Chapter 29: You Don’t Want Your Daughter to Go Hungry, Do You?

Watching Lin Yizhou holding the lunchbox with an obvious frozen expression, Su Ziling raised an eyebrow.

“What are you spacing out for? It’s your lunch.”

“Not…” Lin Yizhou weighed the warm and tightly wrapped lunchbox in his hand. It was clearly a handmade package, not cafeteria food. “Did you… make this?”

“What else?” Su Ziling’s tone was flat, her gaze still fixed on the pages of her book. “I made it this morning. I just used the microwave in the cafeteria to heat it up.” She paused, as if adding offhandedly, “I don’t know what you like to eat, so just make do. Being picky isn’t a good habit.”

“…”

After a short silence, Lin Yizhou ultimately chose to accept her goodwill.

He knew that even if he refused, it would be useless. As a return gesture, he silently pulled an unopened can of soda from his bag and handed it over.

“Want some?”

“Thanks.” Su Ziling didn’t refuse and took it naturally. The cool metal of the can dispelled some of the stuffiness in the room. She glanced around the quiet classroom and gave a rare evaluation.

“This place is actually pretty nice. Quiet enough. I didn’t know this window could open. Looks like you know how to enjoy solitude.”

“Indeed,” Lin Yizhou responded without holding back as he lifted the lunchbox lid. “So, if possible, could you let me enjoy this rare private space in peace?”

“Theoretically, this is a public area,” Su Ziling turned a page without looking up. “So, I’m afraid I cannot grant your wish.”

“Tch…” Lin Yizhou clicked his tongue in annoyance. His gaze landed on her calm, indifferent profile. “So this is your true face, huh? Don’t you get tired of putting on that ‘gentle mother’ act all the time?”

“Not really. I’m used to it.”

Su Ziling’s tone remained as calm and flat as ever, betraying no joy or sorrow.

Maybe she was tired, or maybe she had matured enough to know that complaining did nothing but affect the moods and spirits of those around her.

“Scrambled eggs with tomatoes… and fried chicken cutlet?” Lin Yizhou was drawn to the brightly colored, fragrant dishes in the lunchbox.

The fluffy golden eggs were coated in a shiny red tomato sauce, and beside them was a golden, crispy-looking chicken cutlet that was clearly fried to perfection. The presentation was way better than the “pig slop” from the cafeteria.

He picked up a piece of scrambled egg and put it in his mouth.

The sweet and sour sauce melted on his tongue. The egg was rich and fragrant, and the slight sourness of the tomato perfectly balanced the richness. He took a bite of the chicken cutlet. The skin was crispy, the inside was tender and juicy, and the seasoning was just right.

Delicious…

Lin Yizhou chewed silently. He couldn’t deny it—this skill was absolutely phenomenal.

He didn’t say it out loud. He just silently took another big mouthful of rice.

In the quiet classroom, the boy and the girl sat a few meters apart.

While eating, Lin Yizhou’s gaze once again fell on the girl beside him.

He remembered the coffee shop incident yesterday and asked Su Ziling.

“Are you still planning to work at that coffee shop? I remember the pay was pretty good, and the shopkeeper seemed to like you.”

To this, Su Ziling shook her head.

“I have no plans to apply for now.”

With finals approaching, Su Ziling naturally couldn’t afford to work and get distracted. She had her sights set on the scholarship and credits. Yesterday was just a trial run.

After answering Lin Yizhou’s question, Su Ziling closed her book and asked in return.

“Fan Zhicheng—he was the Black and White Bear from yesterday, right? Were you monsters investigating my identity in secret?”

“Our organization does have such a target,” Lin Yizhou said without any intention of hiding it. “After all, your actions during this period have been too conspicuous. It’s hard not to attract monster attention. Besides, you appeared on stage with Meiluke’s original form yesterday, so of course you made the headlines. It’s impossible not to be famous.”

“Huh…” Su Ziling closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. “I clearly told Pei Keke not to film me. But it seems like she can’t control all those people anyway.”

Thinking about it, Su Ziling sighed, and Lin Yizhou continued to ask.

“Are you cooperating with the Magical Girl Pei Keke?”

“No,” Su Ziling shook her head. “That’s just wishful thinking on her part. I clearly rejected her invitation yesterday too.”

Compared to being poor, Su Ziling feared fame more. Others could make big money by becoming famous. For her, fame would only attract the greed of that Gambling Bug.

“Is that so?” Lin Yizhou looked at the news on his phone. “But she really said in the news that she has an unspeakable relationship with you.”

Lin Yizhou scrolled down through the news as he spoke.

“Speaking of which, I felt something was off yesterday. The timing of that Yelu Guairen’s appearance, as well as all of Pei Keke’s reactions and expressions—something felt very strange.”

“You feel it too?”

Su Ziling felt the same way, not just Lin Yizhou.

Especially when she thought about that Yelu Guairen’s全方位 Feather Barrage. Even she and Lin Yizhou had barely reacted in time.

But that inexperienced Magical Girl, Pei Keke, had reacted even faster than the two of them, even putting up a Light Screen to block the attack.

That scene was truly puzzling.

“So, what’s your connection to her?”

At that, Su Ziling shook her head. “A long time ago, I saved her once. That’s all.”

“Just that?” Lin Yizhou was a bit surprised.

“Yes.”

“Judging by what you’ve said, combined with this news report,” Lin Yizhou squinted his eyes, “it really seems like she’s trying to latch onto you as a sugar mommy.”

“She’s relatively weak. It’s only natural to find a strong backer.”

Su Ziling’s response made Lin Yizhou laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“It just feels like you’re thinking too highly of Magical Girls.”

Lin Yizhou had no evidence, so he just said that. He didn’t intend to dig deeper.

He set the now-empty lunchbox aside, looked at Su Ziling reading her book nearby, and sighed. It seemed he had made up his mind. He handed the lunchbox over and spoke.

“But, Su Ziling…” This seemed to be the first time Lin Yizhou had addressed her by her full name with such seriousness. His tone was unusually sincere. “You don’t have to worry about my feelings just for Su Lili’s sake.”

“Su Lili’s arrival itself was an accident for both you and me. To be honest, I don’t want this small accident to make you overly concerned or worried about me.”

“I’m already used to this kind of lonely, peaceful life. If you’re only interacting with me because of Su Lili’s request…”

He paused for a moment, then leaned against the wall and sat down before continuing.

“…then it’s better not to interact at all.”

“Is that so…”

Su Ziling, on the contrary, stood up and walked to Lin Yizhou. Her face betrayed no joy or sadness—she wasn’t angry or upset. She simply extended her hand.

Seeing her outstretched hand, Lin Yizhou was puzzled.

“Huh?”

“I’m not bringing you food to be nice to you. I’m doing it to earn myself a little extra money in a reasonable way. Of course, you can also refuse this equal exchange.”

Su Ziling met Lin Yizhou’s gaze.

“But… Mr. Villain, you don’t want your daughter to go hungry, do you?”