The final bell rang, releasing a tide of students into the corridors. Meiyu was still packing her bag when Zhao Yichen appeared at her desk, leaning against it like he'd been waiting all day.
"Ready?" he asked, eyes glinting with the kind of confidence that assumed she had no choice.
She gave him a look. "Ready for what exactly?"
"Our first date," he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You're buying me coffee."
Her brows shot up. "Excuse me? Shouldn't you be the one paying?"
"I'm paying—with my time. Do you know how valuable that is?" He smirked and walked toward the door, clearly expecting her to follow.
She sighed, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Why do I even like him again?
---
The winter air nipped at her cheeks as they stepped out of the school gate. Yichen led her through a side street lined with little shops and stalls, until they stopped in front of a small café with fogged-up windows. The warm scent of coffee and pastries drifted out as the door opened.
Inside, they found a table by the window. Meiyu ordered a hot chocolate; Yichen got an iced Americano—because of course he would drink something cold in January.
The first five minutes went surprisingly well. They talked about classes, mutual friends, and a ridiculous rumor going around that the chemistry teacher was secretly a novelist.
But the peaceful mood didn't last.
It started when Yichen leaned across the table, grinning mischievously. "You've got whipped cream on your lip."
Meiyu quickly reached for a napkin, but before she could wipe it away, he reached out with his thumb and brushed it off—slowly.
Her face went hot. "Zhao Yichen!"
"What? I was helping." His eyes sparkled with smug amusement. "Unless you wanted me to use another method."
She nearly choked on her drink. "You're unbelievable."
He only chuckled and sipped his coffee like nothing happened.
---
Halfway through their drinks, the real trouble arrived—in the form of Yichen's so-called "friends."
"Yo, Zhao! Didn't think we'd see you here!" a tall boy called from the counter. Behind him were two more boys from the basketball team, grinning like they'd just caught him committing a crime.
Yichen gave them a flat look. "Go away."
"Wait a second…" one of them said, his eyes flicking to Meiyu. "Is this your girlfriend? The girlfriend?"
Meiyu stiffened, caught between wanting to disappear and wanting to confirm it outright.
Yichen didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Now leave."
The boys erupted into exaggerated cheers and teasing, making the whole café turn their way. Meiyu hid her face in her scarf while Yichen shooed them out.
When they were finally alone again, she groaned. "You planned this, didn't you? You knew they'd show up."
"Why would I do that?" he asked innocently, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him. "I just like people knowing you're mine."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small, traitorous smile creeping in. "You're impossible."
"And you still showed up for our date."
---
When they left the café, the sky was painted in soft shades of pink and orange. Yichen walked her halfway home, their shoulders brushing with each step.
Despite the teasing, the interruptions, and the embarrassment, Meiyu realized something—
Even if it was a disaster by normal standards, she wouldn't have traded this first date for anything.
---