"I... I already said, it's none of your business..."
Meng Ran sobbed, her tears streaming uncontrollably. She hiccupped occasionally, unable to form a complete sentence.
"Seeing my class monitor crying in the middle of the night—how can that be none of my business?"
Zhou reached into his bag and pulled out a small pack of tissues, handing it to Meng Ran.
Meng Ran hesitated for a moment before taking the tissues and wiping her face. Her eyes and nose were red, and her eyelids were noticeably swollen. It was clear she had been crying for a long time—possibly even for days.
"Th... thank you..."
Meng Ran clutched the tissues in her hand, turning her head away as she whispered her gratitude.
Zhou noticed her body trembling uncontrollably. Even though he was dry, he felt the cold biting into him. Meng Ran, drenched from head to toe, must have been freezing.
"My place is just nearby. Come and warm up for a bit."
Without waiting for her response, Zhou reached out and pulled Meng Ran up from the steps, startling her.
"Wh... what are you doing? Leave me alone, I'm not going..."
She struggled slightly, but Zhou's strength surprised her. His grip was firm yet gentle, and she found herself unable to break free.
After dragging her a few meters, Meng Ran gave up resisting. She had no strength left, and Zhou's hold, though not tight, was unyielding.
"Alright, anyone would do the same in this situation. I don't usually meddle, but this is different."
Zhou spoke without looking back, pulling Meng Ran along as effortlessly as if he were carrying a shopping bag.
Meng Ran stopped struggling. She was too exhausted, and the cold was unbearable. She realized there was no point in resisting.
After a short walk, Zhou led Meng Ran into a building. He closed his umbrella but kept a firm grip on her hand, afraid she might bolt.
As they stepped into the hallway, a gust of cold wind hit them. Meng Ran shivered violently, and the thought of going back outside became even less appealing.
They took the elevator up to the sixth floor. Once the doors opened, Zhou finally let go of her hand.
"Come on," he said, stepping out.
"Okay..."
Meng Ran didn't know why she agreed. It was as if some unseen force compelled her to follow him.
Zhou opened the door to his apartment and walked in. Meng Ran stood frozen at the doorway, unsure of what to do.
Zhou glanced back and, seeing her hesitation, reached out and pulled her inside before closing the door behind them.
*Bang—*
The sound of the door closing made Meng Ran's heart race. A flicker of fear crept into her mind.
Zhou walked further into the apartment, tossing a pair of slippers in front of Meng Ran before disappearing into a room.
Meng Ran stood awkwardly at the entrance, unsure whether to step inside or turn around and leave. After a moment of hesitation, she took off her wet shoes, slipped on the slippers, and stepped into the living room.
As she entered, she noticed the shoe rack only had Zhou's shoes. It dawned on her that he lived alone.
The living room was filled with an impressive array of fitness equipment—dumbbells, barbells, a treadmill, and a spinning bike. It was no wonder Zhou was so strong. He always looked slim in his school uniform, so his strength had come as a surprise.
Despite the abundance of equipment, the room was surprisingly tidy. Everything was neatly arranged, and the space felt organized.
In front of the plush-looking sofa, there was no coffee table. Instead, a white fluffy rug covered the floor.
Meng Ran, still soaked, didn't dare sit down. She stood awkwardly in the middle of the room.
A few minutes later, Zhou reappeared, carrying a set of clothes, a towel, and a hairdryer.
"Dry yourself off and blow-dry your hair. Then change into these. I don't have anything new, but this set I've only worn once. You can make do with it. You can change in the bedroom."
He handed her the items and then walked into the kitchen without another word.
Meng Ran stood there, holding the clothes and towel, feeling even more flustered. A part of her wanted to drop everything and leave, but Zhou's words felt like an unspoken command she couldn't ignore.
After a moment of hesitation, she decided to follow his instructions. She was too cold, and her wet clothes clung to her skin, making the chill unbearable.
She used the towel to dry herself as much as she could, then spent half an hour blow-drying her long, wet hair.
Once her hair was dry, she noticed Zhou was still in the kitchen. She grabbed the clothes and towel and headed into the bedroom.
Not daring to turn on the light, she fumbled in the dark to change. Zhou had given her a white velvet top and matching pants—a cozy-looking loungewear set.
As she put on the clothes, she caught a faint scent lingering on the fabric. It was Zhou's scent.
Her face flushed with embarrassment. What was she doing? She had followed a classmate to his home, changed into his clothes, and now she was standing in his bedroom.
Her mind raced with questions: *How did I end up here? Am I really this careless? What's going to happen next? Am I supposed to sleep here? Maybe I should just warm up and leave...*
*Click—*
Meng Ran opened the door and stepped out, just as Zhou emerged from the kitchen. He was carrying a small table, which he placed on the rug in the living room.
Then he brought out a steaming bowl of noodles and set it on the table.
"Eat," he said simply, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"I..."
Before Meng Ran could respond, Zhou returned with a cup of hot water and placed it on the table.
"Here's some hot water. And these are fever reducers—take them if you feel cold or have a headache. This is cold medicine—take it if your throat hurts or you start sneezing. You can take it as a precaution too."
He set two packets of medicine on the table and then walked away, leaving Meng Ran alone by the sofa.
Apart from those brief instructions, he didn't say another word to her...
---
**Additional Details:**
Meng Ran sat down on the rug, her mind still in a whirlwind of emotions. The warmth of the apartment was a stark contrast to the cold, rainy night outside. She picked up the bowl of noodles, the steam rising and warming her face.
As she ate, she couldn't help but glance around the room. The apartment was simple yet cozy, with a minimalist aesthetic that reflected Zhou's personality. The walls were bare except for a few framed photos of landscapes, and the bookshelf was neatly organized with textbooks and a few novels.
Zhou's presence was quiet but reassuring. He didn't pry or ask unnecessary questions, which Meng Ran appreciated. She wasn't ready to talk about why she had been sitting in the rain, crying her heart out.
After finishing the noodles, she sipped the hot water, feeling the warmth spread through her body. The medicine packets sat untouched on the table, a silent reminder of Zhou's thoughtfulness.
She glanced toward the kitchen, where Zhou was now washing the dishes. His back was turned to her, and she noticed the way his shoulders moved with each motion. There was a quiet strength about him, both physically and emotionally.
Meng Ran's thoughts drifted back to the events of the evening. She had been so consumed by her own pain that she hadn't expected anyone to notice her, let alone help her. Zhou's actions had been unexpected, yet they felt genuine.
As she sat there, wrapped in his clothes and surrounded by the warmth of his home, Meng Ran felt a strange sense of comfort. For the first time in days, she didn't feel entirely alone.
But the questions still lingered in her mind: *Why did Zhou help me? What does he want? And what am I supposed to do now?*
For now, she decided to stay a little longer. The storm outside showed no signs of letting up, and the warmth of Zhou's apartment was too inviting to leave behind.
As the night deepened, Meng Ran found herself slowly relaxing, her guard lowering just a little. She didn't know what the future held, but for tonight, she was safe—and that was enough.