"Zixin!"
A voice cut through the cheerful chatter at the table.
Ouyang Zixin turned—and saw Xu Xiaoyu approaching with his younger sister, Xu Xiaoyan.
"Senior Xu?" Ouyang Zixin offered a polite smile. "Fancy meeting you here—are you here to eat too?"
Tang Wulin sensed the shift in atmosphere—instinctively tightening his grip on Ouyang Zixin's hand.
Feeling her junior brother's tension, Ouyang Zixin squeezed back gently, their fingers interlacing.
Xu Xiaoyu's eyes darted between Ouyang Zixin and Tang Wulin—just as he opened his mouth to question their relationship—
Fang Yang spoke first.
"Oh? If it isn't Xu Xiaoyu!"
Fang Yang arched a brow, voice dripping with playful mockery.
"Fang Yang?"
Xu Xiaoyu blinked in surprise—not expecting to see him here.
From behind her brother, Xu Xiaoyan peeked out—eyes lighting up at the sight of Fang Yang.
She dashed over, beaming. "Fang Yang! You're here too?!"
Hsssss!
Fang Yang sucked in a sharp breath, smile freezing on his face.
Gu Yue's fingers had sunk into his waist—quietly, lethally.
"Ah… Xiaoyan…" He gritted through the pain, voice strained. "Want… to join us for a bite?"
"Yes!"
Xu Xiaoyan bounced into the seat left of Fang Yang—her pale blue dress swaying, radiating youthful energy.
Tang Wulin, ever the diplomat, smoothed things over:
"Since we're all friends—why not share a table? Plenty of room!"
He subtly leaned closer to Ouyang Zixin—a silent claim of territory.
Xu Xiaoyu started to refuse—but Xu Xiaoyan tugged his sleeve.
"Brother, let's stay!"
"Yes, Senior Xu—more the merrier!" Ouyang Zixin added warmly.
Xu Xiaoyu sighed in defeat—and sat beside Tang Wulin.
Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi exchanged knowing glances, grins spreading.
"Oh-ho… a love triangle 'Asura Field'!" (Battlefield/Killing Field)
Xie Xie whispered, elbowing Zhang Yangzi. "And rivals meeting? This'll be fun!"
Zhang Yangzi stifled a laugh. Wang Jinxi said nothing—just watched the drama unfold with keen interest.
"Xiaoyan—what would you like?"
Fang Yang fought to sound calm—secretly grasping Gu Yue's wrist to halt her assassination.
"Grilled skewers! Lamb and beef!"
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes sparkled. "And ice-cold barley wine—it's the best!"
"Got it."
Fang Yang turned to call a waiter—
—when Gu Yue's cool voice cut in: "Fang Yang—I'll have barley wine too."
She stared directly at Xu Xiaoyan, lips curving into a dangerously sweet smile.
Dressed in white, her porcelain skin and regal aura contrasted sharply with Xu Xiaoyan's bubbly charm.
Xu Xiaoyan tilted her head, curious. "Fang Yang—who's this beautiful sister?"
Before Fang Yang could speak—Gu Yue looped her arm through his right.
Her voice was soft, yet final:
"Hello, little sister. I'm Fang Yang's girlfriend."
Xu Xiaoyan froze—her bright eyes dimming for a split second.
But she recovered instantly, throwing her arms around Fang Yang's left arm:
"Sister Gu Yue! Hi! I'm Fang Yang's girlfriend too!"
Fang Yang pretended not to notice the silent war.
"Waiter! Twenty skewers—half lamb, half beef! Three barley wines!"
Gu Yue's grip tightened—then she purred:
"How funny—we're in Class Zero together. Fang Yang and I see each other every day."
Xu Xiaoyan wasn't backing down.
She pinched Fang Yang's left waist—"Sister Gu Yue—I'll transfer to Class Zero next term! Then Fang Yang and I can be together all the time!"
Hssss… hsssss…
Fang Yang winced, sweat beading on his brow.
"Your order…"
A waitress arrived with a tray—then froze at Fang Yang's pained expression.
"Sir… are you unwell?"
"N-nothing…" he choked out.
The waitress took in the scene:
Two stunning girls flanking one guy, tension thick enough to cut.
She dumped the food and bolted. "Enjoy your meal!"
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan released Fang Yang—sipping barley wine, eyes locked in silent battle.
Fang Yang breathed freely for the first time in minutes—"Honestly, fighting spirit beasts in the Platform was easier than this…"
Tang Wulin watched, thinking: "Thank goodness Senior Sister's all mine…"
He turned to Ouyang Zixin—only to find her smirking knowingly at him.
His ears burned crimson—he ducked his head and attacked his skewers.
"Zixin… who is he?" Xu Xiaoyu finally asked, glaring at Tang Wulin.
Ouyang Zixin clasped Tang Wulin's hand—lifting it proudly.
"Senior Xu—meet my boyfriend, Tang Wulin."
Warmth flooded Tang Wulin's chest.
"I see…" Xu Xiaoyu nodded stiffly—saying no more.
Then—Gu Yue made her move.
She picked up a lamb skewer, holding it to Fang Yang's lips. "Open up."
He obediently took a bite.
Without hesitation, Gu Yue ate the rest from the same skewer—lips brushing where his had been.
The table collectively gasped.
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes narrowed. "Oh, it's that game?"
She grabbed her barley wine, pressing it to Fang Yang's lips. "Try mine!"
He reluctantly sipped.
Xu Xiaoyan took it back, delicately sipping from the exact spot he'd touched—her cheeks flushing pink, but chin raised in challenge toward Gu Yue.
The air thickened with unspoken rivalry.
Xie Xie shook with suppressed laughter.
Zhang Yangzi coughed to hide his grin.
Wang Jinxi inched his chair away—"Not getting dragged into this war…"
Tang Wulin pitied Fang Yang—yet rejoiced he didn't have to endure this himself.
Suddenly—Fang Yang spread his arms, pulling both girls into his embrace.
"Alright—I love you both."
Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi stared, jaws on the floor.
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan?
They just huffed in unison—neither objecting.
Xu Xiaoyu's face darkened like a storm cloud.
His little sister—embraced by this scoundrel?!
He clenched his fists, but knew he couldn't beat Fang Yang in a fight.
"Xiaoyan—it's late. We're leaving."
His voice was steel.
"But, Brother—!" Xu Xiaoyan whined.
"XIAOYAN!"
His glare shut her down.
"Fine…"
She reluctantly pulled away.
Just then—Fang Yang called out: "Wait!"
He pulled a jade box from his ring, handing it to Xu Xiaoyan.
"Take this."
She took it, eyes wide with curiosity. "What's inside?"
Fang Yang smiled mysteriously. "Open it later. Remember—meditate immediately after taking it."
"Okay!" She beamed, tucking it away.
Only then did she follow her fuming brother out.
As they left, Fang Yang collapsed in relief…
Gu Yue snorted—but said nothing more.
Tang Wulin seized the moment:
"It's getting late—shall we call it a night?"
Everyone agreed.
Tang Wulin insisted on paying—no way would he let Senior Sister foot the bill.
She protested—but lost to his stubbornness.
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