Yu Zhi shook her head, rubbed the aching spot a few times until the pain subsided a bit, and then let go of her hand. She tilted her head up to look at the boy and said, somewhat frustrated, "Sorry."
She had been too absorbed in her thoughts just now, completely oblivious to the commotion in the stairwell, and didn't react quickly enough to avoid the collision.
"Are you... in pain?" Lu Li withdrew his hand from midair, clutching his book tighter against his chest.
Noticing the fair skin on the girl's forehead gradually beginning to redden, he furrowed his brows deeply, his eyes brimming with worry and distress.
"It's fine." Yu Zhi, feeling slightly awkward at the raw emotions in his gaze, shifted her eyes away.
She glanced downstairs, an urge to avoid the situation taking root: "I'm heading off now."
Before the boy could respond, she swiftly moved around him, leaving him standing there, unmoving for a long moment.
