Chance Encounter in the Cafeteria

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

As soon as she finished speaking, she realized how abrupt it sounded. Afraid Cao Longyan would refuse, she hurriedly widened her eyes and added,

"J-just a simple meal! It's no trouble at all!"

Before Cao Longyan could reply, Wang Dong came over, clapped him on the shoulder, and grinned mischievously as he waggled his eyebrows.

"Sure, sure! Longyan, I'll leave you two to it, then. Wouldn't want to interrupt you while you're building your relationship!"

Wang Dong's words instantly turned Xiao Xiao's cheeks red all the way to her ears. She felt so hot and flustered that she wanted to crawl into a hole.

But the next second, a faint chill quietly swept over her, carrying a trace of warmth as it gently enveloped her. The heat faded at once, leaving her feeling much more refreshed.

Xiao Xiao paused in surprise and instinctively looked up at Cao Longyan. He was staring at Wang Dong with an amused, almost mischievous smile. A pale-blue orb of light slowly gathered in his left palm, cold air stirring faintly around it. His tone was teasing, but carried a hint of warning.

"Wang Dong, what was that you just said? Want to find out what Wrath of the Ice Dragon King feels like?"

The mischievous grin froze on Wang Dong's face. When he saw the icy-blue orb in Cao Longyan's palm and felt the terrifying aura coming from it, he shuddered and hurriedly waved his hands in surrender.

"Wait, wait! Longyan, I was wrong!"

Before he could say another word, he activated his Light Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul. A pair of dazzling butterfly wings appeared behind him, and he darted out of the classroom at top speed without daring to say anything else.

He was genuinely afraid Cao Longyan would get serious. He had seen the power of Wrath of the Ice Dragon King with his own eyes, and getting hit by it would definitely hurt.

Watching Wang Dong flee in a panic, Cao Longyan's smile deepened. He casually dispersed the icy-blue orb in his palm. He had only meant to scare Wang Dong a little. The boy shouldn't have teased him and Xiao Xiao like that.

Turning to Xiao Xiao, who was still blushing and flustered, Cao Longyan softened his tone and nodded gently.

"Sure. Sorry for the trouble, Xiao Xiao."

He didn't want to turn down Xiao Xiao's kind offer.

Still, he didn't think of it as anything romantic. He simply didn't want to hurt the feelings of such a sweet, soft-spoken girl by refusing her.

But Xiao Xiao saw it quite differently. In her eyes, Cao Longyan's gentle smile and straightforward acceptance were both signs of something more. Her heart began racing out of control again, and the flush on her cheeks refused to fade.

The two left the classroom side by side and headed toward the cafeteria.

Cao Longyan's unfairly handsome face and cool, aloof air drew plenty of attention along the way, but he paid none of it any mind.

Beside him, Xiao Xiao couldn't help letting her thoughts run wild.

Could Cao Longyan like me? He even used his cold air to help cool me down. Is he this gentle with everyone? Was I too clingy by asking him to eat with me? Will he find me annoying?

Just as they were nearing the cafeteria entrance, two familiar figures came toward them. They were Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

Bei Bei spotted Cao Longyan at once, broke into a warm smile, and hurried over, resting one hand on Cao Longyan's shoulder.

Cao Longyan had grown quite a bit taller by now. He was only half a head shorter than Bei Bei, and the two made a good pair standing together.

"Longyan, classes are over? Heading to the cafeteria?"

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

This was the first time she'd seen Cao Longyan—the master of Rakshasa Street—with a girl his own age by his side. And she was such a sweet, absent-minded little thing! Curious, Tang Ya hurried over, gave Xiao Xiao a once-over, and greeted her warmly.

"Hi, junior! I'm Tang Ya, and this is Bei Bei. We're both old friends of Longyan's, and Bei Bei's his cousin."

Cao Longyan smiled and lifted a hand to greet Bei Bei and Tang Ya with a nod.

"Bei Bei, Sister Xiaoya. What a coincidence."

Tang Ya's attention left Xiao Xiao at a loss. Her cheeks grew even redder, and she hurriedly lowered her head and answered softly.

"B-Bel Bei, hello, senior. Hello, Senior Xiaoya. I'm Xiao Xiao."

"Xiao Xiao? What a cute name!"

Tang Ya smiled and tousled Xiao Xiao's hair, her fondness for her plain to see.

After all, she supported the master of Rakshasa Street, Cao Longyan, without reservation.

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

Xiao Xiao had meant to treat Cao Longyan by getting the food and paying herself, but before she knew it, Cao Longyan had drawn her along behind Bei Bei and Tang Ya.

By the time she realized what was happening, Cao Longyan had already gotten her food and paid for it. He was holding her by the wrist as they walked over to a table and sat down.

The table had four seats. Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao sat side by side on one side, while Bei Bei and Tang Ya sat opposite them. Seeing the two together, Bei Bei and Tang Ya exchanged a smile and a knowing glance.

Xiao Xiao looked at the food in front of her, then at Cao Longyan. Only then did she fully come to her senses. Her cheeks reddened as she said, a little embarrassed,

"Cao Longyan, wait, I was supposed to treat you. Why did you pay...?"

Cao Longyan smiled, his tone warm and casual.

"It's fine. It's just one meal. You can treat me next time."

He said it naturally, without a hint of intention behind it. But to Xiao Xiao, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya, his words carried a whole other meaning.

Treat him next time... Wasn't that basically assuming there'd be another chance for them to eat together?

Xiao Xiao's face went scarlet, and she nearly buried her head in her bowl. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it would leap out of her chest. Bei Bei and Tang Ya exchanged smiles, wearing matching knowing grins, their eyes full of a "we get it" kind of suggestiveness.

Cao Longyan looked at the three of them, bewildered, and scratched his head.

What's going on? Did I say something wrong? Why is Xiao Xiao so red, and why are Bei Bei and Teacher Xiaoya smiling so strangely?

But he didn't dwell on it. He picked up his chopsticks and got ready to eat.

A moment later, Bei Bei was the first to break the strange mood. He smiled and asked,

"Longyan, Xiao Xiao, it's your first day in the outer courtyard. Are you settling in? Can you keep up with Teacher Zhou Yi's class?"

Cao Longyan nodded and casually told them what had happened that morning, brushing over the details.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya froze, their smiles faltering. They asked almost in unison,

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

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

Still, when they remembered it was Cao Longyan, it somehow seemed like anything was possible...

But Xiao Xiao was looking at Cao Longyan with admiration and a hint of shyness. Bei Bei and Tang Ya immediately caught the whiff of gossip.

After their initial shock, the two exchanged a glance and turned their attention to Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao. Their curiosity blazed as they launched into a barrage of questions.

"Longyan, how did you and Xiao Xiao meet?"

"Yeah, Xiao Xiao, what made you want to treat Longyan to a meal?"

"Why were you two walking side by side?"

"Come on, tell us. Is there some little story between you two?"

Bei Bei and Tang Ya peppered them with questions, asking everything from how they'd met to why they'd come to the cafeteria together.

Cao Longyan stayed perfectly calm. Knowing what he was like, they focused on Xiao Xiao instead, though they still tried to keep it under control.

Even so, Xiao Xiao barely knew them, and their questions left her more and more flustered. Her face grew redder and redder. She only looked at them, her lips parting slightly, but no sound came out.

Seeing how uncomfortable and helpless Xiao Xiao looked, Cao Longyan set down his chopsticks and held out a hand in front of her, gently shielding her from Bei Bei and Tang Ya's gaze. His tone was mild, but left no room for argument.

"Enough, Bei Bei, Sister Xiaoya. Stop asking and eat. We still have class this afternoon. Don't be late."

His gesture was easy and gentle, clearly protecting Xiao Xiao and keeping them from putting her on the spot.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya understood they couldn't tease her any further. They shrugged, still looking unsatisfied, and dropped their gossip before lowering their heads to eat.

Xiao Xiao looked up at Cao Longyan, who had come to her rescue. Her eyes were full of gratitude as she murmured,

"Th-thank you, Cao Longyan."

Cao Longyan turned to her with a gentle smile, his voice soft.

"You're welcome. If they ask something you don't want to answer, you don't have to force yourself. Just say no."

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

They're so adorable together!

Just then, a familiar voice sounded nearby, hurried yet delighted.

"Teacher Xiaoya! Senior Bei Bei!"

The group looked up and saw Huo Yuhao hurrying over, looking somewhat tired.

He came to the table, glanced around, and froze when he saw Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao. Then he smiled.

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

Still, why did it feel like he'd shown up at the worst possible time...?