My Dearest General: It Has Always Been You

Even though Shi Nian's confession was rejected, her life still went on as usual. At most, it was just her who was often distracted in class, causing Teacher Yao to call on her to answer the Mathematics question twice. Fortunately, Shi Nian's forte had always been in numerical subjects. 

After racking her brain and writing the answer on the blackboard, Shi Nian heaved a sigh in relief. She managed to avoid the embarrassment of standing in front of the class because of daydreaming.

On the podium, Teacher Yao's face was slightly displeased yet satisfied at the same time. "Good, classmate Shi Nian can answer this question that's out of last year's exam context. Actually, it isn't that difficult, you just have to understand how to line up the function." After Teacher Yao explained the theoretical knowledge of derivative function, she ended it with a gentle admonishment. "However, being able to do questions doesn't mean you can zone out in class, understand?"

Shi Nian's cheeks blushed as she quickly returned to her seat.

Chen Jiawei turned around to whisper, her eyes shining in awe. "Shi Nian, that's awesome! I haven't understood that question yet, you should explain to me when the class ends, okay?"

Shi Nian gave an OK sign and seriously listened to the class afterward. The bell rang, signaling the time of lunch break. As soon as the teacher went out, the students rushed into the cafeteria like a bunch of hungry ghosts.

Shi Nian's relationship with her classmates was getting better and better, however she was still closest to Chen Jiawei and the gang who first approached her. This time also, the four of them sauntered to the cafeteria together.

Different from Shi Nian's previous school, the cafeteria in Sangzhe High was quite wholesome. There were stalls where people could order the food in the menus and also, there was a free counter where various dishes were lined up neatly like a buffet. Students who wanted to skimp on money could queue there and pay the portion they managed to grab.

From the first time since Shi Nian saw the free counter, she had fallen in love with this cafeteria.

The only drawback there was to it was how students had to act quick and fast lest the food in the free counter would be cleaned up in the blink of an eye.

Chen Jiawei, Mo Ling and Li Qiang seldom went to the free counter because they were too slow to line up. It was only during the last few days of the month did they join the battlefield.

Today was only the middle of October, they didn't have to painstakingly hoard food like wolves.

As always, Shi Nian picked up an empty plate and tray to get on the line.

Chen Jiawei halted. "You're on the free counter?"

Mo Ling saw the long queue and felt her scalp tingle. "Are you sure? When you arrive, maybe there will be no food anymore."

Li Qing also interjected, her tone kind and gentle. "You don't have enough money? I can lend you some if you need."

Chen Jiawei and Mo Ling looked at each other. They were already young adults, talking about private affairs like money didn't seem right. They were scared that they would poke into Shi Nian's sore spot, but when they saw her calm expression as she refused Li Qing's offer, they simultaneously sighed in relief.

"Okay, don't waste any more time. I am famished!" Mo Ling circled her arms around Li Qiang and pulled her away. "We will leave a seat for you, Shi Nian!"

Chen Jiawei pushed up her glasses and nodded.

Shi Nian waved at them then turned her eyes to the long line in front of her. The free counter was very economically friendly for Shi Nian. Besides the large variety of dishes, she could also take larger portions with the same price. What was there to complain about?

Even if Qiang Fei gave her pocket money enough to last her until next month, Shi Nian just wanted to lighten her mother's burden as much as possible. She couldn't do part time jobs anymore, so this was the only thing she could think of.

When Shi Nian took her tray to the table, the other three had already seated there. Mo Ling had even finished half of her food.

Chen Jiawei scooted in to give her space and they started to eat in relish.

It was only a moment later that Shi Nian realized that the atmosphere around them was too quiet. She gave a fleeting glance around and found that Li Qing's face didn't seem right. Usually, they would gossip or simply complain about the demonic Teacher Yao, but today, Li Qing only bowed her head as she shoved food into her mouth and the chatterbox Mo Ling didn't say anything.

Shi Nian raised a brow, confused.

Then, a piece of mutton appeared on the corner of her plate. Shi Nian lifted her head to see Mo Ling grinning. "I can't finish all of this meat. Shi Nian, help me eat some, pleaseee?" The plate in front of Mo Ling was almost clean but she still had a bowl of mutton soup.

It seemed like the cafeteria auntie hadn't boiled the soup long enough as when Mo Ling cut the meat to share with her, the inside of the mutton was still half raw.

Shi Nian looked down at the reddish brown meat on her plate, lips pursed into tight line.

"Why?" Mo Ling asked fearfully. "You don't like it?"

Shi Nian shook her head and threw the meat into her mouth, mouthing, "Thank you."

Mo Ling was invigorated and almost poured half of her soup into Shi Nian's bowl.

Seeing the messy scene in front of her, Chen Jiawei rolled her eyes. "You're so greedy. Look, you can't even finish them all."

Mo Ling harrumphed. "Look at the heap of shrimps on your plate. You still dare to talk?"

"It's because I don't like it." She then turned to Shi Nian. "Last time, I saw you eating shrimp. Shi Nian, do you want it? It's a bit wasteful but I really don't like it…"

Shi Nian nodded happily and finished all of the food.

The atmosphere loosened and Mo Ling started to gossip about the handsome school grass[1] from Class 5, comparing it with the boys in their class and ending it with how all the boys couldn't hold a candle to her uncle, Mo Qingshan.

Until the bell rang, Li Qing didn't talk at all.

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[1] School grass = male god in your school

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A/N: I like how considerate Mo Ling and Chen Jiawei are, they are so good (*´∇｀*)  the cafeteria is based on my school lol I love the free counter. For example, if you take one scoop or two, the price will remain the same as long as you only pick that one dish. It's cheap and your tummy is happy hehehe

En, another conspiracy is coming up.. Prepare yourself. This time, it will happen in school~