The night breeze was cool. Yu He had chosen a spot near the convenience store, where the streets were bustling with pedestrians and the background noise was chaotic.
From a distance, Lu Shinian spotted Yu He standing at the entrance of an alley.
Yu He was dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt paired with black sweatpants, simple and casual. Unlike her usual school uniform, this outfit gave off a bit of the youthful energy a high school girl should have.
Lu Shinian parked her bike across the street and walked over. Just as she was about to call Yu He’s name from a few steps away, she saw a girl with dyed blonde hair emerge from the alley behind her.
Lu Shinian’s mood grew complicated when she noticed the three girls who had threatened to beat her up standing beside Yu He.
The scene felt strangely familiar.
Yu He turned her head and said, “Come here.”
Lu Shinian hesitated but still walked over, cautiously asking, “What did you want to talk to me about?”
Yu He didn’t answer. Instead, she glanced at the three girls and said, “Apologize.”
Lu Shinian: “?”
The three girls shifted their eyes restlessly, their faces full of reluctance, their postures slouched.
“Sorry.”
“My bad.”
“Sorry.”
Yu He’s voice was cold and indifferent. “Louder.”
After a brief silence, the three of them shouted in unison, “Lu Shinian, we’re sorry! We were wrong!”
The commotion was at least twice as loud as before, startling passersby.
Lu Shinian herself was completely stunned, her mouth slightly agape as she took in the scene.
In just one short minute, her entire perception had been overturned.
Yu He’s expression remained calm. “The money.”
The blonde leader pulled out five red bills from her bag and handed them to Yu He.
“Returning what was taken,” Yu He said.
The blonde girl curled her lip and reluctantly extended the money toward Lu Shinian. “Here.”
Lu Shinian took the cash and stuffed it into her pocket. Her delayed reaction finally caught up, replaced by a surge of excitement.
She had never imagined someone would help her reclaim her dignity and she certainly never expected that person to be Yu He.
In the past, when she had been humiliated or taken advantage of, she had tried seeking help, but maybe her luck had just been bad, no one had ever stood up for her. Chai Ping wouldn’t bother intervening over such trivial matters either.
After being worn down by life, she had learned to keep grudges to herself, waiting for the right moment to retaliate. But she was always alone, with no one at her back.
So… damn, why was Yu He so amazing?
A strange, indescribable feeling welled up inside her. If she had to put it into words, it would be something like: So I actually have someone watching my back now.
“Satisfied?” Yu He leaned against the lamppost, her voice cutting clearly through the noisy surroundings. Her gaze was lowered, waiting quietly for Lu Shinian’s response.
For a moment, Lu Shinian felt like Yu He was towering at six feet tall. She was so moved she almost snapped to attention and saluted but since they were in public, doing so would probably make her look like an idiot.
Instead, she curved her lips into a smile. “Classmate Yu, I’m very satisfied.”
At 10 p.m., inside the convenience store, Lu Shinian sat at a table, propping her chin in her hand as she stared at Yu He.
Yu He twisted open a bottle of water, feeling the weight of the other girl’s blatant gaze. She turned her head. “What do you want?”
Lu Shinian blinked. “Nothing. I just think you’re really amazing.”
Yu He responded with a faint “Hm.”
Lu Shinian grinned. “Why did you help me?”
Yu He: “To uphold justice and rid the world of evil.”
“……”
Beneath Yu He’s cold exterior actually lay the heart of a chuunibyou.
“How did you deal with those three people? Did you beat them up?” Lu Shinian asked curiously again.
Yu He took a sip of mineral water and replied calmly, “Called in a favor.”
Lu Shinian exclaimed in surprise, “You actually have such strong connections?”
Who would have thought this top student who seemed socially awkward had such extensive connections.
How many more sides of you do I not know about?
“Can you introduce me to them then?”
Yu He looked at her, “What do you want?”
Lu Shinian said, “Just to make friends and express my gratitude.”
“No.” Yu He’s reply was terse.
Lu Shinian mimicked, “Okay.”
Yu He said, “I’ll convey your thanks for you.”
After a moment’s thought, Lu Shinian asked, “Are you working tonight?”
“Why?” Yu He didn’t give a direct answer, unsure what strange thing Lu Shinian might do next.
Lu Shinian reached out and patted Yu He’s shoulder, “I’m treating you to barbecue.”
Yu He had barely eaten barbecue growing up – partly because she couldn’t afford it, partly because it seemed unhygienic.
So when Lu Shinian proposed treating her to barbecue, her first instinct was to refuse. But meeting Lu Shinian’s expectant gaze, she found herself inexplicably nodding.
How strange – she couldn’t even understand herself.
Following Lu Shinian down the street, they came to a crossroads where a bustling food stall stood, its entrance wrapped in warm-colored string lights.
Even at this hour, business was thriving. The stall was packed – families with children, middle-aged men drinking with friends, young couples – people of all ages filled the space.
Lu Shinian walked over, deftly pulled out chairs and sat down, calling out to the stall owner, “Two pounds of spicy crayfish, twenty meat skewers, and a cucumber salad!”
Turning to Yu He, she asked, “Anything you’d like?”
Yu He shook her head, “No.”
Nodding, Lu Shinian added, “And a plate of stir-fried clams!”
“……”
The owner responded warmly, “Coming right up, ladies!”
Yu He stared at the stool for a long moment without sitting.
Lu Shinian asked curiously, “Aren’t your legs tired? Why aren’t you sitting?”
After a two-second pause, Yu He replied, “Dirty.”
Lu Shinian swiftly pulled several napkins from the dispenser, walked over to Yu He’s seat, bent down and meticulously wiped the chair, running her hand over it to confirm no grease remained.
Standing up, she tossed the used napkins into the trash. “Now it’s clean.”
“Thank you,” Yu He murmured softly.
Noticing Yu He’s slight embarrassment, Lu Shinian smiled, “No need for thanks between friends.”
Yu He didn’t argue, pulling out the chair to sit.
Lu Shinian clarified, “This isn’t my thank-you gift to you. This is you keeping me company for late-night snacks.”
Yu He: “Didn’t you eat enough at dinner?”
Poking at her bowl with chopsticks, Lu Shinian sighed, “No, it was miserable.”
At the hotel banquet, she’d barely touched her food, too busy maintaining her well-behaved “young miss of the Lu family” persona.
“Everyone at the table was drinking and socializing, so I couldn’t just focus on eating. There was this crispy rice with gravy dish I really wanted to try, but I had to watch it drift away right in front of me.” Lu Shinian sighed, unable to hold back her complaint.
Yu He wasn’t particularly good at comforting people. Seeing Lu Shinian’s expression, she hesitated before finally offering, “Eat more.”
As they chatted, the waiter came over with their food.
The rich aroma of lobster filled the air, its bright red broth glistening with a layer of chili oil, spicy and utterly tempting.
“I’m digging in.” Lu Shinian eagerly put on disposable gloves, picked up a lobster, and peeled it open to reveal the tender meat inside.
She placed the first peeled piece into Yu He’s bowl.
Yu He was momentarily taken aback. Lu Shinian grinned and said, “The first bite is always the best. Dip it in the sauce, it’s delicious.”
Yu He slowly picked up her chopsticks, lowered her head, and took a bite.
The lobster was tender, the spicy broth igniting her taste buds, fiery and refreshing.
Lu Shinian watched her, licking her lips. “Good?”
Yu He’s dark, narrow eyes curved slightly as she gave a faint nod. “Mm.”
“Glad you like it.”
Lu Shinian peeled another piece for herself, popping it into her mouth with satisfaction. “Would be even better with some beer.”
Yu He glanced up. “You drink?”
Lu Shinian tilted her head. “I can drink.”
“I also smoke.”
Yu He responded with a flat, “Oh. Impressive.”
Lu Shinian blinked. “Aren’t you surprised?”
Yu He countered, “Why would I be?”
Lu Shinian stared at her for a few seconds before breaking into a smile. “Just kidding. You actually believed me? I don’t smoke or drink. I’m a good kid.”
Yu He lowered her gaze. “Mm. Got it.”
If Lu Shinian were Pinocchio, her nose would now be long enough to reach Yu He across the table.
Lying to Yu He felt a bit like tricking a child, she felt a twinge of guilt.
Lu Shinian took a bite of a skewer. “I’ll take you home after this.”
“No need.”
“Yes, need. It’s not safe for you to go alone.”
They fell silent, quietly eating. Yu He ate very little, withdrawing halfway through the meal, leaving Lu Shinian to finish the rest.
Yu He leaned back in her chair and watched her, genuinely convinced that Lu Shinian was starving.
She kept stuffing lobster into her mouth, cheeks puffing up like a little hamster.
When she bit into a chili, she’d hiss and wave her hands. Yu He would then wordlessly pass her water, which Lu Shinian would cradle with both hands, eyes crinkling happily. “Thanks.”
Yu He pressed her lips together, smiling silently when Lu Shinian wasn’t looking.
After their late-night snack, Lu Shinian insisted on seeing Yu He home, citing “friend duty.”
When her scooter reached the intersection where they’d first met, Yu He said, “Stop here.”
Lu Shinian frowned. “We’re not there yet. Wouldn’t it be better if I took you straight home?”
Yu He shook her head firmly. “No.”
Lu Shinian pulled over. “You sure you live nearby?”
Yu He: “Mm.”
Lu Shinian took the helmet back, hugging it. “Text me when you get home.”
Yu He nodded, then paused. “You too.”
Lu Shinian grinned. “Will do.”
Just as Yu He was about to leave, Lu Shinian suddenly called out to her, “Wait a moment.”
Yu He turned her head at the sound, “Hmm?”
The evening breeze rustled through the treetops, stars twinkling overhead. The girl tilted her head slightly to look at her, her smile appearing somewhat ethereal under the moonlight. “Classmate Yu, see you tomorrow.”
Yu He’s eyelashes lifted slightly as she replied in a soft, unhurried voice, “See you tomorrow.”
Lu Shinian watched Yu He’s retreating figure for a while before turning her bike around and riding off.
Yu He glanced back once, then continued walking forward step by step under the moonlight, eventually turning into an old, rundown residential area.