The library bustles with a quiet energy. Students sit hunched over desks, flipping through books, typing with pens, or staring blankly at notes as if psychic powers can force them to understand the contents…


    In the meantime Lu Chen was sitting by the window. Ignoring the chaos around him


    His desk is a mess. There are open textbooks, crumpled notes, and half-empty water bottles found in cheap vending machines that sit precariously on the edge.


    But in the midst of change There is a strange symmetry. It was as if everything in his world made sense. His pen moves across the notebook with unceasing precision. Scribbling neat letters as his brows furrowed in concentration.


    For anyone Overachievers may appear to be putting too much pressure on themselves. But for Lu Chen This is his holy place.


    University life was not what he had imagined for himself. Not after everything he had been through, the wars, the betrayals, the sleepless nights. Living life with nothing but determination—now it''s a different world.


    This life, with its lectures, dormitories, and library hours, feels unreal. But he still clung to it fiercely. It was as if learning could erase the blood stains from his past.


    “Yo, Academician Lu!” Earlier that day, Zhang Wei''s voice suddenly sounded. Make your classmates laugh a little. “Still trying to win the award for most boring guy on campus?”


    Lu Chen smiled faintly. With the comment but not saying anything, Zhang Wei didn''t mean any harm. For him and most people here Lu Chen was just another student who was trying, quiet, driven, and a little too fierce.


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    When the sun sets below The hours melted away. Paint the library with golden shadows. Students began to go out, but Lu Chen stayed put as if oblivious to his surroundings. He had promised himself he’d finish this chapter tonight, no matter what.


    By the time he packed up his things, the library was nearly deserted. Outside, the campus was alive with the hum of crickets and the occasional burst of laughter from a group of students passing by. Lu Chen walked back to his dorm, his footsteps unhurried seemingly in happy mood after finishing the chapter.


    The dorm buzzed with its usual chaos. Zhang Wei was glued to his gaming setup, his enthusiastic shouts echoing as if the fate of his digital world hinged on every play.


    Nearby, Li Ming lounged across his bed, aimlessly scrolling through social media, while Zhao Fan was a whirlwind of focus, furiously typing away on his laptop, grumbling about a last-minute essay.


    “You’re late,” Zhao Fan remarked, barely lifting his gaze.


    “Had some stuff to finish,” Lu Chen replied, casually tossing his bag onto the chair. As the evening unfolded, a familiar routine settled in.


    Lu Chen flipped through his notes while his roommates gradually quieted, the night growing deeper.


    By midnight, the dorm fell silent, save for the gentle snores emanating from Li Ming’s corner. Lu Chen leaned back, his gaze drifting out the window.


    The moon hung low in the sky, its light gently filtering through the sheer curtains. This was his cherished moment—when the world seemed to slow down, leaving him alone with his thoughts.


    Just as he prepared to close his notebook and embrace sleep, his phone buzzed on the desk, shattering the peaceful stillness. He glanced at the screen and felt a pang in his chest: Dad.


    His father rarely called, especially at this hour. Casual conversations weren''t his style. If he was calling now, something serious must be at hand. Lu Chen answered quickly.


    “Dad?” The voice on the other end was soft, almost fragile—a stark contrast to what he was accustomed to.


    “Lu Chen…” Lu Chen froze, sensing something was off. His father’s tone felt weak and unfamiliar.


    Lu Chen froze. His father’s voice sounded off—fragile, almost. It wasn’t right. His throat felt dry, and he struggled to speak.


    “Dad, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”


    His father didn’t answer right away. When he did, his words came slowly, like they were hard to get out. Lu Chen listened without interrupting, gripping the edge of his desk tightly. With every word, the pit in his stomach grew deeper.


    When the call ended, Lu Chen sat there for a moment, staring at the dark screen. His heart pounded in his chest. He didn’t need more details to know that something was very, very wrong.


    He stood up suddenly, grabbing his jacket and shoving a few things into his bag. His movements were rushed, almost clumsy. His roommates stirred at the noise. Zhang Wei sat up slightly, rubbing his eyes.


    “Where are you going?” Zhang Wei mumbled sleepily.


    “Home,” Lu Chen said, his voice strained.


    Without explaining further, he left the room. The night air hit him as he stepped outside, cold and sharp against his face. He didn’t slow down, he ran as fast as he could towards the station.