These past few days, Liu Yutong had mostly stayed on campus, and she was quite enjoying the unique tranquility found only in a school environment.
Walking around campus, she always felt like every face was familiar, because everyone would greet her politely when they saw her.
This feeling was actually quite nice. At least this way, she hadn't encountered any overly dramatic incidents at school.
Even when boys had arguments and got red-faced, as soon as they saw her, they would immediately make up, even wishing they could hug on the spot to prove it was all just in fun.
It was particularly harmonious.
At noon that day, Liu Yutong went to the cafeteria for lunch as usual.
To be honest, the food at the Finance University's cafeteria couldn't be called delicious, but it wasn't bad either—just the taste of ordinary mass-produced meals.
It was just that Liu Yutong was used to eating at her family's restaurant, so after eating at the school cafeteria for days, she was really starting to 'miss' that taste a bit.
As soon as Liu Yutong got in line at the serving window, the students who saw her were all extremely polite, insisting on giving her the spot at the very front.
She wasn't one to enjoy special treatment, but if she didn't proactively move to the front, the students ahead would just stand there waiting for her with expectant eyes.
So she stopped being polite, picked up a tray, and walked to the front of the line.
Just as she reached the front, even the cafeteria lady serving food broke into a smile and greeted her proactively: "Liu Yutong's here? We have sweet and sour pork ribs today, your favorite."
Liu Yutong smiled in response: "Thank you, auntie. I'll have half a portion, then."
Even though she didn't intend to get extra, when the lady scooped the food, her hand didn't shake at all, still piling her plate high.
Liu Yutong could only smile and thank her again, then ordered two light vegetable dishes and half a portion of rice.
Then, she said to the lady: "Auntie, could you please add a chicken drumstick and a marinated egg for every student in line at this window today? Put it on my tab."
She couldn't just cut in line for nothing; she should at least show a little goodwill.
"Sure thing, no problem!" the lady agreed cheerfully.
Liu Yutong nodded. Just as she picked up her tray and turned around, she couldn't help but pause in surprise.
Originally, there were only about a dozen people in line at their window, but now the line actually stretched all the way outside the cafeteria doors.
The students in line immediately began thanking her eagerly.
"Awesome, we get extra food today!"
"Thank you, Liu Yutong."
"Thank you, junior Liu."
"Thank you, Sister Yutong..."
"Sister Yutong is way too nice!"
"How can we accept this..."
"I told you we didn't need to be so afraid of her. She's actually quite generous."
"Get in line, get in line..."
Looking at the students' cheerful expressions, Liu Yutong felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.
She actually saw genuine gratitude and smiles from her classmates.
Was the power of a drumstick and an egg really that great?
There was a time when students at the Finance University showed more respect and fear when they saw her, their greetings tinged with nervousness.
Almost no one dared to exchange even half a sentence of casual chat with her, let alone act like they were now.
But... they were actually quite cute like this.
She had always had another worry: she felt the distance between her and the other students was too great.
Now, they seemed to be gradually changing, even showing a hint of closeness, not as afraid of her anymore.
And then...
Liu Yutong beckoned a male student over and whispered something in his ear.
The male student immediately turned around and shouted excitedly: "Announcing great news to everyone! Liu Yutong is paying for everything in the cafeteria today!"
The entire cafeteria instantly fell silent.
The next second, a tidal wave of cheers erupted!
"Whoa, really?!"
"Long live Sister Yutong!!"
"Junior Liu, you're so awesome!!"
"I love Finance University, I love Liu Yutong!"
"..."
Originally, only the line for one window had stretched outside, but now, the entire cafeteria was in an uproar.
The commotion was so loud it even caught the attention of the teachers getting food at the staff window.
A teacher couldn't resist joking: "Student Liu Yutong, can we mooch a meal too?"
Liu Yutong replied politely with a smile: "Of course you can."
The teacher said with a laugh: "Well then, thank you for your kindness, Liu Yutong. We won't stand on ceremony."
Several teachers also happily accepted this unexpected treat.
The atmosphere in the cafeteria immediately became even more lively.
Liu Yutong didn't forget to remind everyone: "Everyone, order whatever you like, don't be polite with me. But I only have one requirement: no wasting food!"
As soon as she said this, the whole place responded immediately.
"We guarantee to complete the mission!"
"Don't worry, Sister Yutong!"
"Don't worry, junior Liu!"
"We'll clean our plates for sure!"
"Auntie, give me twenty drumsticks first!"
Liu Yutong: "..."
She really wanted to ask this male student if he could even finish that many drumsticks.
Then she realized she had underestimated the appetite of this nearly six-foot-tall male classmate.
He was sitting diagonally across from her, and she just stared in amazement as the guy polished off five large drumsticks in a few bites.
His eating speed and capacity were a match for Ji Yu.
The boy seemed to notice Liu Yutong's gaze. He looked up from his pile of drumsticks, grinned sheepishly, and said indistinctly with his mouth full: "Don't worry, junior Liu, I won't waste a thing! I'm on the university soccer team, just finished training, and I feel like I could eat a whole cow!"
The surrounding area immediately erupted in laughter.
"Da Zhuang, you're really taking advantage of the junior's treat to go all out!"
"Junior, put this guy on a blacklist next time. He eats way too much!"
"Hahahaha..."
Liu Yutong couldn't help but laugh too, then picked up her chopsticks and started eating her own meal.
Among all the tables in the cafeteria, only hers had her sitting alone.
Just as she was halfway through her meal, three girls who looked like freshmen shuffled over to her table, pushing each other hesitantly, their faces showing a mix of shyness and nervousness.
Finally, a girl with a ponytail was pushed forward by her companions. She asked cautiously, "Sister Yutong... um, can we sit here? We... we don't mean to disturb you."
In the past, no student would have proactively asked to share a table with her.
Li Xiaohui and a few girls from her class were the exceptions.
Liu Yutong looked up, a gentle smile appearing in her eyes.
"Of course you can. It's empty here, please sit."
The three girls immediately looked relieved, their faces breaking into delighted smiles. They quickly thanked her and sat down across from her and beside her.
"Thank you, Sister Yutong!"
"..."
