Zhao Chen never considered himself the type to meddle in other people’s business. His life was already busy enough—balancing university, multiple part-time jobs, and trying to build a future for himself. He had no time for distractions.
And yet, here he was, thinking about a girl who wasn’t even trying to be noticed.
Li Xinyi was a mystery. Not because she was intentionally hiding anything, but because she existed in a way that made people overlook her. Like a shadow in a crowded room, present but unseen.
But Zhao Chen had noticed.
And the more he noticed, the more he realized something wasn’t right.
It started small. Casual. Just enough to satisfy his curiosity.
At his part-time tutoring job, he worked with several high school students from different schools. During one of their sessions, he leaned back in his chair and made his question sound offhanded.
“Ever heard of Li Xinyi?”
One of the students, a boy around Xinyi’s age, blinked in surprise. “Xinyi? Yeah, she’s always ranked first in our school.”
Zhao Chen nodded as if that wasn’t new information. “She must have a lot of support at home then.”
The boy scratched his head. “I mean… I don’t know. She never really talks about her family.”
Another student, a girl who was flipping through her textbook, chimed in. “It’s weird, actually. She’s won so many awards, but no one’s ever seen her parents at the ceremonies.”
Zhao Chen frowned slightly. “Not even once?”
The girl shook her head. “Nope. Not even when she got first place in the entire school last year.”
That made Zhao Chen pause.
Parents usually brag about their kids’ achievements, especially if they’re top students. Even if they were busy, someone would have come at least once.
But in Xinyi’s case?
Nothing.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
Zhao Chen started paying closer attention—not in a way that would raise suspicion, but just enough to observe.
What he noticed only confirmed his gut feeling.
1. She never brought lunch. Every day, while other students ate together, she either had nothing or pretended she wasn’t hungry.
2. She wore the same few sets of clothes. They weren’t tattered, but they were slightly worn—out of place compared to the standard of her school.
3. She never stayed late after school. Most top students joined after-school study groups, but she always left immediately, as if she had somewhere she had to be.
Zhao Chen knew what it was like to be struggling. He had worked part-time jobs since high school, saving every penny just to afford university. But Xinyi’s situation felt different.
It wasn’t just about money.
It was something else.
Days passed, and Zhao Chen wasn’t sure how to get more information without making it obvious. But then, an opportunity presented itself.
His university was collaborating with Xinyi’s school for a Computer Science Fair, where he was asked to participate as a guest speaker.
It was the perfect excuse.
During a meeting with Xinyi’s school teachers, Zhao Chen kept his expression neutral as they discussed the event. Then, when the moment was right, he slipped in his question.
“For the fair, we’ll need a list of top-performing students. Do you have any standout names?”
One of the teachers, a middle-aged man, smiled. “Of course! We have some exceptional students. But if you’re looking for the best, it would be Li Xinyi.”
Zhao Chen pretended to be only mildly interested. “Oh? She must have a strong academic background.”
“She does,” the teacher confirmed. “Brilliant girl. Always ranked first.”
“And her family?” Zhao Chen asked, keeping his tone casual. “They must be proud.”
The teacher hesitated.
“Well… to be honest, we don’t know much about them,” he admitted.
Another teacher added, “She never brings her family to award ceremonies. It’s unusual, but we don’t ask.”
Zhao Chen nodded slowly, as if this was just another piece of information. But inside, his suspicions deepened.
If even the teachers didn’t know much about her family, that meant Xinyi had been deliberately hiding them.
Or worse—they weren’t there for her at all.
Waiting at the Gates
By the time the meeting ended, the school bell rang, signaling the end of classes.
Zhao Chen found himself waiting outside the school gates—even though he knew he had work in an hour.
He wasn’t sure why he stayed. Maybe it was because he had more questions than answers.
Or maybe… he just wanted to see her again.