My name is Shu, and I'm the author of this blog. Welcome! 💖
🌸 About the Author 🌸
➤ Pronouns: she/her
➤ Age: 22
➤ College Student 🎓
➤ Major: IT (specializing in Love and Deepspace)
➤ My Wife @nezuswritingdesk my pookie my love <3
I hope you enjoy your stay! Looking forward to chatting with you all. :3
📌 Masterlist
✦ Nezu and Sylus ✦
✦ Series ✦
➤ IN PROGRESS
The love i never said Aloud (caleb xia x reader)
➤ COMPLETED
Secret Love at 30,000 Feet (caleb x reader)
Irresistible (zayne x reader)
Kissed by the baddest bidder (Sylus x Reader)
📩 Request Box: Open
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Dividers by @cafekitsune – check them out, their designs are super pretty! 💕
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” You pout at Zayne as he helps you out of the car, careful to not let your floor length gown touch the ground. He raises a brow, amused.
“Talk you into it? You’re the one who bought them, remember?” He smirks, slipping his hand in his pocket. The mere action makes you tense in anticipation.
Okay, maybe wearing vibrating panties to one of Zayne’s fancy galas hadn’t been the best idea.
He doesn’t turn them on yet. No, instead he waits for the moment you sit down, when the vibrator is flush to your clit. You jolt, pressing your lips together and desperately holding back a moan.
“We should socialize.” The cheeky bastard is the picture of a doting boyfriend, pulling you to stand. He keeps the vibrations just low enough so you can’t cum, which is almost worse.
“Well, this is a nice surprise.” Valko’s voice over your shoulder makes you want to melt into the ground. You turn to face him, as does Zayne. His grin widens when he realizes you’re here together, something that still confuses you, but you've chosen to look past it.
“Hardly a surprise. Your company is Akso's biggest donator." Zayne comments, a hint of friendliness behind it. But perhaps his amusement is due to switching the level of vibrations up, nearly making your knees buckle.
"You alright?" Valko asks you, just a little too perceptive. His heightened senses have come in handy more than once, so you're familiar with how good he is at picking up the smallest sounds and sce-
Oh fuck.
He realizes what's going on the moment your brain catches up, his grin widening as he barks out a laugh, nose twitching.
"You two are certainly more interesting than I thought."
She would sneak out before ten, disappear for the whole morning, and make the new tutor give up before even meeting her. Easy. Foolproof. She even rehearsed her excuses—I didn’t hear the doorbell, I had a stomachache, I was already out.
She was halfway into her shoes when her bedroom door opened.
“Y/N.”
Zayne stood there, blocking the doorway like a wall she couldn’t climb over.
“Where are you going?” he asked, suspicious by default.
She straightened, trying to look casual. “Out.”
“You have a tutor.”
“I hate tutors,” she said immediately. “They’re boring. And annoying. And—” She paused, then added sweetly, “I’ll buy you milk tea for a week if you cancel him.”
Zayne considered it. “Two weeks.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re negotiating?”
Before she could push further, a voice drifted in from the kitchen—unhurried, calm.
“The egg’s done.”
Y/N froze.
Slowly, she leaned out of her room and looked down the hallway.
And then she saw him.
Caleb Xia stood by the stove, sleeves rolled to his elbows, steam curling lazily around him as he lifted a bowl of instant noodles from the pot. Two sausages lay neatly on top, an egg balanced carefully like it belonged there. It looked… intentional. Like he’d thought about it.
Her brain blanked.
“…Why is he here?” she whispered.
Zayne didn’t even look apologetic. “Because he’s your tutor.”
Her head snapped toward Caleb. “You’re—”
“Morning,” Caleb said easily, glancing at her. “You sleep a lot.”
“I do not!”
“Zayne tried waking you up three times,” he added.
“That’s slander!”
Zayne scoffed. “You sleep like the dead.”
Caleb set the bowl down in front of her. “Eat first. Physics later.”
She sat without realizing she’d moved.
Somewhere between the steam, the food, and the fact that Caleb Xia was standing in her kitchen, tutoring suddenly didn’t seem like the worst thing in the world.
After breakfast, Zayne and Caleb collapsed onto the couch, controllers in hand, fully absorbed in a game.
“Should I get my books?” Y/N asked hesitantly.
“Rest,” Caleb replied, eyes still on the screen. “This round’s almost done.”
She nodded and wandered to the table, trying not to stare.
That was when she noticed a document lying there.
A resume.
She picked it up, curiosity winning.
Her gaze skimmed down the page until she stopped.
Caleb Xia.
So those were the characters of his name.
She traced them silently, realizing she’d never known how to write it properly. No photo attached. Just words. Clean. Simple.
She hesitated… then slowly lifted her phone.
Just one picture.
“Want me to pose?”
She nearly dropped it.
Caleb had already turned around, leaning slightly, smiling straight at her camera like he’d been waiting.
Flustered, she blurted the first thing that came to mind. “My classmate thinks my brother is handsome!”
Zayne glanced over. “She needs glasses.”
Caleb laughed softly. “At her age, pride matters.”
Y/N’s ears burned as she looked away.
Later, she changed Caleb’s contact name in her phone—once, twice—before settling on something painfully normal.
Caleb appeared beside her with a slice of watermelon.
“Trade,” he said lightly. “Show me the photos.”
“I deleted them.”
“If they’re ugly, I’ll let you take more.”
Her heart skipped. She shoved her physics book at him instead. “Teach me.”
“I don’t get physics,” Y/N admitted quietly, staring at the page. “Especially conservation of energy.”
Caleb didn’t rush her. He nodded, pulled a pen closer, and said, “Then we start from zero.”
His explanations were slow, patient. He didn’t sound annoyed. Didn’t sigh when she asked the same question twice.
“I tutor three days a week,” he mentioned casually. “The other four, I intern.”
“Can you tutor me every day?” she asked before she could stop herself.
He laughed. “You’ll get tired of me.”
“I won’t.”
He didn’t tease her for that.
Another tutoring day, Caleb arrived late.
Y/N noticed it the moment he stepped inside—his shoulders slightly slumped, movements slower than usual, the faint shadow beneath his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“You worked late?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he replied, setting his bag down.
She watched him for a second longer than she meant to. He looked tired in a way that wasn’t dramatic—just worn down, like someone who kept pushing because stopping wasn’t an option.
Without thinking too hard about it, she slid her workbook across the table. “Then sleep.”
He paused. “What?”
“I’ll do the problems,” she said quickly. “You can check them later.”
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “You’re trying to slack off.”
“Only a little,” she admitted.
A beat passed. Then he sighed, the corner of his mouth lifting faintly. “You’re bold.”
Still, he lay down on the couch, one arm thrown over his eyes as if the light bothered him. Within minutes, his breathing evened out.
Y/N stared at her physics book… then glanced at him.
Caleb Xia, asleep.
She’d never seen him like this before—unguarded, quiet, the sharpness in his expression softened. His lashes cast faint shadows against his cheeks. For once, he wasn’t teasing her, or explaining concepts she didn’t understand, or walking one step ahead of her like he always did.
He was just there.
She bent over her work, pencil moving slowly. Every now and then, her eyes drifted back to him—checking, as if to make sure he was still breathing, still real.
He works too hard, she thought.
When he stirred slightly, she froze, heart jumping—but he only turned his head and slept on.
Later, when he woke, she pushed the book toward him.
“I still don’t like physics,” she admitted quietly. “It doesn’t stick.”
Caleb sat up, rubbing his eyes. He looked at her work, then at her face.
He didn’t look annoyed.
He looked thoughtful.
“Then,” he said slowly, “we’ll find a reason for you to like it.”
Y/N nodded.
She didn’t realize it yet—but somewhere between watching him sleep and hearing him say we, physics had stopped being the hardest thing in the room.
That was how they ended up at the Linkon Museum of Science and Technology.
Zayne paid for three tickets, then pocketed the change without a second thought. “I’m going to a cyber café,” he said dismissively, shaking his head. “That place is for kids.”
Y/N watched him leave, feeling a little left out, but Caleb was right there beside her, calm and patient. He guided her through the exhibits, explaining the curved slide, tsunamis, and thermoelectric sensing, turning abstract physics concepts into things she could touch, see, and understand.
“Study hard,” Caleb said gently, his voice quiet but firm. “Your future dreams depend on it.”
“I’ll find one,” Y/N said suddenly, more to herself than to him. “Like you.”
He smiled, noticing the small sketches she had been doodling of the exhibits. “You’re good at drawing. Don’t stop.”
As they paused near a bright overhead light, Y/N noticed flower-shaped shadows dancing across the floor, cast by a decorative screen. She reached down instinctively, tracing them with her fingers, and Caleb crouched slightly to watch her, his presence warm and reassuring.
“Look at how they move with the light,” she whispered. “It’s like they’re alive.”
Caleb nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Sometimes, the world shows you patterns in the smallest things. Remember that—you can find beauty even in the details.”
Y/N felt her chest tighten slightly, not just from the shadows, but from the way Caleb’s words and calm attention made her feel safe and inspired all at once.
On the ride back from the museum, Y/N sat quietly on the bike, the evening air cool against her flushed cheeks. Her heart had been racing ever since they’d left the interactive exhibits, and finally, the words tumbled out before she could stop herself.
“Don’t… date,” she blurted, voice barely above a whisper.
Caleb blinked at her, one hand steadying the bike, the other brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “What?” His tone was gentle, patient, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity—he wanted her to explain.
Y/N hesitated, twisting her fingers in the folds of her jacket. “What if dating… ruins your dreams?” Her voice wavered slightly. “And… what if she doesn’t treat me well?”
Caleb laughed softly, the sound warm and comforting, a little like sunlight breaking through clouds. “If I ever date, I’ll choose someone gentle,” he said. His eyes, serious now, met hers. “Someone who treats you well.”
Her mouth fell open slightly. “…Can I meet her first?”
He chuckled and nodded. “Of course.”
The silence that followed was comfortable, filled only with the hum of the evening and the faint rhythm of the bike wheels against the pavement. Y/N felt a small, fluttering relief in her chest, though she didn’t let herself smile too widely—she still felt a little embarrassed by her own childish worry.
Soon after, Zayne arrived to pick her up, glancing at her with his usual mix of exasperation and care. “Ready to go?” he asked, voice clipped but not unkind. Y/N climbed onto his bike without a word, her mind still tangled in thoughts of Caleb’s promise.
That night, once she was safely in her room, Y/N realized her sketchbook was missing. Panic fluttered in her chest as she remembered leaving it at the museum, alongside all the drawings she’d made of Caleb. She bit her lip, feeling suddenly vulnerable—what if he had seen them all?
The next day, Zayne appeared at the door with a slightly awkward expression, holding out the sketchbook. “Here. Caleb dropped it off on his way to work.”
Y/N took it from him, her fingers trembling slightly as she hugged it to her chest. Her cheeks burned, a mix of embarrassment and the strange thrill of knowing Caleb had handled it. Without thinking, she tried to shove it into a drawer, hiding it away.
“Why are you trying to throw it away?” Zayne frowned, stepping closer. His eyes narrowed, protective and curious at once.
Y/N avoided his gaze, muttering, “I… I don’t want him to see it. It’s nothing.”
Zayne didn’t push her further. Instead, he shook his head slightly, exasperated but understanding, and handed her the sketchbook again. “If it’s important to you, don’t destroy it.”
Y/N held it close, a small sigh escaping her lips. Inside, among the sketches of everyday objects and landscapes, were the careful, tentative drawings of Caleb—drawn with admiration she wasn’t ready to confess. And though she told herself it was just art, her heart felt heavier and lighter at the same time, tangled with a feeling she didn’t yet have words for.
Zayne stormed into Caleb Xia’s dorm, his face a mixture of panic and exasperation. “My sister—Y/n—she’s online dating!” he burst out, voice rising as he waved his hands. “She’s talking to someone, and I don’t even know who! You need to stop her tutoring sessions immediately. She can’t be left alone like this!”
Caleb, lounging casually on the couch with a half-finished cup of tea, only sighed. He leaned back, crossing his arms, eyes calm yet sharp. “Zayne,” he said, his voice even, “take a breath. This is completely normal. Don’t scare her.”
Zayne froze, disbelief written all over his face. “Normal? She’s sneaking around, whispering online, pretending to have a boyfriend! She’s barely thirteen!”
Caleb’s expression softened, and he leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. “Yes, it’s normal. Curiosity, crushes, a little excitement—this is all part of growing up. She doesn’t need you controlling her every move. She needs guidance, patience, and trust.”
Zayne ran a hand through his hair, still frowning. “But… how do I know she won’t get hurt? Or make a mistake?”
Caleb gave a small, reassuring smile. “She will make mistakes. That’s how she learns. The best way to protect her isn’t to smother her—it’s to be there when she needs you. Talk to her reasonably, explain things clearly, but let her feel safe enough to make her own choices.”
Zayne’s shoulders slumped slightly. The fiery frustration in his eyes dimmed as he realized Caleb’s point was valid. Caleb leaned back, picking up a notebook, casually adding, “Trust me. She’s stronger than you think. And if she ever needs advice, you can be the one she comes to.”
Zayne huffed softly, muttering under his breath, but he felt a flicker of relief. For the first time, he understood that sometimes letting Y/n navigate her feelings—carefully, with support—was better than trying to control her.
Caleb sipped his tea, eyes on the window as the evening light faded. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to finish. But remember, Zayne… trust your sister a little. She’ll surprise you.”
Zayne nodded reluctantly, finally understanding that Caleb wasn’t dismissing his concern—he was teaching him to guide wisely.
At the next tutoring session, Y/N decided she would act first—before he could bring up anything else.
She sat at the desk with her shoulders slumped, eyes fixed on the corner of her notebook, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her sleeve. When Caleb arrived, she didn’t greet him like usual. She didn’t even look up.
Caleb noticed immediately.
He didn’t ask about her homework. Didn’t tease her for zoning out. Instead, he pulled out a chair and sat across from her, his voice softer than usual. “You okay today?”
That was her cue.
Y/N sniffed, lowering her head even more. “I’m… fine,” she said, though her voice cracked just enough to sound convincing. “Just tired.”
Caleb studied her for a moment. He didn’t expose the lie. Didn’t smile knowingly. He simply nodded, as if he understood more than she was saying.
After a pause, he spoke gently. “About that thing your brother mentioned…” He kept his tone careful, nonjudgmental. “I won’t tell your parents.”
Y/N’s fingers stilled.
“But,” he continued, “relationships can wait. You’re still young. There’s no rush to figure everything out right now.”
She swallowed, her chest feeling strangely tight.
“I know,” she whispered.
And she did know. Every word made sense. It was reasonable. Responsible. The kind of advice adults were supposed to give. She hated that he was right—because it meant there was no excuse for the way her heart still leaned toward him.
Caleb leaned back slightly, giving her space. “Your family worries because they care. And one day, when you’re older, you’ll get to choose for yourself. Freely.”
Y/N nodded again, staring at the page in front of her, even though she wasn’t really seeing it.
Inside, though, her thoughts were anything but calm.
She knew she shouldn’t like him this way.
She knew it was temporary.
She knew this feeling would probably fade with time.
But knowing didn’t stop it.
She still liked the way he explained things patiently.
The way he spoke to her like she mattered.
The way he never laughed at her feelings—even when they were messy and inconvenient.
Y/N pressed her lips together, forcing herself not to cry.
Tara caught up to Y/N just as the dismissal bell rang.
“Hey,” she said casually, falling into step beside her. “Come with me? I need to buy something.”
Y/N hesitated. “Now? Caleb said he’d pick me up.”
Tara waved it off. “It won’t take long.”
At the school gate, Caleb waited longer than usual.
Students streamed past—laughing, shoving, calling out goodbyes—until the courtyard slowly emptied. Minutes passed. Then more.
The guard finally shook his head. “All students already left.”
Caleb frowned. “If you see a girl with a bandaged ankle, tell her to wait for me.”
Unease settled in his chest as he stepped away, scanning the street. At a nearby stall, he asked, “Did you see a high school girl? Limping a little?”
The vendor pointed down a narrow passage. “Went that way.”
The alley smelled damp, the concrete cold beneath Y/N’s shoes.
Three older girls stood in the shadows—arms crossed, expressions sharp and bored.
“Hand it over.”
Y/N froze.
They didn’t wait for permission. Rough fingers dug through her bag, movements practiced and impatient. When they found almost nothing, one of them scoffed.
“No money?” she sneered, gaze dropping to Y/N’s bandaged ankle. “Then bring some tomorrow, cripple.”
Y/N’s face burned. She couldn’t even lift her head.
Tara started crying then—mumbling apologies, saying she had no choice, that they’d threatened her first. The words blurred together, dull and distant. Disappointment settled heavier than fear.
“Go home,” Y/N said finally, voice quiet but firm. “Tell your parents. Tell the school.”
She didn’t wait for a response.
She turned and limped away alone.
“Y/N.”
The voice cut through the alley like a blade.
She stopped instantly.
Caleb stood at the entrance, chest rising fast, hair damp with sweat, eyes dark with worry.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
She shook her head. Her throat tightened, words stuck somewhere between shame and exhaustion.
His gaze dropped.
To her scraped, reddened hand.
“…Did someone bully you?”
“No.” The word came out too fast. Too thin.
Caleb didn’t argue. Didn’t press. He simply waited.
That was what broke her.
Her shoulders sagged, tears spilling before she could stop them. She turned her face away, embarrassed by how small she must look right now.
“They took my wallet,” she whispered. “And… they tapped my cheek.”
Her voice cracked.
“The hand was an accident,” she added quickly, as if she needed to defend herself.
Caleb’s jaw tightened.
“A classmate brought me,” Y/N said softly. “She was scared.”
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, calm and steady. “You need to stay away from her for now.”
She nodded.
“And you have to tell your parents,” he continued. “Always.”
“…You’re not mad?” she asked, barely audible.
He looked at her—really looked at her. “Why would I be?”
Carefully, he helped her onto his bike, as if afraid of hurting her again.
The ride home was quiet.
Wind brushed against her face, cooling her tear-stained cheeks. She held onto the back of his jacket, fingers curled tightly in the fabric, grounding herself in the simple fact that he was here.
“Zayne’s busy,” Caleb said when she finally spoke. “Graduation stuff.”
“Are you going back to Yihe?” she asked after a moment.
“Not sure,” he replied. “Nanwu’s not bad.”
At her gate, he pressed folded bills into her palm.
“For what they took.”
“I’ll pay you back—”
“Tell your parents everything,” he interrupted gently. “That’s enough.”
She nodded, eyes stinging again.
He waited until she was safely inside before turning away.
That night, Y/N lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her heart still hurt—but it felt warm too, like something fragile had been placed carefully in her hands.
She opened her diary.
October 27I think I’m in love with him.Caleb Xia is too handsome.
Flustered by her own honesty, she folded the page into a star and dropped it into her wish bottle.
She didn’t know what the future held.
But she knew one thing—
She wanted to grow up faster.
The next day, Zayne showed up at Y/N’s school, with Caleb and Gideon right behind him.
He barely glanced at her. “Lead the way.”
Y/N swallowed and turned, limping slightly as she guided them toward the alley.
“No one messes with my family,” Zayne said, jaw tight.
When they spotted the girls, he stopped short. “They’re… girls.”
Gideon rubbed his temple. “Four guys versus three girls? Yeah. Not a good look.”
After a brief pause, Zayne went alone, leaving Caleb behind.
Caleb shifted closer to Y/N, lowering his voice. “You okay?”
She nodded, though her fingers curled into her sleeve.
Minutes later, Zayne returned, tossing fifty yuan into her hands.
“Got it back,” he said flatly. “Told them to study instead of being trash.”
Y/N blinked, then looked at Caleb. “What did you say?”
He shrugged. “Told them I’ve got a monthly quota for killing people.”
Her cheeks puffed up. “You’re lying.”
He laughed softly. “Pufferfish.”
Gideon grinned, glancing between them. “Honestly? She looks more like your sister than Zayne’s.”
Y/N said nothing—but she didn’t disagree.
Later that day, news spread quickly.
Tara had transferred schools.
An apology note sat neatly on Y/N’s desk. She stared at it for a moment before folding it carefully and slipping it away, her expression unreadable.
That evening, her parents reviewed her grades.
Her father tapped the paper. “Physics?”
“I hate it,” Y/N muttered.
Her mother didn’t budge. “Then we’ll get you a tutor.”
When the tutor turned out to be Zayne, the lesson lasted exactly ten minutes.
“You’re not even listening!” Zayne snapped.
“You’re impossible to talk to!” Y/N shot back.
They shouted in unison, “CHANGE THE TUTOR.”
The next morning, her mom announced calmly, “New tutor. Ten a.m.”
Y/N smiled sweetly—already planning to sneak out early.
Across the city, Caleb leaned back at work as a colleague mentioned a possible transfer to Yihe.
“I’ll think about it,” he replied.
Zayne clapped him on the shoulder. “Before that—do me a favor. Pick up my sister tomorrow.”
Caleb nodded without much thought.
He had no idea that the so-called difficult student waiting for a tutor…
The meal wrapped up with Gideon grumbling to Caleb and Zayne about never getting anyone’s number. “I feel like the backup compared to you two,” he complained, waving his chopsticks dramatically.
Caleb smirked, standing to fetch the car. Y/N glanced at him, her thoughts wandering. Did he make her avoid certain dishes to spare her embarrassment about her period? She felt a strange warmth at the thought, even though she had initially protested.
“Come on, let’s hit the claw machine,” Caleb said, tugging at her hand. Y/N sighed but followed, curiosity and stubbornness mingling in her chest.
Caleb joined them, confident as ever. “I am the best at this game,” he declared. “I’ll teach you.” He guided her hand carefully, and soon enough, Y/N held a small white doll, victorious.
“Don’t cry anymore, alright?” he said with a teasing grin.
Feeling bold, she offered him a candy she had brought along. “For helping me,” she said.
He accepted it with a small nod, playful yet sincere. As he prepared to leave her side, he feigned seriousness. “I should lecture you later,” he warned. That comment sent her mind back to middle school, when he had posed as Zayne for her parent-teacher meeting, joking about lecturing her but ultimately relenting when she teared up at the thought of her brother being called.
Back then, he had walked her home, promising secrecy about the school incident if she paid attention in class. He even brought a new lightbulb for her family’s broken kitchen light, a gesture that had seemed so thoughtful she half-jokingly suggested he could pretend to be her brother again.
Now, holding the doll he had just won for her, she couldn’t help but smile. “Difficult kiddo,” he said softly, nudging her shoulder.
“Let’s go to Mark’s birthday,” Tara urged.
They arrived at the dessert shop where, to Y/N’s surprise, Caleb was working. “Well, look who’s here,” he said, giving her a small bow.
Tara immediately whispered, “He’s so handsome…” and Y/N felt her cheeks warm. Caleb noticed her staring and smirked.“Keep staring and I’ll start charging you extra,” Caleb teased, leaning slightly over the counter.
Y/N snapped out of it immediately. “I wasn’t staring,” she muttered, clutching the white doll tighter.
Tara laughed without mercy. “You absolutely were.”
Caleb hummed, clearly unconvinced, then slid the menu toward them. “What do you want?”
As Y/N was deciding, Tara kept sneaking glances at him, whispering commentary under her breath. Tall. Nice hands. Way too handsome to be working here. Y/N pretended not to hear, but her ears burned anyway.
When it came time to pay, Y/N reached for her wallet—only for Caleb to gently press the receipt back toward her.
“On me,” he said.
“What? No—”
“I insist,” he interrupted lightly. “Birthday celebration, right? Consider it a gift.”
Tara looked between them, eyes sparkling. “Wow. Must be nice.”
Y/N didn’t finish her dessert. Halfway through, she noticed Caleb step aside to talk to his boss. She wasn’t trying to eavesdrop—but his voice carried.
“Half a month’s salary first,” the boss said. “You can deduct the rest later.”
Her fingers tightened around the spoon.
Is he really that short on money?
The thought sat heavily in her chest.
Tara returned from the restroom just then, tugging Y/N up. “Come on, everyone’s waiting.”
Caleb waved them off as they left. “Be careful.”
Y/N nodded, taking two steps—then stopping.
“Wait,” she said suddenly.
Before Tara could react, Y/N turned and hurried back into the shop. Caleb blinked in surprise as she approached.
“Y/N?”
She didn’t let herself hesitate. She pulled cash from her pocket and placed it on the counter. “You don’t have to treat me every time,” she said quickly, avoiding his eyes. “I—I just wanted to help.”
And before he could say anything, she turned and ran.
Caleb stared at the money for a long moment, something unreadable flickering across his face. Slowly, he folded the bills and slipped them into his pocket.
The birthday celebration was loud—too loud.
Mark stayed close to Y/N’s side, unusually quiet compared to earlier. When the cake was brought out and everyone gathered around, he cleared his throat, fingers curling at his sides.
“I… have something to say,” he began.
Y/N’s stomach dropped.
As Mark leaned closer, his voice trembling, she took an instinctive step back. “I need some air,” she blurted, already turning away.
She didn’t stop until she reached the street outside.
Footsteps followed.
“Why are you running?” Mark demanded, frustration finally spilling over. “I like you, Y/N. Is that really so hard to hear?”
Her heart pounded as she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t feel the same.”
The silence stretched—heavy and uncomfortable.
“That’s enough.”
Caleb stood a few steps away, hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze steady. Mark stiffened, scoffed under his breath.
“Whatever,” he muttered before brushing past them and heading back inside.
Caleb turned to Y/N. “You okay?”
She nodded, though her eyes stung. “I didn’t want to hurt him.”
“You didn’t,” he said gently. “But next time, be clear sooner. Being kind doesn’t mean forcing yourself to say yes.”
He reached into his pocket and held out the folded bills she had left earlier. “And this—take it back.”
Her eyes widened. “But—”
“I’m not struggling,” he said calmly. “I just like staying busy. If I ever really need help, I’ll ask you. Deal?”
She hesitated… then nodded. “Deal.”
Only after she assured him she knew the way home did Caleb turn back toward the shop, leaving her standing there with a heart that felt heavier—and warmer—than before.
The days after felt… off.
Tara stopped walking with her. At school assemblies, she sat far away. During sports day sign-ups, the teacher ignored Y/N’s request to be a clerk and signed her up for high jump instead.
“My knees are bad,” Y/N tried.
“You’ll manage,” the teacher dismissed.
During practice, Y/N spotted Tara cheering loudly—for someone else.
It hurt more than she expected.
When it was finally time for the competition, Y/N limped toward the registration area—and froze.
Zayne stood there, arms crossed, wearing that familiar annoyed expression.
And beside him—
Caleb.
Zayne snorted immediately. “High jump? You?”
“Shut up,” Y/N muttered.
Caleb handed her a cap, placing it gently on her head. “It’s hot. Wear this.”
She looked up at him, surprised.
“You’ll do fine,” he added. “Just try.”
The jump went badly.
By her final attempt, her legs trembled. She ran, jumped—and landed wrong.
Pain shot up her ankle.
“Y/N!”
Zayne was there instantly, crouching down. Without hesitation, he lifted her onto his back and headed for the medical room.
Inside, the nurse frowned at her ankle. Teacher Chen stepped in, blinking when she saw Zayne.
“Zayne? You’re her brother?”
Zayne grimaced.
Y/N clamped a hand over his mouth. “He’s my dad.”
Zayne nearly exploded.
Caleb crouched beside her, carefully cleaning and wrapping her ankle. His touch was gentle, focused.
“He was really worried,” Caleb said quietly, glancing at Zayne. “You know that, right?”
She nodded.
As they were about to leave, Y/N watched Caleb help another injured student with the same patience, the same care.
Something twisted in her chest.
He’s kind to everyone.
The realization stung.
Days later, with her ankle still wrapped in a neat white bandage, Zayne called her as soon as school ended.
“Caleb’s picking you up,” he said flatly. “Behave.”
Y/N scoffed, but the moment she spotted Caleb waiting by the school gate—hands in his pockets, sunlight tracing the sharp line of his profile—her heart gave her away anyway.
Later that afternoon, she went out with Tara, who had helped her slip out of class under the excuse of her injury. Tara was in an unusually good mood, humming as they walked.
When they ran into Caleb again, Tara casually bought him a drink before turning to Y/N and pressing something into her palm.
Candy.
“For courage,” Tara whispered, nudging her shoulder with a grin.
Y/N stared down at it, fingers tightening around the wrapper. Then she looked up—right into Caleb’s eyes.
He raised a brow, amused. “What’s that look for?”
She shook her head quickly. “Nothing.”
But as they walked home, the candy warm in her hand, a quiet question lingered in her chest.
When did this stop feeling like simple admiration…and start feeling like something else?
I tapped my foot anxiously at the bus stop, checking my watch again and again. He’s late… he’s going to make me wait forever, I muttered, annoyed. “He’ll never find a girlfriend at this rate,” I added under my breath.
A sudden tap on my cheek made me jump. I looked up and froze. Caleb was there, holding a bottle of milk with that teasing smirk I couldn’t forget.
“Y/N,” he said softly. “I told you I’d be here. If my curse comes true, you’re doomed.”
“I… I didn’t expect you…” I stammered, my face heating.
He shrugged casually. “Come on. Breakfast first, homework later. Don’t be lazy.”
We walked to a small breakfast shop nearby. Caleb ordered a red bean bun and honey water for himself. When he noticed me staring, he added a small cake and slid it toward me. My chest warmed—he remembered.
While I worked on my homework, memories from middle school came rushing back. The time he had posed as Zayne to meet my teacher, covering for me when I got in trouble.
“You’re Zayne, right?” I had blurted.
“Of course,” he had said smoothly. “Your parents had a last-minute emergency.”
I had been embarrassed, but he had scolded me just enough to make it believable, flattered the teacher, and kept me from getting in trouble.
Back in the present, Caleb peeked at my notebook. “Done already?”
“Yeah…” I muttered. “Thanks for coming.”
“I’m not here for thanks,” he replied, raising a brow. “Are you angry about my curse?”
I shook my head. “I… I just wanted to ask—are you from Nanwu?”
“I’m from Yihe,” he said softly. “I won’t be back for summer.” Then he handed me a folded piece of paper. “This is a little compensation. I read the composition you left at my dorm.”
My fingers trembled slightly as I accepted it. I remembered the essay—about a stray dog that reminded me of Zayne—and felt a strange mix of embarrassment and excitement that Caleb had read it.
Before I could open the note, a loud voice interrupted. “I worked hard to get into your school just to be near you! You have to come to my birthday party!”
Mark.
Tara nudged me. “You’re going, right?”
I nodded faintly, still preoccupied with Caleb’s note.
That weekend, my parents left for a wedding, leaving Zayne in charge.
“I’m not staying with him!” I protested immediately.
Zayne smirked. “Little demon, huh? We’re going out for hot pot with my roommate. You coming, or sulking at home?”
My eyes lit up. “Hot pot? I’ll go!”
In the car, I settled into the passenger seat and glanced at the back. Gideon was there casually, and for a moment I felt disappointed. Just him? Where’s Caleb?
The car stopped a few minutes later, and Caleb climbed in, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. My heart skipped a beat. I opened my mouth to greet him, but the words wouldn’t come.
“Hello, brother,” I murmured finally, cheeks heating, avoiding his gaze.
Caleb tilted his head, smirking. “Hello…? That’s all I get?”
I fidgeted, looking down.
“Why do you always blush when you see me?” he teased softly.
Zayne laughed from the front seat. “He asked me the same thing after a thousand-meter run!”
Gideon added with a grin, “And he even talks to dogs that way.”
I muttered under my breath, “He’s not a good guy…”
Caleb caught the words and smirked. “Not a good guy, huh? Careful, that might be a compliment.”
Calebs POV
At the restaurant, Zayne left to park, leaving me to lead Y/N inside. She walked a little stiffly, and I noticed the sudden pallor on her face.
“Are you okay?” I asked, but she shook her head and mumbled an excuse, slipping toward the restroom.
I followed instinctively—and that’s when I saw it: a small bloodstain on the back of her skirt. My jaw tightened.
“Wait here,” I said firmly, leaving her in the restroom and rushing out. I called Zayne immediately. “You’re a pig’s brain if you can’t figure this out!” I barked, frustration spilling into my tone. Together, we selected sanitary pads and a dark-colored skirt for her. I asked a nearby female staff member to deliver the items discreetly. She gave me a small, reassuring smile.
When Y/N returned, I stayed back, letting Zayne handle the situation. I watched quietly as she rejoined the table, avoiding eye contact with me, and Zayne tactfully covered for her, saying she’d been stubbornly playing a claw machine.
Back at the table, Caleb quietly poured Y/N a glass of warm water, his movements careful and deliberate, as if he didn’t want to draw attention. Zayne oversaw the menu, vetoing any dishes that might trigger her allergies, while Caleb and Gideon debated which iced tea would pair best with the hot pot.
Y/N sat quietly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She felt cared for, the subtle attentions of both Zayne and Caleb warming her in a way that made her heart flutter, though she couldn’t bring herself to meet Caleb’s teasing gaze without blushing. Across the table, Caleb caught her glance for a brief second, a hint of amusement and something gentler in his eyes, before returning to the discussion of tea.
It was a small, ordinary moment, yet for Y/N, it carried an unmistakable sense of comfort and attention that lingered in her chest long after.
Life contains several unforgettable moments—or more precisely, distinct, paused time nodes. This sets the stage for Y/N’s story, which begins in middle school, specifically in Grade 8. During math class, while the teacher explains the Pythagorean theorem, Y/N is completely distracted, captivated by a mother bird feeding its young outside the window.
“Y/N! Answer the question!” the teacher’s voice snapped her back.
“I… the mother bird… feeds the chicks carefully… then hops to another branch…” Y/N recounted, describing every detail she had observed.
Her teacher, whom her friends call “Old Chen,” scowled. “Focus, Y/N! This is an attitude problem. I’ll be calling your parents tomorrow.”
Her friends whispered, “Sorry… I didn’t mean to get you caught.”
Y/N groaned. “It’s not your fault. I just… his voice is hypnotic. I can’t stay awake unless I find something to do.”
“Want to come with us to the bookstore? Fu Zhengchu and the others are buying study materials.”
“No thanks,” Y/N muttered, flipping her notebook shut. “Not in the mood today.”
That evening, her mother called, “Y/N, take this fruit upstairs for your brother.”
Carrying a watermelon, Y/N tiptoed to Zayne’s room—and froze. A tall, impossibly handsome young man stood there.
“Zayne… did you get plastic surgery?” she blurted.
From behind her, Zayne smirked. “You only miss me when you need help, huh?”
The stranger stepped forward politely. “Hello, I’m Caleb,” he said, holding out his hand.
“You’re… his friend?” Y/N asked, flustered.
“Yes. Your brother asked me to stop by,” Caleb replied calmly.
Zayne rolled his eyes. “Don’t let him spoil you.”
Caleb handed Y/N a slice of fruit. “Don’t mind him. Here—take this.”
Y/N hesitated, then accepted it. “Thanks…”
“You’re encouraging her!” Zayne groaned.
“She’s polite,” Caleb said softly, smiling.
The next morning, Y/N tugged at Zayne’s sleeve. “Can you come with me to the parent-teacher meeting?”
“Nope. You only want me around when you’re in trouble,” he said with a smirk.
Y/N’s eyes filled with tears, and she ran to her mother, hiding behind Caleb. “Mom! Zayne hit me!”
Her mother scolded Zayne and took him away. Y/N peeked at Caleb. “This is how we always do things,” she said with a small grin.
He tilted his head. “You want me to help you?”
“No. You wouldn’t anyway,” she replied. Then her eyes sparkled with mischief. “But… can you pretend to be my brother for the meeting tomorrow?”
Caleb raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes! I was punished even though I answered correctly.”
He laughed softly. “Alright. Where’s your school?”
“Xuri Middle School. Grade 8, Class 1. My name is Y/N.”
“And your age?”
“Fourteen.”
“You’re so short,” he teased. “At thirty, you’ll still look eighteen.”
Y/N rolled her eyes. “And you might be mistaken for my father.”
Caleb smirked. “Got it. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
Y/N hugged the fox doll she had taken from his luggage. “Will you really come?”
“You’ll find out,” Caleb said mysteriously, walking out the door.
Y/N smiled, clutching the doll. “I hope so…”
Years later, Y/N, now a high school junior, eagerly helped Zayne move his things back to the main campus near her school. When he asked if she wanted to carry his luggage, she hesitated for only a moment before adding, “And Caleb’s too!”
Zayne raised an eyebrow. “You really want to carry his stuff?”
“Of course!” she said, smiling brightly. Their parents overheard and encouraged her insistence, leaving Zayne with no choice but to let her.
At the dorm, she spotted Caleb again. His eyes flicked to the Sunny Apple plushie in her hands, and he smirked.
“You’re a thief,” he joked, pretending to scold her. “Did you steal my Sunny Apple?”
“I don’t play with plushies anymore!” Y/N huffed, clutching it tighter.
Caleb feigned anger. “Then I’ll throw it away!”
“Fine, I’ll keep it,” she surrendered, though secretly happy he had even noticed.
Inside, she met Zayne’s roommate, Qian Fei, who immediately commented on her cuteness. Caleb gestured for her to sit beside him.
“I’m not little!” Y/N protested, flustered.
The roommates discussed dinner, and Caleb reluctantly excused himself for his part-time job. Before leaving, he gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Sunny Apple is yours to keep.”
Curious, Y/N leaned toward Qian Fei. “Was it a gift from a girlfriend?”
Qian Fei shook his head. “Nope. He’s too busy to date. It’s a prize from some event.”
Declining dinner, Y/N walked home clutching Sunny Apple, and her thoughts drifted to a book she had taken from Caleb’s room, The End of Eternity. She turned the pages slowly, realizing she couldn’t quite comprehend it—an unintentional symbol of the distance between them.
Later that night, she called Caleb under the pretense that she had left her essay notebook at his place.
“I can have Zayne bring it over,” Caleb offered casually.
“I… haven’t started it yet,” she admitted, biting her lip.
He paused, understanding her unspoken plea. “You should be honest with your teacher,” he said gently, “but I can help. Meet me at the bus station tomorrow at 6:40 AM. I’ll make sure you get it done.”
Excitement coursed through her, and she set her alarm extra early. Clutching Sunny Apple, she fell asleep with a flutter of anticipation, remembering their enigmatic farewell from middle school and wondering if he would really show up in the morning.
Some loves don’t arrive loudly.
They grow quietly—
in glances that linger,
in a name said a little too softly,
in years of loving someone who doesn’t know you’re watching.
She fell first.
She fell quietly.
And she fell for Caleb Xia.
He was warmth without trying.
A presence that felt safe.
A smile she memorized before she ever dared to hope.
This is a story about:
— a crush kept hidden for years
— timing that never seems right
— growing up, growing closer, growing brave
— and realizing the person you’ve always loved might finally see you back
Inspired by C-Drama: Hidden Love
Featuring Caleb Xia (Love and Deepspace)
Soft slowburn • Mutual pining • Comfort romance • “he’s always been there”
Caleb takes a deep breath before knocking on the door, to which Sylus responds.
"Hi Mr. Sylus..." Caleb says nervously, playing with his zipper. He didnt bring anything, but himself and his presence. "Can I see Shu?"
Sylus looks back to his daughter, still on the hospital bed, her other hand on Bud. The plushie that Caleb and Shu had been calling their baby recently. He gives a quick nod before allowing Caleb inside.
Shu was slowly recovering from surgery but her body was still in pain. Caleb approaches slowly and sits by the foot of her bed, slowly reaching out.
"Hi sweetheart..." He softly whispers. Shu smiles and squeezes his hand. "Hi love..."
For the next few hours, they talked. Caleb asked how she was feeling, holding her hand throughout. He was proud of his girl surviving. Proud that she was as strong as ever. He gently hugs her, making sure she wont get hurt any further and gave a pat on Bud's head.
"Goodjob for watching over your mama, bud." He whispers, kissing the small dog plushie. He smiles and kisses Shu's spare hand.
"Im so proud of you. Ill be here, sweetheart. Every step of the way." He whispers.
Hey guys have this caleb and shu fic for now im sorry i havent updated been recovering from surgery thank you for supporting me @nezuswritingdesk thanks for this sweet fic :3
The times Shu was mistaken as someone's wrong child.
Okay maybe being born and having a 20 year age gap from Daniel was bad idea. Shu was the youngest of five, her siblings, were all adults when she was born, and for the first few years of her life, she can't recall them that much because of how busy their lives were, but if one thing was certain, she was always confused to be a kid of theirs.
One time, when Shu was around four, her oldest brothers, who felt more like uncles, Luke and Kieran, took her out on a little play date, giving their parents a much needed break. They went to the park, ate ice cream from the man who was always passing by, played with Shu, and told her various stories, signing with enthusiasm. When Shu decided to take a nap under a tree, her brothers made sure she was safe.
"Aww! Is that your adopted child?" Someone asked, their eyes lighting up, "Shes such a cutie!"
Luke and Kieran bursted out laughing at the person's words, who looked confused more than anything. It took a few minutes before one of them can calm down to explain things.
"She is a cutie," Luke said, trying to catch his breath, "But shes not our kid. Shes our baby sister."
Kieran nods. "We're just watching over her. Our parents went out on a date."
"Oh! Im so sorry! I just assumed that —" The person immediately apologized , their face turning red from embarrassment. Luke waved his hand dismissively ,
"Its okay. Happens a lot."
"Still, im so sorry! I hope you three have a nice day!" The person apologized before sprinting away.
Luke and Kieran told that story to Nezu and Sylus through tears as Shu watched on for a quick moment and returned her attention back to crayons.
The next time it happens, Shu was eight. She was waiting at her elementary school's departure area, doodling along the margins of her notebook when Daniel, her third oldest sibling, showed up. He was still wearing his work clothes, his nice polo shirt , folded up to 3/4ths of the way, his nice dress pants, and a pair of nice shoes.
He tapped Shu on the shoulder, making her look up. He smiled and immediately signed to her, "Mom's not available. "
He pauses, giving Shu a moment to understand before continuing, "I'm gonna bring you home, okay?"
Shu signed back in confirmation. She packed her notebook away, got up and held onto her brother's hand. As they began to walk away, a teacher, one of Shu's approached, her expression worried.
"Excuse me sir, you can't pick up Ms. Shu. Only her parents or guardians can do so." The teacher explains, "Are you Mr. Qin?"
Daniel nods. "I'm here to pick up my younger sister, my mom or dad can't make it to pick up today."
The teacher still looked worried. "Can you show me any identification that you are Shu's big brother?"
Daniel nodded, showing a small family photo , tucked inside his wallet. "I know you wouldn't believe this that much, but you can confirm with my mother or father on the phone that I am their son and thus related to Shu. We just have a large age gap." He called Nezu, who also confirmed it.
The teacher sighed in relief before allowing them to go home. Daniel smiled,ruffling Shu's hair before helping her get inside the car.
"Ice cream?" Daniel offered, turning on the car as they drove away from the school.
The most recent incident was with Amelia. Shu and Damian were hanging out in the mall when she saw her oldest sister, walking around, her hand placed comfortably on the top of her stomach. Amelia was married to Lunar, and was expecting their first-born soon.
When Amelia saw them, her eyes lit up, her hand broke free from Lunar's as she waddled over to Shu and Damian.
Amelia immediately began to sigh excitedly, seeing her youngest sister. Her words slipping alongside her quick movements. "Do you wanna come with us?" She asked Shu, "I was planning to buy a few more things before the baby comes along! Do you wanna join?"
Shu was almost hestiant, glancing over to Damien. Damien squeezed her hand. "Its okay, we can hang out again next time."
But Shu took a different approach, asking Amelia if he can join along too. Amelia nodded, and the four of them went to the department store.
As Amelia and Shu browsed through the various baby items, a friendly-faced salesperson showed up. "Do you need any help ma'am?" They asked Amelia, who thanked politely but declined the offer.
"Is your daughter with you today?" The salesperson asked. Amelia nearly dropped the cute goose plushie she was holding. Shu wanted to melt into the floor hearing those words.
"My daughter?" Amelia repeated.
The salesperson pointed at Shu, "Is she your daughter ma'am? Its a great thing to involve your kids in welcoming a new bab—"
"She's my younger sister." Amelia said. "We just have a large age gap. People often confuse her as my own."
The salesperson nodded and apologized, leaving the two sisters alone. Shu pointed to the goose plushie and sighed, I like that.
Amelia smiled, getting a second one. "And you're getting one too."
Despite the large age gap and times others often mistake Shu as their own child or niece or cousin, her siblings still tried to show up for her. They watched her recitals when Nezu or Sylus wouldn't make it, they'd buy her ice cream when she felt down, they'd bring a toy for both her and Mephie to love, and every other way an older sibling can show love, they made sure Shu felt it. The age gap was large, yes, but their love was big enough to fill it.
Bonus:
"You didnt tell me you had 4 other siblings!" Damien said in shock after Amelia and Lunar left. Shu shrugged and signed, "Wasn't really important.. "
"And i thought you were the youngest!" Damien added, "Maybe I should ask mom and dad for a sibling t—"
