The Price of Obsession

The Student Affairs Office.

Zhou Yi and Jiang Chen entered one after another. The atmosphere in the office was so heavy it felt as if water could be wrung from it.

Wu Junzhe sat slumped in a chair, his head bowed low. Across from him sat the stern-faced Director of Student Affairs and the Network Security Teacher.

Had she not witnessed it herself, Zhou Yi would have found it impossible to connect this shy, timid boy with ‘deliberate rumor-mongering.’

“Everyone is here. Let’s begin,” the Director of Student Affairs said, pushing up his glasses. His gaze first landed on Jiang Chen.

“Student Jiang Chen, thank you for providing the evidence. However, we need to understand how you obtained the original surveillance footage.”

Jiang Chen stood ramrod straight, answering calmly: “Director, you have already reviewed the full video. As an involved party, when false information harms my reputation, I believe it’s my responsibility to clarify the truth. I entrusted an elder working in the cybersecurity department to assist with evidence collection, and submitted it to the school immediately upon obtaining it.”

The Director nodded, quickly jotting down a few notes on his tablet before continuing:

“We have verified the footage, and it is indeed authentic. However, the school must emphasize that in such situations in the future, you should first report to the Security Department and not act on your own. Understood?”

“Understood, thank you, Director,” Jiang Chen replied respectfully.

Zhou Yi stole a glance at him. ‘This guy… he speaks half-truths so smoothly, effortlessly erasing even Han Yan’s name from the narrative.’

The Director then gave a slight nod to the Network Security Teacher.

“Student Wu Junzhe,” the Network Security Teacher said, turning the analysis report towards him. “The technical report indicates you didn’t use a regular editing tool, but a destructive attack program. This has caused substantial damage to the campus surveillance system. Do you realize the gravity of this issue?”

Wu Junzhe trembled, his head almost burying itself in his chest. “I… I didn’t know that program would… would damage the system. The seller said it would just make the surveillance static for a few minutes…”

“Nonsense!” The Director’s palm slammed heavily onto the table. “Do you realize your actions constitute a serious disciplinary violation? I simply cannot understand why you would do such a thing!”

Wu Junzhe’s lips trembled. He quickly glanced up at Zhou Yi, then finally confessed, his voice choked with sobs: “I… I just… I felt that Senior Zhou Yi and Jiang Chen… they were getting too close… I… it made me feel awful inside…”

The air in the office snapped.

Zhou Yi: ‘???’

Jiang Chen’s brow twitched: ‘…Damn it!’

Network Security Teacher: ‘Ah, this…’

The Director pushed up his glasses, which had slipped to the tip of his nose: ‘…In twenty years of working, this is the first time I’ve encountered such a motive.’

A strange silence descended upon the office, broken only by Wu Junzhe’s muffled sobs.

The Director rubbed his temples, trying to process such an absurd and bewildering motive. He asked, his voice filled with incomprehension:

“So your motive was… a romantic issue?”

“I-I know I was wrong…” Wu Junzhe sobbed uncontrollably. “At the time, I just thought… if she was isolated… she would notice me…”

Everyone: ‘What kind of twisted logic is that?!’

“This isn’t liking someone; it’s selfishness!” the Director stated sternly. “Regardless of your reasons, your actions have caused substantial harm to a fellow student and the school.”

He picked up the disciplinary decision letter. “By resolution of the school board, you are hereby given a demerit, will bear all system repair costs, and this disciplinary record will be entered into your file. I hope you reflect deeply! Now, formally apologize to Student Zhou Yi.”

“Senior… I’m sorry…” Wu Junzhe turned, his face streaming with tears. “I truly know I was wrong…”

Zhou Yi frowned, looking at his red-rimmed eyes, still reeling from shock and discomfort.

“Student Zhou,” the Director’s tone softened. “The school will resolutely protect the rights of affected students. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, please seek help at any time.”

Zhou Yi snapped back to reality and nodded gently. “Thank you, Teacher.”

“Alright, this matter is concluded. You can all return to your classes.”

The Director waved his hand, signaling the end of the affair.

Yet, Wu Junzhe remained frozen, clutching the disciplinary notice tightly.

He remembered the first time he saw her profile beneath the sycamore tree, chin resting in her hand, lost in thought. Speckled light filtered through the leaves, illuminating her slightly furrowed brow, making him forget to breathe for a moment.

When classmates encouraged him to go talk to her and add her on WeChat, he was gently rejected. From then on, he could only silently follow her presence.

Later, when he finally got the chance with the entrepreneurship competition, he thought he could legitimately get closer to her, only to find he was already too late.

His eyes red-rimmed, he struggled for a moment, then suddenly turned to Zhou Yi.

“S-Senior…”

Zhou Yi looked up.

The young man bit his lower lip hard, as if summoning all the courage of his life:

“If… if Senior Jiang Chen ever wrongs you…”

“I will always wait for you, right where you can see me with a turn of your head.”

He spoke with a near-fanatical obsession: “No matter how long it takes, I will wait.”

The air instantly solidified into ice.

Zhou Yi: ‘…?’

‘Is this kid watching too much anime?’

Jiang Chen: ‘???’

‘Acting out a tragic second lead in front of me?’

Network Security Teacher: ‘???’

‘Are young people expressing emotions this… exaggeratedly now?’

Director: ‘…’

‘These students definitely need more psychological counseling.’

The office was so quiet one could hear the wind blowing in from the corridor.

This dead silence stretched for a full ten seconds.

Jiang Chen, exasperated, laughed instead. He took half a step forward, subtly shielding Zhou Yi behind him, and looked down at the boy who had just been disciplined but was now staging a passionate confession.

“Student Wu.”

His voice was calm, yet it held a hidden edge.

“Firstly, she doesn’t need a backup plan.”

He deliberately slowed his speech. “Secondly…”

Jiang Chen suddenly reached out, gently took Zhou Yi’s wrist, and pulled her a little closer to him.

This possessive gesture was both natural and intimate.

“You will never get that chance.”

Zhou Yi: ‘!!!’

She stumbled unexpectedly into his side, close enough to smell the crisp mint scent on him. The warmth from his wrist made her heart skip a beat; for a moment, she even forgot to pull away.

“Nonsense!” The teacher finally snapped out of his shock, slamming his hand on the table. “Wu Junzhe! Do you think your punishment isn’t severe enough?!”

Wu Junzhe trembled at the shout. He looked up, saw their clasped hands, and his face drained from red to white.

“I-I just… Senior… you… I…”

He finally lowered his head in despair, clutching the disciplinary notice, and stumbled as he turned, rushing out the door.

The moment the door closed, Jiang Chen’s fingertips paused slightly before slowly releasing her.

“My apologies.” He turned his head, avoiding her gaze, his earlobes slightly warm. “Just now… the situation called for it.”

Zhou Yi: ‘…’

The lingering sensation on her wrist still burned, her heart pounding as if she’d just finished a hundred-meter sprint. Yet, she tried to maintain a straight face with all the dignity of a ‘straight’ person.

“N-No problem… just covering for a friend… standard procedure.”

Jiang Chen: “Mm.”

The two walked out of the office, one after the other, and the atmosphere suddenly became rather subtle.

Zhou Yi was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Jiang Chen suddenly stopped and turned around, asking casually: “You weren’t… swayed by that confession just now, were you?”

Zhou Yi: ‘???’

She nearly choked on her own breath. “Do I look like someone so easily swayed? I was terrified, alright!”

“That’s good then.” Jiang Chen’s lips curved slightly. He then probed casually, “So you wouldn’t find… his kind of stubborn waiting romantic?”

“Stop it!” Zhou Yi exclaimed, exaggeratedly rubbing her arms. “I’m getting goosebumps!”

Seeing her flustered reaction, Jiang Chen finally let out a low chuckle, and the faint trace of gloom that had lingered earlier dissipated with his laughter.