"Let's go, class monitor. My tummy's rumbling like thunder. We need to go get a good meal. I'm sick of the cafeteria."
As she spoke, Xiao Xiao started pushing him toward the door by his stomach.
"Ahem, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian made plans with me a long time ago. It wouldn't be very nice to stand her up, would it?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Ning Tian's eyes, as if she were saying, You remembered?
"So, so that's how it is? I was the one who came later?"
Xiao Xiao's face burned scarlet. Thinking back to what she'd just done, she wished she could bury her face in Ling Tianchen's clothes and never come out.
"Th-then why didn't you tell me sooner? And...and you still agreed to my request..."
"That's right, Tianchen. You can't split yourself in two. One of us has to get stood up, so you'd better make your choice."
There was a hint of sadness in Ning Tian's eyes. She had already prepared herself to be the one rejected, and had even worked out how to make a dignified exit in her dejection. She waited for the verdict with a smile.
Ling Tianchen was at a loss. His head felt twice its usual size. In the end, he still hadn't managed to dodge the ultimate dilemma: choosing between two options.
Forget it. Only children had to choose. He wanted both.
It was only a simple meal. It didn't mean anything, he told himself.
"Come over here, Ning Tian."
"Huh?" Ning Tian froze for a moment. "Does that mean...you chose me?" The corners of her mouth hadn't even had time to lift before Ling Tianchen's next words followed.
"That's not what I mean. You can both come with me. No one has to get hurt, and the world