Vol2 Chapter 17: Now that things have come to this…

Cassell College’s nights were quiet.

The cafeteria, bustling by day, was nearly empty now. Everything seemed hushed, wrapped in silence, with only the bright night lamps casting a gentle yellow glow, draping the world in a soft veil.

Lu Mingfei, as hoped, ran into Zero and Bai Ci in the cafeteria.

“Congrats,” Bai Ci said softly.

“Haha… just luck,” Lu Mingfei scratched his head, grinning, then glanced at Zero.

Zero’s expression remained icy, unshaken, giving him only a slight nod.

She clearly had no interest in starting a conversation.

The atmosphere turned awkward.

“What’re we eating today?” Lu Mingfei was used to this. Knowing Zero’s aloofness after all this time, he always racked his brain to keep things lively.

“Dunno,” Zero said, glancing at Bai Ci. “She’s treating me, and I’m treating you.”

“Huh?” Lu Mingfei blinked.

“The sniper who hit me this afternoon was her,” Zero said, tilting her head toward him.

Lu Mingfei got it instantly. Zero had a thing about cleanliness—she hated anything dirty. They both knew it.

They ordered a fried goose, perfectly cooked, its skin crisp. Zero took a knife, arranged the goose, sliced it neatly, and divided portions for each of them.

“Dissecting the crispy goose,” Lu Mingfei blurted out.

Bai Ci’s eyes flicked to him, her lips twitching upward slightly. Zero glanced at him too, her calm face unchanged, but her knife paused, as if his random comment had briefly thrown her off.

The three sat down, Lu Mingfei in the middle with his big appetite, Bai Ci and Zero on either side. If he were bolder, he’d have used a smooth, low voice to charm them both. After over a year together, he could’ve had a beauty on each arm, strutting out, hands in pockets, the girls clinging to him, basking in envious stares, living the high life.

But here’s the problem—he was Lu Mingfei, a bit of a coward. Even if he dreamed of it, it stayed a dream.

His eating wasn’t pretty but sparked appetite. Once, the three had devoured three whole chickens, a smoked pork leg, three beef burgers, two crucian carp, a vegetable salad, and a big serving of mashed potatoes.

Bai Ci ate casually with chopsticks, Zero used a knife and fork with precise elegance, while Lu Mingfei grabbed a disposable glove and dug in, though he could use chopsticks too.

Cassell was inclusive—hybrid or not, they welcomed all. The gloves? Probably for the Indian students.

None of them were great at small talk. Finding new topics took ages, and most of the time, they just heard each other chewing until someone broke the silence.

A sudden, earth-shaking boom nearly shattered the windows. A ten-meter-high blood-red flame erupted from the well in front of Valhalla, bathing the campus in crimson. The three kept eating calmly. No alarm meant it wasn’t their problem. They knew the Equipment Department’s antics—those gadgets always saved students from chaos, but don’t ask where the chaos came from. Just trust the gear worked.

“Senior, what a coincidence! You’re here for a late-night snack too?”

A lively voice made Lu Mingfei pause. He turned to see a vibrant girl in a pink silk nightgown, fluffy slippers, and a dark green school uniform draped over her shoulders. Her long black hair flowed softly, like a figure from a painting.

It was Xia Mi.

“I’m here every night,” Lu Mingfei replied, then turned back to his food.

Fingel had a point: nothing mattered until you were full. Only then could you appreciate pretty things.

Lust comes after a full stomach.

“Wah, Senior’s got a girl on each arm and forgot his junior sister?” Xia Mi pouted, feigning hurt as she approached. “Have you forgotten my kindness in getting you cola?”

She grabbed chopsticks, lightning-fast, snatching a piece of goose from Bai Ci’s plate and popping it into her mouth. Plopping down beside Bai Ci, she hugged her arm.

“Senior Sister’s the best! Senior’s a big meanie!” Xia Mi faked a whine, tapping her slippers. A grease stain marked her uniform’s hem, but she didn’t care. “Without me, you wouldn’t have had that tasty cola!”

She glanced at Zero.

“That… sneaky shorty Senior Sister?” Xia Mi muttered, but everyone there was A-rank or above, with hearing rivaling wolves. Lu Mingfei and Bai Ci’s expressions turned odd. Zero’s eyes flickered, staring at Xia Mi.

“Ahhh, I’m sorry, Senior Sister!” Xia Mi backpedaled, raising her hands in surrender.

Zero said nothing, focusing on her plate, as if Xia Mi’s antics were too trivial to bother with.

Seeing no reaction, Xia Mi cautiously leaned closer. Up close, Zero was about Bai Ci’s height, but then she noticed Zero’s toes didn’t touch the floor—she sat on three cushions. After a moment’s thought, Xia Mi asked, “Shorty Senior Sister, how do you resist swinging your legs?”

Lu Mingfei bowed his head, pinching his thigh to stifle a laugh.

Bai Ci gave Xia Mi a complex look, her lips twitching up then flattening. Xia Mi was childish yet adorable, cowardly yet bold—like Lu Mingfei. Most people were intimidated by Zero’s icy aura, but Xia Mi was unfazed.

Lu Mingfei thought, Our Queen Zero’s finally met her match. Xia Mi’s fiery energy could melt even Chu Zihang’s icy stoicism. How long can this little pudding last?

Zero suddenly tugged Bai Ci’s arm. “I’m done eating.”

She stood, washed her hands, grabbed her three cushions, and left.

Xia Mi watched her go, then turned to Bai Ci. “Senior Sister, is Shorty Senior Sister mad?”

“…” Bai Ci nodded silently.

“No point worrying now—let’s eat,” Lu Mingfei said, patting Xia Mi’s shoulder, barely hiding his grin.

—

Zero returned to her dorm, locked the door, washed her face, brushed her teeth, washed her feet, lay on her bed for two seconds, then sat up. She grabbed a bottle of milk from the fridge, chugged it, wiped her mouth, and flopped back down, rolling over to grab her phone.

—

In a Chicago hotel room, a young girl sat alone, hair messy from sleep, wearing a white silk nightgown. She leaned lazily against the headboard, a white pillow dented slightly behind her. Her stunning legs were stretched out, a laptop balanced on them.

She was about to sleep when her cute colleague sent a message.

“Will a 30-year-old girl still grow taller?”