Early in the morning, after her run and a change of clothes, Zhu Yaya hurried to catch the No. 54 bus from the southern district to the western district of the imperial capital. After getting off, she found the building based on the route she had memorized the day before.
Zhu Yaya didn't have to wait too long downstairs before she saw the female lead, Xu Chun, come out. She followed her.
Xu Chun walked in a very well-behaved manner, neither too fast nor too slow. After walking for a while, she stopped at a breakfast shop. The shop looked like it had been open for a long time, the storefront somewhat old and worn. A dusty sign stood on the right, boldly displaying five large characters in Song typeface: "Everyday Breakfast Shop."
Zhu Yaya watched from not too far away as Xu Chun went in and came out again shortly after. She patted her own stomach—perfect timing, she was hungry too. Taking advantage of the fact that Xu Chun's walking pace slowed while she was eating breakfast, Zhu Yaya turned and went inside.
The shop was very small, so small that Zhu Yaya saw Yan Heng as soon as she entered and was spotted by him before she could even hide.
"What would you like?" Yan Heng wore a transparent plastic mask and disposable gloves on his hands. His bangs fell over his forehead, and his narrow, long eyes held something inscrutable.
Zhu Yaya could clearly sense that his gaze was fixed on her at this moment.
Zhu Yaya: ...Why is he here? Why is he working at a breakfast shop?
Zhu Yaya instantly felt a bit cowardly but had to force a cheerful smile on her face: "Ah, haha, so early! Senior Yan Heng, you're here too! I'll just take one red bean bun and one meat bun."
Yan Heng moved quickly, promptly getting the buns for Zhu Yaya and handing them over.
"Here." His voice was clear and cool. Very pleasant to hear.
"Okay, thank you." Zhu Yaya hurriedly took them, her fingertips accidentally brushing against Yan Heng's hand.
Yan Heng's eyelashes trembled slightly.
Because of Yan Heng, Zhu Yaya was delayed a bit. When she came out of the breakfast shop, she didn't even have time to eat her buns and first went to catch up with Xu Chun.
Fortunately, Xu Chun hadn't gone far, and Zhu Yaya managed to catch up. She caught her breath and continued to follow Xu Chun at a steady pace, not forgetting to chew on her bun as she walked.
Because she had to tail Xu Chun, Zhu Yaya had clearly arrived later today.
Xu Baoying looked her up and down with curious eyes: "What's been up with you lately?"
Zhu Yaya didn't answer directly, just rubbed her temples: "For survival."
As soon as class was over, using "going to the bathroom on the fourth floor gives you a chance to see Murong Beichen" as bait, Zhu Yaya half-coaxed, half-tricked Xu Baoying into going to the fourth-floor bathroom, repeatedly passing by Class 17, Grade 12.
The fourth floor was mostly science classes for Grade 12, with fewer girls, so the women's bathroom was much quieter than downstairs.
The two of them came out of the bathroom to wash their hands.
Xu Baoying sighed with satisfaction: "Our Prince Chen is as handsome as ever!"
Zhu Yaya laughed upon hearing this: "Pfft, I really don't get your taste. He's not handsome at all! Clearly, Yan Heng is much more handsome, okay?"
Xu Baoying was very indignant: "Yan Heng is good-looking, but Prince Chen is obviously more handsome!"
Zhu Yaya shook her wet hands and retorted: "No, Yan Heng is more handsome. Yan Heng has nicer eyes."
Xu Baoying: "Prince Chen dresses more stylishly!"
Zhu Yaya recalled Murong Beichen's outfit and rainbow-colored hair, feeling a chill: "Are you serious? No, Yan Heng is also taller than him!"
Xu Baoying puffed up angrily: "You don't understand Prince Chen's fashion sense. No wonder you always go to Class 17, Grade 12—you were going to see Yan Heng!"
Mentioning this, Zhu Yaya felt somewhat guilty: "That's not true at all, I wasn't going to see him. I just think Yan Heng is more handsome than Murong Beichen. Don't change the subject."
...
Just as they were arguing vigorously, they suddenly heard the sound of the men's bathroom door next to them being pushed open and immediately fell silent. The area by the sinks became instantly quiet.
A figure walked out from inside. It was Yan Heng.
Zhu Yaya wished she could crawl into a crack on the spot, her face completely red. What kind of luck was this! Getting caught discussing someone behind their back.
Xu Baoying was also uneasy, tugging at Zhu Yaya's sleeve, leaning in, and whispering to comfort her: "Is it okay? We weren't talking loudly. He probably didn't hear us inside, right?"
"Not sure," Zhu Yaya whispered back.
However, judging by Yan Heng's reaction, he probably hadn't heard anything. He showed no particular reaction, just lowered his head to wash his hands by the sink. The hair in front of his forehead hung down, slightly covering his eyes. He didn't even glance at them, as if he hadn't noticed their presence at all.
Zhu Yaya heard Xu Baoying let out a soft sigh of relief, but her own eyes were fixed on Yan Heng's hands. They were well-defined and bony.
After washing his hands carefully, Yan Heng quickly left.
Only then did Xu Baoying completely relax, looking annoyed: "I should have known better than to argue with you here. That scared me to death! I thought he might suddenly have a psychotic episode and come hit us!"
Zhu Yaya remembered what Li Hao had said before about Yan Heng protecting him and replied: "Probably not."
Meanwhile, after returning to the classroom, Yan Heng pulled a tissue from his desk to dry his hands.
Li Hao in the front row turned around: "Why did you take so long in the bathroom?"
Yan Heng gave Li Hao a faint glance, and Li Hao instantly fell silent, made a zipping motion over his mouth, and turned back around.
"No wonder you always go to Class 17, Grade 12—you were going to see Yan Heng!"
"Yan Heng is more handsome than Murong Beichen."
...
Recalling the conversation he had just overheard in the bathroom, Yan Heng pursed his lips.
In Chinese class, the teacher for Class 17, Grade 12 was quite a humorous character. When teaching "The Peacock Flies Southeast," he talked about love, shaking his head and spouting some nonsense like "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Xu Chun thought to herself, what kind of teacher is this! How can he teach like this! Yet, unconsciously, that person's figure surfaced in her mind, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Yan Heng seemed thoughtful, holding a perfectly preserved fallen leaf in his left hand, his right fingertips gently stroking the surface of the leaf.
After that, nothing else particularly eventful seemed to happen. Zhu Yaya followed Xu Chun to and from school every day, and at school, she frequently went to the fourth floor under the pretext of using the bathroom or enjoying the view to secretly watch Xu Chun. She always felt like a creep spying on Xu Chun. Xu Chun's daily routine was simple, just shuttling between school and home.
Since Xu Chun went to that breakfast shop every morning to buy breakfast, Zhu Yaya simply started going to the breakfast shop every morning herself, eating breakfast there while waiting for Xu Chun to leave home.
Thus, every morning she would see that tall, straight-backed youth looking at her with quiet, aloof eyes: "..."
Zhu Yaya: "...Two red bean buns, please."
Over time, even the shop's proprietress knew her. Every time she saw her, she would smile meaningfully: "Here again, young lady!"
Zhu Yaya couldn't quite figure out the landlady's smile and answered tentatively: "Yes!"
"Are my buns really that good?"
"That's right, Auntie, your steamed buns are really delicious!" Zhu Yaya flattered insincerely. She knew well that there wasn't a single food service worker who didn't appreciate a customer's praise.
The proprietress indeed beamed even more brightly, casting a meaningful glance towards Yan Heng. Yan Heng remained cold-faced, his thin lips pressed tightly together, exuding an aloof and indifferent air, not uttering a word.
