Between The Pages {Liu Yuxin x Reader}

Y/N

It is a common rule in any library there is in the world, to be quiet. I think we are taking it to another level today. It is completely silent in the archive. Not one of us was speaking and it's making me feel like I'm in an asylum of some sort.

I keep my eyes trained on the book laid out in front of me. I don't even have a clue what it's about. All I know is that it has some pretty drawings of panda bears. Lin Fan is quietly sitting beside me. I think it's only her and Chen Jue who are actually getting something done. The rest of us were quiet and lost in our own worlds.

Xueer was sat across me with Chen Jue, while the princess sat on my other side after nudging and shoving me when I tried to sit on the end of the bench. If not already, it made things more awkward. Every couple of minutes, I would feel the familiar burn of a stare on the top of my head. It doesn't really take a genius to figure out that it was Xueer.

As another minute passed and I grew more uneasy, I finally peeled my eyes away from my book. Xueer's eyes were sharp as mine met them. There was a slightly downward tilt on the corner of her lips and I got sure that she was indeed not at all happy If anything, I think she was more upset than mad. I bit my lips and my eyes landed on Chen Jue. Deciding to swallow up whatever hesitation I had left, I cleared my throat.

"What are you reading on, Chen Jue?" I asked out. She slowly turned her head to me and gave me an unamused look. I widened my eyes at her, hoping to heavens that she'd get the clue. To my surprise, the blank look on her face melted and her eyes ever so slightly widened.

"The Chronicles," she answered in a mumbled before turning away.

"Oh, well, do you think I can have a turn on it?"

"...sure."

Why does she sound so forced? My brows rose yet despite the confusion, I chose not to pry about it. After all, she was nice enough to agree. And now, I had the excuse to move seats. I am so smart. Now all there is left for me to do is somehow exchange seats with Xueer so that she can stop trying to melt me with her stare. I closed up my panda book and stood up.

"Erm, Lady Xueer-"

"Where are you going?"

My head snapped to the side as I felt a hand wrapping around my wrist. In an instant, it was as if an alarm went totally crazy in my head. Who else could it be? My eyes went across the table and to Xueer. She was not looking at me anymore. Instead, her now wide eyes were set on the wrapped hand around my wrist.

Well, shit...

"A-ah, I'll just look at Chen Jue's book, Princess," I answered with an awkward laugh.

"There is no need for you to move. She can just hand the book over."

She obviously has a very poor grasp of situations.

"Well, that is true, Your Highness. However, Chen Jue is not done with it yet. So I will just go over." I excused myself and moved to tug my hand away. "So, Lady Xueer, would you like to change-"

"But Chen Jue is already done with the book, aren't you, Chen Jue?"

My mouth slightly opened and with another tug, I found myself sitting back down next to the Princess. Okay, now I am certain that there is something very wrong with her. I watched, my brain still not quite understanding, as she turned to look at Chen Jue who looked back in confusion. I could literally see the dilemma on her face as she took glances between her book and back at us.

"I don't think she is..." I mumbled.

"No, no. I am done. You can have the book, Aihan," Chen Jue spoke up and the unusual rush in her voice made a knot in my brows. She slammed the book shut and slid it towards me.