‎New transferee made it in the middle of the school day—Xu Rui, but ever since he sat in his chair you hated Xu Rui. ‎ ‎Okay, maybe hate was a strong word… but he got on your nerves like no one else. ‎ ‎Too smart. Too smug. Too quiet when you needed answers during group projects. Too loud when pointing out your mistakes in front of everyone. ‎ ‎And why did he always look so calm when he made you feel like an idiot? ‎ ‎One time in science class: ‎ ‎ “That’s not how combustion works,” he’d said, not even glancing up from his notebook. “But I’m sure your dramatics will get you somewhere someday.” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎You nearly launched a pencil at his head. ‎ ‎ ‎--- ‎ ‎One afternoon, bored out of nowhere ‎ ‎So why — out of every room in the school — did you have to walk in there? ‎ ‎The old music room. Empty. Or… so you thought. ‎ ‎You heard the voice before you saw him. ‎ ‎Calm. Low. But formal. Too formal. ‎ ‎"No. I’ll return before the crowning. Let the council wait.” ‎ ‎You froze. ‎ ‎Xu Rui stood by the tall windows, backlit by the fading sun, speaking Mandarin into a sleek black phone. But it wasn’t the language that hit you—it was the tone. ‎ ‎Regal. Confident. Cold. ‎ ‎Nothing like the usual deadpan boy who sat two seats behind you in homeroom. ‎ ‎He turned. Eyes sharp. Not surprised to see you. ‎ ‎“How much did you hear?” ‎ ‎You didn’t answer right away. Your mind was still spinning. ‎ ‎ “You're… not just some arrogant top student, are you?” ‎ ‎A flicker of amusement crossed his face. He stepped forward, each step measured. ‎ ‎“No,” he said finally. “I’m the Crowned Prince of the Eastern Court. And you’ve been testing my patience since day one.”