uniform, he couldn’t help but feel the weight of the lie pressing down on him. Every day was a battle, and the more he tried to be invisible, the more attention he seemed to draw.

With a deep breath, Li Xin grabbed his bag and headed out the door. Today, he needed to survive another round of classes and figure out a way to keep his secret intact.

---

Classroom - Early Morning

The morning was uneventful as Li Xin tried to blend into his class. The students were all busy with their own conversations, and he took a seat at the back of the room, hoping to avoid being noticed. However, it wasn’t long before a familiar voice broke his concentration.

“Hey, you.”

Li Xin looked up to see Zhao Wei leaning against his desk, his grin wide as ever. “What’s up with you? You’re really keeping to yourself, huh? Don’t tell me you’re shy?”

Li Xin stiffened, trying to keep his cool. “I’m just here to focus on my studies,” he said, his voice calm.

Zhao Wei raised an eyebrow. “Focus on studies? I haven’t seen anyone in this school actually do that. You’re different, aren’t you?” He smirked. “Or maybe you just don’t want anyone to get too close. What are you hiding, huh?”

Li Xin could feel the tension in the air. Zhao Wei wasn’t buying his story, and it was clear he wasn’t going to let up. Before he could respond, the teacher entered the room, and the class began. But the whispers around him didn’t stop.

---

Dormitory – Late Afternoon

After school, Li Xin returned to the dorm, hoping for a quiet evening. He was about to close the door when Chen Lei called out to him.

“You’re not just some quiet guy, are you?” Chen Lei’s voice was curious but laced with suspicion. “You’ve been keeping to yourself ever since you got here. Don’t you want to hang out with the rest of us?”

Li Xin forced a smile, trying to mask his nervousness. “I’m just adjusting to the new environment. I’m not much of a party person.”

“Hmm...” Chen Lei didn’t look convinced, but he shrugged and went back to his bed. “Suit yourself. Just don’t go around acting like you’re too good for us, alright?”

Li Xin nodded quickly, relieved that the conversation was over. But just as he thought he could relax, the door swung open, and Zhang Wei entered. His eyes immediately found Li Xin, and for a brief moment, they locked onto each other. There was something dangerous in Zhang Wei’s gaze, a piercing look that made Li Xin feel like he was under a microscope.

Zhang Wei didn’t speak at first. Instead, he walked past Li Xin, his steps deliberate, like he was purposely ignoring him. But then, without warning, he stopped in front of Li Xin’s bed and turned to face him.

“Still trying to play this ‘mysterious guy’ act?” Zhang Wei’s voice was low, but it carried an air of authority. “It’s not working. People talk, you know.”

Li Xin’s heart skipped a beat. He had no idea what Zhang Wei had heard, but it was clear the guy was onto him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Li Xin said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Zhang Wei tilted his head, a sly smile forming on his lips. “You know, I don’t like being lied to. I can see through your little game. Just wait until everyone else catches on. You won’t be able to hide forever.”

Li Xin swallowed hard, his mind racing. Could Zhang Wei have figured out his secret? The idea of his true identity being exposed was terrifying, but Li Xin didn’t want to back down now. He couldn’t afford to.

“I’m not lying,” Li Xin said through gritted teeth, trying to sound confident. “I’m just here to study, like everyone else.”

Zhang Wei’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Sure, sure. We’ll see how long that lasts,” he said, before walking out of the room, leaving Li Xin feeling more unsettled than ever.

---

Later That Night – Dormitory

The night was quiet in the dorm, but Li Xin’s mind wouldn’t stop racing. The more he thought about Zhang Wei’s words, the more he started to feel the weight of the situation. He wasn’t just trying to keep his secret from the guys in the dorm; he was also trying to survive in a place where everyone seemed to be a step ahead of him.

The door creaked open, and Liang Chao entered the room, his usual playful demeanor missing. He walked straight to his bed, not even acknowledging Li Xin. The tension in the room was palpable.

Li Xin couldn’t take it anymore. “You guys are acting strange,” he said, his voice quiet. “What’s going on?”

Liang Chao looked up, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and suspicion. “What are you talking about?” he asked nonchalantly.

“You’ve all been acting like I’m some kind of... threat,” Li Xin said, his frustration finally breaking through. “I’m just here to study. I’m not trying to cause problems.”

Liang Chao chuckled, but it wasn’t a friendly sound. “You think we don’t notice things? You’re not as invisible as you think.” He shook his head. “But it’s cool. We’ll figure you out sooner or later.”

Li Xin gritted his teeth, trying to stay calm. He couldn’t let them see how vulnerable he was.

“Don’t worry,” Liang Chao added, as if reading Li Xin’s frustration. “I don’t care what you’re hiding. But you should be careful, new guy. You’re playing with fire.”

With that, Liang Chao lay down on his bed, the conversation effectively over. Li Xin stood there, feeling more isolated than ever.

---

Cliffhanger: Zhang Wei’s suspicions are growing, and the tension in the dorm is becoming unbearable. Li Xin is no longer sure if he can keep his secret safe. The walls are closing in, and soon, everyone will start asking questions. How long can Li Xin keep up the charade before someone finds out who he really is?