Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo sat at the table; neither picked up their chopsticks.
"Spill it—what's up?"
"I…"
Xia Yingluo's gaze darted away, cheeks pink. "Are you free this weekend?"
Ye Chen blinked, then grinned. "Oh? Asking me on a date?"
"H-how did you know?"
Xia Yingluo's eyes went wide, surprise written all over her pretty face.
Ye Chen: "…"
He'd only been joking a second ago.
Never expected the girl actually wanted a date.
And he'd guessed right.
She really wants to go out with me?
Where did this sudden idea come from?
Seeing no reply, she added, disappointed, "It's fine if you're busy."
"I'm free—of course I'm free." Ye Chen hurried to answer.
He knew Xia Yingluo's personality inside out.
For her to muster the courage to ask, it had taken guts.
Could it be…? Nah, impossible.
Sure, he had charm, but Xia Yingluo wasn't the casual type.
Winning her heart completely would take a lot longer.
"I want to visit the Amusement Park," she said. "Haven't been in ages, so I'd like you to come with me."
"The Amusement Park?"
Ye Chen blinked again.
"The last time I went must've been elementary school."
It had been years since he'd set foot in one.
"No problem," he said with a smile.
"Then it's a deal." Xia Yingluo beamed.
Ye Chen nodded.
After the meal, Ye Chen bought two Pork Buns to take back.
Returning to his seat, he saw Li Sitong still sitting there, lost in thought.
He couldn't help asking, "What's on your mind?"
Li Sitong bit her lip. "Ye Chen, are you free next weekend?"
"Huh?"
Ye Chen felt awkward.
Why was everyone asking about next weekend?
He'd just promised Xia Yingluo a daytime trip to the Amusement Park.
Li Sitong's cheeks reddened. "Since you've been tutoring me, my grades keep climbing. My dad insists on thanking you in person and wants you to come for dinner."
Ye Chen considered it.
Evening, huh.
The Amusement Park was a daytime thing; dinner should be fine.
Li Sitong looked at him. "I really want you to come—will you?"
Hearing the earnest plea, Ye Chen said, "Sure. Seven in the evening?"
"Mm." Li Sitong exhaled in relief.
Ye Chen handed her the two Pork Buns.
"Problem solved. Now eat."
"I-I'm not hungry."
"Skipping meals isn't allowed. Open wide—"
"I'll eat myself, thanks." Li Sitong's face flushed as she picked up the bun.
Plan locked: daytime Amusement Park with Xia Yingluo, evening dinner—perfect.
He produced a Yogurt, stuck in the straw, and said dotingly, "From now on, eat properly and behave, got it?"
Li Sitong nodded, cheeks scarlet.
As they chatted, a voice cut in, shattering the cozy mood.
"Ye Chen, do you have a minute?"
It was Su Xiaonuan.
Ye Chen had been tutoring her lately, so they'd grown closer.
Su Xiaonuan looked at him, her gentle smile ever-present.
Looks-wise she rivaled Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo; only a sliver of temperament separated them.
The pure aura exuded by Xia Yingluo and Li Sitong held a slight edge.
"What can I do for you?" Ye Chen asked.
Su Xiaonuan glanced at Li Sitong, then back at Ye Chen, smiling sweetly. "There are a few problems I don't understand—could you explain them?"
She went on, "After you tutored me at home last time, I got it all, but lately I've stacked up new questions and hoped to pick your brain."
She winked at Li Sitong. "Student Si Tong, I'm borrowing Ye Chen—hope you don't mind."
"I…"
Li Sitong's cheeks pinked. "No problem. Ye Chen explains things brilliantly and loves helping—he'll definitely guide you."
Su Xiaonuan turned her smile toward Ye Chen.
But Ye Chen's gaze stayed on Li Sitong.
He watched her sip Yogurt with fond eyes.
"Ye Chen, could you help me with these questions?"
Ye Chen's tone was flat. "Sorry, I'm still tutoring Li Sitong—no time."
…"
Both girls froze.
Su Xiaonuan looked stunned; Li Sitong was dazed.
A moment later twin blossoms of red bloomed on Li Sitong's cheeks.
Su Xiaonuan's gentle smile lingered, but a flicker of loneliness flashed deep in her eyes.
She'd thought the tutoring sessions had raised her standing in Ye Chen's heart.
Now she realized that beside Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo, she remained an outsider.
Watching Su Xiaonuan's retreating back, Li Sitong whispered, "Why did you turn her down?"
"You tutor her and we're in the same Sprint Class—you shouldn't refuse."
Ye Chen chuckled. "Why can't I? Tutoring is contractual; after class we're just classmates. If I'm free I'll help, but when I'm busy with something important, of course I decline."
"And what's so important right now?" Li Sitong rolled her eyes.
"Having lunch with you," he said with a grin. "Nothing tops that."
Li Sitong's face reddened, heart warm.
After class, Ye Chen headed to the Hot Pot Restaurant.
He found a crowd of High School students queuing outside.
And unlike a few days ago, they were from other classes.
He'd hoped the Class Five craze would fade and the restaurant would lose money.
Instead, Class Five traffic dropped, but every other class showed up.
Ye Chen edged closer and caught snippets of conversation.
"This is the place—I double-checked."
"Yeah, Class Five ate here every day last week."
"You really get smarter after eating here? Sounds like magic."
"Didn't you hear? In the latest Mock Exam, thirty-eight Class Five kids cracked the Whole School top 100, twenty-five hit top 50, and six made top 10—all thanks to this Hot Pot."
"My middle-school buddy's in Class Five; after eating here he felt enlightened."
The students grew more excited, eyes blazing at the restaurant—as if one meal would send their grades skyrocketing!