"Senpai, how's it going over there? Over."

"Everything is fine on my end. Over."

Using LINE as a walkie-talkie, it seems like only Wen Xiaojing and I are utilizing this feature. After exchanging our LINE accounts, we immediately made full use of this function. Of course, LINE also has voice chat and video chat capabilities, but we only need to confirm the current status, so voice input is the preferred choice.

At this moment, I am hiding behind a tree, observing the surroundings, while Wen Xiaojing is doing the same. Our positions are not too far apart, as long as we can observe Stella.

"That lazy otaku seems like he hasn't arrived yet. What if he doesn't show up? Over."

"I don't know. Let's just be patient and wait. Over."

"It's been ten minutes already, and he still hasn't shown up. Over."

"We said to be patient and wait, over!" Wen Xiaojing's lack of patience really needs some improvement. What if we get discovered and exposed?

"The lazy otaku is here, get ready. Over."

"OK, we're ready on this end. Over."

It feels like we're about to act in a play, but Stella is the female lead, and Wen Xiaojing and I are just providing support and lines.

"Stella, can you hear me?"

"Ah...I can hear you."

To prevent any unexpected incidents, we have prepared headphones and voice calling on our end. In case Stella doesn't know what to say at any moment, I, as the assistant for lines, will provide assistance.

"Cao Nan is walking towards us now. It's up to you next, Stella. Good luck."

"Okay...okay."

The voice coming from the earpiece still lacks confidence. Anyway, we've come this far, so let's take it step by step.

"It's you...Taoxiang...who called me here, right?"

Cao Nan seems to have run over, sweating profusely, panting with heavy breaths.

"It's me..."

"Did you write the letter...calling me here? Is it to agree to that thing?"

Even though it's difficult for him to speak with his rapid breathing, this guy doesn't hesitate for a moment. His face is filled with happiness, looking up at the sky, as if wanting to high five or jump up with the sky. If it's the latter, that would be troublesome.

"So you did consider it, Taoxiang. I know I'm fat and not good-looking, but I will genuinely treat you well."

Walking forward briskly, he seems like he wants to hold Stella's hand. This is a big event!

"Stella, take a few steps back quickly." Upon hearing my shout, Stella quickly took a few steps back.

"Sorry, Youjie senpai, I was just lost in thought..."

"Don't be too nervous. Just refuse and express your inner thoughts."

Although I encourage Stella like this, I know she still has her own obstacles in her heart. But she has to overcome these obstacles herself.

"Ah...I suddenly got too excited and acted impulsively." Cao Nan scratched the back of his head, shyly saying. I vaguely saw some dandruff floating around. This guy...

"Taoxiang, the people in class don't really talk to me, except for you. You have been proactive in helping me, not getting tired of me, so... I'm really grateful to you, and I also appreciate the honor you've given me. I will treat you well and make you the happiest girlfriend in the world."

"That's because Cao Nan is not a bad person," Stella said slowly.

"I'm happy to hear Taoxiang say that, but I really like Taoxiang. Unlike those other bitches who only mock me, calling me a fat loser and criticizing my appearance, saying I'm as fat as a pig, boys often ridicule me for being stupid and don't spend time with me. However, Taoxiang is like an angel."

Tears welled up in Cao Nan's eyes.

"Their behavior... I also feel it's not right, but we are classmates, so... some help is only natural."

"And then it turns into love, right? Taoxiang always smiles at me, never mocks me, always so gentle and helpful," Cao Nan seemed lost in those beautiful moments.

"But... anyway, I can't accept your gift," Stella handed Cao Nan the gift he had given her earlier.

[Senior, what's going on with Taoxiang?]

[It would have been enough to just say that one sentence.]

[Ah... but it would have driven me crazy.]

I looked at my phone, full of messages from Wen Xiaojing, who also sent many emoticons. It seemed like she was very worried, but even so, I didn't know how to give her specific instructions.

"Stella, just tell him directly."

"How should I say it, Senior Youjie?"

"Just be straightforward."

In the current situation, being straightforward would save a lot of trouble.

"I... don't like the gift. I also didn't consider what Taoxiang would like, and I was a bit careless."

"I... don't like it."

"I'll think about what gift to buy, I need to create a surprise. Wait for my surprise tomorrow," Cao Nan said and quickly left.

This was unexpected for us.

"How's the situation? Over."

After hanging up the voice call, I listened to the voice message Wen Xiaojing sent me.

"Progress is not going well. Over."

"What happened? Why did that fat loser run away? Over."

"Well... Cao Nan seems to think that the gift he gave is not what Stella wanted, so he's planning to give her a surprise tomorrow. Over."

"What the hell? Didn't he say that sentence properly? Over."

"Well... how should I put it, you should ask Stella about it. Over."

The carefully prepared plan was hastily ended because of Cao Nan running away on his own.

"I'm sorry, Senior Youjie, Xiaojing. If I had just said those words earlier..."

Stella expressed her apology.

"Taoxiang, you messed up our plan. Why couldn't you just say that sentence properly? What were you worrying about?" Wen Xiaojing was very angry, but she had a reason to be. She thought everything was perfect, but still missed a step.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's all my fault," Stella kept apologizing.

"It's not entirely Stella's fault, besides that guy Cao Nan running off on his own, it's also my fault for not giving the instructions earlier. I, as the dialogue assistant, am partially responsible," I said.

"You always speak up for Stella, but that will only harm her," Wen Xiaojing said.

"Alright, calm down. Why don't you go rest on that bench over there?" I said, leading them to the bench and buying them some drinks.

"What do you want to drink?" I asked after they sat down on the bench.

"Ice cream! Ice cream!" Wen Xiaojing said, clearly in a sulk.

"There's no ice cream in the school, only vending machines," I said.

"I know! I know! Then get me a can of cola!" Wen Xiaoxiao said, sounding like a volcano about to erupt.

"Okay, what about Stella?" I asked.

"I want something sweet," Stella said.

"Just some sweet fruit juice will do. I'll go buy it. Wait here," I said.

"Wait for me, Senior Youjie. I'll go with you," Stella called out to me before I could take a few steps, causing me to stop in my tracks.

"Just stay here. I'll be back soon," she said.

"Please let me go with Senior Youjie," she pleaded, and I couldn't bear to refuse when I saw that expression on her face.

"Alright then."

The vending machines in the school were usually on the stair platforms of the buildings, so we had to go upstairs to buy from them. Of course, there were some near the canteen, but it was a bit far, so we chose the vending machine on the stair platform first. There was one on the second floor.

I looked at the drinks inside the vending machine.

"Can I get peach juice?" I asked.

"Yes, please. Thank you," Stella said, holding the peach juice tightly in her hand.

"I didn't immediately speak up about my thoughts when facing Cao Nan because I didn't know if it would have any impact," she said.

"You listened to what he said, right? About having no friends in school and being laughed at," I said, taking a sip of the coffee, not sure of the taste. It was just a bitter taste that almost choked me.

"Because I felt like I was being bullied again," Stella said, empathizing with the situation.

"But... if you continue like this, you might really end up dating him," I said seriously. In fact, it was evident that Cao Nan really liked Stella. If Stella remained ambiguous about her feelings, things would definitely head in that direction.

"I don't want that. I don't actually like him," Stella expressed her true thoughts. It was just not beneficial for either party to withhold their actual thoughts because of shared experiences.

"So you should express your thoughts clearly. I heard you were about to say it earlier, but Cao Nan ran off on his own," I said.

"Youjie, Senior..."

"Okay, we can't keep Wen Xiaojing waiting for too long, or she'll start complaining again."

"Mhm."

After a brief conversation, Stella and I proceeded to the spot where the bench was earlier.

"A bit slow, huh?" Wen Xiaojing seemed to be in a better mood than before.

"Here's your coke..." I handed the coke to Wen Xiaojing.

"You're not considerate at all, at least help a girl open her coke," she complained.

"Alright, I got it." I opened the coke for Wen Xiaojing.

"And the peach juice too," Wen Xiaojing had quite a lot of demands, and she was particularly good at bossing people around, so I opened Stella's can of peach juice as well.

Even if they were angry with each other, their relationship wouldn't change, right? Wen Xiaojing still cared about Stella.