At the entrance of "Mint Izakaya," Chen Yuzhe stepped inside just as the middle-aged owner looked up, startled. "Welcome... Huh? Xinyu? Why so early today? Your shift hasn’t even started yet, has it?"

"Uncle Fang, I’m treating a friend to dinner," Xinyu replied, perfectly polite in front of him.

"Oh." Uncle Fang turned to Chen Yuzhe, recognition dawning—he remembered the boy who’d helped Xinyu out that day. His expression softened.

Chen Yuzhe walked over promptly, bowing slightly. "Hello, Uncle Fang."

"Hello, hello! I owe you big thanks for helping Xinyu that time," Uncle Fang said warmly, charmed by his manners. "Without you, I’d have been stuck."

"It was nothing—just a small favor. Xinyu’s problems are my problems, after all."

Uncle Fang paused, then his gaze flickered between them.

Xinyu’s cheeks flushed faintly. She turned away, stealing a cautious glance at Chen Yuzhe. He grinned mischievously, acting oblivious.

"Uncle Fang, we’ll take the ramen. We’ll head to our seats now—you busy yourself," Chen Yuzhe said, striding confidently past Uncle Fang’s odd stare. Xinyu followed, flustered and hesitant.

"What’s wrong?"

"...Hmph." Xinyu shot him an annoyed glare, then sat silently across from him.

"Senior, you only tease me. So mean!"

"Huh? What’d I do now?" Chen Yuzhe looked genuinely puzzled.

"Just now... why say something that’d make Uncle Fang misunderstand..."

"Huh? Misunderstand what?"

Chen Yuzhe’s smile widened openly. Xinyu blinked rapidly, lips pressed tight like she might cry. She felt constantly toyed with, as if he’d even planned her retorts. Words stuck in her throat. She just sat there, head down, fiddling with the menu.

Watching Xinyu near tears from his teasing, Chen Yuzhe’s mood soared.

*Misunderstand? What did I say? "Your problems are mine"—isn’t that normal for friends? What else could it mean? Lovers? Then say it yourself. Can’t, huh? Hehe. Teasing like this—making them bite their tongue—is addictive. Only those who try it know. But jokes need limits. Push too far, and favor points drop. As a love manipulator, you need trust from both sides. Otherwise, you can’t steer them. So Chen Yuzhe happily boosted his favor when needed. Especially here—he wasn’t scared of overdoing it. Xinyu had zero reason to ditch the handsome, smooth Han Cheng for him. So he could shamelessly max out her favor.*

The ramen arrived fast. Chen Yuzhe dug in, slurping loudly. "Seriously good noodles," he mumbled between bites.

Xinyu sat quietly opposite him, head tilted, watching him eat.

After a moment, Chen Yuzhe sighed. "Junior, why aren’t you eating?"

"I’ll wait. Uncle Fang makes me a meal after my shift tonight."

"...Could you stop staring? It’s awkward," he admitted, a little sheepish.

A smile tugged at Xinyu’s lips. "So seniors get embarrassed too?"

"Of course... I’m not *that* thick-skinned... though close enough."

"Then today, I’ll watch you eat anyway," she huffed, eyes locked on his face.

Chen Yuzhe set down his chopsticks, meeting her gaze calmly.

They sat frozen, locked in a staring contest.

Xinyu broke first, blushing. "Hmph... Why no reaction? Aren’t you shy?"

"Hehe. Thick skin runs in the family," Chen Yuzhe chuckled.

*Childhood games like "no laughing while making faces" were just mental battles. And challenging a psychology master like him? Hah. Though... something about eye contact over three seconds... What was that saying again? Can’t recall. Whatever. Not worth it.*