Breaking Free: Love & Rebellion at Blackthorn Academy.

Hua Rong was eating her lunch peacefully, enjoying the rare day off. She wasn't sure why they had one, but she wasn't about to complain. A quiet day was a blessing in Blackthorn Academy.

However, peace never lasted long here.

With a loud crash, a boy came flying onto her table, knocking over her lunch tray and nearly toppling her chair. It was the third fight in just two days. What was she expecting? This school was practically a war zone.

She sighed, getting up without much fuss.

"Hey, are you okay?" the boy who had crashed onto her table asked, his voice full of concern.

Hua Rong blinked at him. He was the one who got thrown, and he was asking if she was okay?

Still, she gave a small nod, offering a polite smile despite her ruined meal.

Before she could step away, a new voice interrupted.

"How can she be okay?"

A tall figure approached, hands stuffed lazily into his pockets, his expression utterly unconcerned. Xu Wenhan.

Hua Rong had heard of him—everyone had. He was one of the most well-known students in Blackthorn Academy, partly because of his status and partly because of his reckless behavior.

"Look at that," he added, tilting his head slightly as he came closer. "Because of you, her lunchtime got ruined."

Hua Rong remained quiet, watching as he studied her with sharp, unreadable eyes.

Then, his lips curled into a smirk. "Hua Rong," he said, smoothly rolling her name off his tongue.

She stiffened slightly. He knows my name?

Well, it wasn't too surprising. Xu Wenhan seemed to know everyone somehow.

"I've heard you were the top student in your class," he continued, bending slightly so they were at eye level. His tone turned mocking. "Don't tell me you're planning to do the same thing here. Because you can't."

His friends behind him snickered.

Hua Rong's fingers twitched. And what's his problem, exactly?

She exhaled slowly, fighting the urge to respond. But then, out of pure instinct, her face made that expression—her signature expression that annoyed people the most.

Her upper lip lifted slightly on the left side, her eyes half-open, radiating the ultimate 'I don't care' energy.

Xu Wenhan's smirk faltered.

Ah. She did it again.

Realizing too late, she quickly covered her mouth and turned on her heel, bolting away before the situation escalated further.

She rushed back to the dormitory, her heart pounding. Great. Just great. The last thing she wanted was unnecessary trouble. Not with the academy's strict surveillance system.

CCTV cameras monitored their behavior at all times, and the electronic watch strapped to her wrist tracked their actions, awarding or deducting points based on conduct. To graduate with a 'sincere student' reputation, every student needed to collect at least fifty thousand points.

What if they didn't?

Their graduation certificate would reflect negative behavior and discipline, which would be a major problem for further studies.

Of course, some students didn't care. Many of them came from wealthy families, so consequences meant little to them. Just like Xu Wenhan.

As she neared her dorm, Lin Zeyan came running up to her.

"Hey! Are you okay?" he asked, slightly breathless.

Hua Rong nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you heading back to your room?"

"Yeah. My roommate still hasn't arrived, so it's more peaceful there."

Lin Zeyan hesitated for a moment before glancing toward the door. His eyes landed on the nameplate outside her room.

"Xu Lingwei?" he read aloud.

Then, something clicked in his mind. His eyebrows raised slightly.

"Oh. He arrived."

Hua Rong paused. "He did?"

Lin Zeyan nodded. "Yeah. Wanna go see it? He's a dancer, so he's probably at the auditorium."

Hua Rong hadn't been there yet. She looked toward the hallway leading to the academy's right side building to the studio.

"...Alright," she said

Hua Rong and Lin Zeyan walked down the long hallway, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors of Blackthorn Academy. The overhead lights flickered slightly, casting faint shadows as they made their way toward the staircase. The studio for dancers was located on the second floor, and with each step upward, the distant sound of music and rhythmic movement became clearer.

As they reached the second-floor landing, they stopped by the railing overlooking the studio below. Hua Rong peered through the gaps in the metal bars, her eyes scanning the vast, dimly lit space.

Down on the polished wooden floor, a lone figure moved with fluid precision. His messy dark hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat. Each motion was effortless—controlled yet free, like he belonged in the rhythm. The loose black full-sleeve t-shirt and matching pants only made his movements appear sharper. He was the only one practicing at this hour, completely absorbed in his routine.

"He wasn't coming before because he broke his leg," Lin Zeyan murmured beside her. "But now that he's recovered, he's finally here."

Hua Rong's gaze remained fixed on the boy below. The way he danced—so familiar, yet unexpected. Something about the way he carried himself tugged at a long-buried memory.

Then, as if sensing her presence, the boy stopped. His breath was heavy, his chest rising and falling, but despite the exhaustion, he looked up toward the railing where she stood.

Their eyes met.

Hua Rong's breath caught in her throat.

His hazel-brown eyes. The name tumbled from her lips before she could stop it.

"Xu Lingwei…"

The moment she spoke, recognition flashed across his face. His expression shifted from surprise to something unreadable, but in that instant, he knew.

"Hua Rong!"

Lin Zeyan, watching their exchange, frowned in confusion.

"Wait… you two know each other?"

Hua Rong didn't answer immediately. She could barely process it herself. Xu Lingwei… is my roommate?