Chapter 179 - EATING LUNCH

"DID something happen?  I've been waiting for almost ten minutes outside," Luo Jin said.

His brother told him that he should wait outside the teaching building of the third years until he came out himself.  Then the two of them would wait for that classmate of his that he suspected was a Blacksmith and followed her to wherever place she planned on eating lunch.  That was the plan.  

So he waited and waited and waited.  When he couldn't take it anymore, he finally decided to go in.  But who would have thought that he would find Luo Yan being surrounded by other third years.  He couldn't help but think that something happened that included the participation of his brother.  Not to mention, he glanced at the tall girl standing beside his brother and who looked like she'd rather not be here at all, this girl was most probably the classmate Luo Yan was talking about.

What happened to following her 'stealthily' and acting like they only accidentally happened to go to the same restaurant she did?  How come the both of them were suddenly together?  He narrowed his eyes at the two people standing in front of him.  Something fishy was definitely happening here.  

Yu Jiao squirmed.  Being stared at like this felt like he was about to punch her or something.  Now she finally understood why the reputation of this third young master was so terrible.  Just a bit narrowing of his eyes and he could already make people wobble on their feet.

Luo Yan noticed Yu Jiao fidgeting again.  He sighed.  This girl was really a bit timid.  He looked at his younger brother who looked at them suspiciously.  If he knew right now what just happened, this kid would definitely go berserk.  He would definitely drag that Ying Chen and beat him unceremoniously.  

If that slap really reached his white and tender cheek, he would definitely not hesitate to tell what happened to Luo Jin.  He might even join him in beating up that Ying Chen.  But it didn't happen.  There's no point now in getting revenge.  Especially since he already did quite a damage to that 'pretty boy'.  He didn't have the hobby of kicking an already beaten up kitten.  He's not that sadistic.

But looking at his younger brother's expression, he knew that Luo Jin would not let this topic go until he got a satisfying answer.  So, he could only leave it to his ever reliable acting skills.

He raised his head, blinking his big, watery eyes, and said in a grievous tone.  "Ah Jin, I'm hungry.  Doctor Han said I should always eat on time."

And just like that, Luo Jin's interrogation ended.  He no longer cared about what happened and could only think of how to get to the cafeteria at the fastest speed.  "Why didn't you say this earlier?  Then we wouldn't have to stay here for so long."

Luo Yan pouted.  "But Ah Jin seemed to be more interested in knowing the answer to his question."

Luo Jin remembered that it seemed to be really the case.  "Forget it.  Let's just go."

Yu Jiao, standing on the side, was dumbfounded.  She had no idea what exactly just happened.  She just knew that the two would be eating lunch and that meant that she could also go.

"Ahm, then, I- I'll go ahead."

But before she could take a step, her arm was suddenly hugged.  She looked down and saw Luo Yan staring up at her.  

"What are you saying, Yu Jiao?  You'll be eating with us.  It's my treat, because you help me today."

"I- I didn't do anything."

Luo Yan almost laughed when he saw Yu Jiao's reaction.  It's like he's threatening her with a knife instead of inviting her to lunch.  

"Don't worry, we won't go to the big cafeterias.  In fact, you could choose the place we should eat."

"I—"

"Hurry up and decided," Luo Jin said impatiently.  His brother was already hungry, what was this girl doing, being so wishy-washy?

Because of pressure coming from Luo Jin, Yu Jiao had no choice but to tell them the name of the restaurant where she usually ate.

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Yu Jiao found herself in an inexplicable situation for the second time this day.  She was sitting in front of two young masters, the table between them was filled with cheap and rustic food.  And the said young masters were eating these dishes very fragrantly.  She suddenly felt like she was in a dream.  Because if not, how come these two young masters who were supposed to be used to fine dining were eating these very cheap dishes without even a hint of reluctance or disgust?

They were at a small restaurant located at a very remote corner of the academy.  It was a place that Yu Jiao accidentally discovered last year when she transferred.  She was looking for a place to eat in peace and came across with this place.  A small restaurant with no customers.  It was the perfect place for her.  So she didn't hesitate to come in.

After that, she often came here to eat lunch.  Soon, she became familiar with this place.  The current owner of the restaurant was the Chairman's grandson.  Yu Jiao was truly quite surprised when he heard that.  The one who managed the place was a close friend of that grandson.  

This friend acted as the restaurant's manager and chef.  There was only one other employee who acted as a waiter and also as a cashier.  Yes, there were only two of them.  But it had never been a problem.  Because there's hardly any customer coming here.

Last year, there were still third years who came and eat here.  But now that those third years graduated, it had only been her so far.  Until now, that is.  She looked at the two brothers with a complicated gaze.

Luo Yan noticed this and smiled at her.  "Yu Jiao, eat.  If you don't start eating, Ah Jin and I will eat all the food." 

Yu Jiao looked down at the dishes that were slowly decreasing by the minute and she had no doubt that what Luo Yan said might really happen.  So she picked up her chopstick and started eating.

After a while, a tall and lean man walked up to them.  His hair was tied in a man bun.  The corner of his thin lips was raised into a cynical smile.  He was wearing a simple shirt and jeans.  There was a certain decadent charm in him, as if he couldn't care less about anything.  

"Brother Yuan," Yu Jiao respectfully greeted.

The man was the small restaurant's manager and chef – Yuan Xing.

Yuan Xing nodded at her before turning his sight to the other two boys.  "Are these two your friends?"

Luo Yan could feel the scrutiny of the man in front of them.  Seeing as how he seemed to be familiar with Yu Jiao, he's probably worried that they're bullying her.  So he smiled brightly at the man, his big peach blossom eyes bending into crescents.

"Yes, we're Yu Jiao's friends."

Yu Jiao heard that answer before she could even say anything.  He said it without even a bit of hesitation as if he truly thought of her as their friend.  She looked down.  For some unknown reason, she felt like crying.  

And for the first time, in a long while, warmth filled her tired heart.