When Chi Yuzhou returned to the group, Xiao Yingwan and the others had already washed all the dishes.
"Oh, Yuzhou? Find what you were looking for?"
"Found it."
Qi Hua tilted her head slightly, peering past him.
"Something wrong?"
"Didn’t you run into Hua Fu? She went with you—said she needed to talk."
"...Didn’t see her."
Chi Yuzhou’s tone remained flat. But as his words faded, Hua Fu walked back into the group.
Her gaze lingered on him for a brief moment.
Chi Yuzhou noticed. He stayed composed, though he’d carefully brushed off the dust from his trousers before returning—checking every detail, terrified of leaving clues.
*She couldn’t possibly know.*
Xiao Yingwan watched silently from the side.
*Logically, he should at least compliment my cooking. Or look at me more.*
But no. He was exchanging glances with that country girl instead.
A faint sense of defeat pricked at her chest.
*Why do I feel... less than Hua Fu?*
She refused to accept it.
*After this tutoring ends, I’ll see if he truly doesn’t notice me.*
Silence settled over the five of them—until a chef’s voice boomed through a megaphone nearby:
"Remember to dispose of kitchen waste in the designated bins! Understood?"
"Got it!" came the scattered replies.
Chi Yuzhou volunteered to take out the trash.
*They even washed my dishes while I was gone. I can’t just freeload.*
As he lifted a garbage bag, Hua Fu picked up another. She nodded, signaling she’d join him.
Chi Yuzhou couldn’t refuse. *With so many students around, she won’t try anything.*
They walked side by side, ordinary and unnoticed, passing clusters of chatting classmates. No words were exchanged.
At the disposal site, Chi Yuzhou moved toward a random bin—until Hua Fu pointed.
"Wet waste goes here."
"Right."
On the way back, Hua Fu walked slightly ahead, keeping a careful distance.
Just before reaching the group, she finally spoke:
"Chi Yuzhou."
"Yeah?"
Her eyes held a quiet plea.
"...Would you come to my place sometime? My little brother wants someone to game with. You could stay for dinner too, if you don’t mind."
*Free gaming and a meal?*
Realizing her request, Chi Yuzhou asked instead:
"What do you usually cook?"
"Whatever my siblings want. I can make it."
"...Then I’ll trouble you."
Seeing her confidence when talking about cooking, he had no doubts.
*Unless she’s figured me out...*
The lingering taste of her earlier dishes still warmed his tongue. He turned to her, voice soft but sincere:
"Eating your cooking every day... must be pure happiness."
"......"
Wind swept a strand of hair from his face, revealing one clear eye. Hua Fu froze, caught off guard.
*That wasn’t flattery. He meant it.*
She lowered her gaze, hiding whatever flickered in her thoughts.
......
The bus ride back to school was uneventful.
Before dismissal, their homeroom teacher droned on about trivialities—then assigned an essay on the day’s activities. Groans rose from students who’d hoped for no homework.
Chi Yuzhou sighed inwardly.
*What did I even do today?*
*Gathered firewood. Ate amazing food. Nearly exposed myself.*
But he had to admit—humans truly mastered cooking.
Whether it was the curry Xiao Yingwan and Hua Fu made, or Guanmingxue’s stew... every bite was exceptional.
*Delicious. Addictive.*
*They should hold this event more often.*
*Freedom tastes like curry.*
As the dismissal bell rang, Hua Fu turned in her seat, phone screen showing a QR code.
"Add me? Message me before coming—I’ll prepare properly."
"Sure."
Chi Yuzhou pulled out his basic smartphone. *Lately, this old thing keeps getting noticed.*
He didn’t mind.
Saving her contact under "Hua Fu," he noted the hydrangea avatar.
"...See you."
"Mm. Bye."
After parting ways, Chi Yuzhou headed straight to the fourth-floor classroom.
Xiao Yingwan was already there, reading quietly by the window.
Sunset light gilded her hair as a breeze drifted through the open window. She brushed a stray strand behind her ear—her gaze lifting to meet his, carrying an unspoken weight.
A moment of perfect, natural beauty.
Chi Yuzhou didn’t pause. He sat directly across from her.
Xiao Yingwan’s face stayed calm. Only her clenched fist beneath the desk betrayed her turmoil.
*Why does he always make me feel... inadequate?*
*Is he... south of normal?*
Tutoring began. Chi Yuzhou focused intently on her explanations.
During a pause, Xiao Yingwan’s voice cut through the quiet:
"Did you... enjoy today’s activity?"
"Yeah. It was fun."
*Thrilling, actually. But genuinely fun.*
"And... my cooking?"
"Yours and Hua Fu’s dishes were delicious."
His voice lifted slightly at the memory of the food.
*Why must he mention her? Every time.*
*Is he doing this on purpose?*
She recalled the subtle glances between him and Hua Fu during the group activity.
*Could there be something between this otaku and that country girl?*
*Are they... actually dating?*
