Caught in the act

In the cafeteria, Shen Nian couldn't shake the feeling that he had forgotten something.

But it was his turn to get food now. Whatever he forgot, he'd just let it stay forgotten. Eating was the most important thing.

What could possibly be more important than a four-yuan five-spice chicken leg?

Xia Yanchun peeked from behind him, watching him order. The food in his bowl piled higher and higher, especially those two shiny, grease-glistening giant chicken legs. Just looking at them made her feel a bit full.

With a swipe of his card, a single meal cost twenty-four yuan.

Eating like this in a school cafeteria could only mean one thing: he was loaded.

The card reader displayed a balance of over six hundred yuan...

He spent money freely and had become much more generous. Ever since last semester, it was as if Shen Nian had struck it rich. When they went to the mall with Li Shiyan, he even had the money to treat both of them to scratch-off lottery tickets.

He even bought two necklaces...

Aside from his scholarship, fishing, and monthly living expenses, did Shen Nian have another source of income?

Did fishing really make Shen Nian rich?

Did he fish up a CEO's unlimited black card or something?

Xia Yanchun always felt that Shen Nian had a lot of money. She should have tapped into his mobile banking app to check the last time she inspected his phone.

Next time she checked his phone, she definitely had to see how much money was in his account.

Treat me to lunch. Xia Yanchun shoved the meal card she had just taken out back into her pants pocket.

A girlfriend was meant to spend her boyfriend's money, of course.

Sure. Shen Nian stepped aside with his bowl, letting Xia Yanchun order.

Auntie, a little less rice, please. I'll have the mung bean sprouts, the garlic chives with meat... and a chicken leg.

Alrighty. You've worked hard on your exams, Auntie will give you a bit more meat.

Thank you, Auntie!

Xia Yanchun was delighted, having swiped fifteen yuan from Shen Nian for her meal.

Li Shiyan ordered the same food as Xia Yanchun, and the three of them found a table in the middle to sit down.

The two girls sat on one side, while Shen Nian sat by himself on the other.

Wow, you guys are already eating!

They had barely taken a bite when a figure stood beside them. Han Wenxin frowned with her hands on her hips, looking very displeased.

Shen Nian finally realized what he had forgotten.

Ah... Li Shiyan pressed her hands together in apology. As soon as Xiao Chun got here, we forgot to wait for you...

Hmph, your punishment is that you have to wait for me to finish eating before you can leave. I'm definitely going to eat super slowly!

With that, Han Wenxin jogged over to line up for food. A short while later, she sat down next to Xia Yanchun with her bowl.

Phew, the comprehensive science exam was really easy this time. Shen Nian, remember to show me your test paper when we get back to the classroom later. I feel like I can score two hundred and sixty.

Shen Nian smiled faintly. The you in the grand unified exam isn't the real you.

Shut up, don't mess with my mental state.

A humorous mental state.

Han Wenxin poked Xia Yanchun, who was burying her head in her food. Is he always this infuriating when he speaks?

Yeah, I told you already. Talking to him will shorten your lifespan.

Hey, hey, is this how you slander me to the other girls? Shen Nian gave her a side-eye.

I feel like the class monitor isn't slandering you, she's telling the truth, Han Wenxin mumbled as she shoveled a mouthful of rice.

Fine, fine, no more snacks for you when I hand them out.

Ahem, I was just joking. Why so serious?

Han Wenxin still couldn't resist Shen Nian's snacks.

...

After eating, the exam period hadn't even ended yet, so they couldn't return to the classroom. Shen Nian had no choice but to wander around with Xia Yanchun, strolling all the way to the sports field.

Shen Nian was debating whether or not to attend evening self-study tonight.

Evening self-study would probably just be the teachers announcing the answers to the grand unified exam. There really wasn't any need to go. Self-studying at school wasn't even as efficient as studying in his own room.

Being at school was quite dull. He studied on his own during class and chatted nonsense with his classmates between classes. That was all there was to it every day. If possible, Shen Nian wanted to just fall asleep and time-travel straight to the college entrance exam.

It was worth mentioning that once the scores for the grand unified exam came out in a couple of days, the system's main quest would be completed.

Waiting from the first mock exam before the new year until now, the time span for this main quest had been quite long.

With only one month left until the college entrance exam, the next main quest would probably be the grand finale of slaying the exam itself.

As Shen Nian was lost in thought, Xia Yanchun suddenly tugged at his clothes. Want to go off-campus?

Why, do you want to go back?

No, we're just idling around anyway, might as well take a walk outside. Xia Yanchun's eyes curved slightly. But if you want to go back, I can tag along with you.

Spoiling me this much? I'm going to fall in love.

Who told me to be your big sister? Come on, let me hear you call me sister.

Tch, I knew you were up to no good. Shen Nian looked at the cirrocumulus clouds on the horizon. Do you think I can become the provincial top scorer in the college entrance exam?

Xia Yanchun paused, then shook her head like a rattle drum.

I'm the top scorer.

Six hundred and sixty-six, acting so tough, you're just a defeated opponent trampled under my feet.

You only beat me in the second mock exam because your surname is Shen, okay? We had the exact same score.

Then let me ask you, were you ranked below me or not?

Xia Yanchun narrowed her eyes into slits. How could there be someone as shameless as Shen Nian in this world?

What exactly did she see in him to accept his confession and agree to reconcile?

Why did she like this guy who didn't have a single redeemable quality she could name!

Alright, the exams are over, let's not talk about studying. Let's go! Xia Yanchun didn't want to argue with him and turned toward the school gate.

There were food carts right outside the school, and a commercial district a bit further away. Operating on the principle of just taking a casual stroll, Xia Yanchun didn't let Shen Nian drive. She walked ahead by herself with her hands behind her back, looking here and there.

Stopping in front of a sugar-roasted chestnut stall, Xia Yanchun waved Shen Nian over. I want to eat this.

Buy it! Boss, give us five kilos!

Are you an idiot? Boss, don't listen to him, one kilo is enough!

This is great. I wanted to show off and you cut the losses for me. I got to act cool, and we didn't spend extra money.

Idiot.

...

The stall owner listening on the side was left speechless.

These days, even selling sugar-roasted chestnuts meant being used as entertainment by a young couple and being force-fed dog food.

What else was there to say? He secretly gave them a little less, charging them fifteen yuan for fourteen point seven yuan's worth.

Exactly one kilo, hold it well.

Payment scanned.

Shen Nian took the chestnuts, picked one out, peeled the shell, and popped it into his own mouth.

The texture was soft and they were roasted quite fragrantly. Honestly, they were pretty good.

He peeled another one, ignoring a certain someone beside him who had opened her little mouth, and tossed it straight into his own mouth, smacking his lips.

? A question mark slowly popped up over Xia Yanchun's head.

Haji Nian, you are somewhat lacking in romance.

Hmph. She puffed up her soft little cheeks.

Here, this one is for you.

Do I have to say it for you to take the initiative? You weren't like this when you touched me, Xia Yanchun said in a low voice.

Touched where?

You! Hmph!

Xia Yanchun instantly became bashful. Haji Nian, keep playing dumb. Next time you dare reach your hand over, I'll break it right off.

Say ah— Shen Nian peeled another chestnut and opened his mouth as if feeding a child.

However, Xia Yanchun was throwing a petty tantrum and ignored him.

He had no choice but to press the chestnut against Xia Yanchun's lips. Although Chunbao was throwing a petty tantrum, her mouth was still very honest.

Two, three, four... After several chestnuts went in succession, Xia Yanchun smacked her lips, the sound of her chewing becoming mushy.

Stop, stop... I want to save the rest to eat in the classroom!

"Alright."

Xia Yanchun ate to her heart's content, her mouth filled with the rich aroma of roasted chestnuts. Deep down in her heart, unseen by anyone else, a little pink bubble floated up.

Humming softly, she lightly grazed the back of Shen Nian's hand with her pinky.

Shen Nian understood the hint. He took Chunbao's small hand in his and gently squeezed it.

Couples really had to hold hands when going for a walk; a walk without holding hands was basically a wasted walk.

Xia Yanchun really loved the feeling of strolling under the sunset. It was poetic, charming, and she just loved it so, so much.

Even though there were a few students wearing the same school uniform right next to them, Xia Yanchun didn't care at all. Right now, she truly wouldn't be afraid even if the principal showed up.

They had to wait for the red light to cross the street, so Xia Yanchun and Shen Nian came to a halt.

"Let's go buy some milk tea in a bit." Xia Yanchun leaned against Shen Nian, her hair tickling him.

"Sure."

Shen Nian nodded. He was just about to suggest buying two extra cups to bring back to his two "sons" when he suddenly noticed a strange gaze fixed on them.

Thanks to the heightened senses from his Agility +3, such a blatant stare was very easy to detect.

Shen Nian glanced sideways, narrowed his eyes, and met the eyes of Yan Yuzhu, who was standing not far away holding a bag of things.

Haha, so it's Bishop Wangzai. I was wondering who it was.

Damn, caught in the act.

Please ask for updates and send little gifts!