After pounding someone, her mood cleared like fog after rain. Her face still showed fatigue, and her breathing gusted like a bellows. Yun Shi didn’t bother to fuss. She checked her phone, mind tallying what to buy for dinner. Sham was supposed to swing by her place to mooch a meal today.

"Hey, Sham."

Sham was frozen in shock. Then she snapped back.

"Yes, Little Yun."

"Want to buy ingredients together?"

"Together?"

"If not, I’ll go alone," Yun Shi said, unbothered.

"Going, going!" Sham nodded at once. A chance to shop for favorite ingredients with Yun Shi was rare as a blue moon.

"Hey, didn’t you say you were coming to my place today?" Mizuki asked, puzzled. It sounded like, aren’t we practically living together, so why run to someone else’s home?

Yun Shi seriously suspected Sham might be cohabiting with Mizuki. Otherwise, why show up at Mizuki’s place every other day?

"Buying ingredients?" Mizuki tilted her small head, a question mark drawn between her brows.

"You mean, you’re inviting her to eat?" Mai’s mind was quick; the answer came easy. From Yun Shi’s cool invite, she was likely having Sham over for dinner.

Looks like Sham and Yun Shi are pretty close, Mai thought, a spark flickering in her eyes.

Mizuki heard Mai’s words, and a small loneliness rose in her chest, tinged with jealousy. Her brows drew tight like a strung bow.

"What’s with those faces?" The girls wore different expressions, but all eyes fixed on Yun Shi. Being stared at rubbed her raw. Maybe it was the usual killer glares she endured; any gaze made her skin itch like thorns.

"I want to go too," Mai said, palm to lips, delighted, tossing little sparks of charm with her eyes.

"Denied." Yun Shi refused without hesitation. Mai’s act did nothing for her.

Mai only smiled. She leaned in, her breath brushing Yun Shi’s ear, words slipping in soft as silk.

"If you don’t let me, I’ll say Yunshi Bianqi’s a girl."

She knew Mai wouldn’t do it, but the whisper sent a sweet prickle down Yun Shi’s ear-lobe. Her knees nearly melted. Heaven help her—why was that spot so sensitive?

Not good. Yun Shi darted away from Mai, the back of her hand covering her mouth, breath speeding up. That lily-girl did it on purpose.

"Hmph."

For the sake of face, Yun Shi didn’t snap. She turned and walked for the school gate, alone, like a blade sliding back into its sheath.

"Little Yun’s cooking is really good," Sham said, meaning heavy as sesame oil. A smile hung at her lips like a cat’s, an invitation in disguise.

"Getting such high praise from Sham…" Mizuki’s fighting spirit flickered on. She clenched her fists and stared at Yun Shi’s back. I won’t lose.

Don’t get it wrong—Mizuki only wanted to surpass Yun Shi in cooking.

"Yun-kun’s cooking…" Mizuki murmured, drifting somewhere deep in thought.

Yun Shi never imagined a casual line to Sham would assemble a parade. They stuck to her like fallen leaves on a wet road, all the way to the supermarket. She had a guess—these girls planned to mooch her dinner.

"Stop trailing me," Yun Shi said, glaring at the flock behind her. Come on. Because of you, I’ll get peppered by random stares again.

"Hey, don’t be so stingy, Little Yun. A few more mouths won’t kill you."

"Yun-kun, does this trouble you?"

"Since Sham gave such a high review, I’ve decided to taste it myself. Prepare yourself, Yun Shi-kun!"

"I’m pretty into cooking. Treat me well and I’ll be grateful."

Hearing their chorus, a cross-shaped vein popped on Yun Shi’s forehead. "Shut it," she snapped.

She turned away and ignored them, letting the pack tag along.

Was that… a tacit yes?

They pushed into the supermarket. A tide of people flowed, the baseline of the place. Housewives brandished wobbling slabs of meat like cranes with fish, jostling into knots, voices rising to haggle. The scene surprised Mai and Mizuki; only a handful of female students ever came here to buy groceries. For first-timers, the place felt foreign. By contrast, Yun Shi and Sham moved with ease, like regulars drifting a familiar river.

By the way, Mizuki might be born a lady, but she lives on her own. A heavy spender, she buys loads of premium ingredients to cook at home. Today was her first step into a budget supermarket.

As for Sham, she often comes here with Yun Shi.

"Yo, it’s Yun Shi-chan again. Want potatoes today?" an auntie at the stalls called, warm as midday sun.

"I just want pork, thanks."

"Don’t be shy. Here, take it. Kids are growing; eat more."

"No, that’s—"

"Enough, no refusing. Just take it."

The auntie wouldn’t hear no. She pressed the goods into Yun Shi’s arms, as if with family.

"Yun Shi-chan, I’ve got fresh tomatoes. Come on, have one."

"Kid, here’s a little freebie. Take it."

"Got some leftover lotus root, it’s yours," an uncle added.

Yun Shi knew the day. At times like this, her acquaintances at the market handed over small extras. It’s the perfect time to invite people for dinner. That’s why she’d asked Sham to shop.

"Yun-kun’s so popular," Mizuki said, moved.

She watched Yun Shi drift between stalls, the faint smile at her lips, the warmth blooming around her like lamplight. It pulled Mizuki back to their usual days.

At school, when Yun Shi walked the corridor, plenty watched. Their faces held no kindness, only envy. The boys didn’t hide their jealousy. The girls glanced, then left, bored. Yun Shi lowered her head and walked her road, cool as stone. Only that thin back looked so lonely, like a reed in wind.

But here, the aunties and uncles greeted Yun Shi with honest warmth, no pretense. Their words made clear they liked her. Yun Shi’s expression stayed light, yet her brows unknotted, a quiet confidence breathing off her like spring.

Mizuki found herself absorbed by this Yun Shi. She didn’t know everything about him. Yet now she truly felt it—Yun Shi shone. She wanted to learn more. She wanted him to smile like this on ordinary days.

Unlike Mizuki, who was swept up, Mizuki and Mai wore approving looks.

"Yun Shi-kun is impressive."

"This one’s got a knack for people."

Sham puffed herself up. "Don’t let Little Yun’s bad temper fool you. Folks here adore her."

"Mm, you’re Yunshi Bianqi, right? What a coincidence." A stranger’s voice came.

Yun Shi lifted her eyes. A girl watched her with mild surprise.

"Yan Er from Songhai?"

"Just call me Yan Er."

Yan Er smiled warmly, unconcerned, the bag in her hand swaying like a pendulum.

"Oh, Yan Er-chan," Mai chirped. She ignored the looks, sprang straight into Yan Er’s arms, and rubbed like a cat.

"You’re energetic, Mai. Could you let go?" Being rubbed everywhere felt awkward, especially the chest. The soft, tingling sensation sent color to Yan Er’s cheeks. She tried to push Mai’s head away.

"Oh, I remember you. You’re from Songhai," Mizuki said after a beat, light dawning.

"Nice to meet again, Songhai-san," Mizuki added, polite.

"Hehe, no need to be so formal. Just call me Yan Er."

Yan Er waved it off with an easy smile, open and gracious, a girl at ease.

"Then I won’t be polite—Yan Er-chan," Sham said, laughing big.

"Didn’t expect to run into Yan Er-chan here. You shopping too?"

"Mm. No one’s home today. And you all—group buying?"

"In a sense, yes. We’re here to mooch dinner."

"Mooch dinner? You mean—?"

"Hey, Yun Shi, you don’t mind adding one more for tonight, right?" Mai didn’t answer. She turned, grinning at Yun Shi, who was still watching the show.

"Why." Yun Shi frowned, displeased. The others didn’t care; after all, it wasn’t their pantry…

"Uh, won’t that be a hassle?"

"Not at all. Come on, Yan Er-chan."

"Little Yun’s cooking is delicious."

What are those two doing!

Yun Shi stared, a touch aghast, at the pair laying bait.

"All right," Yan Er said.

You agreed? Seriously?

That fast?

Not even a second’s doubt?

"You all better just go home!" yelled a certain cross-dressing girl, her cry laced with anger.