"Huh?"

Tang Coco shot Ouyang Lingxue a curious look; the other girl kept her gaze glued to the blackboard, cold and flat like frost on glass, as if the note hadn’t come from her at all.

"…"

Tang Coco was speechless, her thoughts wobbling like a loose compass—what were these two up to?

She shook her head and opened the note. Graceful strokes flowed like willow leaves in wind: "Let’s eat together tomorrow at noon."

If there were special effects, black lines would’ve streaked across her face like thunder scribbles—who invites someone to eat like this? It read like an order, crisp as a drumbeat. Was Ouyang Lingxue clueless-cute… or just clueless-cute.

Curiosity bubbled in her chest like a kettle. Why was Ouyang suddenly drawing near? Did that old man Ouyang go home and tell her about me?

She guessed, then picked up her pen. One neat word fell like a single drop: "Okay."

She folded the note and slid it onto Ouyang Lingxue’s desk. Ouyang picked it up and tucked it into her book, clean as a leaf slipping into a stream, without even a glance.

"…"

Tang Coco decided ordinary logic was useless on Ouyang Lingxue. This girl was a puzzle wrapped in silk. She set her cheek on the desk and let her thoughts drift like clouds.

The algebra period floated by, soft as a lullaby; Tang Coco and Meng Xiaoxiao slept through it like kittens in sun.

In the dream’s fog, Tang Coco felt a tap on her arm, light as a sparrow’s peck. She lifted her head and, bleary-eyed, caught Ouyang Lingxue’s departing silhouette, thin as a blade of light.

"Uh… class is over, huh… Xiaoxiao, up."

She shook Meng Xiaoxiao, her voice gentle as a breeze.

"Mm~ Is it over? Let’s go eat…"

Meng rubbed her eyes, sleepy as a late moon.

"All you do is sleep and eat. Are you a pig?"

Tang Coco teased, words bouncing like pebbles.

"Uh… you’re one to talk! You’re exactly the same!"

Meng Xiaoxiao shot back, sparks in her eyes.

"…"

Tang Coco had no defense; the truth sat there like a mirror.

"CoCo! Want to grab lunch together?"

Class monitor Liu Mengyao came over, smile bright as a sunflower, with a few girls flowing behind her like a little stream.

"Hmm…"

Tang Coco thought for a beat, then turned to Meng Xiaoxiao.

"Xiaoxiao, how about we eat on campus at noon?"

"Sure. I’m too lazy to drive back anyway."

Meng answered, light as a laugh.

"Great, then let’s go together~"

With Meng’s nod, Tang Coco smiled at Liu Mengyao, warmth like spring rain.

"That’s awesome~"

Liu almost bounced, joy popping like confetti; she’d only dared to try, never expecting Tang Coco to agree.

Tang Coco and Meng Xiaoxiao stood and followed the group toward the campus dining hall. On the way, Tang Coco called Ye Yiyi to say she wouldn’t be home for lunch; Ye Yiyi agreed, easy as a wave. They had no classes this afternoon, so she and Li Muyan would head home first; tonight Meng Xiaoxiao would drive her back.

At Ninghai University, students were allowed to live off campus, so at meal times the dining hall was never a crush—more a steady stream.

Even with the mellow flow, Tang Coco’s arrival stirred ripples; heads lifted like sunflowers tracking the sun.

"Let’s head upstairs."

Liu Mengyao pointed ahead. The higher the floor, the higher the bill; the first and second floors were crowded like markets, the third held a balanced hum, the fourth thinned out to quiet.

Tang Coco suggested the third floor. It wasn’t about the price; she wanted a space with people, but not a swarm—like a pond with ripples, not waves. The others had no objection; instead, they found her easier to approach than rumor, and their favor rose like a tide.

The girls got their meals and settled in a corner, chatter bubbling like a teapot. Most questions came from Liu Mengyao and the girls beside her, life stuff mostly, with romance sprinkled like sugar on top.

By the end, everyone sat stunned, eyes wide as saucers. They’d just learned Tang Coco didn’t like men. Yes—she told them herself. They had chirped and pecked, asking whether she had a boyfriend; when she said no, they didn’t believe it; when they asked why, she finally laid down her truth like a card.

"Wow, so jealous~"

One girl looked at Meng Xiaoxiao with envy shining like glass.

"…"

And for once, Meng Xiaoxiao blushed, pink as a peach.

After lunch, Tang Coco and Liu Mengyao’s group parted like paths in a garden. Tang Coco and Meng Xiaoxiao wandered toward the athletic field. Since coming to this school, Tang Coco had only been there once—on opening day.

Hand in hand, the two girls took the path to the track, slow as drifting clouds. On both sides, rows of pines and willows leaned and whispered, their leaves rustling like rain under a mild wind. They passed a lake; white swans played among lotus pads, feathers bright as moonlight.

"CoCo, let’s take photos~ We finally made it out~"

Meng tugged her arm, eyes sparkling like stars.

"Mm… okay~"

They picked backgrounds—arched bridges, sunlit water, green shade—and took a slew of shots, smiles blooming like flowers.

Tired from play, they found a pavilion and sat. Tang Coco slid an arm around Meng Xiaoxiao’s waist and pulled her to her chest, a soft harbor.

"CoCo… I feel so happy right now…"

Meng’s cheeks went pink, words floating like petals.

"Do you?"

Tang Coco’s voice was mild, but inside her heart moved like a quiet stream. She saw Meng Xiaoxiao as a dear little sister, and wished she’d stay joyful, long as the seasons.

"Don’t worry, I’ll try to spend more time with you."

Her tone was gentle, a promise like a lantern.

"Mm~"

Meng agreed, smile sweet as honey; drowsiness soon pooled over her like mist. Tang Coco eased Meng onto her lap so she’d lie more comfortably.

"Mm… a denim pillow’s not comfy…"

Meng puffed her cheeks, a small storm.

"…"

"Then use the bench!"

Tang Coco huffed, mock-angered, sparks like dry wood.

"Don’t~"

Meng murmured, adjusted her posture, and drifted off, sleep closing like soft curtains.

Tang Coco leaned back against the seat, eyes roaming like swallows. Packs of students wandered by now and then, their glances snagging on her face like moths to a flame; boys and girls alike envied the girl napping on her lap.

Suddenly, she felt eyes at her back, cold as a needle. She turned slowly and saw, far off behind a tree, a figure dart and hide like a startled rabbit.

"Ah…"

She knew the type—someone sneaking photos. Since the morning, she’d felt shutters pecking at her like sparrows. Probably students. She let it go; swat one, and another would buzz in. With a helpless sigh, she took out her phone and opened the campus forum. The top posts were a flood with her name, waves updating nonstop.

She scrolled, idle as a drifting leaf, then paused on a headline.

"This afternoon: Goddess Mo Zitong VS Angel Tang Coco!!"

"Hm?"

The title hooked her like a fishline. First, the name Mo Zitong tugged up an image of that stubborn, strange girl. Second… Mo Zitong vs Tang Coco? Since when?

She tapped in and read comment after comment, threads weaving like vines. Soon she got the gist: Mo Zitong had a performance this afternoon, and her own return today had turned it into a comparison game.

Someone was hyping the moment; she’d never said she was competing.

Tang Coco sighed, but her curiosity flickered like a candle. She did want to see Mo Zitong’s show. Why not go in the afternoon?

With that, she pocketed her phone and closed her eyes, taking a short breather. In this gentle place, to loosen up and rest felt like sinking into warm light.

Half an hour later, Meng Xiaoxiao woke. The two bought two ice creams at the supermarket, cold as winter on a stick, then went back to class for the afternoon session. In the second period, all classes except a few key ones were canceled because of the club culture showcase.

After the bell, throngs headed for the gym.

"Xiaoxiao, let’s check it out too."

Tang Coco suggested, tone easy as shade.

"Huh? CoCo, you’re actually interested?"

"Mm. We’ve got nothing else. If we go home, we’ll just sit around. Might as well see what’s fun."

"Okay, I’ll go with CoCo~"

They joined the flow toward the gym, two leaves in a current.

"Look, look—Tang Coco’s really heading to the gym. Guess the forum was right!"

"Must be. We’ll soon see the battle of the two campus queens!"

"Hurry, hurry, or there won’t be seats!"

Students spotted Tang Coco’s silhouette and ran, words flapping like flags.

Tang Coco and Meng Xiaoxiao strolled, calm as evening, while everyone else hustled or outright sprinted.

"Uh, why the rush?"

Meng asked, head tilted like a bird.

"Who knows."

Tang Coco shook her head, a smile like a sigh. Youth was a gift—fresh as dew.

When they reached the gym doors, the reason was clear. Three big entrances, each trailing long lines like rivers—easily a thousand people.

"Did the whole school come…?"

Meng muttered, face darkening like a storm cloud.

"Maybe… Forget it, let’s wait…"

Tang Coco felt the fatigue settle like sand, and the two stood one behind the other in that tide of people.

Ten minutes ticked by. Then, not far away, a girl with a single ponytail ran over, badge swinging like a pendulum. She had a staff card on her chest—clearly an event worker.

"Tang Coco, please come with me. I’m with the Arts Department; our minister is looking for you."

"Arts Department? Minister? That’s… Xu Yinuo?"

Tang Coco remembered the name, memory rising like smoke.

"Yes."

The girl nodded, eyes flicking back and forth like sparrows—she was in a hurry.

"…"

"Let’s go, Xiaoxiao. Come with me."

Tang Coco decided with a glance, voice steady as a beam.

"Okay~"

The two followed the staffer to a small side door beside the gym. Even from far away, Tang Coco spotted a figure in red—the color burned like a flame.