The bell rang during the recess.
A brief break.
Ethan turned to Nora on the right and spoke naturally: "Nora, come with me to the second floor of the cafeteria for a meal later."
Nora raised her head, a trace of confusion in her clear eyes as she said, "Then... shouldn't we be going to Oak Ridge to cook today?"
Ethan said, "Nah, let's skip today. Let's go eat at the cafeteria."
Her first reaction was that today she no longer had to fulfill the task of "cooking to pay off her debt."
Hearing that she didn't need to cook for Ethan at Oak Ridge today, Nora quickly shook her head and said, "No need, no need, I'll just eat on my own."
Usually, Ethan had her cook for him at Oak Ridge and eat together, but today Ethan said she didn't need to cook, so she definitely felt too awkward to eat with him.
Ethan knew she'd react this way and couldn't be bothered to argue with her. He said directly, "It's not that I wanted you to come along, it's that Summer told the two of us to come together. I think she must have something to say to us. Otherwise, why do you think I'd leave the food back home and go to the cafeteria instead?"
Hearing Ethan say this, Nora nodded in agreement.
Seeing her like this, Ethan was very satisfied and smiled as he went to find Summer.
He strode through several rows of seats, clearly heading toward Summer, who was chatting with a girl in the front row.
He plopped down in the empty seat next to Summer, his movements so natural it seemed that seat was reserved for him, and said, "Summer, after class, come with me to the second floor of the cafeteria for dinner."
"Alright." Summer nodded enthusiastically.
She answered decisively, thinking maybe he wanted to relay some new instructions from Mr. Hayes, or discuss next month's class budget or team-building plans.
The next moment, Ethan lightly added, "By the way, remember to bring Nora along."
The smile on Summer's face froze instantly!
Her brows arched, her eyes wide open, and though her voice was lowered, it was clearly filled with anger, like a hen protecting her chicks: "Alright, Ethan, are you trying to tease or bully Nora again? I'm telling you, as long as I'm around, don't even think about it!"
Ethan: "..."
Summer's "accusation" left him speechless.
He immediately looked surprised and said, "Hey, hey, hey! You're really slapping a label on me here! I'm treating you both to a meal, okay? How can you say that! I swear, I'm class president! I've got nothing but good intentions here!"
"Class president invites me and Nora to dinner? For no reason?" Summer felt that Ethan's sudden invitation to dinner with Nora was definitely a scheme of some kind.
The little radar in her mind spun wildly, instantly locking onto a possibility. Could it be... he's trying to make a move on me?
That thing he told Nora once, about liking someone like her — was that actually true?
As soon as this thought arose, Summer's cheeks flushed red, both embarrassed and annoyed, her voice stammering: "You... you're not planning to make a move on me, are you?"
Ethan wanted to say, "You guessed it, but how could you just say that out loud!"
What did she take him for? Did she think he was the kind of guy who lost his head over a pretty face?
However, Summer's reasoning was, admittedly, not unreasonable.
He'd invited her to dinner along with Nora, but instead of pursuing this obviously more striking girl, he was going after some ordinary girl instead?
Who would believe that!
That's basically the ultimate insult to her!
I'm gorgeous and you're not even coming after me instead? Are you treating me like I don't exist?
Ethan instantly recalled a line from an old comedy in his previous life: something about spending a fortune just to hang out, only to get stood up for a fish...
If he flatly denied it, Ethan could already imagine the immense resentment Summer would carry toward him.
He chuckled, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, put on a full "class president" vibe, and started seriously rambling: "Today, I'm just treating you both to dinner out of classmate camaraderie and my duties as class president. Look at Nora."
He gestured toward Nora, his voice just right: "You know her situation at home. She's often just getting by on very little. How's she supposed to get proper nutrition like that? As class president, I feel for her! I just wanted to get some real food into her, help her eat better. You're her roommate, you're closest to her, so I figured we'd all go together! More people, more fun, and it's a nice way to show we care. Class president looking out for a student who's struggling — isn't that reasonable?"
Summer stared at Ethan's face, full of "sincerity," and laughed to herself: Making it up! Keep making it up! Grasping at straws again! This excuse is so weak even a kid wouldn't buy it!
Her inner monologue was already running: You think I'd fall for an excuse like that? You want to go after me but don't have the nerve to just say it — what a coward!
But using someone else as cover is a decent move, so I won't feel embarrassed turning you down.
Ethan, oh Ethan, are you actually afraid of losing face too?
Whatever, a graceful lady deserves a fine gentleman. I'm considered both classy and pretty, so it's perfectly reasonable for you to be into me. But whether you actually win me over depends on how you perform. I, Summer, am not the type to be all looks and no substance.
Thinking this, Summer's expression immediately shifted from cloudy to bright, even flashing a sly smile that said "I get it," and nodded meaningfully: "Oh~~~ I get it, I get it! I totally get your 'good intentions' as class president! Nora really could use some proper meals. Class president really 'reads the room' and looks out for his classmates — truly admirable! Don't worry, I'll definitely bring her along later."
Ethan figured that settled things.
What Summer didn't know was that Nora had been working as the personal "chef" for this "caring classmate" of a class president at Oak Ridge every day, and the food standards there had long since gone way up.
The main reason was that Nora used to be so malnourished. Even though she'd been eating well lately, you wouldn't notice unless you looked closely. That's why Summer hadn't picked up on the fact that Nora had been cooking for Ethan every day.
If Nora had gained a little weight, Summer would've noticed and asked. But usually, if you didn't ask her directly, Nora wouldn't volunteer what she'd been up to.
...
An hour later, at a window seat on the second floor of the cafeteria.
Ethan ordered three steaming, golden bowls of noodles and set them on the table, along with three shiny, tempting chicken legs.
Ethan watched Nora eat with great focus and even a hint of happiness in her small bites, feeling quite pleased. He casually picked up the chicken leg from his own bowl and put it into Nora's bowl.
Nora was stunned, glanced up at Ethan, and instantly blushed as she said no, she couldn't.
The tone and manner of Nora's refusal made Ethan feel a strange sense of déjà vu. No, no... damn it, Maddie had said "no" the exact same way last night, and something about that line just felt eerily familiar.
There are 130 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439