"Growl..."
Chen Yixia heard the sound and looked at Qingmian. "Didn't you have breakfast?"
Qingmian's face flushed with embarrassment as she reached up to cover her stomach.
She hadn't eaten anything since last night. Her stomach was full of alcohol. And this morning, she only had a cup of soy milk. Now she was really hungry.
Chen Yixia looked at the teacher on the stage and rummaged through her bag.
"It'll probably take a while for this to end," she said as she fished out two chocolate bars. "Here, have one to tide you over. I'll take you to the cafeteria after it's over."
Qingmian reached out to take the chocolate and gave her a smile. "Thanks."
Chen Yixia also beamed. "Qingmian, you look really nice when you smile. You should smile more often."
The smile faded from Qingmian's face. Chen Yixia's enthusiasm made her feel a long - lost warmth from others, but that was all.
"I tried the signature dish in our school's cafeteria yesterday. No wonder it's Hanlin University! Even the cafeteria food is so delicious, and it's much cheaper than I thought!"
Chen Yixia didn't notice Qingmian's mood and kept chattering away.
Two hours later, the opening ceremony ended.
Chen Yixia looped her arm through Qingmian's and headed out of the auditorium. Qingmian resisted a bit and tried to pull her arm free, but since she couldn't, she just let Chen Yixia lead her.
Hanlin University's cafeteria wasn't far from the auditorium. It was only a ten - minute walk.
Before long, they reached the cafeteria.
"Qingmian, you probably haven't got your card yet. Use mine," Chen Yixia said, waving her cafeteria card in front of Qingmian.
To keep outsiders out, Hanlin University's cafeteria only accepted the school - issued cafeteria cards.
Chen Yixia had just topped up 500 yuan on her card yesterday, so she sounded quite generous.
Qingmian rummaged through her bag, took out 200 yuan in cash, and handed it to Chen Yixia.
She didn't want to owe anyone favors and wasn't used to accepting kindness from others.
There was no such thing as unprovoked kindness in this world. There were only premeditated schemes. She had experienced this long ago and didn't want to make the same mistake again.
Chen Yixia didn't take the money. "Qingmian, what are you doing?"
"Take it. I won't be able to use your card with a clear conscience if you don't."
Chen Yixia still wanted to refuse, but seeing how insistent Qingmian was, she finally took the money.
She pulled Qingmian to a chair and handed her the bag. "Sit here. I'll go buy the food. Do you have any food you don't eat?"
Qingmian shook her head. "No."
"Okay! I'll be back soon."
Chen Yixia said and skipped towards the food window.
Just a few seconds after she left, Chi Yu's lazy voice rang out above Qingmian's head.
"Found the cafeteria so soon?"
Qingmian looked up in the direction of the voice. Chi Yu was standing beside her with a tray in his hand.
As soon as Chi Yu showed up, there were scattered whispers around them.
She frowned slightly, wanting him to leave quickly, and said respectfully, "Good morning, Professor Chi."
But Chi Yu just walked around to the opposite side of her, put the tray on the table, and casually sat down right across from Qingmian.
"This seat is taken," Qingmian tried to stop him.
Chi Yu deliberately glanced around. "Where? I don't see anyone. Classmate Qingmian, don't scare me in broad daylight. I'm a coward."
Then he sat down firmly on the chair.
After he got settled, he tilted his head and looked at Qingmian. His amber eyes were half - smiling. "Pretend you don't know me once you step out the door?"
Qingmian tried to keep a straight face, not even noticing that her ears had turned completely red. She said seriously, "I don't understand what you're talking about, Professor Chi."
Chi Yu spread his hands and shrugged. "It's nothing. If you don't understand, forget it." He pushed the tray in front of Qingmian. "Eat. You haven't eaten for two days. Even a god's body can't take this kind of abuse."
Qingmian was stunned. How did he know she hadn't eaten?
"I wanted to make you a steak this morning, but then I thought your stomach probably couldn't take it, so I just made a cup of soy milk. Sorry about that."
...Who eats steak for breakfast...
Even though she was complaining in her heart, it still felt good to be cared about. She wasn't heartless. She should always be grateful when someone cared about her, even if she didn't really need this kind of care.
Qingmian pushed the tray back in front of Chi Yu. "Thank you for your concern, Professor Chi. My roommate has gone to buy food. You can keep this for yourself."
She thought Chi Yu would push the tray back to her again. She even had the words of refusal on the tip of her tongue, but unexpectedly, he just picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
He even took the time to praise her. "Made a friend so soon? Not bad, classmate Qingmian."
As Chi Yu was speaking, Chen Yixia came over with the food she had bought. When she saw Chi Yu sitting across from Qingmian, she froze on the spot.
Her eyes widened, and her voice stammered. "Ch - Ch - Ch - Ch - Chi..."
Chi Yu looked at her and waved. "Hello, classmate." He tilted his chin towards Qingmian. "Are you Qingmian's roommate?"
Chen Yixia nodded repeatedly. Her eyes were fixed on Chi Yu's handsome face, and she completely forgot to think. It wasn't until Qingmian spoke that she came back to her senses.
"Xiaxia."
Qingmian didn't even call her by her full name. Did this mean that Qingmian already regarded her as a friend!
Chen Yixia happily sat down next to Qingmian and placed the food in front of her one by one. "This is millet congee. You didn't have breakfast, so have the congee first. It won't hurt your stomach. And this is the school's signature lobster noodles. They're delicious!"
Qingmian looked at Chen Yixia. The girl in front of her seemed careless, but she was actually very considerate. A warm feeling welled up in the depths of her heart.
Chi Yu sat across from them, silently watching Chen Yixia's actions without saying a word.
When he saw Qingmian in the imperial capital this time, he felt that she seemed to be more resistant to contact with others. But now seeing her being well taken care of, his original worries faded away.
He had been following the two girls since the end of the ceremony and had come all the way to the cafeteria.
Qingmian was so silly. She never said anything and didn't even know to ask for directions when she got lost. He originally planned to take her to the cafeteria, but unexpectedly, a girl had been pulling her along and chattering in her ear all the way.
Qingmian didn't seem to resist much, so Chi Yu just quietly followed behind.
After they reached the cafeteria, he thought Qingmian didn't have a cafeteria card and planned to buy food for her. But unexpectedly, the girl beat him to it. He was both annoyed and relieved.
Chi Yu heard the girl ask Qingmian if she had any food she didn't eat, and she shook her head.
He couldn't help but laugh when he saw her seriously lying.
She was actually the pickiest eater, but now she said she had no food aversions.
She had really changed. She no longer had her former little temper and didn't show her emotions on her face.
Chi Yu almost couldn't figure her out.
Fortunately, he was trying hard, trying to get closer to her and trying to be seen by her.