|| 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 || ✓

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The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Yibo's room, gently rousing him from his peaceful slumber. He stirred as his brother Haikuan tapped him a few times to wake him up.

"Bodi, wake up. Don't you have classes today?" Kuan's voice was soft as he spoke to his brother, who slowly opened his eyes after being shaken and taped on, he glanced at his lips reading his words before nodding. Kuan then proceeded to open the windows, allowing the fresh air and sunlight to fill the room.

Yibo yawned, his movements unhurried as he made his way to the bathroom. After finishing, he returned to the room and began to dress for the day.

Descending the stairs, his gaze immediately landed on the pancakes his brother had prepared. He smiled warmly at Kuan, who was busy cooking, and approached him with a gentle back hug before sitting down to enjoy his breakfast.

Haikuan couldn't help but chuckle at his brother's adorable demeanor as they enjoyed their breakfast together. After a few delightful minutes, when their meal was finished, Yibo affectionately waved at his brother and signed to him.

"I'm heading out now, brother," Yibo signed.

"Take care, Bo-di." Haikuan signed back warmly.

Haikuan watched as Yibo shouldered his bag and walked out the door, a fond smile lingering on his face.

Yibo found himself waiting patiently at the bus stop, the anticipation of his journey ahead hanging in the air. Soon enough, the bus rumbled into view, and he wasted no time in boarding. As he stepped inside, his eyes quickly scanned the occupants until they landed on a familiar face - Xiao Zhan, his classmate who had helped him just the day before. With a bright smile, Yibo made his way over and settled in beside him.

Xiao Zhan, immersed in his music, was taken by surprise when he noticed Yibo beside him. A warm amusement flickered in his eyes as he accepted Yibo's presence. Yibo, with a cheerful grin, retrieved his phone and swiftly typed out a message.

"Heyy, we met yesterday, remember me?"

Xiao Zhan glanced at the screen, a fond recognition lighting up his expression as he typed in response.

"Yeah, you're Yibo, right?"

"Yupp," Yibo replied, his enthusiasm evident even in his text. "I hope you don't mind me sitting next to you (>~<)"

"Of course not," Xiao Zhan quickly reassured him.

A soft blush dusted Xiao Zhan's cheeks as their fingers accidentally brushed when Yibo reached for his phone. Engrossed in their conversation, they both failed to notice the bus coming to a halt, the world outside momentarily forgotten in their shared moment.

They met Haoxuan, Jiyang, and Jiangcheng at the gate, prompting them to enter together. As they walked, hushed murmurs filled the air upon spotting the ice prince Zhan, accompanied by the adorable new transfer student, entering side by side.

Yibo felt a sense of unease as he noticed the lingering stares, prompting him to subtly distance himself from Zhan, who couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the gap between them.

During lunch, Yibo opted to sit alone, while Zhan, as usual, joined his group of friends. The atmosphere seemed ordinary until a few individuals approached Yibo's table.

Mocking him with hurtful names, they went as far as pouring a drink over him. Witnessing this, Zhan and his friends wasted no time intervening.

"What do you think you're doing with him?" Zhan's voice sliced through the air, cold and dangerous.