I Ask for Nothing More

After returning to the school clinic, Ye Shuang also changed into a white coat—the moment he put it on, he finally felt like his workday was about to begin.

Today, An Shiyu seemed to be wandering off somewhere else. Given her personality, it was unlikely she’d stay cooped up in the clinic all day.

But compared to her lounging around…

Ye Shuang would much rather see the livelier version of the girl.

"Big Brother Doctor~~"

"Oh my, you’re here so early today~~"

Sensing the warmth outside the door, Ye Shuang was taken aback. This early?

He stayed busy until noon. Though it was already lunch break, Ye Shuang wasn’t in a hurry to head to the cafeteria. Instead, he lingered in the clinic a little longer, as if waiting for someone.

A few more minutes passed before a timid figure appeared at the door. "Um… hello, Doctor."

"Here to pick up your medicine?" Ye Shuang smiled when he saw Tao Xiaotao finally arrive.

"Y-yes, I came to get my medicine." Tao Xiaotao nodded. "A-are you on break? Am I disturbing you?"

She had wanted to come at a different time, but Ye Shuang had specifically told her to come at noon, so she rushed over right after her last class ended.

"No need to hurry so much." Seeing her slightly out of breath, Ye Shuang gave a gentle smile.

"Let’s go. I’ve already packed your medicine."

"G-go where?"

"The cafeteria. These meds need to be taken before meals." Ye Shuang chuckled. "You look like you haven’t eaten yet either. Let’s go together."

"Huh?" Tao Xiaotao hesitated but eventually nodded obediently. "Okay."

Once they reached the cafeteria, Ye Shuang didn’t join Bai Yuyou and the others. Instead, he took Tao Xiaotao inside alone—there were some things he wanted to ask, and if Tang Keke and the others were around, Tao Xiaotao might feel too shy to open up.

"What would you like to eat?" The section of the cafeteria Ye Shuang brought her to was pricier—though "pricey" was relative to Tao Xiaotao’s standards. Someone like An Shiyu would’ve gone to an even more expensive area.

"This place…" Tao Xiaotao froze when she saw that even a basic meal set started with a 3.

"I-I…" Blushing, she was about to say she couldn’t afford it when Ye Shuang suddenly cut in with a smile, "There’s a steak set here that’s pretty good. Come with me."

"Huh?!"

"Two iron plate steak sets, please." Ye Shuang said to the server behind the counter.

"Got it."

"I-I-I’ll pay for mine!" Tao Xiaotao frantically tugged at Ye Shuang’s sleeve when she saw him about to pay for both.

"Staff discounts." Ye Shuang winked. "Saves money."

At the mention of saving money, Tao Xiaotao quieted down—but if the goal was to save money, why were they eating something so expensive?

A street-style steak costing fifty or sixty was something she’d never dare consider as an everyday meal.

It wasn’t until Ye Shuang placed one of the sets in her hands that Tao Xiaotao snapped out of her daze.

No wonder city folks don’t treat a hundred bucks as real money. Geez, one meal and it’s gone.

After sitting down, Tao Xiaotao rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a worn leather wallet—its cracked surface and rugged appearance starkly contrasted her delicate demeanor, looking more like something a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties would carry.

"Here." She pulled out a fifty-yuan bill and handed it over respectfully.

"No need. I can’t let a student pay." Ye Shuang smiled.

Tao Xiaotao hesitated before asking, "Is… is there something you want me to do?"

Ye Shuang tilted his head. "Why do you ask?"

"I… I don’t dare eat this." She lowered her head.

"What’s wrong?"

Tao Xiaotao murmured, "You’re being too nice to me, but nothing in this world comes without conditions."

"If someone’s nice to you without wanting anything in return… I don’t believe that."

"If you don’t tell me, I… I can’t eat this."

Ye Shuang: "..."

"You’re more mature than I thought, despite your size." Ye Shuang chuckled as he cut into his steak. "You’re right. If someone treats you well without any reason, they’re probably not trustworthy."

"Well, I do have a hobby of helping talented people with potential." He phrased it carefully.

"You know about my family?" Tao Xiaotao asked.

"A little. The fact that you got into this school from Henan, given your background…" Ye Shuang spoke slowly. "I think it’s incredible. So, I’d like you to have an easier time here, to learn things that’ll help you."

Tao Xiaotao was stunned. She’d imagined a thousand possibilities, but never this.

This man reminded her of her high school homeroom teacher, who’d trekked through the mountains to her home, begging her parents not to pull her out of school and to let her take the college entrance exam.

"Of course, like you said, if I wanted nothing in return, that’d be hard to believe."

Ye Shuang paused before continuing with a smile, "I do have a tiny selfish wish."

"What?" Tao Xiaotao blinked. So there was a request after all?

"I’d like you to become friends with Yuyou and the others." Ye Shuang said. "You’re someone with potential, and as Bai Yuyou’s guardian, I naturally hope she’s surrounded by more outstanding people."

"And you’re a perfect candidate."

"Of course, this isn’t a demand or condition. Think of it as… a senior’s hope?"

Tao Xiaotao was baffled. "Just… be friends?"

"Yep."

"But… we don’t have anything in common."

"You’ll find things the more you spend time together. Sometimes, the most interesting sparks fly between people with completely different interests." Ye Shuang grinned.

At this point, Tao Xiaotao couldn’t refuse. Truthfully, she already had a good impression of Bai Yuyou and the others. Ye Shuang’s words were just the push she needed.

Growl~ A sound erupted, and Tao Xiaotao’s face flushed instantly.

"Alright, food’s no good when it’s cold. Take your meds first, then eat."

"O-okay."

---

Meanwhile, in the classroom, An Shiyu was annoyed.

Her eyes half-lidded, she propped her chin on one hand while shoving a burger into her mouth with the other.

Tang Keke was acting weird today—not only was she hovering around more than usual, but she was also talking with her chest puffed out, as if pumped full of adrenaline. The more An Shiyu ignored her, the more excited she got.

That girl had awakened some strange new hobby.

"Hey, An Shiyu, is the burger good?" A voice chimed in beside her. An Shiyu lazily glanced over to see the class’s recently popular "Sunshine Bro."

"My family owns an M-brand franchise. I can eat these to my heart’s content," Sunshine Bro said with a grin.

After striking out with Bai Yuyou, the self-proclaimed "Sunshine Bro" decided to switch targets—this time setting his sights on the seemingly more approachable An Shiyu.

Upon closer inspection, she did appear a bit delicate, but still undeniably cute. And even though she had a sharp tongue, at least she talked back—that meant there was a chance for conversation. Definitely easier to handle than the silent Bai Yuyou.

"……" An Shiyu continued eating her burger, ignoring him.

"Hey, beautiful, something bothering you? Wanna talk about it?" Sunshine Bro pressed on.

"Yeah, actually. My biggest annoyance right now is that even someone like you dares to hit on me," An Shiyu drawled, then shot him a sidelong glance.

Sunshine Bro: "……"

Are you insulting me?