Bai Yan’er smiled, her body unconsciously pressing closer. Her arm brushed against Yan Yu’s, the warmth of her skin seeping through the thin fabric. Her posture was almost coquettish, and though her lips said nothing, her eyes clearly carried the words “I want to see.”
Yan Yu hesitated for a moment.
By the unspoken rules of their “secret” relationship, since she had allowed the other girl to secretly pursue her, Bai Yan’er’s request didn’t seem unreasonable.
But… why did it feel like something was off?
“It’s nothing major,” she said. “Just arranging to have lunch with Xiao Zhen.” She took a deep breath and turned the phone screen toward Bai Yan’er.
Bai Yan’er lowered her head, her gaze lingering on the chat history for a few seconds. Then she looked up and blinked.
“Oh—going to eat malatang, huh.” Her tone was light, as if it were the most ordinary thing. “Perfect timing. I’m actually pretty interested in that new cafeteria. How about I join you two for lunch today?”
“Huh?” Yan Yu seemed caught off guard.
Seeing Yan Yu’s hesitant expression, Bai Yan’er added another line.
“Actually, I’ve already added Ruo Xiaozhen on social media. We’ve chatted a bit, so we’re acquainted.” She tilted her head. “I don’t think Ruo Xiaozhen will mind.”
Yan Yu opened her mouth to say something, but all the words felt redundant.
Bai Yan’er had already arranged everything perfectly. She had added Xiao Zhen as a friend, they’d talked, so they were already acquainted. No awkwardness, no intrusiveness, no reason to refuse. Yan Yu could only nod.
“Alright. We’ll go together at noon.”
“Good.” Bai Yan’er’s eyes curved into a smile. She sat back down in her own seat and picked up her pen.
Class resumed.
The teacher’s voice echoed through the room, and the blackboard filled with lines of writing. Yan Yu’s pen tip hovered over her notebook, not moving for a long time.
Morning classes ended exactly at twelve.
The moment the bell rang, Bai Yan’er snapped her book shut and stood up, as if she’d been ready the whole time.
She turned around, looked down at Yan Yu still seated in her chair, and extended a hand. Palm open, fingers slightly curled.
“Sister, let’s go. We’ll find Ruo Xiaozhen and eat together.”
Yan Yu stared at the hand reaching toward her. After a second’s pause, she reached out and placed her hand over Bai Yan’er’s.
The moment their fingertips touched, Bai Yan’er’s fingers closed around her hand, gripping it tightly.
As if she were afraid Yan Yu might run away.
The news of the Lakeside New Cafeteria’s opening spread across the entire campus like a breeze.
Within just a few days, that small, formerly vacant white building became the center of heated discussion among students and faculty.
Some said the broth for the malatang was a secret recipe. Others claimed the dessert selections rivaled those of specialty shops. Still others insisted the cafeteria’s head chef was a retired five-star hotel cook whose braised pork belly melted in the mouth.
The truth of those rumors was impossible to verify, but one thing was certain.
At every mealtime, the line outside the Lakeside Cafeteria stretched ten meters or more—a magnificent sight.
The moment Yan Yu entered the door, the first thing that hit her was a wave of hot air mixed with the aromas of various foods. The malatang broth bubbled in a large pot by the entrance. Farther in, the sizzle of teppanyaki rose and fell, and chefs’ spatulas danced across the griddle.
The cafeteria was as crowded as a market.
The hall was packed with students—some carrying trays in search of seats, others already seated and eating heartily, and still others clustered in small groups chatting.
In contrast, the two older cafeterias seemed much emptier today.
Many regulars had “betrayed” their usual haunts to try out this new place.
After all, people were always curious about new things.
Bai Yan’er pushed Yan Yu’s wheelchair, moving unhurriedly through the crowd.
Wherever the wheelchair went, many people couldn’t help but glance twice—most of them at the person pushing it.
Bai Yan’er was simply unforgettable. With a face that could easily be called the school belle, coupled with her cool demeanor, one glance from a distance was enough to remember her.
Now, she pushed the wheelchair at a leisurely pace, her expression calm, but her gaze quietly scanned the surroundings, as if searching for something.
“Yan Yu! Over here! This way!”
A familiar voice came from near the window.
Yan Yu looked toward it and saw Ruo Xiaozhen standing next to a table for four, her arms raised high above her head, waving enthusiastically. She wore a bright yellow T-shirt today, standing out vividly among the sea of darker clothes, like a brilliant sunflower.
Bai Yan’er had obviously spotted Ruo Xiaozhen at the same time.
Her gaze rested on the bright yellow figure for a second. Then she curved the corner of her mouth slightly, adjusted the wheelchair’s direction, and steadily pushed Yan Yu toward her.
As they got closer, Ruo Xiaozhen finally noticed that the person pushing the wheelchair wasn’t the usual stranger helping out, but Bai Yan’er. She froze for a moment, surprised.
She had specifically invited Yan Yu alone. Why had Bai Yan’er tagged along?
But Ruo Xiaozhen was never one to hold petty thoughts.
Although she felt a tiny bit disappointed—she had hoped to have some alone time with Yan Yu at lunch, and now there was an extra person—that disappointment lasted less than two seconds.
That was just her nature: rough and careless, never taking things to heart.
“Bai Yan’er, Yan Yu, sit here!” She naturally gave up the seat by the window and sat down across from them.
Bai Yan’er parked the wheelchair at the edge of the table and then sat down.
She had pulled her chair at such a clever angle that her final position was neither too close to Ruo Xiaozhen nor too far from Yan Yu, staying within arm’s reach.
Yan Yu sat in her wheelchair, sandwiched between the table edge and Bai Yan’er.
From this angle, Ruo Xiaozhen was across the table, Bai Yan’er to her right, the three of them forming a triangle.
As she settled in, Yan Yu felt something lightly brush her little finger.
She glanced down—it was Bai Yan’er’s finger.
That slender, fair hand, hidden beneath the tablecloth, had sneaked over and given her little finger a gentle squeeze.
The touch was light and quick, like a dragonfly skimming water, there and gone in an instant.
Yan Yu looked up at Bai Yan’er, but the other girl had already turned away nonchalantly, watching Ruo Xiaozhen with a warm, polite smile on her face.
What did that little finger squeeze mean?
‘I can’t figure it out,’ Yan Yu thought, and she had no time to dwell on it, because Ruo Xiaozhen had already launched into her “food recommendation.”
“Let me tell you,” Ruo Xiaozhen said, bracing her hands on the table, leaning forward, eyes bright, her tone brimming with excitement. “Today, I absolutely have to recommend this malatang place I found! It’s super delicious! The broth is made from bone stock—one sip and you’ll know it’s not the watered-down stuff. And their condiment station is amazing! There are three kinds of chili sauce, and that—you know—sesame paste! So fragrant!”
She gestured wildly as she spoke, her hands drawing circles in the air, and even let out a “tsk” as if savoring the memory.
“You’re exaggerating…” Yan Yu couldn’t help but laugh.
“Not at all! I’m telling you, I’ve never had such good malatang at a school cafeteria!” Ruo Xiaozhen slapped the table, her tone as authoritative as if she were delivering a serious academic report. “So—do you each want a bowl? My treat!”
Bai Yan’er glanced at Yan Yu. Seeing no objection, she smiled at Ruo Xiaozhen and said, “I’ll take one too.”
“Great!” Ruo Xiaozhen jumped up cheerfully and turned toward the serving counter. She took two steps, then looked back at Yan Yu. “Yan Yu, what about you? What do you want? I’ll grab it for you.”
Yan Yu thought for a moment. Her stomach had always been weak; she couldn’t handle anything too stimulating.
“Mild flavor,” she said. “Just some vegetables. Greens, tofu, wood ear mushrooms, that kind of thing.”
“Huh?” Ruo Xiaozhen’s expression immediately turned disappointed. “Just vegetables? Their meat is amazing! Crispy pork, beef slices, luncheon meat—all way better than what you’d get outside! Don’t you want to try?”
“No thanks,” Yan Yu said gently, shaking her head. “I’ll stick with something light.”
Ruo Xiaozhen opened her mouth as if to persuade further, but seeing Yan Yu’s expression, she swallowed her words. She knew Yan Yu wasn’t in good health. Though it was a shame, she had to accept it.
“Alright, fine.” She pouted, then started to turn toward the counter. But Bai Yan’er stood up as well.
“I’ll order for Sister,” Bai Yan’er said, her voice quiet but clear. “I’ll have the same thing.”
Ruo Xiaozhen blinked, her eyes wide with confusion. “Huh? You’re not eating meat either?”
“Mm,” Bai Yan’er said, a slight curl at the corner of her mouth. “I’m on a diet.”
“Diet?” Ruo Xiaozhen looked Bai Yan’er up and down, her face full of puzzlement. “But you’re not fat at all.”
Bai Yan’er didn’t pick up that topic. She just smiled, then turned and walked toward the counter. Ruo Xiaozhen scratched her head, still confused, then scurried after her.
Only Yan Yu could tell that Bai Yan’er’s gaze seemed to be silently planning something.
And the focus of that plan seemed to involve Ruo Xiaozhen.