The bell signaling the end of the fourth period rang, pulling the two lost in their own worlds back to reality.

After PE class, students clearly lacked energy to rush to the cafeteria. They ambled over in small groups, lazily and slowly. The usual post-class dash was gone.

Boys, drenched in sweat from the entire PE session, had zero appetite. A few grabbing lunch just bought snacks from the school store.

Though the girls had sat still since the run, their constitutions were weak. They’d regained a little strength, but their bodies screamed not to move.

“The cafeteria must be packed now…” Jin Jing stood up reluctantly.

Ye Wen nodded, gazing toward the cafeteria. She could almost see the long queues and crowded throngs.

“Let’s go to the school store!” suggested a round-faced girl.

She was the third prettiest in class—actually quite cute with her genuinely round face. Unlike Ye Wen’s baby fat, hers was pure roundness.

Her name was Lu Yu, an adorable girl. In Ye Wen’s memory, she seemed to be dating Wang Xin, the PE monitor. Lu Yu was lively, cheerful, and Jin Jing’s closest friend.

Only Jin Jing, Lu Yu, and Ye Wen remained on the playground. Rushing to the cafeteria now would leave no lunch break time.

Back then, the high school store wasn’t crowded. Most students paid meal fees. Poor families had little pocket money, so visits were rare—not daily. Wealthy students? Few existed.

Wenlan Academy wasn’t elite. In that less materialistic era, it held strict standards. Admission required passing exams—no exceptions.

The store held few people, mostly classmates munching snacks on nearby chairs.

“I’ll treat!” Ye Wen patted her wallet, acting rich. “Don’t hold back!”

Her wallet held a crisp red 100-yuan note. Back then, that was a fortune for students. For three people, they could eat anything here.

“Really?” Lu Yu clung to Ye Wen’s arm, stars in her eyes.

“Mm-hmm,” Ye Wen confirmed.

“It’s fine, I have money.”

“No worries! We’re friends now. What’s a treat between friends?” Ye Wen added quickly. Bridging this gap was perfect.

Seeing Ye Wen’s sincere gaze, Jin Jing hesitated but nodded.

“What would you like?”

“Um… pork floss bread.”

“I’ll have pork floss bread too.”

“That’s all?”

“Mm.” Jin Jing nodded.

“Enough? Don’t be shy!” Ye Wen waved the red 100-yuan note at them.

“Wow~ Rich girl!” Lu Yu exclaimed. “One bread is plenty—I might not finish it.”

“Yes, enough,” Jin Jing agreed.

“Alright, boss! Two pork floss breads, three large Liziyuan milk drinks, one shrimp and fish cake instant noodle bowl.”

Back then, instant noodle flavors were limited. Shrimp and fish cake was already new.

Things from ten years ago had generous portions… Ye Wen mused. That noodle bucket was packed full—unlike later rattling versions. The pork floss bread? Huge for just 1.5 yuan…

They sat by the window. Lu Yu and Jin Jing nibbled fluffy bread opposite Ye Wen. Afternoon sunlight slanted through, bathing them in clear light. Nearby boys stared, mesmerized.

This scene might become an indelible high school memory.

Distracted, Qiu Yi gulped two rushed bites of rice and headed to the store. Not seeing Ye Wen in the cafeteria killed his appetite.

He patted his stomach—he wasn’t full. Regret hit him for dumping the cafeteria food so fast.

“Luckily, I still have pocket money…”

Qiu Yi entered and saw girls leisurely eating by the window. Bright sunlight made their faces dazzlingly radiant.

His gaze swept over them, then lingered on Ye Wen.

She had… a different aura, like a magnet pulling him. Qiu Yi’s feet rooted to the spot.

Ye Wen took a noodle bite, spotted Qiu Yi dazed at the door, and observed his spaced-out look. “What’s up? Forgot your money?”

After all, he was her past self—she’d treat him if needed. High school her rarely visited this store; she couldn’t recall any memories.

Qiu Yi’s family wasn’t wealthy. They only reached modest living ten years later. Before that, frugality ruled.

“Huh?” Qiu Yi jumped, blushing instantly. “N-nothing… ah! I have money!”

Caught staring by the girl he admired, Qiu Yi flustered and stumbled over words.

“Mm…” Ye Wen, the experienced one, found her past self adorably shy. “Hey, don’t be shy. Sit next to me.”

“Huh?”

“What’s the big deal? We’re desk mates.” Ye Wen waved to the owner. “Boss, one Old Tan Sour Cabbage instant noodle bucket, one pork floss bread, one iced tea.”

The owner frowned. “What flavor is Old Tan Sour Cabbage?”

“Ah? Oh…” Ye Wen wiped her brow—she’d blurted her future favorite. “Mistake! Braised beef flavor instead!”

The owner stayed puzzled, thinking it was some new flavor he couldn’t find wholesale.

Seeing Qiu Yi frozen, Ye Wen rolled her eyes. “Come on! I bought it. You expect me to eat all this alone?”

Qiu Yi nodded dumbly and sat beside her.

Jin Jing and Lu Yu whispered, glancing at them and giggling.

Ye Wen wondered what they laughed at—but her own flustered state felt funnier.

Qiu Yi fumbled endlessly, unable to open his noodles. Ye Wen sighed—he wouldn’t eat lunch otherwise.

Was I really this timid before? This me isn’t me! Ye Wen rationalized.

“Let’s go,” she said. “He won’t eat if we stay.”

“Mm, let’s go,” Jin Jing said, suppressing a smile.

“Haha~” Lu Yu laughed freely. “Do your best!”

Do my best at what?

…