Chance Encounter in the Cafeteria

"Cao Longyan, thank you for... for earlier. Let me treat you to a meal at the cafeteria."

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt it was too abrupt. Fearing that Cao Longyan might refuse, she quickly widened her eyes and added, "It's... it's just a simple meal, it won't be any trouble at all!"

Before Cao Longyan could respond, Wang Dong leaned in, patted Cao Longyan on the shoulder, and with a cheeky grin and a wink, said, "Sure, sure! Longyan, I'll head off first then. I won't disturb you two as you get to know each other!"

Wang Dong's words made Xiao Xiao's cheeks flush to the roots of her ears instantly. She felt a wave of heat wash over her, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

But the next second, a faint chill quietly drifted over, carrying a touch of warmth that gently enveloped her. It instantly dispelled the heat from her body, leaving her feeling refreshed.

Xiao Xiao was slightly stunned. She instinctively looked up at Cao Longyan and saw him staring at Wang Dong with a half-smile, his eyes hiding a hint of mischievous intent. A pale blue orb of light slowly gathered in his left palm, with cold energy faintly surging within it. His tone was both teasing and menacing.

"Wang Dong, what did you just say? Do you want to taste the Wrath of the Ice Dragon King?"

The cheeky grin on Wang Dong's face froze instantly. Seeing the ice-blue orb in Cao Longyan's palm and the terrifying aura emanating from it, he shivered all over and hurriedly waved his hands in surrender.

"No, no, no! Longyan, I was wrong!"

Before the words had even faded, he activated his Radiant Goddess Butterfly martial soul. A pair of gorgeous butterfly wings appeared behind him, and with a flash, he flew out of the classroom at top speed, not daring to say another word.

He was genuinely afraid that Cao Longyan was serious; he had seen the power of the Wrath of the Ice Dragon King with his own eyes, and taking a hit from that would definitely be unpleasant.

Watching Wang Dong's panicked retreat, the smile on Cao Longyan's lips deepened. He casually dissipated the ice-blue light in his palm; he had only intended to scare Wang Dong, who told him to go around teasing him and Xiao Xiao?

Turning to look at Xiao Xiao, who was still blushing and flustered, Cao Longyan softened his tone, nodded gently, and said, "Alright then, I'll take you up on that, Xiao Xiao."

He didn't want to let down Xiao Xiao's kind intentions.

However, he didn't think of it in a romantic way; he simply didn't want to hurt the heart of this sweet, soft-spoken girl by refusing her.

But Xiao Xiao thought quite differently. To her, Cao Longyan's gentle smile and his straightforward acceptance were signals of something else. Her heart began to race uncontrollably again, and the crimson flush on her cheeks refused to fade.

The two walked out of the classroom side by side, heading toward the cafeteria.

Cao Longyan's rule-breaking good looks and cold, aloof temperament attracted many gazes along the way, but he paid them no mind.

Xiao Xiao, walking beside him, couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.

Does Cao Longyan like me? He specifically used his cold energy to help me cool down just now—is he this gentle with everyone? Is it too clingy of me to invite him to eat like this? Will he find me annoying...

Just as they were about to reach the cafeteria entrance, two familiar figures walked toward them: Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

Bei Bei spotted Cao Longyan immediately. A warm smile appeared on his face as he quickened his pace and draped an arm over Cao Longyan's shoulder.

Cao Longyan had grown quite a bit, now only half a head shorter than Bei Bei. Standing together, they looked quite compatible.

"Brother Yan, class is over? Heading to the cafeteria to eat?"

Tang Ya's gaze shifted, landing on Xiao Xiao beside Cao Longyan, and her eyes lit up slightly.

This was the first time she had seen Cao Longyan, the Master of Rakshasa Street, accompanied by a girl his own age—and such a cute, naive little thing at that. Curiosity piqued, she walked up to Xiao Xiao, looked her up and down, and greeted her warmly.

"Hello there, junior! I'm Tang Ya, and this is Bei Bei. We're both close to Longyan; in fact, Bei Bei is Cao Longyan's cousin."

Cao Longyan also smiled, raised his hand, and nodded at Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

"Brother Bei Bei, Sister Ya, what a coincidence."

Xiao Xiao was caught off guard by Tang Ya's scrutiny. Her cheeks flushed even deeper, and she quickly lowered her head, responding in a small voice.

"Be... Brother Bei Bei, hello. Sister Tang Ya, hello. My name is Xiao Xiao."

"Xiao Xiao? What a cute name!"

Tang Ya smiled and ruffled Xiao Xiao's hair, her affection plain to see.

After all, she was an unconditional supporter of the Street Master, Cao Longyan.

The four of them chatted and laughed as they walked into the cafeteria together.

Xiao Xiao had originally planned to be the one to order and pay for the meal, but before she knew it, she was being led by Cao Longyan, following behind Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

By the time she realized what was happening, Cao Longyan had already ordered their food, paid for it, and was holding her wrist as he led her to a table.

It was a four-person table. Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao sat side-by-side on one side, while Bei Bei and Tang Ya sat opposite them. Seeing the two of them, they exchanged a knowing look and a secret smile.

Xiao Xiao looked at the food in front of her, then at Cao Longyan, and finally snapped back to reality. Her cheeks turned red as she said, feeling quite embarrassed, "Cao Longyan, this isn't right. I was supposed to treat you, why did you pay..."

Hearing this, Cao Longyan couldn't help but smile, his tone gentle and casual.

"It's fine, it's just a meal. You can treat me next time."

His tone was natural, without a hint of pretense, but to Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya, it was full of suggestive meaning.

Next time... Doesn't that imply there will be more opportunities to eat together in the future?

Xiao Xiao's face turned beet red, and she nearly buried her head in her rice bowl, her heart beating so fast it felt like it might jump out of her chest. Bei Bei and Tang Ya exchanged a smile, their faces wearing standard "auntie" grins, their eyes full of "we know what's going on" ambiguity.

Cao Longyan looked at their strange reactions, completely bewildered. He scratched his head, filled with confusion.

What's going on? Did I say something wrong? Why is Xiao Xiao blushing like that, and why are Bei Bei and Teacher Tang Ya smiling so strangely?

He didn't dwell on it, however, and picked up his chopsticks to start eating.

A moment later, Bei Bei was the first to break the subtle atmosphere, asking with a smile.

"Brother Yan, Xiao Xiao, are you two adjusting well to your first day in the Outer Court? Can you keep up with Teacher Zhou Yi's lessons?"

Cao Longyan nodded indifferently, casually glossing over the events of the morning as he recounted them.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya were stunned instantly, the smiles on their faces freezing as they asked almost in unison.

"What? You actually stood up to Teacher Zhou Yi and succeeded?"

They knew Zhou Yi's temper and strength all too well.

Yet, once they realized it was Cao Longyan, they felt anything was possible.

Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao looked at Cao Longyan with a mix of admiration and shyness, and the two of them instantly caught a whiff of gossip.

After the shock wore off, the pair exchanged a glance and turned their focus toward Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao, the fires of gossip burning in their eyes as they launched a barrage of questions.

"Brother Yan, how did you and Xiao Xiao meet?"

"Yeah, yeah, Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, what made you decide to treat Longyan to a meal?"

"Why were you two walking side by side?"

"Quick, tell us, is there some little story between you two?"

Bei Bei and Tang Ya chimed in one after another, questioning them in meticulous detail, from how they met to why they came to the cafeteria together.

Cao Longyan remained calm, and knowing his personality, they shifted their target directly to Xiao Xiao, though they still showed some restraint.

Even so, the still-unfamiliar Xiao Xiao became increasingly embarrassed under their questioning, her face turning redder and redder; she just looked at them, her mouth slightly agape, unable to utter a sound.

Seeing Xiao Xiao's flustered and helpless state, Cao Longyan set down his chopsticks and reached out, gently shielding her from Bei Bei and Tang Ya's gaze, his tone flat yet brooking no refusal.

"Alright, Brother Bei Bei, Sister Tang Ya, stop asking. Let's eat; we have class this afternoon, don't let us be late."

His movement was natural and gentle, clearly protecting Xiao Xiao so she wouldn't be put on the spot.

Seeing this, Bei Bei and Tang Ya knew they couldn't tease them any further, so they shrugged with lingering interest, put aside their gossiping, and began to eat.

Xiao Xiao looked up at Cao Longyan, who had come to her rescue, her eyes filled with gratitude as she whispered.

"Th... thank you, classmate Cao Longyan."

Cao Longyan turned to look at her, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he spoke softly.

"No need to thank me. In the future, if they ask you questions you don't want to answer, don't force yourself—just refuse them directly."

Bei Bei and Tang Ya watched them, their eyes sparkling.

So sweet!

Just then, a familiar voice drifted over from not far away, carrying a hint of urgency and a touch of surprise.

"Teacher Tang Ya! Senior Brother Bei Bei!"

The group looked up at the sound to see Huo Yuhao walking over quickly, his face showing traces of fatigue.

He reached the table and scanned it, pausing in surprise when he saw Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao, before breaking into a smile.

"Eh? Longyan, Xiao Xiao, you're here too! What a coincidence!"

Though, he couldn't help but feel like his timing was a bit off...