MTLNOVEL Chapter 7: MEMORIES.
Hua Rong's eyes fluttered open, though the heaviness of sleep still clung to her. Even after resting for so long, waking up felt like a battle. As her vision adjusted, she was met with an unexpected sight—Xu Lingwei standing beside her bed, holding a pillow in his hand. Startled, she jolted upright, leaning against the headboard.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice still groggy.
Xu Lingwei raised an eyebrow, smirking. "This is also my room, remember? I was just wondering how someone could sleep this much."
And just like that, everything came rushing back. Hua Rong's eyes widened as she remembered—Feng Xue was supposed to visit! Without wasting another second, she scrambled out of bed, grabbing her phone to check the time. It was already past eight. Panic surged through her as she rushed to get dressed, slipping into a pair of shorts and a loose shirt before shoving her feet into sneakers. Without bothering to fix her hair, she dashed out of the dormitory.
At the entrance, standing near the gate, were two familiar figures. Feng Xue, dressed stylishly in a jumpsuit, and Bai Qiuyue, standing beside her, her dark brown hair neatly parted to the side. The sight of them filled Hua Rong with a mix of relief and excitement. She had expected Xue to visit, but she hadn't expected Bai Qiuyue to accompany her even thought she said she will.
Without thinking twice, Hua Rong ran straight toward them, throwing her arms around Feng Xue in a tight hug. "Ahh, it's really been a while since I last saw a creature like me!" she exclaimed dramatically.
Feng Xue blinked, pulling back slightly. "What do you mean by that?"
Hua Rong let out an exaggerated sigh. "I mean, girls! Everywhere I go, whoever I see—it's just boys, boys, and more boys!"
At that, Feng Xue's eyes lit up with interest. "Boys?" she echoed, suddenly intrigued.
Oh, right. Hua Rong had completely forgotten about Xue's love for observing good-looking guys.
Before Xue could bombard her with questions, Bai Qiuyue spoke up, her expression curious. "Wait… does this mean you're the only female student here?"
Hua Rong nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately, yes."
Feng Xue's grip tightened on her arm as she dramatically gasped. "This… this is a paradise!"
Hua Rong rolled her eyes. "For you, maybe."
"Alright, enough talking out here. Let's go inside," Feng Xue said, already pulling Hua Rong toward the entrance.
With Bai Qiuyue following behind, Hua Rong had a feeling this visit was going to be anything but peaceful
The campus was busier than usual, a rare sight in the normally strict and controlled environment of Blackthorn Academy. Today was one of the few days when outsiders were allowed inside, and the usually empty pathways buzzed with students reuniting with their families, friends, or whoever had bothered to visit them.
Hua Rong led Feng Xue and Bai Qiuyue through the grounds, giving them a tour of what she had sarcastically named her "personal prison." The school's grand hall stood at the center of the campus, an imposing structure where they received daily lectures on discipline and reform.
"So, this is where they gather you to lecture you on how to be a model citizen?" Bai Qiuyue asked, eyeing the massive hall.
"Yep," Hua Rong replied. "Endless speeches about responsibility, the importance of reform, and how we are all 'works in progress.' It's thrilling, really."
Xue snorted. "Sounds like a nightmare."
Hua Rong grinned. "Now you understand my pain."
They continued exploring, passing by the dormitory, the training grounds, and the recreational area, where some students sat with their visiting family members. Parents were giving stern lectures, siblings were laughing, and a few classmates were proudly showing off their campus like it was some prestigious academy instead of a strict reform school.
While passing through the courtyard, a familiar voice called out.
"You're actually giving a tour?"
Hua Rong turned to see Lin Zeyan approaching, hands tucked into his pockets, looking as relaxed as ever.
"Oh? And who is this?" Feng Xue's eyes lit up with interest, scanning him with a keen look.
Hua Rong sighed. "This is Lin Zeyan, my friend."
"Friend?" Xue teased. "Are you sure?"
Lin Zeyan gave her a small nod. "Nice to meet you."
"Oh, he's polite too," Xue mused, tilting her head. "That's unexpected for someone in this place."
Lin Zeyan raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
Bai Qiuyue, ever the observer, simply nodded in greeting. "Nice to meet you."
"I'm Feng Xue," Xue said, taking a step closer, a playful smile curling on her lips. "So, Lin Zeyan, tell me—why is Hua Rong friends with you?"
Hua Rong groaned. "Xue, stop interrogating him."
"I'm just curious," Xue shrugged, then looked at Lin Zeyan again. "She barely calls anyone a friend, you know."
Lin Zeyan glanced at Hua Rong. "I guess I'm just special."
Xue laughed. "Oh, I like this one."
Hua Rong rolled her eyes but didn't deny it.
With Lin Zeyan now tagging along, the group continued exploring. Hua Rong showed them the indoor training hall, where students were required to participate in daily drills. They passed through the gardens—one of the only peaceful spots on campus—where some students sat with their visitors, enjoying the brief freedom.
"Honestly, I expected this place to be worse," Xue admitted, stretching her arms behind her head.
"Oh, don't be fooled," Hua Rong said. "They're just on their best behavior today because of the visitors. Once you leave, it's back to the usual madness."
Lin Zeyan chuckled. "She's not wrong."
As they made their way toward the basketball court, they spotted a group of students chatting with their parents near the entrance. Some looked relieved, while others had tense expressions, as if waiting for the inevitable scolding from their family.
"Not everyone gets visitors, though," Lin Zeyan noted quietly.
Hua Rong knew that well. There were plenty of students who sat alone, watching the interactions from a distance, pretending they didn't care.
Xue, on the other hand, was more focused on something else. "So, Lin Zeyan," she said, linking her arm with Hua Rong's as they walked. "You got a girlfriend?"
Lin Zeyan blinked. "No."
"Hmm." Xue hummed, clearly intrigued.
"Why are you asking?" Hua Rong asked suspiciously.
"Just curious," Xue said, glancing at Lin Zeyan. "You seem like the type to have someone secretly in love with you."
Lin Zeyan chuckled. "I doubt that."
Xue leaned closer to Hua Rong and whispered loudly enough for him to hear, "He totally has that mysterious, brooding charm. I bet half the girls here have a crush on him."
"Wouldn't know," Hua Rong said flatly.
Bai Qiuyue, who had been quiet, added, "It does seem possible."
Lin Zeyan shook his head, clearly amused. "You all think too much."
The conversation drifted from there, moving to random topics as they continued exploring. They played a short game of basketball—Xue and Hua Rong against Lin Zeyan—where Xue was far more interested in making comments about Lin Zeyan's athletic ability than actually scoring points.
Before they knew it, the three-hour time limit had passed.
The announcement rang through the speakers, signaling the end of visiting hours.
"So soon?" Xue pouted. "That went by way too fast."
"That's how it always is," Hua Rong said with a small sigh.
They walked back to the entrance, where guards were waiting to escort visitors out. Bai Qiuyue gave Hua Rong a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself."
"And write to me," Xue added dramatically.
Hua Rong rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Now go before they drag you out."
Xue gave Lin Zeyan one last look before smirking. "See you around, mysterious boy."
Lin Zeyan only gave a small nod in response.
With that, Xue and Bai Qiuyue left, disappearing past the gates. The moment they were gone, the air of Blackthorn Academy felt heavy again, as if the world had snapped back to reality.
Lin Zeyan, who had been silent for a moment, finally spoke. "They're… interesting."
"That's one way to put it," Hua Rong said with a small smile.
"Your friend seems interested in me," Lin Zeyan noted.
"She's just like that," Hua Rong replied. "She loves teasing people."
"Hmm," Lin Zeyan hummed. "Not bad company, though."
With that, they turned and walked back toward the dormitories. The three hours had passed in a blink, but for a short while, Hua Rong had felt like she was free.
....
When Hua Rong returned to her room, she wasn't surprised to find it empty. Xu Lingwei was probably off practicing again in the studio. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if anyone had come to visit him today. But then, with a small shrug, she let the thought go.
It wasn't her business, after all.
As she sat on the bed, her mind drifted back to the first time she had met him—three years ago.
Back then, she had enrolled in an archery class, more like a tutoring program, hoping to learn a new skill. She hadn't expected much—just something to keep her occupied. Archery had always fascinated her, but fascination didn't mean talent.
The first time she held the bow, it felt unnatural in her hands, the string awkward and stiff under her fingers. She struggled to position her grip properly, frustration creeping in as her arrow wobbled, threatening to fall before she even had the chance to shoot.
"Do you need help?"
A voice—calm, steady, gentle—broke through her focus.
She turned her head slightly and saw a boy standing beside her, bow in hand, his stance relaxed yet precise. He had been practicing a moment ago, his own arrow perfectly aligned, but now his attention was on her.
She didn't know then that her simple answer would change the course of her life.
"...Yeah," she said.
Xu Lingwei nodded and stepped behind her. He didn't hesitate, didn't ask twice, just moved with quiet confidence. His hands found hers—warm and steady—as he adjusted her grip.
"Hold it like this," he murmured. "Not too tight, or your fingers will cramp. Keep your shoulders relaxed."
His touch was light, guiding rather than forcing, and somehow, the bow didn't feel as heavy anymore.
"Now, aim."
She took a slow breath, letting him adjust her stance, feeling the way he positioned her hands with effortless precision. His presence was reassuring, his movements patient.
"Steady," he said softly. "Don't rush. Feel the string. When you release, let it flow—don't force it."
She exhaled, her fingers loosening.
The arrow shot forward, slicing through the air, and landed with a clean, sharp thud—right in the center of the target.
Perfect.
For a moment, she just stared. She had barely done anything—it had been him, his guidance, his control—but still, she had never hit the target so cleanly before.
A smile played on his lips. "Not bad."
Not bad? It was perfect. He was perfect.
"You're really good at this," she said, turning to look at him. "You must like archery a lot."
Xu Lingwei blinked, then tilted his head slightly. "Not really."
She frowned. "Then why are you here?"
He shrugged. "Just happened to be."
Just happened to be? Someone that talented? She didn't believe it.
But as she watched him lift his bow again, drawing the string back with smooth precision, she realized something—he wasn't trying. He was just naturally good at it.
And she... she had unknowingly walked into something that would leave an undeniable mark on her life.
Because that was the moment she met Xu Lingwei.
And from that moment on, he had never once faded from her story.