Chapter 24: Confrontation

Yuan Xiao leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the formation—expressionless.
Hesitated to speak, then stopped.
Practice ended—Lin Sitian turned off her phone’s recording.
“Did I dance that badly before?” She asked calmly.
“Lots of problems.”
“Enough to target me daily?”
Yuan Xiao frowned, studying her. “Target? Overthink—only care if the dance wins.”
“I recorded last week—without you knowing.”
Yuan Xiao stiffened, touching her neck. “Small flaws—don’t think you’re perfect.”
“Zhou Sheng helped.”
Yuan Xiao froze.
“He said minor flaws—everyone has them. I dance well.”
“Ask the monitor? He can’t dance! What’s your plan—accuse me?” Yuan Xiao snapped.
Lin Sitian stood firm. “If innocent—why so defensive?”
“Defensive? You’re shameless—using the monitor. Now, even dance practice involves him. He’s a top student—your servant?”
Yuan Xiao, angered, spilled everything.
“Yuan Xiao—like Zhou Sheng?”
Lin Sitian asked directly.
“Even if I do—so what?”
She exploded. “Problem! Like him—confess! Don’t take it out on me. No right to say I’m shameless!”
Yuan Xiao, used to her carefree self, was speechless.
“Also—Zhou Sheng’s my boyfriend!”
Shocked, Yuan Xiao stepped closer.
“Fight?” Lin Sitian raised her fist. “I won’t lose!”
Staring, Yuan Xiao calmed. “Fine—confess to him now.”
“No—wait! Yuan Xiao—don’t!” She panicked, dragging her.
School ended—they walked from the dorm to the courtyard, watched by many.
“Stop—embarrassing.” Yuan Xiao halted.
“Promise no confession.” She clung like an octopus.
Yuan Xiao pulled her off. “Fake boyfriend? Afraid he’ll leave? Break up—no faith.”
She admitted. “…No faith in myself.”
Yuan Xiao sighed.
“Understand—no faith, so hide, watch silently. Wait—no fairy tale. Cowards lose love. Indecisive freeze. You stepped forward—braver.”
“Right? He’s amazing.” Her eyes lit up.
Yuan Xiao sneered. “Flower on dung.”
“Flower…”
“You’re dung.”
She shrugged—ignored the insult.
“Even flowers choose dung—love. Mutual growth—like Zhou Sheng said.”
Yuan Xiao mumbled. “Don’t like him that much.”
“Sure—no stealing.”
“Really—admire him. Focused, determined. Envy—can’t be like him.”
Lin Sitian nodded.
“So—jealous. Admit targeting you—no apology.”
“Different—maybe he confessed first?”
“…You?” Yuan Xiao scoffed.
Back to class—Lin Sitian asked: “Yuan Xiao—snitched?”
“Not me—dog – like.”
She suspected another classmate.
“Maybe no snitch—you were wrong.” Zhou Sheng said, flipping his speech draft.
She frowned. “Not angry? Don’t want to find who?”
He leaned on the railing. “Dating—truth. Not slander.”
Sunshine was fierce—he shielded his eyes.
“Classmate—snitching is impersonal. Not a duty.”
“Stop being rational—dog – like…” Remembering past judgments, she fled.
“Good luck.” He grabbed her hand.
“Got it—you too!” She ran, cheering.
He watched her join the team, touching his hot cheeks.