Starlit Collision: When Worlds Converge

Three weeks into the semester, Harvard's campus had settled into its autumn rhythm. Ethan Reyes sat on the library steps, watching Lily Wang cross the quad to her afternoon economics class. Her measured stride and the way she nodded politely to fellow students without stopping for idle chat spoke of discipline and purpose.

Something about her still didn't add up.

That coffee date had turned into regular study sessions, tennis matches where she handily beat him (though he'd never admit how much he enjoyed watching her graceful power on the court), and conversations that left him both intrigued and frustrated. Every attempt to extract information about her family's business interests had been elegantly deflected.

"Her family 'moves around a lot,'" Ethan muttered to himself, recalling her words from their first meeting. His father, Diego Reyes, had taught him from afar that information was currency. And Lily Wang was bankrupt by that measure—offering nothing of substance about her background while somehow leaving him wanting more.

His phone vibrated with a message from his father's assistant—another reminder of a birthday his father would miss, compensated with a wire transfer. Ethan's jaw tightened. One day, he'd prove his worth to the Reyes empire. One day, his father would acknowledge him not just with money, but with respect.

The commotion at the entrance to the quad disrupted his thoughts. A sleek black Maybach had pulled up, disgorging a young Asian woman surrounded by fawning companions. Unlike Lily's understated elegance, this girl was a walking billboard of luxury brands—diamond-encrusted watch flashing in the sunlight, designer handbag swinging from her wrist.

"I simply told Daddy that Princeton wasn't challenging enough," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Harvard understands the importance of the Feng name in global markets."

Ethan straightened. Feng? The name triggered a memory—his father mentioning a Chinese family with power that even the Reyes syndicate approached with caution.

Within days, the newcomer who introduced herself as "Faye Feng" had established herself as campus royalty. She held court in the dining halls, surrounded by students from similarly wealthy backgrounds. Professors who challenged her tardiness or lack of preparation found themselves apologizing after mysterious phone calls from the administration.

Ethan had noticed her watching him several times—her gaze lingering a moment too long, her laughter a touch too loud whenever he passed. Twice she'd "accidentally" bumped into him outside class, each time with a different invitation he'd politely declined. There was something calculated about her interest that put his instincts on edge.

What fascinated Ethan more was Lily's careful attention to the girl. He'd caught her watching Faye several times with a guarded expression that suggested more than casual interest.

It was during their study session in the economics library that the inevitable confrontation occurred. Ethan and Lily sat at a secluded table, surrounded by reference books and comfortable silence.

The peace shattered when Faye Feng and three followers sauntered between the tables, voices deliberately louder than appropriate.

"Well, well," she drawled when she spotted them, her eyes narrowing on Lily. "If it isn't the scholarship girl."

Lily looked up, her expression revealing nothing but mild curiosity.

"We haven't formally met," Faye continued, approaching their table. "I'm Faye Feng, perhaps you've heard of me?"

"I believe the whole campus has heard by now," Lily replied evenly.

Faye's gaze flickered between Lily and Ethan, her smile turning cold. "I've been trying to get Ethan here to show me around campus all week. Interesting that he seems to have time for... certain people."

Ethan tensed. The jealousy in her voice was unmistakable.

"I don't recall turning down a formal tour request," he said smoothly. "Just dinner invitations."

Faye ignored him, focusing on Lily. "I'm curious what makes you so special. What could a scholarship student possibly offer that would be so... captivating?"

"We were studying," Lily responded calmly. "Perhaps there's been some confusion."

"Oh, I don't think so," Faye leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I see exactly what's happening. You think you can climb the social ladder by attaching yourself to someone like Ethan? Very strategic."

One of her followers snickered. "Classic scholarship student move."

Lily closed her textbook with deliberate care. "I think you've mistaken me for someone who cares about social ladders. If you'll excuse us, we were in the middle of something."

"Not so fast," Faye grabbed Lily's wrist. "I'm not done talking to you."

Something dangerous flashed in Lily's eyes—so quickly Ethan almost thought he'd imagined it. But in that instant, he glimpsed something familiar: the controlled violence he'd seen in his father's men when threatened.

Before he could process this, two Asian students from nearby tables suddenly appeared beside them. Their movements were casual but positioned them perfectly to block Faye from Lily.

"Is there a problem here?" one asked, his accent thick but his meaning clear.

Ethan's instincts flared. These weren't just fellow students. The way they stood, the disciplined alertness in their eyes—they were security. Professional security.

"Actually," Ethan stood smoothly, "you're disrupting everyone's study time. The library staff looks about ready to call campus security."

Faye glanced around, noticing the librarian reaching for a phone. With a huff, she released Lily's wrist. "This isn't over," she warned before strutting away, shooting Ethan a look that managed to be both venomous and inviting.

The two "students" melted away as quickly as they had appeared. Ethan had seen enough—those were bodyguards. Highly trained ones.

"Are you okay?" he asked Lily, who was calmly repacking her bag.

"I'm fine," she said with a small smile. "Some people need drama to feel important."

"That's true," Ethan agreed, studying her. "Though I'm sorry you got caught in the crossfire. She's been rather persistent."

Lily shrugged. "I doubt it's about me at all. People like that see others as either stepping stones or competition."

As they left the library, one of the "students" fell into step beside Lily when they reached a quiet corridor. Ethan pretended not to notice, but slowed his pace just enough to overhear.

"Miss, we've completed the background check on Feng Fei," the man murmured in Mandarin, unaware that Ethan had picked up enough of the language during his father's business dealings to understand the basics. "She's not connected to the family. Her father is Wu Liang, a nouveau riche tech entrepreneur from Shenzhen. She's his illegitimate daughter who studied abroad. She's using her mother's surname."

Lily nodded almost imperceptibly. "Keep watching her. I want to know who she's working with and why she's here."

The bodyguard melted away as they approached the building exit, and Lily turned to Ethan with a seamless smile as if the exchange had never happened.

The pieces were finally connecting—the poise, the security, the careful deflections. If his suspicions were correct, Lily Wang might be the genuine article—a connection to a powerful Chinese dynasty his father had mentioned with rare respect.

The irony wasn't lost on him. He'd pursued Lily as a means to an end, only to find himself genuinely drawn to her. And now that he suspected she might actually be the high-value connection he'd initially sought, he felt strangely reluctant to exploit the relationship.

"What are you thinking?" Lily asked, catching him watching her.

"I'm thinking we should get out of here before she comes back. Have you tried that new Thai place near the square?"

As they walked out together, Ethan noticed the two "students" gathering their things to follow at a discreet distance. Whoever Lily really was, she was protected—and valuable.

From behind a bookshelf, Faye Feng watched them leave, her face twisted with rage. She pulled out her phone and dialed.

"It's me," she said when the call connected. "The target isn't taking the bait. Time for plan B. Yes, I understand—we need to force her hand."