Breaking Free: Love & Rebellion at Blackthorn Academy.

Hua Rong walked back after class, weaving through the crowded corridors as students scattered in different directions—some returning to the dormitories, others heading to the studios, the gym, or the courts. A few made their way outside the school gates, though that was a privilege only granted to those who paid for it.

And by paying, it meant spending points.

The more points a student had, the longer they could stay outside. But if they exceeded their time limit, the system would automatically deduct points. It was an efficient way to control students, ensuring they remained within the school's grasp.

Her gaze flickered toward the football field, where a few students were engaged in an intense match. But what really caught her attention was Bai Xinchen.

He wasn't heading toward the field. Instead, he was making his way into the ground floor of the dormitory—a place mostly filled with storage rooms.

Why would he be there?

Bai Xinchen wasn't the type to wander aimlessly. He was strong, skilled in fighting, and not the kind of person to lurk around unless he had a reason. Unless…

A realization struck her like lightning.

Lin Zeyan.

Without hesitation, Hua Rong turned and ran toward the dormitory, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. Please, don't let it be what I think it is.

She stormed through the entrance, her breath ragged, and dashed toward the ground floor. As soon as she reached it, she froze.

Bai Xinchen stood there, his back straight, his expression calm yet dangerous. Lin Zeyan, on the other hand, was pinned against the wall, trapped beneath Bai Xinchen's strength.

At the sound of her hurried steps, Bai Xinchen turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto her.

"Hey, you." His voice was eerily casual. "Don't you dare step in between us."

Hua Rong's jaw tightened. Like hell I'd agree to that.

"Why?" she demanded, taking a step forward.

Bai Xinchen exhaled sharply, as if annoyed by the interruption. "Look, I don't want to do anything to him." His voice was calm, almost reasonable, but there was an edge of irritation beneath it. "I just want my points back—the ones I lost because of him."

Points?

Hua Rong frowned. Bai Xinchen was from Section B, the highest-ranked section. Why was he so obsessed with getting his points back from Lin Zeyan?

She held her ground. "Fine, you want your points back. I get that." Her voice was firm. "But if you hit him, it's only going to deduct more points—just like last time."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "So let him go."

Lin Zeyan didn't even budge. He stood there as if inviting the fight, his face impassive, his posture relaxed yet unwavering.

Something about his demeanor sent unease prickling down Hua Rong's spine. Was he trying to lose points on purpose?

Bai Xinchen's expression twitched in frustration. "No. Then tell him to give me his points."

Hua Rong bit her lip. Bai Xinchen had a point—technically, Lin Zeyan could just hand them over. But judging by the dead look in his eyes, there was no way he would do that.

She looked down, frustration boiling inside her. What the hell am I supposed to do?

'Why? Why are you getting involved in someone else's problems?'

The thought rang through her mind. She had been told this countless times—don't meddle, don't take responsibility for things that aren't yours to fix.

Maybe this time, she should just listen.

She stepped back.

That was right. If this was Lin Zeyan's choice, then fine. It wasn't like she had known him for long. Why should she care?

Just as she turned to leave—a hit.

A sharp sound echoed through the dimly lit storage hallway.

Hua Rong whipped around.

Lin Zeyan had just punched Bai Xinchen.

Bai Xinchen stumbled back slightly, releasing his grip as he brought a hand up to his bleeding lip. His face twisted with irritation.

"You really have a death wish, don't you?" Bai Xinchen muttered, wiping the blood away.

Lin Zeyan's voice was calm, taunting. "What? Not going to hit back?"

Hua Rong sucked in a sharp breath. What the hell is he doing?

Bai Xinchen let out a scoff, but instead of retaliating, he turned to her.

"Hey, girl." His voice was smooth, calculating. "I don't want to lose more points. So, why don't you convince your friend here to just hand over his points? Peacefully."

Hua Rong froze.

Something about the way he dismissed Lin Zeyan, as if he wasn't even worth talking to, infuriated her.

And then Lin Zeyan's voice cut through the air.

"Why are you talking to her? Talk to me!"

That was it.

The frustration. The annoyance. The feeling of not knowing what to do, the helplessness, the anger.

Before she even realized it, her body moved on instinct.

She **ran forward—**and punched Lin Zeyan.

Hard.

He staggered back before collapsing onto the ground, unconscious.

Silence.

A stunned pause hung in the air.

Hua Rong stood there, panting, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Did… did I hit him too hard?

Then, a flicker on her watch—

-5000 POINTS.

Her heart sank.

She was at zero.

She slowly turned to Bai Xinchen, who stared at her wide-eyed. But instead of shock, his gaze had a hint of amusement.

A smirk curled on his lips.

"Damn." He let out a low chuckle. "Didn't see that coming."

...

Lin Zeyan was once again in the medical room, lying unconscious on the bed. Hua Rong sat beside him, tapping her fingers restlessly against the armrest of the chair. Bai Xinchen sat across from her, his legs stretched out lazily, arms crossed behind his head.

The nurse passed by, giving them a quick glance. "You two are going to wait?" she asked.

"Yeah, we're his friends," Bai Xinchen answered smoothly.

Hua Rong shot him a glare. Friends? Since when? Bai Xinchen barely interacted with Lin Zeyan before today. He noticed her expression and smirked, reaching into his pocket and tossing her a steamed bun.

"Eat," he said. "Your face is screaming starvation."

Hua Rong caught the bun and hesitated. She was hungry, but accepting food from Bai Xinchen felt... strange. Still, food was food. She took a bite.

Bai Xinchen leaned back in his chair, watching her. His short hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp features made him look like someone who got into trouble often—but his expression was calm.

"I get it now," he finally said.

Hua Rong raised an eyebrow. "Get what?"

"Why was Lin Zeyan acting like that. He's not just some stubborn idiot."

She swallowed her bite and nodded. "Yeah. He's got his reasons. Just like you must have had a reason for being so obsessed with getting your points back. Maybe you don't want to go back to your school either."

Bai Xinchen frowned as if he didn't understand what she was implying. Then, suddenly, he laughed, shaking his head. "What are you even talking about? Of course, I want to go back. Why wouldn't I? I worked hard for it. My name was submitted for the transfer. I deserve it."

Hua Rong blinked. She wasn't expecting that answer. Most students in Blackthorn Academy saw it as a prison, a punishment. But Bai Xinchen looked genuinely proud.

He bit into his bun, then paused mid-chew. "Man, I wonder how those pebbles are doing."

Hua Rong tilted her head. "Pebbles?"

"The people from my old school," he explained casually. "I called them that because they're small, dumb, and easy to kick around."

Hua Rong nearly choked on her food. "You're horrible."

Bai Xinchen just grinned.

"Anyway," he continued, brushing crumbs off his hands, "I won't ask him for points anymore. Didn't know he was going through all that."

Hua Rong studied him, surprised. She hadn't expected him to drop the issue so easily.

"But why were you so fixated on getting them back in the first place? Doesn't your section have the most points?" she asked.

Bai Xinchen's face darkened slightly. "Because of that bastard, Xu Lingwei."

"Xu Lingwei?" Hua Rong repeated.

"He has the highest points in the whole school," Bai Xinchen admitted, running a hand through his hair. "And I hate losing. It's not about needing the points. It's about proving I can win."

She snorted. "So it's a pride thing."

"Obviously," he muttered.

"Well, good luck with that," Hua Rong said, stretching her arms. "But I think you're strong in your own way. You don't need to beat that idiot just to prove yourself."

Bai Xinchen narrowed his eyes at her. "You sound like you have a personal grudge against him."

Hua Rong looked away. Of course, she did. Xu Lingwei was the reason she had lost 6,000 points in a single day.

"No," she lied. "I just don't like seeing you acting all understanding and mature. It's weird."

Bai Xinchen chuckled, standing up and stretching. "Alright, whatever you say. Anyway, I finally got to have a proper talk with the only girl in Blackthorn Academy." He flashed a smug smile over his shoulder before walking off.

Hua Rong huffed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Figure it out," Bai Xinchen called back, leaving the room.

Just as she was about to take another bite of her bun, a hand snatched it away.

"What were you two talking about?"

She turned in shock to see Lin Zeyan sitting up, already munching on her food.

"For how long have you been awake?" she demanded.

"Just now," he mumbled through a mouthful.

Hua Rong groaned, rubbing her temples. First, she lost her points. Now, her food. This day just kept getting worse.