Chapter 31: The Cafeteria Encounter
The next day at noon, Xiang Yang goes to the cafeteria with her deskmate Fan Xiaoyu to eat. They wait in line for a long time, and there are still three or four students in front of them. Fan Xiaoyu leans close to her ear and discusses the contents of today's history class. Fan Xiaoyu is enthusiastically talking about unofficial history.
Xiang Yang listens attentively, occasionally asking questions about what she doubts. Fan Xiaoyu is stumped by her questions and waves her hand, “Unofficial history, unofficial history. How could everything conform to historical facts? Xiang Yang, don't be so critical.”
Xiang Yang smiles faintly. Just as she's about to give her an answer, she hears a commotion near the cafeteria entrance. The sound gets louder and louder.
Fan Xiaoyu curiously looks over. Xiang Yang looks over as well. Fu Guanxian stands not far from the glass door. His hands are in his pockets. He slightly tilts his chin and casually looks around. The next second, his gaze meets Xiang Yang's questioning eyes.
He raises the corners of his mouth slightly, almost imperceptibly, and leaves Zheng Jie and the other guys. He walks toward the windows where everyone is lining up.
Zheng Jie wants to call him back. Then he sees Xiang Yang with her ponytail in the crowd. He chuckles and says to the guys behind him, “I told you, it's strange that he's suddenly interested in the cafeteria food! It's obviously because of something else.”
One of the guys answers, “So, he didn't come to the cafeteria before to avoid suspicion? Now that we know, he's not hiding it anymore?”
Zheng Jie rubs his chin and thinks for a moment, “This is going to be tough!”
Both of them are the top students in their year. If they really get together and it affects their studies, the head teacher and the other teachers will probably take turns brainwashing them.
Zheng Jie can't figure it out. Fu Guanxian has endured for a whole year in his senior year. Why can't he bear it for the remaining year?
Fu Guanxian wants to endure. But he finds that the more he follows Xiang Yang's wishes, the farther away she gets from him.
That Xing Zhaoyan is already annoying enough! And now, there are those strange guys sending her love letters. Now, even those first-year kids aren't behaving themselves!
Fu Guanxian thinks that if he really acts up, those first-year boys won't matter!
Xiang Yang sees him coming and has a bad feeling. She stands there, not daring to move, even deliberately turning her back to him.
But his silent steps, step by step, seem to be getting closer.
Xiang Yang knows, even without looking back, that the students eating around them are all looking at Fu Guanxian and her.
Fan Xiaoyu pats her shoulder and deliberately lowers her voice, “Xiang Yang, do you know the school heartthrob? It feels like he's walking towards you!”
Xiang Yang's heart is beating fast. She closes her eyes slightly, praying that Fu Guanxian isn't coming for her.
But she doesn't escape him.
Fu Guanxian stands beside her, bending slightly to talk to her. “Get me some food.”
Xiang Yang opens her eyes in shock and sees his face close up. She's startled, takes a step back, and gasps, “What...what are you doing?”
Seeing her like this, Fu Guanxian is a little speechless, “I just want you to get me some food. Why are you so nervous?”
Xiang Yang looks at the students in the hall. Sure enough, most of them have stopped eating and are focused on the two of them.
Fu Guanxian is already taller than most boys. Plus, he has that unforgettable appearance, with that noble air about him. Walking among the crowd, even if he doesn't say a word, he's a striking figure.
Especially now, he's out of character, appearing in the cafeteria, and even talking to Xiang Yang, who's well-known. The eyes of the crowd are keen, instinctively feeling that their relationship isn't simple.
Xiang Yang is afraid of being misunderstood, so she refuses without hesitation, “Why don't you get it yourself?”
Fu Guanxian gestures toward the line behind her, “There are so many people here, by the time you get to the front, there won't be any food left! Don't be a pain, you know what I like and don't like to eat. I'll go ahead and wait for you.” After saying this, he deliberately ignores Xiang Yang's refusal and walks away directly.
Xiang Yang looks at him and is truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
If she doesn't get it for him, what will he eat for lunch?
If she does, how will she explain her relationship with Fu Guanxian to others?
She just wants to study quietly and simply. Why is Fu Guanxian always disrupting her life?
Fan Xiaoyu, who's behind Xiang Yang in line, stares in disbelief for a few seconds after Fu Guanxian leaves. She comes to her senses and excitedly pats Xiang Yang's shoulder. “I'm not wrong, am I? That person was Fu Guanxian?”
Xiang Yang isn't in a good mood and doesn't want to talk.
Fan Xiaoyu continues, “So you two know each other! Why didn't you tell me? If I'd known you two knew each other, I would've asked you to get an autograph from the school heartthrob!”
Xiang Yang is speechless. “He's not a celebrity. Why would you ask him for an autograph?”
“That's because he didn't become a celebrity. With his looks and talent, if he went to be a celebrity, he would definitely become an overnight sensation! Also, I heard gossip that he's the only grandson of the richest family in the city. If he really wanted to make his debut, with just him, plus a little family background, he'd definitely be very successful. So, no matter what, I have to keep his name for collection and commemoration!”
Although Xiang Yang doesn't know what kind of career Fu Guanxian will choose in the future, it seems that he'll have to inherit the family business whether he wants to or not. But Xiang Yang is sure that Fu Guanxian has absolutely no interest in entering the entertainment industry.
Fu Guanxian's uncle, Fu Qingrui, is a popular male singer.
Fu Guanxian's mother, Kong Yiyue, was a popular actress before she got married. After getting married, she chose family over career, but she's also very happy now.
Xiang Yang thinks about it and says firmly, “He won't go into the entertainment industry.”
Fan Xiaoyu is surprised by her confidence. “How do you know? You're really close to him?”
Xiang Yang calms her breathing and thinks for a moment. “We grew up together.”
Fan Xiaoyu is shocked, “You're childhood sweethearts!”
“Shh, be quiet. I'll tell you more later.”
Fan Xiaoyu quickly covers her mouth, laughing. “Okay, I won't say anything. Tell me alone when we get back.”
Zheng Jie, who's been paying attention to Xiang Yang, sees Fu Guanxian come back and asks in confusion, “What were you talking to the school flower about?”
Fu Guanxian doesn't answer directly but just says, “My food has been taken care of. You guys go and line up for yours.”
“Hey! Don't be such a jerk!” Zheng Jie is speechless. “You're deliberately coming to the cafeteria to eat, aren't you?”
Fu Guanxian doesn't answer yes or no but reminds him, “There are a few empty seats over there, I'll go over and take them. Hurry up, if there are no seats left after you get your food, don't complain.”
Zheng Jie has a complaint already! There are several restaurants and hotels near the school that are owned by the Fu family. When he eats with Fu Guanxian, he doesn't even have to wait in line. He even enjoys super VIP treatment most of the time. This cafeteria, you have to wait in line to eat, you have to clean up your own dishes after, and there are so many people, sometimes there are no seats left.
Zheng Jie thinks that even if you're torturing someone, you shouldn't torture yourself! But he's been brutally tortured by Fu Guanxian.
However, after complaining in his heart, he obediently lines up with the other guys!
Xiang Yang gets her food and hesitates for a few seconds, but she still swipes her meal card again and says with a smile to the lunch lady, “Auntie, please give me another one.”
The lunch lady smiles at her and replies, “Alright!” She then listens to Xiang Yang order her food and says, “That young man is really handsome! I've been working in the cafeteria for seven or eight years, and this is the first time I've seen such a handsome young man!” She then smiles at Xiang Yang and says, “You're cute too.”
Xiang Yang smiles awkwardly and takes the food she's handed, saying, “Thank you, Auntie.”
Xiang Yang holds one plate of food and struggles a little. Fan Xiaoyu sees this and quickly says, “Xiang Yang, you don't have to wait for me. Go ahead. I'll be there soon. I'll find you later.”
Xiang Yang weighs her options and says okay. She glances at the crowd and sees Fu Guanxian sitting in the second row in front of her. He's looking up at her.
She walks towards him with a stiff face. Fu Guanxian also stands up and walks towards her. He takes the two plates from her.
After putting them down, Xiang Yang originally wants to say that she won't eat here, but when she looks around, everyone is silently watching their every move. As she's feeling conflicted, she hears Fu Guanxian say, “They've watched a good show for so long. Even if you deliberately keep your distance from me now, I think they'll still be guessing about our relationship behind our backs.”
Xiang Yang tries to control herself from rolling her eyes at him.
Fu Guanxian continues, “Go sit down. What are you standing there for!”
As soon as he finishes speaking, Fan Xiaoyu walks over and says to her, “Xiang Yang, it's good that Fu is here, otherwise we'd have a hard time finding a seat. Hurry up and sit down and eat!”
Xiang Yang wonders about Fu Guanxian's purpose. She can't figure it out, but she understands that it makes no difference whether they eat together or not. It seems everyone who should have misunderstood has already misunderstood.
Xiang Yang, who was hungry just a few minutes ago, suddenly loses her appetite.
Xiang Yang just takes a bite when Zheng Jie and the others come over after getting their food. He puts down his plate and introduces himself, “Xiang Yang, nice to meet you! I'm Zheng Jie, Fu Guanxian's deskmate for the past three years in high school.”
Xiang Yang has actually seen him a few times, because he's basically inseparable from Fu Guanxian. The other guys introduce themselves as well.
Xiang Yang has to smile faintly and briefly says, “My name is Xiang Yang. I'm from Year 2, Class 2. This is my deskmate.”
Fan Xiaoyu immediately says, “Nice to meet you. I'm Fan Xiaoyu.”
A few simple sentences, and they're all acquainted.
Zheng Jie is very curious, “Is this cafeteria food really meant to be eaten?” Although it's not that bad, it's not that delicious either.
Fu Guanxian hears this and replies, “Aren't you eating? Are you not a person?”
Zheng Jie is speechless. He sees the guys laughing unkindly at him, then turns to Xiang Yang and says, “If you weren't here, I think he wouldn't even want to come to the cafeteria to eat!”
Him?
Xiang Yang looks at Fu Guanxian following Zheng Jie's gaze. The guy is lowering his head to eat, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Xiang Yang slightly curls her lips and just continues to eat.
This meal is the most torturous for Xiang Yang. She has to endure the chatterboxes constantly pulling the conversation to her. She also has to endure the sharp eyes from behind.
Xiang Yang eats without tasting anything.
Fu Guanxian sees that she has a poor appetite, and says in a low voice, “If it's really that bad, why do you still eat here every day?”
Xiang Yang freezes for a moment, then she realizes he's talking to her. She lowers her head, pretending not to hear.
Fu Guanxian looks at her coldly, then puts down his chopsticks and says, “You're responsible for my meals from now on. Starting tomorrow, I'll eat lunch at the cafeteria every day.”
“Bang!” Two pairs of chopsticks hit the plates at the same time, making a crisp sound.
Fan Xiaoyu and Fu Guanxian's classmates look at Xiang Yang and Zheng Jie with strange eyes. One of the guys asks, “Zheng Jie, why are you two reacting so dramatically?”
Zheng Jie has a hard time explaining. He tries to persuade Fu Guanxian, “The head teacher really pays a lot of attention to you. Why don't you just endure it a bit longer and keep a low profile?”
Fu Guanxian replies with a grim expression, “I can't stand it anymore.”
Zheng Jie: “...”
Xiang Yang's face doesn't look good either. She says, “Can you please stop deliberately making things difficult for me?”
Fu Guanxian looks at her with a smile, but it's not a friendly smile. “Is this making things difficult?”
Xiang Yang is uncomfortable. What else could it be if it's not making things difficult?! Is he trying to push her into the spotlight again?
Zheng Jie and the others see that there's a tense atmosphere between Fu Guanxian and Xiang Yang, and they're on the verge of arguing. They wisely remain silent. Then another voice breaks the strange atmosphere, “Xiang Yang, have you finished eating? The head teacher wants you to go to her office with me after lunch.”
Xiang Yang recognizes the voice and knows it's Xing Zhaoyan. She turns around, looks at him, and stands up, saying, “Okay, I know. I'll be there soon.”
Zheng Jie looks at Xing Zhaoyan and sees him looking down at Fu Guanxian. Then he looks at Fu Guanxian. He's turned away from Xing Zhaoyan, with no movement or expression.
But Zheng Jie keenly senses that the aura between them is off. It takes him a beat to understand. Could it be because of Xiang Yang? He looks at Xing Zhaoyan again. Although he's not as handsome and charming as Fu Guanxian, he's still good-looking, with no complaints about his height, and more importantly, it seems like he's quite attentive to girls. In this regard, he's miles ahead of Fu Guanxian.
Zheng Jie looks at Xiang Yang with worry and secretly prays that she doesn't do anything stupid and touch Fu Guanxian's scales.
Xing Zhaoyan takes his gaze away from Fu Guanxian and looks at Xiang Yang gently. “Okay, then I'll wait for you in the classroom.”
“Okay.” Xiang Yang replies.
Xing Zhaoyan doesn't want to linger any longer. He takes one last look at Fu Guanxian before leaving. He sees him finally look up, his gaze full of murderous intent. A smile spreads across Xing Zhaoyan's face, and he smiles and nods to him.
It's not until Xing Zhaoyan leaves the cafeteria that Fu Guanxian retracts the sharpness of his aura. He lowers his voice and says to Xiang Yang, “Can't you just stay away from him?”
Xiang Yang has heard him say this more than two or three times. She looks at him and ignores him. Her expression is clear to anyone with eyes - Xiang Yang has an opinion, she's upset.
This meal is a rollercoaster of emotions.
Back in the classroom, Zheng Jie asks Fu Guanxian, “Are you stimulated?”
Fu Guanxian answers without hesitation, “Pretty much.”
Zheng Jie looks at him in terror. The countless drafts of advice to remain calm that he's prepared in his mind suddenly become speechless.
Fu Guanxian, who's usually not concerned about anything, is suddenly so concerned about Xiang Yang. After thinking about it, the only explanation is that his possessiveness is at play.
However, he's curious. Are Fu Guanxian and Xiang Yang really a couple?
Why does his attitude towards Xiang Yang today seem strange? There's no loving sweetness after they've confirmed their relationship, not even the slightest sign of intimacy.
Zheng Jie looks at Fu Guanxian and says carelessly, “Guanxian, you wouldn't happen to be unilaterally in love with Xiang Yang, would you?”
As soon as he finishes speaking, Fu Guanxian, who's about to open his phone and browse the web, suddenly stops. He's silent for a moment, then looks up and smiles at Zheng Jie. His voice is icy. “Zheng Jie, if you don't speak, nobody will think you're mute.”
Zheng Jie hears this, but he's happy. “Aiyo, so it's true!”
Fu Guanxian angrily says, “Shut up!”
~~~~~
Translator's Note:
We're halfway through the project, and I'm excited to see what we can accomplish next! To keep the momentum going, I'd love to brainstorm some potential novels for translation. Do you have any specific genres or themes in mind? Let's discuss some possibilities and find a compelling story to bring to a wider audience.
Thank you for staying until this moment. And I will appreciate it more if you can give your feedback.
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