Yuchi Yishu thought he had misheard him. Yuanyuan is eating hotpot with another guy?
“Yishu? Yishu?”
He only snapped out of it when he heard his roommate call his name a few times. Lifting his hand to look at the time on his watch, Yuchi Yishu pursed his lips then asked, “Where?”
Just as Jiang Yu returned inside, the waiter brought over their new order and switched out a new pot for them. Zong Yongran motioned to Tang Yuanyuan and asked, “Yuanyuan, do you want to come sit over here?”
They were at a table for six. Initially, the both of them were sitting face-to-face with each other. When Yuchi Yishu’s friends showed up, they sat next to Tang Yuanyuan and left Zong Yongran on the other side by himself.
Jiang Yu automatically got up. “I’ll sit over there.”
He sat next to Zong Yongran and left the spot next to Tang Yuanyuan vacant. Yishu can sit there when he arrives later.
Jiang Yu was fairly quick-witted. Ever since Tang Yuanyuan showed up at their dorm, he sensed that there was something odd between the both of them. When he later found out that they were childhood friends, he seemed to put the pieces together. Although he was not too sure, he did not talk about it if Yuchi Yishu did not bring it up first.
He was on Yuchi Yishu’s side on this today. The phone call he made was also a way to test him out. When he heard the long pause Yuchi Yishu gave before asking for the address, everything became clear to him.
Meanwhile, Tang Yuanyuan wanted to leave. She did not expect to eat hotpot with three other guys. Moreover, she was not very familiar with them.
Feeling down, she thought, If only Yishu were here.
Suddenly, Jiang Yu, who was sitting in front of her, waved his hand behind her with a smile on his face. “Yishu, over here.”
Yishu?
Tang Yuanyuan thought she had misheard him. But when she turned around to look, she saw a tall figure heading toward them. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome. He sat next to Tang Yuanyuan and brought in some of the crisp air from outside, but it was quickly overwhelmed by the heat from the hotpot.
Yuchi Yishu sat down next to Tang Yuanyuan and placed his phone on the table.
Tang Yuanyuan immediately stiffened.
“Do you mind if we have another person here, Yongran?” Jiang Yu asked cheerfully as he glanced at Zong Yongran beside him.
The sudden appearance of Yuchi Yishu left Zong Yongran slightly awe-struck as his presence was domineering and he seemed to come from a world of his own.
When he sat down next to Tang Yuanyuan, the aura he carried quickly blended in with hers and they somehow befitted each other from his point of view.
“Of course, not. He is Yuanyuan’s friend, so he’s a friend to all of us too.”
“He’s not just her friend,” Jiang Yu nonchalantly responded but did not go on to explain Yuchi Yishu’s relationship with her, letting him make his own guesses.
Zong Yongran hesitated then nodded at Yuchi Yishu when he understood. “Nice to meet you. I’m Zong Yongran, Yuanyuan’s senior.”
“Mm.” Yuchi Yishu was very monotonous. In a cold tone, he replied, “Yuchi Yishu.”
He took a good long look at Tang Yuanyuan, then suddenly reached up and pinched her cheeks. “You got thinner.”
Tang Yuanyuan froze as she looked at Yuchi Yishu. Her pink lips twitched, and she wanted to say something but was interrupted by Yuchi Yishu.
“Looks like you’re not eating properly again without me by your side.”
After that, he ordered another bowl of rice from the waiter and placed it in front of her. “You can’t just eat hotpot without rice. Eat some rice so you don’t get hungry at night.”
Tang Yuanyuan was already very full and was definitely not going to finish that big bowl of rice. She shook her head. “I-I can’t eat that much.”
“I’ll eat the leftovers.”
What?
She did not know how to respond and felt her face start to heat up. Lowering her eyes, she thought, Why does Yuchi Yishu seem a bit different today?
More dominating? Possessive?
No, no. She pictured herself shaking her head. Why would he feel that way toward me? He never wanted to be with me. Pursing her lips, she silently picked up some rice.
Yi Huasheng and Jiang Yu exchanged glances, then looked at Zong Yongran at the same time. They were impressed to see that he looked unperturbed. In a situation like that, unless he did not like Tang Yuanyuan, he would need to be calm enough to remain unhindered.
They felt apologetic and started to engage in conversation with him. Tang Yuanyuan continued to poke at her bowl of rice dejectedly. She was unable to eat any more, but she was worried that Yuchi Yishu would actually eat her leftovers. She had no choice but to keep stuffing rice in her mouth, bit by bit.
Until half a bowl of soup was placed in front of her.
“Drink some soup, then rest for a bit.”
“Huh?”
Before she had time to react, Yuchi Yishu took away the bowl of rice she only had one-fifth of. Seeing him eat from the side of the bowl, the temperature on her face rose.
Is that considered indirect kissing?
She waved her hand in the air without realizing then picked up the bowl of soup to drink but ended up choking on it because she was in a rush.
Cough…
The soup was quickly taken out of her hands. Yuchi Yushi grabbed a piece of tissue paper and wiped the corners of her mouth then said gently, “How can you be so careless?”
Tang Yuanyuan looked up and met his eyes; they were as deep as the ocean and fixed on her. His gaze carried a hint of resignation and adoration.
How can this be?
She could not figure it out. Yishu is acting completely out of character today.
“Silly girl. No one is going to take it away from you so drink slowly.”
He poked her small and delicate nose. “Did you hear me?”
She froze; her pink lips gaped slightly but she did not say anything.
This is not how it should be. Yishu shouldn’t be like this. He was never like this before. Why is he so gentle toward me now?
Is it because…
She looked to where Zong Yongran was sitting and suddenly understood. Her previously blushed cheeks now lost their color, and her mind turned into clutter. She stood up.
Everyone turned to look at her.
“I-I have to go back and study. I’ll get going now.”
She did not care to hear their response and wanted to head straight out with her backpack. However, she was sitting on the inner side of the table. Yuchi Yishu would have to get up for her to leave, but he did not budge.
The atmosphere in the room became strange, but Zong Yongran maintained his composure.
“I just got here, and you want to leave already?”
