The half-hour cleanup was finally over.

For those thirty minutes, Lu Chengzhou stayed on edge, wary Meng Wanyu might pull something bolder.

Luckily, she stayed reasonable—only occasionally squeezing his hand, nothing more.

Xu Xi kept glancing back at them.

After watching repeatedly, her mood shifted strangely.

She realized she looked at Lu Chengzhou far more often.

Whenever their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat, stirring traces of reluctance and envy.

This odd feeling left her quite troubled.

She couldn’t figure it out—she wasn’t even interested in Lu Chengzhou!

After checking all three’s work, she nodded.

“Great job, everyone. You’ve all done well. Time to head home.”

Meng Wanyu smiled slightly and shot Lu Chengzhou a meaningful glance.

Now standing beside him, she caught the nervous flicker in his eyes as he avoided her gaze.

Casually, she poked his arm and slipped him a note:

“Classmate Lu, how about some late-night snacks tonight?”

Lu Chengzhou glanced at it and handed it back—a clear rejection.

He still needed to find an agency for a part-time job.

Otherwise, his finances would collapse.

Meng Wanyu poked his arm again, passing another note:

“Three hundred bucks. Just keep me company for half an hour.”

Money?

She was actually trying to win him over with cash?

Hmph. Ridiculous…

Lu Chengzhou sneered inwardly. But facing his own poverty, he had to admit—he couldn’t refuse money for pride’s sake.

Damn system—giving skills but zero cash.

He couldn’t exactly set up a street stall solving high school math problems.

People would think he’d lost his mind.

“Alright then.”

He accepted Meng Wanyu’s invitation.

As long as he didn’t show off in front of the male lead, this side character should be safe.

Lu Chengzhou clung to that fragile hope.

Fifteen minutes later, it shattered.

Spotting Lin Chen—disguised, silently watching female lead Su Qiaoman work at the barbecue stall—Lu Chengzhou rubbed his temples and sighed.

“What a small world.”

Just then, the drunk customers by the freezer started shouting.

Tables and chairs clattered loudly under their fists.

Trouble for Su Qiaoman arrived exactly as the original story foretold.

Right on cue, the system chimed:

【Plot Point Triggered: Choose—heroically rescue the female lead, or quietly watch the drama unfold?】

Lu Chengzhou knew both paths led to wildly different outcomes.

In the original, he’d played hero.

A punk with neon-green hair smashed his head with a beer bottle.

Su Qiaoman fainted straight into Lin Chen’s arms.

Lin Chen carried her away, stepping over Lu Chengzhou—leaving the pathetic simp lying on cold ground, battered by wind, rain, and pain.

That was a simp’s fate.

Now? Knowing all that?

No way.

Were the skewers not tasty? Was the beer not cold?

He chose to watch the drama unfold.

Lu Chengzhou ignored Su Qiaoman completely, walked to the best viewing spot, and sat down.

The boss lady brought the menu.

“Our grilled fish and spicy crayfish are excellent. Care to try?”

Meng Wanyu skimmed it.

“This, this, and this…”

The boss lady nodded, jotting notes.

Halfway through, Meng Wanyu added calmly, “Skip all those. Bring one of everything else—the best quality.”

The boss lady blinked, then beamed.

“You got it!”

A half-year’s rare big order!

Thank goodness she’d held her tongue earlier.

After the boss lady left, Meng Wanyu yawned.

She always carried that lazy, half-asleep-cat vibe.

But only Lu Chengzhou knew—her looks weren’t the only cat-like thing. Her personality was mischievous too, delighting in teasing others.

Getting tangled with her meant trouble—physically and mentally.

He’d noticed how she loved challenging his pride, toying with him like a cat batting yarn.

What she truly thought? He dared not guess.

While waiting, Su Qiaoman was already surrounded by punks.

Meng Wanyu shifted her gaze.

Su Qiaoman stood there, the picture of a pushover, stammering apologies.

“What? No money, you brat?!” barked a muscular thug, finger nearly poking her face.

“You planning to pay nothing?”

“Stop crying! I’m talking nicely—don’t act like I’m bullying you!”

“Answer me! How will you compensate?!”

Lin Chen watched from afar, fists clenched tight.

He had some skills, but too many armed thugs.

And Su Qiaoman wasn’t even his girlfriend yet—rushing in would look desperate.

Might even label him a simp.

“That Lu Chengzhou’s sitting closest… Why won’t he help? Isn’t he Qiaoman’s childhood friend?” Lin Chen gritted his teeth.

Lu Chengzhou, seemingly oblivious, quietly sipped his beer.

With him unmoving, Meng Wanyu stayed perfectly still.

As a girl, she saw what the guys missed:

Su Qiaoman had spilled sauce on the thug’s pants, had no cash, and was trying to weasel out with tears.

Stalemate.

Just then, Xu Xi cycled past, spotted the scene, and braked instantly.

Driven by justice, she stepped forward.

“Hey! What are you doing surrounding this girl?”

The thugs turned. One recognized her.

Xu Xi’s dad was legendary at school—taming troublemakers with sheer strength.

Most local punks had felt his discipline.

And Xu Xi often pleaded for them, sparing school punishments.

So she oddly had their respect.

To shield her, younger guys ushered her aside and explained.

“Sister Xi Xi, don’t get involved. This brat ruined our boss’s brand-new pants—cost a fortune—and refuses to pay!”

He pointed at sobbing Su Qiaoman.