MIRA
"Great. Just great. First day, and I've already ruined someone's life."
It hadn't even been five minutes since I stepped into Tsinghua University, and I already felt like I was about to pass out.
My first day. New country. New people. New everything.
So, naturally, I did the only thing that made sense-
I got coffee.
Clutching the warm cup in my hands, I stepped out of the campus café, taking a slow breath, trying to calm the storm building inside me.
You're fine, Mira. Just breathe.
And then... I saw someone.
For a second, I genuinely thought my brain had stopped working.
Because there was no way someone like HIM was real.
He looked... unreal.
Like the calm surface of a cold sea-still, distant, and dangerously beautiful. The kind of beauty that didn't invite you in... but made you want to step closer anyway.
There was something about him that felt like a quiet storm.
Cold. Controlled.
And somehow... impossible to ignore.
Wait-
Why was he walking this way?
My grip tightened around the coffee, but my feet refused to move.
Stupid me... losing control over my own legs just because I saw a handsome man.
I was too busy staring. Too busy getting lost in my own thoughts.
And then-
Everything went wrong.
The next second, reality hit me harder than anything else could have.
Coffee splashed everywhere.
And just like that...
I managed to create the most embarrassing moment of my life-on my very first day.
My eyes squeezed shut in pure embarrassment. For a second, I didn't even dare to look at the disaster I had just created.
But I couldn't just run away.
This was my mess.
Taking a slow breath, I forced myself to look up at the person standing in front of me.
He looked calm.... Too calm....
But something told me very clearly that behind that composed expression...
he was probably ready to burn me alive.
"Oh shit! I'm so, so sorry-"
"As you should."
He replied in Chinese.
Wow.
Cold.
So he did have that attitude-just as high as the bridges of his nose.
But maybe I shouldn't be judging his personality when I had just spilled coffee all over him.
Right. Priorities, Mira.
I forced a polite smile, mentally switching to Chinese.
"I'm really sorry. I didn't see where I was going."
His gaze dropped to his shirt, now stained with coffee, before slowly lifting back to me.
There was no anger.
No frustration.
Which somehow made it worse.
"Clearly," he said, his tone calm-too calm.
I blinked.
Okay... rude.
"Look, I said I'm sorry," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It was an accident."
For a second, he just looked at me.
Not in a normal way.
Not even in an annoyed way.
More like he was... observing me.
And I suddenly became very aware of how ridiculous I must look right now-standing there, holding an empty coffee cup like evidence of my own crime.
"You always greet people like this?" he asked.
My jaw almost dropped.
Excuse me?
"Oh, I'm sorry," I shot back, my embarrassment quickly turning into irritation. "Next time I'll make sure to throw the coffee properly then."
That was when, for the first time, something shifted in his expression.
Not quite a smile...
But close.
"What are you going to do with the shirt?" He added, crossing my arms slightly. "Wash it off with that attitude?"
Seriously... is he picking a fight with me?
"See, I already said sorry," I continued, a little more controlled this time. "And I'm ready to compensate for that shirt of yours."
I looked at him, though I still avoided holding his gaze for too long. After all... I was the one at fault.
My eyes dropped to the stain again.
The shirt looked expensive.
Of course it did.
Great. There goes my savings.
"You don't look like you're from China, are you?" he said suddenly.
My heart skipped a beat.
I looked up at him, properly this time.
That... wasn't something I was used to hearing.
From the airport yesterday to the hotel I was staying at, everyone had assumed I was local. No one had even guessed I was a foreigner.
So how did he know?
A brief silence settled between us as questions filled my mind.
He broke it first.
"Anyway," he said, as if it didn't matter, "think about the repayment. Whether you're local or an international student... it doesn't change anything."
Ah... right. Repayment.
Before I could respond, he added,
"Forget it. You've already done enough."
Time matters more.
And just like that-
he walked past me.
As if everything that had just happened meant nothing at all.
Like it was just... a passing breeze.
I stood there, still processing it.
But somehow, the coffee stain he left behind wasn't on his shirt anymore-
it was stuck in my mind.
Because I could deal with anything...
except unfinished debts.
And yet-
I really, really hoped I would never have to see him again.
God... why does it always have to be me and my stupid brain?
_______________________________
It was three in the afternoon by the time I was done with all the necessary paperwork at the university.
Now came the real problem-
finding a place to stay.
Unfortunately for me, the hostel was under repair and wouldn't be ready anytime soon. Which meant I had to find somewhere near campus to live-at least for a while.
Perfect.
I checked the time. Not too late yet.
I could still manage to find something today.
I walked through the streets near the university, scanning every building, every notice board, every corner that might have a "For Rent" sign.
"Ugh... this is so tiring," I muttered under my breath. "Not a single person renting out a room. Hey Bhagwan, at least look at me once, please..."
Still complaining to myself, I walked past a pole-
and then suddenly stopped.
Wait...
Did I just see something?
I stepped back and looked again.
A small poster.
Room for rent.
First floor.
Right beside it was a small bakery.
Cloud Bakery
I smiled.
That's... kind of cute.
Without thinking twice, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The warm, sweet smell hit me instantly.
Cakes, pastries, freshly baked bread-everything looked so good that even a full person would like to make a room in his stomach for those.
And unfortunately for me...
I was hungry.
"One chocolate donut, please," I said.
When I looked up, I found a middle-aged woman behind the counter, already smiling at me-her eyes soft and warm.
"Oh my! Such a beautiful girl in my shop today," she said cheerfully. "Good choice-the donuts were made just now."
I looked down shyly before smiling back at her.
"It's really nice to hear that from someone as beautiful as you, Aunty. Thank you."
And just like that...
Something in me felt lighter.
After everything that had happened since morning, this was the first moment that felt... warm.
I found myself smiling without even realizing it.
Oh right-the rent.
I quickly gathered my thoughts and asked,
"Aunty, I saw a poster outside... about a room for rent on the first floor. Is it still available?"
Her face lit up instantly.
"Yes! Yes, it is!" she said, almost too excited. "Are you looking for a place?"
"Yes," I nodded. "I just joined Tsinghua University, and this location is really convenient for me."
"Tsinghua?" she repeated, eyes widening. "You study there?"
I smiled. "I'm starting from the day after tomorrow."
For some reason, she looked... relieved. Happier.
"My son studies there too!" she said proudly. "You might become friends. Though I think you're his junior."
Oh...
That explains the excitement.
I smiled politely, though a little more restrained this time.
Still, I needed a place to stay.
We discussed the rent, the facilities, and everything else. It all seemed perfect-close to campus, affordable, and comfortable enough.
I had basically decided.
I could move in as soon as tomorrow.
As I finished my donut and reached for my wallet, she stopped me.
"Wait a moment, dear," she said warmly. "Let me get you something special. Since you'll be staying with us."
I blinked. "Oh, that's not necessary-"
"No, no," she insisted with a smile. "Our lemon tarts. My son makes them. He's very good at baking-though he doesn't always have time because of his studies."
Her voice softened with pride.
"His specialty is the lemon tart."
I smiled.
It must be hard... managing both studies and something like this.
But the way she talked about him-
it was obvious she adored him.
Just then, the curtain near the kitchen moved.
And a tall figure with broad shoulders stepped out, carrying a tray filled with freshly made lemon tarts.
The sweet citrus aroma filled the air instantly.
I looked up-
And froze.
No way.
My heart stopped.
Because standing right there...
was the one person I had hoped I would never see again.
Our eyes met.
And at the exact same moment, we both spoke-
"What are you doing here!?"
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