The faint sounds of discussion drifted over like feathers. Jiang Cheng didn't pay much attention, his fingertips just idly swiping across his phone screen.
It wasn't until a slightly hurried voice came from behind that he turned his head to look.
He saw Ye Wan still carrying that washed-out canvas bag.
Today, she wasn't wearing the new down jackets he had given her.
Instead, she chose an old black cotton coat. She had the hood of this coat pulled low over her head, revealing only half of her face.
That half of her face was tinged with a faint red, appearing somewhat shy or nervous.
Her hand tightly gripped a campus card with slightly worn edges, her knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.
Ye Wan clearly noticed the vague gazes around them; they were like invisible threads following Jiang Cheng's direction and finally landing on her.
She buried her head even lower, her voice trembling a little as she spoke.
"W-what do you want to eat? S-swipe this card."
Jiang Cheng watched her grip on the card tighten, her fingertips stained with a bit of dust from the cafeteria floor. He said softly, "No need, I'll do it myself."
"No!" Ye Wan suddenly looked up. The moment her eyes met Jiang Cheng's, a flash of panic crossed her gaze, and she quickly lowered her head again like a startled rabbit.
Although her voice was kept very low, it was exceptionally firm, as if this was her final stand.
"This card was originally... given to me by your milk tea shop. I work part-time there for a subsidy, and it's only 600 yuan a month. I can't finish it all by myself. P-please help me eat some, otherwise it'll go to waste."
After saying this, she seemed worried Jiang Cheng would refuse, so she hurriedly added another sentence, her speech so fast she stuttered slightly: "I really can't finish it..."
Seeing the hidden earnestness in her eyes and her somewhat helpless appearance, Jiang Cheng's Adam's apple bobbed. Finally, he nodded: "Alright."
Hearing that word, Ye Wan instantly breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on her face. Thump-thump-thump.
As if afraid Jiang Cheng would change his mind, she gripped the card and walked quickly toward the food counter.
She spent a long time carefully picking out dishes at the window.
Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, Cola Chicken Wings, Garlic Shrimp, and two servings of the Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables Jiang Cheng had mentioned in passing last time.
Every time she ordered a dish, she would look up to confirm, as if afraid of ordering the wrong thing.
Just as Jiang Cheng was about to take out his phone to hurry Wang Jian and the others.
A voice came from behind.
"Brother Cheng, sorry, sorry! It's all Wu Kun's fault. He suddenly had to squat in the toilet just as we were leaving!"
Wu Kun, standing behind, showed his signature big white teeth.
He replied with a grin, "Aiya, that's just how I am. I get an upset stomach easily when I'm nervous. But it's fine, I'll head to the rib window right now to queue up and grab some for you. I guarantee you'll get 'daddy-level' service!"
Wu Kun's down jacket was unzipped, revealing a sweatshirt underneath printed with 'Rich Woman, Please Sponsor Me.'
Lu Chuan chimed in from the side, "Brother Cheng, Wu Kun is queuing for ribs, and I'll go grab the Cola Chicken Wings. You said they were good last time. I guarantee it'll be faster than queuing yourself. This 'acting as your dad' move is pretty loyal, right?"
Jiang Cheng initially didn't think there was anything wrong with hearing 'daddy-level service,' but Lu Chuan's follow-up sentence immediately made him feel like he was being mocked.
Jiang Cheng immediately laughed and scolded, "Gross. After the New Year, you guys have really turned bad."
"Hahaha~~"
While Jiang Cheng was joking with them, Ye Wan returned, walking with light steps while carrying a tray piled high with food.
Seeing Wang Jian and the others standing next to Jiang Cheng, a hint of shyness appeared on her face, and she nodded to greet them somewhat awkwardly.
Seeing it was Ye Wan again, the three of them—Wang Jian and the others—immediately gave Jiang Cheng a meaningful smile.
What did that smile mean??
But Jiang Cheng was too lazy to explain: "Hurry up and get your food. If you're any slower, there won't be anything left. Oh, and don't worry about getting mine; Ye Wan already bought it."
After saying that, Jiang Cheng took the tray from Ye Wan's hands and walked toward an empty seat.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's action, Ye Wan took another tray, bought two bowls of Rice, and quickly walked toward Jiang Cheng's spot.
After sitting down, she pushed a bowl of Rice in front of Jiang Cheng.
"These... I usually see others ordering them, so they should be delicious. Try them. If they're not to your taste, I'll go change them..."
This was the first time Jiang Cheng saw a glimmer in Ye Wan's eyes that was different from inferiority, timidity, and a sense of unworthiness.
That glimmer in her eyes carried a hint of expectation.
But soon, this light in Ye Wan's eyes dimmed a bit amidst the surrounding whispers.
Jiang Cheng's level of discussion on the school forum was not low.
His fame was particularly high among the freshmen.
After all, the principal had invited Jiang Cheng to the stage to give a speech in front of the freshmen during Military Training.
So most of the freshmen knew Jiang Cheng.
Ye Wan had seen it just now; some of the bolder female students would even take the initiative to greet Jiang Cheng as they passed by.
Once you have money, most people around you are 'good people.'
Unlike Ye Wan, Jiang Cheng was already long accustomed to this kind of situation.
Seeing Ye Wan return to her Little Mute state after saying those words.
Jiang Cheng picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of pork rib: "It smells delicious. You eat too."
Ye Wan gave an "mm," picked up her own chopsticks, but only dared to pick at the cheapest green vegetables in front of her, looking like she wanted to save all the good food for Jiang Cheng.
Seeing Jiang Cheng notice her actions, and seeing her sincere yet slightly clumsy appearance, a warm current couldn't help but surge in his heart.
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing an almost imperceptible smile.
"Was the milk tea shop busy during New Year's Eve?" Jiang Cheng continued to ask. "I heard from Yang Fan that you're always the first to arrive and the last to leave."
Seeing that Jiang Cheng was still paying attention to her work at the milk tea shop, Ye Wan thought of the 5,000 yuan red envelope from the New Year.
To earn more money, she had rushed to the shop early every day and stayed busy until very late before leaving.
However, what left a deeper impression on Ye Wan was that on the night of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Yang Fan suddenly brought her a bag of Sugar Cakes, a lot of Spiced Beef, and some Steamed Seafood.
At the time, Yang Fan said his family had made too much and was sharing it with everyone.
Ye Wan hadn't thought much of it at first.
But later, she once overheard Yang Fan chatting with a colleague, mentioning that the food was actually specifically ordered by Jiang Cheng for him to bring.
These scenes circled in her mind.
Only then did she look up, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible softness: "Thank you. I'm very grateful to be able to work in your shop. You didn't just give a red envelope for New Year's Eve, you also sent a lot of food. The work you mentioned is just what I should be doing."
It was clear Ye Wan had realized he had gone out of his way to look after her.
Jiang Cheng gave an "mm" and didn't chat much more about that.
Instead, he asked.
"In previous years, you would usually spend the New Year at home, right?"
Ye Wan nodded: "Yes, I spend the New Year with my mother every year."
Seeing that Ye Wan only mentioned her mother, a trace of doubt rose in Jiang Cheng's heart.
So, is she from a single-parent family??"}],