Xu Zhilu entered the classroom expressionlessly, clutching her backpack. As soon as she walked in, many of her classmates turned their gazes towards her.

She pretended not to notice and went to her seat. After sitting down, the student in front of her turned around and said, “Zhilu.”

Xu Zhilu looked up.

The student said, “Did you know Shen Siyan has been temporarily expelled?”

Xu Zhilu frowned. “Wasn’t he supposed to go home and reflect for a week?”

The student exclaimed, “Oh, right, but isn’t that pretty much the same as being expelled?”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

The student continued, “I wonder why Shen Siyan fought. It seems like he hasn’t been in a fight for a while.”

Xu Zhilu took out her textbook and responded coldly.

Seeing her lack of interest, the student said a few more words and then stopped.

The student muttered, “I thought you’d be interested.”

After the person turned back around, Xu Zhilu raised her eyes to look at their retreating back.

She stared at it for a long time before lowering her head to read.

The words in front of her were familiar, and she could understand every single term, but she just couldn’t focus on them.

Xu Zhilu took a deep breath, pulled out her phone, glanced at it, and then calmed herself down.

Reflecting at home wasn’t really a big deal.

The entire morning, Xu Zhilu was a bit distracted.

Xin An’an, well aware of her distraction’s reason, considerately didn’t ask much.

“What do you want to eat for lunch?”

As class was about to end, she leaned close to Xu Zhilu’s ear and asked.

Xu Zhilu shook her head. “I’m not very hungry.”

Xin An’an was silent for a moment, then sighed, “Don’t be like this, you still need to eat.”

She thought for a moment, “How about we go out to eat? I really feel like having a bullfrog^[1]is a type of amphibian known for its large size and often consumed as food in many Asian cuisines. It’s valued for its tender meat and is typically prepared in various dishes such as stir-fries … Continue reading.”

Their school allowed students to leave campus for lunch, which was quite convenient.

Xu Zhilu thought for a moment and nodded. “Okay.”

As soon as the bell rang, Xin An’an dragged her out.

The bullfrog restaurant Xin An’an wanted to go to was very popular. It was always packed during lunch and dinner, and if they were late, they’d have to wait in line.

Although they ran out as soon as class ended, they got delayed a bit on the way, and by the time they arrived, the restaurant was already full.

Xu Zhilu glanced around and raised her eyebrows.

Xin An’an sighed and asked helplessly, “Shall we wait?”

“Sure.”

Xu Zhilu said, “I’m not very hungry.”

Xin An’an patted her own empty stomach and hummed twice in response.

The two of them looked around, just about to find a place to wait until someone came out.

“Xu Zhilu.”

Xu Zhilu looked up and was clearly surprised to see the person.

“Peng Jin?”

Peng Jin smiled and nodded. “It’s me.” He glanced at Xu Zhilu and asked, “Are you here to eat?”

“…Yeah, but it’s full.”

Peng Jin looked at the person beside her and suggested, “If you don’t mind, would you like to share a table?”

Xu Zhilu looked at Xin An’an.

Xin An’an quickly nodded. “We don’t mind, it’s up to you.”

Peng Jin nodded. “Then let’s share a table.”

“…Alright.”

–

Following them into the restaurant, Xin An’an tugged on Xu Zhilu’s sleeve and whispered, “Who is this? I don’t recognize him.”

Xu Zhilu responded with an “Mm” and patted her head. “I met him at the English speech contest last time; he’s from the school next door.”

Next to their school was another high school, but the nature of the two schools was different, so there wasn’t much interaction.

In Xu Zhilu’s memory, she had met Peng Jin during the English speech contest, but they weren’t particularly close.

They were just the kind of acquaintances who would greet each other when they met.

Peng Jin wasn’t alone; he was with another boy.

After introductions and greetings, Xin An’an, being naturally sociable, started chatting with the two of them.

Xu Zhilu listened on the side, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

Social expert indeed.

Peng Jin sat across from her, listening to the conversation next to him. He poured Xu Zhilu a glass of water. “How have you been lately?”

Xu Zhilu let out an “ah” and smiled, “Pretty good.”

Peng Jin nodded and, in a low voice, asked, “There’s another contest coming up soon. Will you participate?”

Xu Zhilu was taken aback and thought for a moment, “I’m not sure, I’ll see when the time comes.”

Peng Jin nodded, speaking concisely, “I suggest you try, it will be beneficial in the future.”

“Alright, thank you.”

After finishing their meal, Xu Zhilu wanted to pay for the bill but was told that someone had already paid.

She looked at Peng Jin.

Peng Jin smiled. “It’s just a meal, don’t worry about it.”

Xu Zhilu shook her head, speaking softly, “I’ll transfer it to you.”

Peng Jin’s smile stiffened, and he asked in a low voice, “Do we really need to be this clear?”

Xu Zhilu smiled slightly. “I feel bad about taking advantage.”

Peng Jin: “It’s okay, if you really feel bad, you can treat me next time we meet.”

Xu Zhilu’s lips moved as if she wanted to say something more. Just then, a familiar voice called out, “Xu Zhilu.”

She paused and turned to look.

Standing not far away were Shen Siyan and Cheng Song, who were supposed to be home-reflecting.

When Xu Zhilu looked over, Cheng Song was waving at her, while Shen Siyan was leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking stern.

Xu Zhilu met his gaze from a distance and could vaguely sense the hostility emanating from him.

She frowned slightly, but didn’t dwell on it.

“A classmate?” Peng Jin asked beside her.

Xu Zhilu nodded, giving a gentle smile. “Mm.”

She felt her pockets, realizing she didn’t have any cash.

“If you don’t mind, can I transfer via WeChat?”

Peng Jin: “…”

He paused, then took out his phone and said, “Alright, let’s add each other. It’ll be good for future communication.”

Xu Zhilu hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay.”

After adding him as a friend, Xin An’an pulled her to the other side.

As soon as they got there, Cheng Song curiously asked, “Who was that just now?”

“Someone from the school next door.”

Cheng Song raised an eyebrow and said, “He looks pretty handsome. What were you guys doing?”

Before Xu Zhilu could respond, Xin An’an started chattering about what had just happened.

Cheng Song exclaimed, “How generous!”

Xin An’an retorted, “Not everyone is as stingy as you.”

Cheng Song: “…”

Shen Siyan and Xu Zhilu didn’t speak.

They stood there for a while before Xu Zhilu suddenly heard him ask, “Did you enjoy your meal?”

Xu Zhilu: “…Of course.”

Without thinking, she retorted, “It’s better than eating at the school cafeteria.”

Shen Siyan: “…”

Xu Zhilu glanced at him and asked, “Why did you come to school?”
“Nothing much,” Shen Siyan said nonchalantly. “Just picking up some things.”

“Oh.”

Xu Zhilu didn’t ask further. “Then An’an and I are going back to class.”

“…Well.”

Xu Zhilu pressed her lips together, grabbed Xin An’an, and walked away.

Watching the two of them walk off, Cheng Song asked in confusion, “Brother Yan, why didn’t you tell Xu Zhilu you came here just to see her?”

Shen Siyan glanced at him and pulled out his phone.

As Xu Zhilu walked, her phone chimed.

She opened it while talking to Xin An’an and saw a money transfer from Shen Siyan.

Xu Zhilu:?

Shen Siyan: Don’t let strangers treat you to meals. You’re not worried the food might be unsafe?