The cafeteria was a madhouse, the air buzzing with chatter and clattering trays. Xieo Yutian's pulse was still a little unsteady after almost taking that embarrassing tumble earlier. She wore a smug little smile, thinking to herself: Hah, lucky it was a handsome guy who caught me. If not, I'd be sprawled face-first like a pancake by now.
She spun around, ready to toss out a breezy "thanks"—only to crash into a cold, stern face.
—Gu Jinghan.
Her smile froze. A beat later, she shoved him away with a scowl.
"Ugh! Why is it you?!"
Her tone dripped with disgust, as though the man who had just saved her wasn't a lifesaver but a human-sized trash bin.
Gu Jinghan's brows drew tight. His reply was sharp, clipped.
"What kind of attitude is that? I just pulled you up."
"Hmph, I'd rather fall than be touched by you!" Yutian shot back with full-on princess disdain, as if his help was an unforgivable insult.
Around them, students snickered behind their hands. Shen Zhili and Zhang Xiaorou hurriedly herded them forward.
"Okay, okay, move it. If we don't, the steak set will be gone!"
---
By the time they finally reached the counter, Yutian practically threw herself at the sight of the sizzling steaks, her eyes sparkling like she'd found the Holy Grail. Xiaorou rubbed her forehead helplessly—her bestie's devotion to food was nothing short of a religion.
Gu Jinghan ordered calmly, as if the chaos didn't exist. Zhili, ever at ease, followed along with a mild smile. Trays in hand, they scouted for seats.
Fate clearly had a twisted sense of humor: the only open tables were side by side.
Yutian had barely settled into her chair when the familiar chill of an arctic aura seeped from the next table. She looked up—of course. Gu Jinghan, right there.
"Seriously? Even lunch has to be ruined by you," she muttered under her breath.
"Relax. I'm not thrilled about breathing the same air as you either," he shot back without looking up.
---
The aroma of grilled steak filled the air. Yutian sliced hers with gusto, then, eyes flickering with mischief, leaned toward Xiaorou and whispered, "Hey… how long do you think a guy should be, for it to count as decent?"
Pfft—! Zhili nearly spat his soup across the table.
The fork in Jinghan's hand froze mid-cut, his gaze dropping, then hardening like stone.
Xiaorou blinked, then dissolved into laughter. "Wait, are you asking about… long or short?"
"Duh," Yutian lowered her voice conspiratorially, winking. "The longer, the better!"
Pffft—!
This time it was Jinghan's turn. He choked on his water, heat flaring in his chest as he coughed, shoulders shaking. His ears betrayed him, flushing a telltale red.
Yutian instantly pounced, eyes gleaming with devilish delight. She arched a brow.
"What's wrong, Crown Prince Gu? Your face looks… a little off."
"You—!" His voice dropped into a furious growl. "Do you have no shame at all?"
"Huh?" Yutian blinked innocently. "What's wrong with saying longer pants are better? What exactly were you thinking of?"
The table fell silent for three heartbeats. And then—
"Hahahahahaha!" Zhili doubled over, laughing so hard he nearly smacked the table, tears forming in his eyes.
Jinghan's face darkened until it was ink-black, yet he had no way to defend himself. Yutian, the picture of faux innocence, only twisted the knife.
"That look on your face… don't tell me you were thinking dirty thoughts?"
"Yutian!" Xiaorou was wheezing, nearly dropping her fork. "You're going to kill me with laughter!"
Jinghan's ears were burning scarlet now. He clamped his jaw shut and hacked into his steak with mechanical precision, the knife and fork scraping against the porcelain plate with a grating edge. Still, beneath his cold exterior, a restless heat churned—an irritation that felt too close to vulnerability.
---
When the meal was finally over, they filed out of the cafeteria together. Zhili was still shaking with repressed laughter. He leaned closer to Jinghan, voice low and teasing.
"Old Gu… don't tell me… she actually got to you?"
Jinghan cut him a glare, voice cold as steel.
"Shut up."
Unfortunately, the telltale flush at the tips of his ears had already betrayed him.