Unexpected Melody

Chapter 3: Glimpses Behind the Facade

As the days passed, Zhou Shiyu found herself continuously drawn to the enigmatic Wangyi. Despite their rocky first encounter, Zhou couldn't shake the curiosity that had been sparked by witnessing Wangyi's unexpected act of kindness towards the stray dog.

Zhou tried to approach Wangyi whenever she could, whether it was after their shared music class or during breaks between tennis practice and the band's rehearsals. Each time, she was met with the same icy demeanor and dismissive responses, but Zhou refused to be deterred.

One afternoon, as Zhou was packing up her tennis gear, she noticed Wangyi sitting alone on a bench near the school's entrance, gently stroking the head of a small, scruffy dog. Zhou's eyes widened in surprise, and she found herself drawn towards the scene, unable to resist the urge to get a closer look.

As Zhou approached, Wangyi's head snapped up, and her expression immediately hardened. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Zhou held up her hands in a placating gesture. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. I just... I saw you with the dog and couldn't help but notice." She paused, her gaze flitting between Wangyi and the canine. "I didn't know you liked animals."

Wangyi's grip on the dog tightened slightly, and she averted her gaze. "It's none of your business," she muttered.

Undeterred, Zhou sat down on the bench, keeping a respectful distance. "The dog seems to like you," she observed, a small smile forming on her lips.

Wangyi didn't respond, but Zhou noticed the way her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, and the tension in her expression seemed to ease.

After a few moments of silence, Wangyi spoke up. "He's a stray. I found him wandering around the school grounds a few days ago." She paused, her voice softening. "He looked so scared and alone, so I... I couldn't just leave him."

Zhou's heart swelled with a newfound appreciation for the girl sitting beside her. "That's really kind of you," she said sincerely. "I'm sure he's grateful to have someone looking out for him."

Wangyi's eyes flickered towards Zhou, and for a brief moment, her usually guarded expression revealed a glimmer of vulnerability. "I know what it's like to feel that way," she murmured, almost too quietly for Zhou to hear.

The words hung in the air, and Zhou felt a pang of empathy for the girl she had initially written off as cold and unapproachable. She wanted to ask Wangyi more, to uncover the layers of her story, but she knew that pushing too hard would only drive her further away.

Instead, Zhou simply nodded, offering Wangyi a gentle smile. "Well, I'm sure he's in good hands," she said, before standing up and giving the dog a final, affectionate pat on the head.

As Zhou walked away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. She had caught a glimpse of the real Wangyi, the one hidden beneath the aloof facade, and she was determined to learn more.

Over the next few days, Zhou made a conscious effort to cross paths with Wangyi whenever possible, hoping to build on the fragile connection they had formed. She would offer a friendly smile or a quick greeting, and to her surprise, Wangyi would sometimes even nod in acknowledgment.

It was during one of these chance encounters that Zhou noticed Wangyi's fingers tapping rhythmically against her thigh, a subtle movement that caught her attention. "Do you play an instrument?" Zhou asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

Wangyi's eyes widened slightly, and she seemed to hesitate before answering. "I... I play the guitar. In the school band, actually."

"The school band?" Zhou's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's so cool! I didn't know you were in a band. What kind of music do you play?"