Tuma 02

Entering the cafeteria, Fang Zhiyi glanced around but didn’t spot the female lead anywhere.

"What are you looking for?" Xue Wanning asked.

"A... seat," Fang Zhiyi replied, forcing himself to stay sharp.

But the female lead remained elusive. After all, in the original plot, she dressed plainly and wore no makeup, making her hard to pick out in a crowd.

Staying vigilant, Fang Zhiyi bought some desserts and returned to the table Xue Wanning had claimed.

"Young Mistress, this is—" He barely started speaking when he noticed a girl with her head down walking straight toward them. As she passed behind Xue Wanning, her tray suddenly tilted!

Fang Zhiyi yanked Xue Wanning toward him, twisting his body to shield her. Half the spilled food landed on the floor, while the other half splattered across his back.

"Close call," Fang Zhiyi muttered, relieved. He looked down and locked eyes with Xue Wanning, who was still in his arms.

Xue Wanning blinked up at him. "What are you—"

Fang Zhiyi quickly let go. "That girl’s food almost spilled on you, Young Mistress..."

Xue Wanning turned and saw the mess. The girl was murmuring, "My food..."

Xue Wanning frowned. "Hey, you just dumped food on someone, and your first concern is your meal? No apology?"

Fang Zhiyi tugged her sleeve. "Young Mistress, let it go. Look at her."

Xue Wanning was confused.

Fang Zhiyi leaned closer and whispered, "Look at her clothes—how thin she is. Probably a struggling student, too hungry to think straight. Just leave it."

Xue Wanning studied Qin Xiaocao for a moment, then sighed. "Are you okay? Did it burn you?"

Fang Zhiyi waved it off. "I’m fine. Seeing her just reminded me of my childhood."

The words sparked a memory in Xue Wanning. She smiled. "Back then, I was always curious about what snacks you were sneaking around with." A flicker of nostalgia crossed her eyes before she shook her head. "Come on, let’s get you a new set of clothes."

Fang Zhiyi nodded, finally relaxing.

But the girl still hadn’t left. Instead, she crouched and began gathering the spilled food from the floor.

Both of them stared. Fang Zhiyi was speechless. Seriously? Just ask, and I’ll buy you another meal.

Just then, someone strode over, slightly out of breath. He glared at Fang Zhiyi and Xue Wanning before speaking gently to Qin Xiaocao. "Xiaocao, forget it. Let’s go eat outside."

The glare reignited Xue Wanning’s temper. "What’s with the look? She dropped the tray and spilled food on my—my friend! I didn’t even demand an apology, and you have the nerve to glare at us?"

Fu Jingxuan scowled. "Xiaocao just made a mistake. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"What the—" Xue Wanning was fuming. What kind of logic is this? Handsome but utterly unreasonable!

Suddenly, Fang Zhiyi tugged her arm.

"Don’t stop me! I’ve never backed down from a fight, and I’m not starting now!"

Fang Zhiyi thought, Give it up. If you engage with him, you’ll never hear the end of it.

"Young Mistress, I just remembered something."

Xue Wanning eyed Fang Zhiyi’s mysterious expression, then glanced back at Fu Jingxuan, who was still glaring defiantly. Reluctantly, she leaned in to listen.

"I think I know who they are," Fang Zhiyi whispered, pulling her aside.

Xue Wanning looked baffled. "So what? We’re in the right here!"

"No, listen. I’ve heard about this girl, Qin Xiaocao. Three guys are chasing her. That one just now is Fu Jingxuan, the third suitor. But apparently, she’s closer to another guy, so Fu Jingxuan’s basically just orbiting her."

Xue Wanning’s confusion melted into shock—then excitement.

"And then?" Her voice brimmed with anticipation.

Fang Zhiyi grinned. Some things never change. Gossip always wins.

As the two whispered, Qin Xiaocao occasionally cast pitying glances at Fu Jingxuan, leaving him unsettled and oddly heartbroken.

"Xiaocao, let’s go." He took her hand. Qin Xiaocao looked up and smiled faintly, sending his heart aflutter. So pure, so unlike those gaudy girls—like that overdressed rich girl over there.

He shot another glare at Xue Wanning, only to find her staring at their clasped hands, eyes practically sparkling with gossipy delight.

A shiver ran down Fu Jingxuan’s spine. He pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it at them.

"Here’s your compensation! Hmph. Xiaocao, let’s go."

"Ah, Jingxuan..." Qin Xiaocao stumbled slightly, struggling to keep up.

"Oh, Zhiyi, look! They’re really leaving!" Xue Wanning watched their retreating figures, clicking her tongue. "How did I never notice such drama at school before? What are you doing?"

She spotted Fang Zhiyi picking up the money.

"Collecting compensation. No reason to leave free money."

Xue Wanning opened her mouth to protest but couldn’t find a flaw in his logic.

That afternoon, Fang Zhiyi and Xue Wanning reappeared—this time in the library.

"See that guy? That’s the male lead I mentioned earlier. Uh, what was his name again?" Fang Zhiyi murmured.

Xue Wanning frowned in thought. "Gu Mingyu, right? I’ve heard of him. Top student. Never thought I’d get to witness his love life drama."

She paused. "You dragged me here just to watch him? Shopping would’ve been better."

Fang Zhiyi waved a hand. "If there wasn’t drama, why would I bother?"

Sure enough, Qin Xiaocao soon arrived. Gu Mingyu’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

Just as Qin Xiaocao was about to sit, a girl blocked her. "This seat’s taken."

Qin Xiaocao frowned. "There’s nothing here."

The girl sneered. "I said it’s taken. Get lost, ugly." She even shoved Qin Xiaocao.

"Wow, what’s her problem?" Xue Wanning muttered. Fang Zhiyi pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds, and the two began snacking discreetly.

Qin Xiaocao glared at the girl. "Liu Yue, I’ve already applied to switch dorms. What more do you want?"

Liu Yue scoffed. "Nothing. I just can’t stand your fake innocence act!"

Xue Wanning dropped her seeds. "Okay, that’s just bullying."