The girl didn’t sleep deeply; after just a short while, she woke up, her eyes still bleary with sleep.
Her mind was still a little hazy. Looking at the class monitor who had, at some point, sat down beside her and was now gazing at her with clear annoyance, she felt a bit embarrassed.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
“S-sorry… How long was I asleep?”
“Ten minutes.”
Her head tilted lazily against the sofa, Liu Yinuo looked rather relaxed.
“Um… what time is it now?”
Since she didn’t have her phone, and there wasn’t a wall clock or anything like that in the living room, the girl had no choice but to ask Liu Yinuo for the time.
“Around twelve forty, I think?”
Without checking her phone, Liu Yinuo simply estimated a number. The moment Ye Xingmian heard it, she leapt up from the sofa, looking flustered and anxious.
“What’s wrong?”
“C-class monitor… have you eaten yet?”
“No.”
“T-then… it’s already this late, should I still cook?”
She seemed a little guilty, bowing her head slightly, her eyes dimming.
Liu Yinuo didn’t pay any mind to her worries, her gaze lingering on the girl’s legs.
“Do your legs still hurt?”
“Ah… I think… not anymore?”
“That’s good.” Liu Yinuo showed a relieved smile.
“C-class monitor… you still haven’t answered me…”
“Go ahead and cook, there should still be time. Is what you want to make complicated?”
“N-no… just some ordinary home dishes.”
“Then go on, there’s still time. Do you need my help?”
“No, it’s fine. Class monitor, you should rest a bit first.”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, as if she truly felt ashamed and guilty for accidentally falling asleep. She almost fled into the kitchen, and from the living room all that could be heard was the hurried sound of her opening the refrigerator.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help?”
“No!”
Hearing the reply from the kitchen, Liu Yinuo finally set her mind at ease. She suddenly bounced on the sofa, sprawling out flat and letting the softness of the sofa envelop her.
The place where her calves had been still held the lingering warmth left by the girl just moments ago. Suddenly, Liu Yinuo covered her face, rolling back and forth on the small sofa.
Wuwuwu… she’s just too cute…
Ever since the girl had unconsciously fallen asleep, Liu Yinuo had been secretly watching her. From those smooth, slender, fair legs to that adorable face. The way she slept was so peaceful, without any of the timidity or anxiety she usually had while awake. Especially the faint, almost invisible smile at the corners of her lips and those long eyelashes fluttering—Liu Yinuo felt her heart melting.
If she thought about how all of this was her own doing, a strong sense of accomplishment would bubble up, making her indescribably happy.
Rolling around on the sofa like a worm, Liu Yinuo suddenly sat up with a serious face, got off the sofa, and crept to the kitchen door, poking her head out to secretly watch the petite figure bustling about inside.
No, this isn’t peeping! She was just worried about her little cutie’s safety! It was necessary vigilance, in case she didn’t know how to use the kitchen tools and accidentally hurt herself!
Yes, that’s it!
Defending her actions in her heart, Liu Yinuo continued to watch the girl as a matter of course.
But, somewhat to her surprise, the girl’s movements while cooking showed no trace of unfamiliarity or clumsiness. On the contrary, washing vegetables, chopping, heating oil, adding to the pan, stir-frying—it was all done in one smooth motion, with almost no pauses. Clearly it was her first time cooking in this kitchen, yet she acted as though she’d practiced countless times. Aside from looking a little puzzled while searching for certain things, she quickly finished a simple home-style dish.
It was rare to see the girl acting beyond her usual self, and Liu Yinuo felt a bit surprised. After thinking for a moment, she quietly slipped away.
Not long after, Ye Xingmian carried a steaming bowl of food out of the kitchen, the whole process taking just over ten minutes.
At the doorway, she suddenly spotted Liu Yinuo, who had been waiting for a while. Startled, she nearly spilled the dish she was holding. After steadying herself, she asked nervously, “U-um… which way is the dining room?”
Liu Yinuo, looking thoughtful, gently pointed in the direction of the dining room.
“Oh, okay. Class monitor, come with me?”
After the two reached the dining room, the girl went to serve the rice herself and poured two cups of water, setting them down on the small dining table.
“I’m sorry, since I was in a hurry, I only made something simple… it’s all my fault for falling asleep…”
Standing by the table like a servant, she apologized on her own.
But Liu Yinuo frowned slightly, looking at the pink-eyed girl.
“Aren’t you going to sit down and eat too?”
“Eh? Isn’t that… not really proper… I…”
“How is it not proper?”
“Uh… it’s just…”
She stammered for a bit, unable to come up with a convincing answer. Her voice grew softer and softer until finally, she gave up arguing altogether.
After a moment’s silence, she murmured, “Alright…”
Then she quietly sat down across from Liu Yinuo.
She looked very restrained, as if she was worried she’d done something wrong. Seeing this, Liu Yinuo’s frown deepened, but she said nothing more. She picked up her chopsticks and tried some of the dishes the girl had made, eating them with rice.
“Ye, do you often cook at home?”
“Uh? Mm… yes…”
She quietly peeked up at Liu Yinuo’s expression, worried that the food wasn’t to her taste.
Honestly, it tasted very good. Though made in a rush, the dish reached at least 80% in every aspect, even a bit better than Liu Yinuo remembered her mother’s cooking to be.
But that wasn’t all she cared about.
“Ye, your cooking is delicious. Whoever gets to marry you in the future will be so lucky.”
“Eh? Eh?!”
Hearing Liu Yinuo’s teasing, the girl looked flustered, her face turning red as she mumbled, “C-class monitor… I’m a boy…”
“Then you can marry a girl.”
She buried her head even lower. She had never thought about things like this—those were all dreams too far away for someone who struggled just to survive. Besides, two girls being together… that just seemed impossible, right?
Secretly observing the girl’s reaction, Liu Yinuo suddenly spoke quietly, “Ye, do you usually eat with your family at home?”
“Eh? S-sometimes, I guess…”
It was obvious she was being evasive.
Remembering Lin Ziyan’s attitude when she’d mentioned Ye Xingmian, Liu Yinuo already had some guesses about the girl’s strange behavior just now.
Why bother cooking for people who don’t care about you? You should only cook for people who actually care.
Those people really aren’t worth your kindness!
A nameless anger rose in her chest, but Liu Yinuo knew it wasn’t the girl’s fault, so she didn’t show it. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile.
“Ye, your cooking is so good. How about coming over to my house every day to make me lunch from now on? I’ll help you with your studies as payment.”
“Eh? E-every day?”
“Yes.”
All those precious smiles brought by happiness, all the small worries that showed as tiny pouts, the shy blushes—these cute, wonderful things should only be shown to people who care about you. Don’t let those who hurt you see your vulnerable side anymore.
Liu Yinuo didn’t know why she felt this way. It just happened, and only after did she realize it, almost frightening herself.
“O-okay… I’ll do my best…” Though it seemed a little difficult, the girl still agreed to the class monitor’s request.