“Stuck on you? I think you’re still dreaming.”
Lin Mengyao shot Jiang Fan a withering glare. She *was* intrigued by him, but liking him? Not even close. Yesterday’s kiss was just a tiny accident—she wasn’t some 2D anime waifu who’d fall head over heels after a single peck.
Jiang Fan didn’t flinch. Honestly, if Lin Mengyao acted like some sheltered, naive heiress, he’d have second thoughts about keeping her around.
Letting a harmless little lamb face Mu Yuli? That’d only backfire. He needed a *smart* ally.
“Just kidding. I know my place.”
He pulled his head back, laughing it off like it was nothing.
“It’s late. Have you eaten lunch? If not, let’s talk in the cafeteria. I skipped breakfast—I’m starving.”
This time, he didn’t wait for her reply and strode straight toward the dining hall.
Seeing his determined pace, Lin Mengyao knew he wasn’t in the mood to chat. She swallowed her annoyance and followed reluctantly. With his attitude, she’d probably have to chase him down later just to get a word in.
“Wait up! Why walk so fast?”
Jiang Fan wasn’t actually rushing. But under the blazing sun, even a few steps felt exhausting. Lin Mengyao usually lounged in air-conditioned rooms while meals were delivered to her. She huffed, wiping her brow.
“Wearing a jacket in this heat? *You’re* the one who should visit the campus clinic for heatstroke.”
Catching up, she matched his stride. She hadn’t forgotten his jab earlier—and now she seized her chance to strike back.
“If you say so.”
Jiang Fan shrugged, not even glancing at her. His thick-skinned indifference left her victory feeling hollow. Realizing he was deliberately provoking her, Lin Mengyao clamped her mouth shut. She’d just taken a silent L.
Students gaped as the pair walked by. Lin Mengyao’s campus fame meant every eye burned with curiosity, shock, and envy at the unknown guy beside her. To them, walking alongside someone like her was a fantasy—especially for a nobody like Jiang Fan.
Lin Mengyao noticed the stares and smirked inwardly. *Exactly the effect I wanted.*
Even if they weren’t dating, her admirers would panic seeing her close to another guy. Then she could sit back and watch them fight like dogs.
As expected, the third-floor cafeteria—reserved for seniors—was nearly empty. But the popular food stalls were scraped clean, plates gleaming like they’d been licked bare.
Jiang Fan didn’t care. He’d eat anything.
Just as he headed for his usual window, Lin Mengyao yanked his arm.
“Nothing’s left here. Come upstairs. Fewer people. Better for talking.”
Since her arrival, she’d naturally become the center of attention. Now all eyes locked onto Jiang Fan—the gloomy stranger the campus goddess was dragging around.
“If we can eat upstairs, fine by me,” Jiang Fan shrugged, ignoring the stares.
The fourth floor was the faculty dining hall. Better food, no shortages. But students rarely dared to go there—imagine a teacher sitting beside you for an “informal chat” mid-meal.
“I’ll take you. It’s fine.”
Her status granted her privileges. The school likely warned teachers not to bother “special” students like her.
Under everyone’s stunned gaze, Lin Mengyao grabbed Jiang Fan’s wrist and pulled him upstairs. For two full minutes after they vanished, the entire cafeteria fell into a stunned silence.
*Lin Mengyao… held a guy’s hand?*
*Was Jingjiang No.1 High’s most sought-after flower about to be claimed?*
Of course, Jiang Fan had let her pull him along on purpose. He was testing her—seeing if she was worth his time.
The fourth floor was quieter. A few teachers and faculty kids in uniforms ate here. Even they stared at the unexpected pair. Lin Mengyao needed no introduction, but Jiang Fan? Pure mystery.
No one approached. Teachers glanced away quickly. Only a few students kept sneaking looks—and a couple shot Jiang Fan openly hostile glares.
“Let’s eat over there and talk,” Lin Mengyao said, pointing to a corner table after grabbing their trays.
Jiang Fan nodded. They sat across from each other.
He *was* starving. He buried his head in his meal the moment he sat down.
Lin Mengyao barely touched her food. Jiang Fan was far more interesting.
“You’re really not gay? I can’t believe any straight guy would ignore a pretty girl.”
She still wouldn’t drop it. Jiang Fan looked up, giving her a slow, disdainful once-over—like she was painfully shallow.
“I have a girlfriend. You want me to cheat?”
Suddenly, he dropped his chopsticks, jerked back in his seat, and clutched his shoulders defensively.
“Sorry, but we’re not compatible. You’re a great girl—you’ll find someone better.”
“Piss off! Who died and made *you* the king of the friendzone?!”
Her shout drew glances from nearby teachers. Lin Mengyao’s face flushed crimson, then pale. She seethed, teeth grinding like she wanted to devour him whole.
Then—she spotted it. Strange marks on his neck. *Bite marks?*
Jiang Fan’s expression flickered for a split second. He yanked his jacket zipper up, hiding his neck, and resumed eating like nothing happened.
Lin Mengyao wasn’t letting this slide.
She lunged across the table to unzip his collar. Jiang Fan snatched her wrist mid-reach.
“What? Harassing guys in broad daylight now?”
Lin Mengyao smirked. She’d caught him. “Heh… Those were teeth marks, right? They weren’t there last night at the bar. Then you went to the hospital, so…”
Her grin turned wicked. “Wow, Senior Jiang Fan. Uniforms too? You’re *really* into roleplay, huh?”
