Compared to the constant cheers from other groups, Chi Yuzhou’s team was unusually quiet.

As time passed, Xiao Yingwan and Hua Fu, in charge of cooking, whispered softly at the stove.

Chi Yuzhou, sitting nearby, couldn’t grasp their chatter—talk of spice measurements and secret recipes—that sounded like math formulas from class.

Xiao Yingwan and Hua Fu worked in sync, with Shen Shiling assisting them.

Yet the first group to send out food aromas wasn’t Chi Yuzhou’s.

Other teams coordinated just as smoothly, and before he knew it, savory scents drifted to Chi Yuzhou.

But as Hua Fu stirred slowly, their group’s aroma began to stir Chi Yuzhou’s appetite.

Hua Qi, who’d been sitting beside Chi Yuzhou, caught Shen Shiling’s gaze. At her slight shake of the head, he stood to add firewood.

For a moment, Chi Yuzhou felt like the most idle one there.

He rested his chin on one hand, eyes fixed on Hua Fu now tending the pot.

From behind, Hua Fu’s silhouette wasn’t much different from Xiao Yingwan’s.

Oh, in a way, even face-on, they looked nearly identical.

It was just that one kept a lower profile.

Food aromas lingered at his nose. Though his eyes stayed on Hua Fu’s back, Chi Yuzhou suddenly recalled her younger siblings.

Honestly, that game console at her place was really fun.

If he won that so-called progress award, maybe he’d get to play too?

Besides, this off-campus group activity was more interesting than he’d imagined.

All he had to do was his part, then wait for the meal.

He felt an uncanny déjà vu, like being back in that small dark room.

But sadly, that was just a past nightmare.

Now, he was completely free.

Nearby, Xiao Yingwan naturally noticed Chi Yuzhou staring intently at Hua Fu.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly in a subtle arc, unseen by anyone.

...

The fire died down. Chi Yuzhou’s group sat neatly at the six-person table.

Four of them occupied one side, bowls and chopsticks set before each.

Shen Shiling, holding the rice pot, declined Hua Qi’s offer to help and served plump, glossy rice into everyone’s bowls.

Hua Fu placed the prepared curry pot on the table, its lid trapping all the fragrant steam inside.

Hua Qi spoke up then:

“Isn’t it ready yet?”

“Just a bit longer. Five minutes.”

Hua Fu flipped her wrist, checked her watch, and murmured.

Just then, Guanmingxue happened to pass by their stove.

Seeing leftover rice in the pot, Shen Shiling called out promptly:

“Teacher Guan! Would you like some curry rice?”

“?”

Guanmingxue, having finished her patrol, glanced back. Seeing the group ready to eat, she walked over with elegant steps.

She smiled slightly and didn’t refuse. “Well... then I won’t stand on ceremony?”

“Welcome, welcome!”

Xiao Yingwan, however, keenly noticed Guanmingxue’s gaze lingering a fraction longer on Chi Yuzhou.

Was it her imagination?

Chi Yuzhou shifted his seat to make space.

As Guanmingxue sat down, Hua Fu’s timer hit exactly five minutes.

It was nearly mealtime; the cicadas’ chirping from the distant woods had faded slightly.

Under Chi Yuzhou’s eager gaze, curry was poured over his rice.

Rich, mouth-watering, and spiced with a hint of heat, the aroma flooded his senses.

“Oh! Curry seems more fragrant after waiting. What’s the trick?”

At Hua Qi’s surprised words, Hua Fu just smiled softly.

“Alright! This curry rice was made by Hua Fu and Xiao Yingwan. Everyone, dig in~”

~~

After finishing, Hua Fu sat beside Chi Yuzhou, Guanmingxue on the other side.

But Hua Fu chose the spot near the bench’s end.

Across the table, Hua Qi, Shen Shiling, and Xiao Yingwan sat together.

Chi Yuzhou’s attention, however, was locked on the curry rice.

Neither the teacher beside him, the plain-looking Hua Fu next to him, nor Xiao Yingwan across the table could divert his gaze.

Mere beauty? Could it possibly compare to the feast before him?

One by one, they started eating. The rich flavor carried a trace of spiciness.

It tasted delicious, but a subtle warmth spread as he swallowed.

When Chi Yuzhou glanced at the others, their expressions remained unchanged.

Guanmingxue, seated beside him, tasted a bite and commented:

“The flavor is truly excellent.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, Chi Yuzhou included.

He’d watched Xiao Yingwan cook this curry—she hadn’t added much spice, had she?

Chi Yuzhou suppressed a frown. Hua Fu noticed his hand pausing after one bite.

“What’s wrong?”

“This is the best curry I’ve ever had. I’m just... moved.”

Hearing this, Hua Fu nodded thoughtfully.

Their quiet exchange went unnoticed.

Chi Yuzhou resumed eating as if to prove nothing was wrong.

Whatever. He’d eat first.

A little heat couldn’t ruin everything, could it?

Though he rarely ate spicy food, it wasn’t a reason to refuse good food.

Besides, he’d seen Xiao Yingwan pour heaps of chili oil on her noodles before.

He couldn’t be more spice-averse than a girl, could he?

Across the table, Xiao Yingwan saw Chi Yuzhou eating steadily and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

She didn’t doubt her cooking skills.

If nothing went wrong next, his praise would be genuine.

As his bowl emptied, waves of uncontrollable heat rose from within Chi Yuzhou.

With only a little food left, the heat finally became unbearable.

His eyes flickered with panic, but his voice stayed calm:

“Sorry, I just remembered I dropped something in the woods. I’ll go look for it first.”

“Okay.”

Hua Fu made way, opening her mouth to speak. But seeing Chi Yuzhou stride off without looking back, she silently followed.

Chi Yuzhou walked quickly into the woods.

Soon after entering, wisps of white vapor rose from his body, and his clothes began to feel ill-fitting.