Yuhao's grilled fish

No, I can't do this. What if they're just ordinary friends?

Xiao Xiao secretly made up her mind. At the very least, she had to hear Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao admit their relationship themselves before she... might give up!

Only when they were almost back at the dormitory did Wang Dong's taut nerves relax a little.

She suddenly realized she had been gripping Huo Yuhao's wrist tightly the whole way and quickly released her hand.

Feeling the lingering coolness of Huo Yuhao on her fingertips, Wang Dong instinctively hid both hands behind her back.

"I just didn't want that bunch ruining your reputation. Don't go getting any ideas."

Huo Yuhao lowered his eyes to Wang Dong, who had turned her head slightly aside, and nodded gently. "Got it. I'm going to find somewhere to grill some fish. Want to come?"

Huo Yuhao had originally planned to take Wang Dong to the cafeteria, but the thought of its mooncakes stir-fried with chilies, two dragons playing with a pearl, shredded ginger and potatoes... made him abandon the idea.

It just so happens I haven't seen Sister Nan Nan or Auntie Jiang for a few days. I'll visit their house today.

Although Jiang Nannan still lived in the dormitory, she made time every day to go home and visit her mother.

"Grilled fish? You know how to do that too?"

At this, Wang Dong turned back and looked Huo Yuhao over curiously. Realizing she was a little too excited, she put on a reserved air again.

"Ahem. Since you've so sincerely invited me, I'll reluctantly agree. If it doesn't taste good, I won't listen to any excuses."

"That smells so good."

Wang Dong was now sitting beside Jiang Nannan's mother, her eyes fixed on the fish turning golden and crisp on Huo Yuhao's grill. She unconsciously pressed her lips together.

What did this guy put in there? I can barely control myself.

Before long, the whole fish had turned golden all over. Huo Yuhao sprinkled on the seasoning and handed the fish straight to Wang Dong and Jiang Nannan's mother.

This time, Wang Dong showed no hesitation. She took Huo Yuhao's grilled fish and bit off a small piece.

Instantly, the mingled aromas of fish skin, flesh, and seasoning burst in her mouth, filling it with fragrance without a trace of fishiness.

Wang Dong's eyes lit up. "Delicious! This is really delicious! I never knew fish could be this fragrant!"

After quickly finishing one fish, Wang Dong immediately took a second.

A little while later, Huo Yuhao looked at Wang Dong, whose face and hands were covered in grease, with admiration. It seemed Sister Tang Ya was the only one who could rival him like this.

"Sigh."

A breeze swept across Shrek Square, stirring up a few fallen leaves. Jiang Nannan watched the new students coming and going and sighed softly.

She hadn't seen Huo Yuhao for several days.

A cheerful female voice sounded behind Jiang Nannan. Tang Ya sprang out from behind her, amusement in her expression. "Who's got our Nan Nan so distracted?"

Jiang Nannan came back to herself, her cheeks warming slightly as she denied it. "Stop messing around, Xiao Ya."

"Don't tell me it's that shameless Xu Sanshi?"

At the mention of Xu Sanshi, Tang Ya instantly put on her battle face. "If he's still harassing you, I'll drag Bei Bei along, and we'll all gang up on him!"

"No, he hasn't really been doing that since school started."

That was true. Since returning from the holidays, Xu Sanshi hadn't really come shamelessly pestering Jiang Nannan.

"That's true."

Seeing that one answer was wrong, Tang Ya immediately offered another, her eyes gleaming with gossip. "Could it be... I've noticed you looking lovesick every night, Nan Nan, and now you're watching the new students. Could it be-"

"Xiao Ya, stop guessing! I only think of Yuhao as a little brother."

With Tang Ya having hit upon what was on her mind, Jiang Nannan offered that excuse, the tips of her ears reddening slightly. She simply turned her head away to avoid Tang Ya's gaze.

"...I haven't even said it was Little Yuhao."

"..."

"I'm going to see Mom first. Let's talk tonight."

Leaving those words behind, Jiang Nannan swiftly fled the scene.

Before she even stepped through the door, Jiang Nannan was drawn by the aroma of grilled fish wafting from the courtyard.

There was no mistaking that aroma. It was Huo Yuhao's grilled fish!

The embarrassment from Tang Ya's teasing vanished, leaving only a trace of warmth in her heart. Her steps eased as she raised a hand and gently pushed open the half-closed wooden gate.

In the courtyard, two figures were close together. Huo Yuhao was still concentrating on turning the fish on the grill, while a slender, graceful figure sat behind him with her back to the gate.

Fluffy pink-and-blue hair, a slim figure, and a head tilted slightly forward, peering curiously toward Huo Yuhao-it was unclear whether she was looking at Huo Yuhao or the grilled fish.

The light in Jiang Nannan's eyes dimmed a little, and an inexplicable sourness welled up in her heart.

Yuhao actually brought a female student straight to my home for grilled fish. What right does he have? What right...

I clearly met Yuhao first, and I was the first to taste his grilled fish too...

Jiang Nannan simply stood quietly behind the two of them without speaking to interrupt, her gaze resting on the warm scene, her thoughts unknown.

Huo Yuhao had also noticed Sister Nan Nan's return, but for some reason, she said nothing and just stood behind him, making his hair stand on end.

Huo Yuhao turned to Jiang Nannan, a smile showing in his eyes. "Sister Nan Nan, you're back."

"Sister Nan Nan?"

Hearing this, Wang Dong followed Huo Yuhao's gaze.

An exquisitely beautiful face came straight into Jiang Nannan's view, its sparkling pink-and-blue eyes carrying a hint of curiosity.

At the sound of Wang Dong's voice, Jiang Nannan froze for a moment.

A boy?

Wang Dong stood up, looking Jiang Nannan up and down.

Wait, Huo Yuhao, you with those honest-looking thick brows and big eyes-you actually know such a pretty senior? And you call her name so affectionately too.

Jiang Nannan came back to herself and walked slowly into the little courtyard, a relaxed smile on her lips. "Honestly, Little Yuhao, you brought a friend home without even telling me."

"I wanted to surprise you, Sister Nan Nan."

"..."

Watching the two chatting and laughing, Wang Dong raised her chin, a barely perceptible awkwardness in her tone. "Hello, I'm Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao's roommate."

Jiang Nannan nodded and replied softly, "Hello, my name is Jiang Nannan. I'm a few years above you."

Jiang Nannan was also secretly sizing Wang Dong up. Strange. He's clearly a boy, so why do I still feel inexplicably bothered?

Forget it. It must be my imagination.

Holding a grilled fish on a skewer, Auntie Jiang watched the scene before her, the corner of her mouth twitching, unsure what to say.

Huo Yuhao arrived at the dormitory. Today could probably be considered his first day moving in.

Unable to hold back her questions any longer, Wang Dong frowned at Huo Yuhao and asked, "Just what exactly is your relationship with that Sister Nan Nan?"

"I helped Sister Nan Nan before I enrolled, and she taught me a lot too. Besides, Sister Nan Nan treats me just like her own little brother..."

Huo Yuhao didn't finish. Instead, he lowered his head and smiled, as though reminiscing about something.