Outside the window, darkness had completely fallen.

Chen Yuzhe stared at the empty coffee cup on the table, the second one drained dry. He began to space out.

This silence was getting awkward. Even Chen Yuzhe finally felt a little uneasy after so long.

Ever since their chat about worldviews, Jiang Xiaoyao had seemed distracted, her mind wandering somewhere far away.

She pulled out her phone again. Only 7:30 PM. Two full hours until the dorm curfew at 9:30.

They couldn’t just sit here staring blankly at each other for two hours.

Besides, the main thing was this:

Chen Yuzhe was hungry.

Seriously—he’d been dragged out by Jiang Xiaoyao since afternoon for some weird love advice session. No time to eat at all.

Coffee wasn’t food. If anything, it made him hungrier.

Didn’t Jiang Xiaoyao feel it too? She’d skipped meals just as long.

Chen Yuzhe stole another glance at her.

Her eyes drifted aimlessly. Her legs swung back and forth under the table. One hand propped up her head, bored. The other hand…

Ah, got it.

“If you’re hungry, just say so. Why clutch your stomach? Trying to silence it?”

“Huh?” Jiang Xiaoyao’s cheeks flushed slightly. She stammered a rushed excuse. “No, I’m not—”

But she realized arguing was pointless. This annoying guy saw right through her anyway.

So she huffed, puffing up with anger, and turned her head away with a little snort.

“Don’t be mad. I’m serious.” Chen Yuzhe shrugged.

“Wanna eat? I’m starving too.”

Jiang Xiaoyao’s eyes rolled once. She eyed him with a trace of suspicion.

“Hey, you’re not planning something shady, are you?”

“Take it or leave it.” Chen Yuzhe walked off immediately.

“Wait! I was joking!”

—

—

Chen Yuzhe really meant nothing by it.

He’d promised to stay with her until curfew. He was hungry. Simple as that.

It had nothing to do with Jiang Xiaoyao. He’d eat with any guy too.

Jiang Xiaoyao seemed to sense this. Unlike other boys who fawned over her, Chen Yuzhe just walked ahead, not even glancing back.

Those guys never looked away from her chest or legs for more than thirty seconds. She always caught them.

And unlike some who “accidentally” brought IDs to movies.

Choosing food was tough for Chen Yuzhe. He had mild decision fatigue. Campus eateries were endless. Sometimes, picking a meal took him half an hour alone.

But he’d never let Jiang Xiaoyao see that embarrassing side. She’d mock him forever.

So he casually scanned the street outside, silently chanting, “Point to whoever the rooster picks.”

His finger landed on a new spot: a Japanese restaurant.

“This one. New place—perfect for testing if it’s poison.” Chen Yuzhe headed straight for it.

After two steps, he noticed Jiang Xiaoyao hadn’t followed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well…” Her eyes darted away. She bit her lip lightly. “Is it… okay if we eat together? What if someone sees us?”

Huh? She worried about being seen? How many guys had she eaten with before?

Then Chen Yuzhe understood. She meant being spotted by acquaintances.

Jiang Xiaoyao’s reputation wasn’t great. People might think he was just another fool chasing a “green tea” girl.

He was slightly surprised. Jiang Xiaoyao actually cared about his feelings? Unbelievable.

It was a tiny, almost invisible kindness. He’d never felt any from her before.

Did this mean…

She saw him as a friend now?

Chen Yuzhe hadn’t considered her a friend either. To him, they were just partners. No need for anything deeper.

Everything he did was strictly professional. No personal feelings.

“Why worry about me all of a sudden?” Chen Yuzhe asked with a teasing smile.

Flustered by his grin, Jiang Xiaoyao looked away, her face reddening. “Ah… nothing! Just asking—”

“I know. You feel bad because I stayed for you.”

“Ah… yeah, I guess… Ugh! Why is talking to you so exhausting!”

She stamped her foot, pouting. “You already guessed it—why say it out loud? Is embarrassing me fun?”

Under the neon lights, her flushed cheeks looked purely girlish. Chen Yuzhe found it amusing.

Don’t get it wrong. This blush wasn’t romantic shyness. Just irritation at being caught.

“Seriously, when did you turn so mean?” She crossed her arms, facing the traffic light with a huff.

“Obvious, isn’t it?”

Chen Yuzhe strolled behind her. “Because before, you never saw the real me.”

“If I wanted to hide…”

“How would you know what I’m truly like?”

Jiang Xiaoyao paused. Her gaze flickered over Chen Yuzhe, complex emotions in her eyes.

Right. After a whole year together, she’d never noticed anything unusual. Just a gentle, easygoing guy.

But really, he was a total jerk.

Ugh, she must be crazy to partner with him.

The light turned green. They crossed the street to “Mint Izakaya,” the new Japanese spot.

Pushing the door open, a cheerful voice greeted them: “Welcome!”

Chen Yuzhe scanned the interior. Authentic izakaya decor—vibrant ukiyo-e murals on the walls. High accuracy.

They picked a quiet corner. Chen Yuzhe skimmed the menu, then handed it to Jiang Xiaoyao.

“What’ll you have?”

“Hmm… this.” She pointed to the cherry blossom sushi. “Dieting tonight. Can’t eat much.”

“Okay. One cherry blossom sushi. And I’ll take a bowl of tonkotsu ramen—”

Chen Yuzhe froze. The server’s hand reaching for the menu looked familiar.

He looked up. Straight into a startled pair of eyes.

“…Senior?”

It was Xinyu.

She wore a plaid shirt, black pants, and a server’s apron and cap. Her neat short hair framed pink ears and a pale neck. Simple, yet effortlessly lovely.

Her girl-next-door vibe was off the charts.

“Xinyu?” Chen Yuzhe was genuinely surprised. Never expected to see her here.

Must be a part-time job. Freshman year just started—already working?

Instantly, he switched to a warm smile. “Small world. Didn’t know you worked here. Part-timing?”

“Mm…” Xinyu’s eyes dipped low. She gave a barely audible hum.

“So diligent. Most freshmen wouldn’t find jobs this fast.” Chen Yuzhe beamed. “Hardworking girls like you are rare these days.”

“It’s nothing… Just saw the new shop hiring, so…”

Xinyu turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze. Clearly uncomfortable with the topic.

Chen Yuzhe smoothly changed subject. He turned to Jiang Xiaoyao, who looked utterly lost.

“President Jiang, meet Xinyu. She’s a freshman in our anime club too—Philosophy major.”

“This is our club president, Jiang Xiaoyao. You saw her Reimu Hakurei cosplay at recruitment, right?”

Jiang Xiaoyao snapped out of her daze. She reached out warmly. “A first-year underclassman! Welcome to the club. Let’s get along well.”

“Mm. Thank you, senior.” Xinyu’s voice stayed soft and slow, stiff with shyness.

Weird. Was she this timid when she asked to join the club? Chen Yuzhe couldn’t recall.

“Seniors here to eat?”

“Yeah. Also discussing the club’s welcome party.” Chen Yuzhe explained.

Xinyu nodded politely. “I won’t disturb you then. Your food will be out soon.”

She hugged the menu to her chest and walked slowly toward the kitchen.

Jiang Xiaoyao’s eyes never left Xinyu. Only when she vanished around the corner did Jiang Xiaoyao reluctantly look away, then leaned in eagerly.

“Hey, Yuzhe! I’ve gotta ask.”

“That ‘goal’ you mentioned earlier… was it this underclassman?”

Without hesitation, Chen Yuzhe flicked her forehead. “First, don’t call me Yuzhe. I hate that.”

Jiang Xiaoyao yelped in pain, rubbing her forehead and glaring.

“Second…”

Chen Yuzhe paused. His voice dropped low.

“You’re right.”