"Zixin."
The voice came from nearby.
The smile on Ouyang Zixin's face faltered slightly before she turned around.
Once she saw who it was, her eyes visibly lit up, and she rose to greet him.
"Senior?"
"You came here to eat too?"
Tang Wulin remained in his seat.
Ouyang Zixin happened to block his view. All he could see was that the newcomer was tall, wore the uniform of Eastsea Academy's Senior Division, and held his shoulders straight.
The young man smiled. "Yes, I brought my little sister out for something to eat."
"I've been preparing for finals lately. It feels like I haven't seen you in two weeks."
He paused.
"You're getting prettier and prettier."
Ouyang Zixin tucked the long hair beside her ear behind her shoulder, her smile softening.
"Not at all."
"You always know just what to say, Senior."
Tang Wulin lowered his head and picked up a meat skewer.
For some reason, his mood, which had improved considerably, grew heavy again.
There was no reason for this discomfort.
Ouyang Zixin had merely run into a senior she knew, and he had only said a few words.
Yet when she spoke to Tang Wulin, although she was friendly, her smile always carried the indulgence of someone coaxing a child.
When she faced that young man, she was clearly different.
Tang Wulin couldn't explain where the difference lay.
He only felt that the meat skewer in his hand suddenly smelled less appetizing.
There were no empty tables left in the shop.
Ouyang Zixin glanced around and offered, "Senior, why don't you two sit with us?"
"We can squeeze in a couple more at this table."
The young man smiled. "Then we'll impose on you."
He led the little girl beside him over.
Only when the two sat down