A Perfect Match, Not a Regrettable Classmate Relationship, with a Stubborn Young Lady

The sun gradually set as evening approached.

Since it was Friday, there were only classes for half the day, so school let out quite early in the afternoon.

After successfully escaping the "battlefield" between the Eldest Miss and the Student Council President that morning, Ye Cheng had become exceptionally cautious. He successfully evolved into a "Teflon man"—nothing stuck to him. He didn't even eat lunch at school, opting instead to run outside for his meal as usual.

Hmm... that's right. It was his familiar "secret farming spot." The sign hanging above the noodle shop—"6 Yuan Per Bowl, Unlimited Refills"—was particularly enticing.

Unlike before, Shen Qinghan actually ate half a small bowl this time. She knew that if she didn't eat now, there was a high probability she wouldn't get to eat anything for the rest of the afternoon.

After Shen Qinghan finished, it was the same old routine: Ye Cheng happily hugged his bowl and went to get a refill.

"Miss, *munch munch munch*... *slurp, slurp*, what are your plans for today? *Munch munch munch*..."

Ye Cheng spoke while eating his noodles, chewing incessantly.

Shen Qinghan: "..."

"Can't you finish eating before you talk?" Shen Qinghan looked at Ye Cheng with a hint of helplessness. Talking with one's mouth full was rather impolite. It was worse because Ye Cheng was eating noodles; not only was it loud, but if something unexpected happened, he might just spray noodles everywhere.

"Sure, *slurp, slurp*, but speaking of which, Miss, I'm eating noodles right now, not rice, so how..."

*Thump!*

The world suddenly went quiet.

Ye Cheng abandoned any thought of reasoning with the young miss. He decided to honestly finish the food in his bowl before speaking again. In a matter of seconds, Ye Cheng twirled a massive clump of noodles with his chopsticks and devoured it in one go.

He ended up looking like a hamster, just like the little secretary, though Ye Cheng's cheeks were significantly larger than hers. As expected of a powerhouse...

However.

It seemed he had choked a bit. Ye Cheng pounded his chest violently—*thump, thump, thump*—and grabbed the bowl to down a mouthful of soup, which finally made him feel much better.

"Alright, Miss, I was just trying to ask what your plans are for today." Ye Cheng looked like a survivor of a catastrophe as he stroked his chest. That was close; he had almost been "solo killed" by a bowl of noodles.

It was a difficult feat, but he had almost accomplished it!

Shen Qinghan: "..."

"Since classes are done, we're going to the old place." Shen Qinghan propped her cheek on one hand, narrowing her eyes as she gazed in a certain direction.

Ye Cheng followed her gaze and asked uncertainly, "The hotel?"

Shen Qinghan: "..."

*Thump!*

"Hahaha! Miss, I've noticed you take things way too seriously. It was just a joke! Look at you getting angry. Hahaha! The old place, right? I get it, I get it!"

After taking a hit, Ye Cheng instantly behaved himself. He rubbed the bump on the back of his head while laughing and talking at the same time.

The "old place" Shen Qinghan referred to was naturally the arcade. It seemed she wanted to go play the claw machines. Since school ended earlier than usual today, she could find a prime spot and then... avenge her previous humiliation!

A rare flame of "vengeance" burned in the young miss's eyes. Although it wasn't very obvious, Ye Cheng, who spent a lot of time with her, could keenly perceive the shift in her demeanor.

Is she actually in "Rage Mode"?

Interesting.

A few minutes later, Ye Cheng was finally full. He took out his "battle-scarred" phone to pay. Six yuan for a meal for two was incredibly cost-effective.

"Boss, check please." Ye Cheng had a toothpick dangling from his mouth as he patted his round, bulging belly. The proprietress wiped her hands and walked over.

Ye Cheng had discovered this unlimited refill noodle shop before the semester even started. He had conducted field research specifically to guard against the possibility of on-campus prices being too high for him to afford.

Otherwise, Ye Cheng had planned to buy some potatoes and plant them himself at school. Ye Cheng was a member of the "Potato Cult," believing in the omnipotent God of Potatoes. They were delicious, healthy, and balanced in Yin and Yang. The only downside was that eating too many of them could turn your teeth a bit yellow.

For a pauper like Ye Cheng, it was simply the best choice. Plus, Ye Cheng was a good cook. Before he started eating the buffet box lunches at construction sites, he used to go to the farmers' market to buy cheap potatoes to cook for himself.

If it weren't for the lack of time, Ye Cheng probably would have grown his own potatoes to eat. That would have saved him even more money. Hahaha!

The proprietress knew Ye Cheng well. After all... it was her first time seeing a kid who could eat as much as he did. But having a good appetite was a good thing. Doing business was about being generous and being a good sport; you couldn't refuse to serve someone just because they ate a lot.

Besides, Ye Cheng wasn't exactly taking advantage of her either.

"Just the one bowl, right? That's six yuan." The proprietress was plump, and her smile made her feel inexplicably approachable.

Ye Cheng scanned the QR code with his phone.

*Beep!*

"WeChat Pay received: 6 Yuan!"

"Payment sent, Boss Lady. You've improved a lot compared to last time, but the seasoning could still use some tweaking. If all else fails, add a bit of 'tech'... *cough*, I mean, add some 'modern wisdom.' You know, the kind that enhances the flavor without harming the body too much, like..."

With the toothpick still in his mouth, Ye Cheng began teaching the proprietress the ways of "dark culinary arts." Simply put, it was... "One spoonful of evaporated milk!"

Ye Cheng had a wide range of hobbies. Coupled with his heaven-defying memory since childhood, he knew how to do many things, and he was proficient at them, too. For instance, Ye Cheng had mastered the art of reasonably formulating "food additives and chemical magic."

Although they were just simple noodles without much fanfare, there was a lot of science behind the seasoning. The proprietress's stall was merely passable, and that was only because it was cheap. Otherwise, there would be no customers at all, simply because the taste was too mediocre.

Actually, no, it was even bordering on unpalatable. But the people who ate here weren't rich; they were pitiful wage slaves, drudges, and broke folks like Ye Cheng.

Flavor was a secondary factor. Getting full and not starving was the primary concern.

If not for that, Ye Cheng would have applied to be a Michelin chef. He could just stomp on the food a couple of times, serve it up, take something worth zero, and sell it to the fancy folks in Shanghai for a fortune. Why bother studying? That would be faster than robbing a bank!

Ye Cheng was trying to help this small noodle shop, located in such a remote spot, to improve its flavor. Every time he came here to eat, he would offer suggestions for improvement. Whether she listened or not was up to her.

After a few visits, the crowd had grown larger each time. It seemed she had listened. The taste was much better than before—at least it wasn't unpalatable anymore. The surrounding seats were full, and there were even people waiting in line.

A large part of this success was due to Ye Cheng. Okay, the normal methods were done; now it was time for some "dark arts"... Business is booming, brother!

Ye Cheng unreservedly taught his "dark culinary arts" to the proprietress. She looked excited at first, but soon, she frowned.

"That's not very good, is it? They're just kids, after all..."

"Sigh, you just don't get it, do you? Boss Lady, you can make two batches—an A version and a B version. When kids and students come, you serve the normal one. But when those adults come, you just..."

The Boss Lady's eyes grew brighter as she listened. That was right! Her conscience wouldn't allow her to sell that kind of stuff to children—after all, she had a child of her own. But as long as she didn't sell the ones with the additives to them, wouldn't that be fine?

Moreover, there was the most important point, just as Ye Cheng had said earlier.

Boss Lady, you're too soft-hearted. You can't make big money like that. Think about those red banknotes. Then think about it: if you don't earn this money, the noodle shop next door will. They are playing much dirtier than you, eating until their mouths are slick with oil, and you're still here agonizing over whether it's bad for people's health?

Making money usually requires a conscience. But once the conscience is gone... you make even more!

The Boss Lady had a sudden epiphany. "Alright! Student, you wait here for a moment. I'll go get a notebook and pen to write this down. From now on, when you come to Big Sister's place to eat, you don't need to pay. I'll add extra for you!"

Ye Cheng: "..."

"Oh, oh, I meant add extra meat." The Boss Lady realized her words seemed a bit inappropriate after she spoke. She hurriedly corrected herself. After all, Ye Cheng had just taught her that losing one's conscience leads to more profit, and she had immediately turned around and applied it to him. Was that right?

The Boss Lady ran upstairs to get a notebook and pen. Ye Cheng sat in his seat, rubbing his round, bulging belly, picking his teeth with one hand, looking completely at ease.

Suddenly, Ye Cheng felt an "intense" gaze. His face stiffened. He turned his head slowly and saw the Young Miss staring motionless at him.

Ye Cheng: "..."

"Uh... what's wrong, Young Miss? Did you not get enough to eat?" Ye Cheng asked tentatively.

Shen Qinghan narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on Ye Cheng's trouser pocket.

Ye Cheng hurriedly covered his pocket, acting shy and twisted. "This isn't very appropriate, is it? We're still a bit too young. How about this? Later, when there are fewer people..."

Thud!

"Hand over the phone." Shen Qinghan looked at Ye Cheng like he was an idiot. He was now lying on the table with a fresh bump on his head, currently in "standby mode."

Men are just like that. You chat and chat, and inexplicably, the conversation veers into racy territory. At that point, there are no opposing sides, no complaints about life or misfortunes. There is only the exchange of techniques and a thirst for expanding one's knowledge...

Ye Cheng honestly handed over his phone. Anyway, there was nothing shameful on the phone. He had hidden all the shameful stuff; the Young Miss would absolutely never find it!

Foolish Young Miss. Go back and train as a sports student for a few more years, hahaha!!!

Ye Cheng felt possessed by a smirk-wearing, overpowered protagonist, the corners of his mouth rising wildly...

"Who bit your phone?" Shen Qinghan's calm and somewhat cold voice drifted over.

Ye Cheng: "..."

Ye Cheng's face stiffened, and he couldn't laugh anymore. Dammit, he had actually forgotten such an important thing. His phone was still the battle-damaged version!

But who was Ye Cheng?

"I accidentally bit it while sleepwalking yesterday. It doesn't affect its use, hahaha." Ye Cheng lied without blushing or skipping a beat.

Shen Qinghan nodded, held the phone up to Ye Cheng's mouth, and said, "Bite it."

Ye Cheng: "..."

I think... there's no need for that, is there?

Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump... Because of his sharp senses, Ye Cheng could clearly hear his own heartbeat. It had sped up, and not just by a little bit!

"Hurry up." Shen Qinghan urged, narrowing her eyes.

In the height of summer, sitting in this stall that was over thirty degrees Celsius with only a fan, Ye Cheng actually felt a chill.

Gulp. Ye Cheng swallowed a mouthful of saliva, opened his "cherry little mouth," and gently bit down on the phone.

Shen Qinghan: "Open your mouth wider."

Ye Cheng blinked his "sparkling big eyes," putting on a look of pure innocence. In this state, it felt like his eyelashes had grown longer. "But, Young Miss, I've already opened it as wide as I can. I was born with a cherry little mouth..."

Thud!

Plop!

Seeing that someone was being stubborn, the Young Miss narrowed her eyes and then... ruthlessly gave Ye Cheng a smack. Ye Cheng's eyes turned into X's, and his half-dead head slammed onto the table, successfully entering AFK mode.

The Young Miss then took out Ye Cheng's "battle-damaged" phone and prepared to begin the comparison work...

"Student, I'm here. Go ahead and tell me—eh... Student, what are you two doing?"

The Boss Lady ran down from upstairs, holding a notebook and pen, looking excited. However, she saw that the "student" had already passed out, leaving only an incredibly beautiful young girl manipulating the student she had spoken of.

Yes... manipulating was the right word.

The Young Miss was pinching Ye Cheng's rock-hard cheek with one hand and holding a phone in the other, seemingly preparing to perform an act called "forcing herself upon him."

Of course, this was an objective description of the facts. In the Boss Lady's eyes, it was a different matter entirely. The pair's actions looked like the Young Miss was trying to force herself on Ye Cheng in broad daylight...

The Boss Lady's eyes went wide, and she hurriedly put away her things. "Sorry to disturb you, students. Please continue."

Shen Qinghan: "..."

Hearing the Boss Lady's voice, Ye Cheng hurriedly "sprang back to life" and stood up. This wasn't just a Boss Lady; this was a savior!

"No disturbance, no disturbance at all. You came at just the right time. Anyway, Young Miss, you go back first. The Boss Lady and I need to discuss for a while, so we won't waste time. I'll be quick..."

Ye Cheng spoke rapidly, his words clearly implying he wanted her to leave, but his voice grew quieter and quieter toward the end.

Visible to the naked eye, Shen Qinghan's expression grew colder and colder, and the cold sweat on Ye Cheng's forehead grew heavier and heavier. Finally, he didn't dare to continue speaking. If he said any more, something very bad would likely happen...

Gulp.

Ye Cheng swallowed his saliva and changed his expression to a "gentle" look. "What I meant was, Young Miss, sit for a while. I'll be done speaking very soon."

Only after these words came out did the Young Miss's "Abyssal Gaze" slowly vanish. She gave a light hmph, withdrew her gaze, and continued to study a certain idiot's phone in her hand... It seemed to be a woman's teeth marks?

The Young Miss made a simple comparison and could be certain it was absolutely not as Ye Cheng had said—bitten while sleepwalking at night.

After all... they had slept together before. A certain guy slept like a dead pig; even several alarms couldn't wake him up. And yet you say you were sleepwalking?

Ye Cheng felt like he was standing on the gallows. He had two choices: jump off voluntarily and be hanged, or wait for the time to run out, have the trapdoor drop, and be hanged.

Damn it, death awaits either way!

While Ye Cheng was writing down the recipe and precautions for the Boss Lady, he pondered how he was going to survive what was coming next.

Beside them, the Boss Lady first looked at Ye Cheng, then looked at Shen Qinghan, who was sitting to the side with extremely upright posture, looking like she came from a wealthy family. She couldn't help but speak up.

"Hey there, your girlfriend is truly beautiful. If only my daughter could grow up to be that pretty."

The proprietress sighed with inexplicable emotion as she looked at the young lady.

Shen Qinghan nodded, very seriously "correcting" the woman's statement. "Thank you. You're right, I am very pretty. But I am not this guy's girlfriend. We are just classmates."

The proprietress: "..."

She had seemingly never encountered a young lady with such a "straightforward" way of speaking. Logic dictated that one should be modest, yet this girl had accepted the compliment without a hint of humility.

However... the proprietress took another look at the young lady's face. It seemed humility wasn't necessary; just standing there, her expression practically screamed "authority."

Realizing her mistake, the proprietress hurriedly corrected herself and apologized. "Oh, oh, my apologies. Seeing you two just now... I really thought you were a couple. What a pity."

Shen Qinghan furrowed her brows, looking at the woman with slight confusion. "A pity? What is there to be pitiful about?"

"It's just that you two look like such a talented young man and a beautiful young woman—a perfect match. I thought... well, I haven't read many books, hahaha! I was just speaking off the cuff. Don't take it to heart." The proprietress laughed it off.

A perfect match?

Shen Qinghan heard this and seemed lost in thought for a moment. After considering it, she nodded. "There is nothing to be pitiful about. He and I will always be very good classmates!"

Her tone was decisive, containing an inexplicable amount of confidence.

The proprietress: "..."

Uh... is this the legendary "Tsundere Princess Syndrome"?

The proprietress enjoyed watching short dramas and listening to novels. However, this was the first time she had encountered such a textbook example of a "stubborn-mouthed" character in real life.

It was completely uncanny.

Not daring to continue the conversation with Shen Qinghan, the proprietress laughed awkwardly and walked over to Ye Cheng, whispering conspiratorially.

"Hey kid, your girlfriend seems just like those tsundere heiresses in the TV dramas. Take it from Big Sis here—I've watched enough shows and read enough novels to know—she definitely likes you." The proprietress lowered her voice, looking as if she had seen through the mysteries of the universe.

Ye Cheng: "..."