Chapter 119 Dependent and Affectionate Like a Little Bird

ining table. Zhao Hongyu picked up chopsticks and, following the etiquette between host and guest, extended her hand palm-up to Xie Yujia, saying, "First time having dinner at our home, please help yo...Chapter 119: Being Affectionate

Hao Ren sat up, and Zhao Yanzǐ turned around and walked out of the pavilion towards the cafeteria.

The time was right after the morning classes had ended. High school and middle school students came out in droves from both sides of the teaching buildings, rushing towards the cafeteria.

Zhao Yanzǐ had P.E., so she left early. By the time she brought Hao Ren to the cafeteria, there weren't many people in line.

"Here, take this and go sit over there!" Zhao Yanzǐ tossed the sports clothes in her hand to Hao Ren and pointed at a seat near the window.

Holding onto the soft sports clothes, Hao Ren could even smell a faint fragrance. He walked to where Zhao Yanzǐ had indicated and waited for her.

Seeing Zhao Yanzǐ's tiny figure standing in line with her long pigtails trailing behind her neck made Hao Ren find it hard to believe.

On the surface, they were like water and fire that could never mix. And yet, she had him come into her school and eat with her at the cafeteria

A few minutes later, Zhao Yanzǐ walked over with two silver plates, sitting down opposite Hao Ren.

Roar roar! At this moment, students flooded into the cafeteria. The queues in front of each window immediately formed long lines.

Hao Ren and Zhao Yanzǐ merely came a few minutes earlier to avoid the rush hour.

Zhao Yanzǐ was about to start eating but then thought for a moment, lifted her plate, circled around to the other side of the table, sitting down next to Hao Ren.

"Oh, so I'm your shield" Hao Ren uncovered her thoughts and said.

"Since you're here, let's make full use of it!" Zhao Yanzǐ moved closer to Hao Ren as she spoke.

The students in the cafeteria all wore school uniforms. The middle schoolers wore light blue uniforms while high schoolers wore black ones. It was easy to tell them apart. Since Hao Ren from another school wasn't wearing a uniform, he stood out very much.

Soon enough, these middle and high school students noticed that strange figure in the cafeteria—Hao Ren. Seeing how young he looked, they were sure he wasn’t a teacher.

"Here, have some fried chicken," Zhao Yanzǐ, seeing everyone's eyes on them, performed even more enthusiastically, putting a piece of meat into Hao Ren’s plate with an intimate gesture.

Hao Ren had eaten many meals at Zhao Yanzǐ’s house but she had never made such gestures before. Now she was acting so considerate; it was clear what her motive was.

"So Zhao Yanzǐ has a boyfriend…" She doesn’t look that handsome… he's not as good-looking as Ming Ye from Class 3.

“Who is that Fatty, you know him”

“Isn't Gao Er Liǔ from Class 6 chasing her around How did she suddenly get a boyfriend then”

“He's an outsider school student How did he manage to get in here Which high school is he from Hedgehog, you have lots of friends. Help me check it out.

As there were many people in line and the queue moved slowly, their murmuring spread gradually.

Zhao Yanzǐ chose a window-side seat where she could be seen clearly by those in line.

"Uncle, which high school did you go to" Zhao Yanzǐ leaned her shoulder against Hao Ren's and asked.

The pigtails on both sides of her head moved slightly, tickling Hao Ren’s neck a bit.

“Beihai No. 1 High School,” Hao Ren replied.

"Okay, I remember," Zhao Yanzǐ lowered her head to eat.

Suddenly, she seemed to recall something and said, "Oh, you're quite accurate with your basketball shots."

"These past few days, I've been training especially for a basketball match next week." Hao Ren turned his head towards her, saying, "Will you come It's on Thursday night at seven o'clock. It won't affect your classes.

"Since it doesn’t affect my class schedule, I'm even less interested," Zhao Yanzi's answer left Hao Ren speechless.

"Forget it then, if I have the time, I'll come to watch you play," seeing Hao Ren looking a little disappointed, Zhao Yanzi added.

"Alright! It’s Thursday night at seven. You should be able to find the gymnasium, right" Hao Ren said.

"If I can't find it Will you come and pick me up then" Zhao Yanzi pouted slightly, "Since it's your match, I will bring my parents along too."

“Then you won’t have to do your Thursday homework” Hao Ren pointed out again.

Zhao Yanzi used her chopsticks’ end to poke Hao Ren’s chest.

This kind of action was, in the eyes of those students, an intimate gesture. Male classmates were envious or jealous while female classmates were surprised. Zhao Yanzi, who was a 'topic character' within this campus, was being so brazen as to bring her boyfriend from another school onto campus.

She was after all a student in Class 2, and the classes of Grade 8-10 were the 'learning focus classes', also known as 'commoner classes'. These were classes where students with excellent grades but ordinary backgrounds would gather.

Zhao Yanzi, as a student from the commoner class, had her unique arrogance and was beautiful and cute to boot. Of course, this attracted many self-important male students.

Hao Ren saw that every one of these boys looked at him with ill intent; he knew they were Zhao Yanzi's admirers, whether openly or covertly.

Looks like my spouse isn't even officially recognized yet and I already have a lot of competition. And now, high school and middle school students are well-nourished, all around four meters tall.”

Zhao Yanzi saw that the boys were looking at her with flames in their eyes. She didn’t want to start any trouble so she pulled Hao Ren up, "We're done eating; let's go! Hold onto my lunchbox too!"

Hao Ren grabbed Zhao Yanzi’s sports jacket and draped it over his shoulder. This naturally provoked intense jealousy from the boys present. Only a boyfriend would help Zhao Yanzi carry her just-changed sports clothes!

At the water basin behind the canteen, Zhao Yanzi also handed Hao Ren her plate, "According to school rules, you have to wash your own lunchbox after eating; I'll leave mine in your hands!"

Hao Ren saw some quick eaters already washing their plates at the basin. So he glanced over at Zhao Yanzi and tipped any leftover food into a bucket before cleaning both of their plates.

He observed that there were still middle school students or high school students around, each with their partner. The boys would help girls clean their plates as a way to please them.

So this was the tradition here. Zhao Yanzi is giving me an opportunity to prove my status,” Hao Ren thought while washing the dishes.

After rinsing the two plates and putting them in another bucket, they still had to be cleaned by the cafeteria staff for hygiene reasons. The school made such regulations precisely to cultivate students' practical abilities to prevent them from becoming overly pampered.

Seeing the other student couples leaving the water basin area behind the dining hall laughing and chatting, Hao Ren felt as if he was reliving his middle school days.

Zhao Yanzi, right now, is just acting out my unexperienced youth.

The student flow near the cafeteria during lunchtime was quite large. Occasionally some teachers would pass by too, so Zhao Yanzi did not dare to act too overtly. She only walked slightly closer to Hao Ren compared to other dating couples but didn't dare hold his hand.

However, in this relatively conservative school environment, being able to walk together openly and touch hands now and then made them quite obvious as student lovers.

Zhao Yanzi’s occasional touches left Hao Ren itchy with desire too. But if he were to suddenly take Zhao Yanzi's hand, he wouldn’t have the guts for that either. After all, this was still someone else's turf.

Moreover, she had called him an "uncle" and holding her hand in public like this seemed a bit... inappropriate

Zhao Yanzi walked Hao Ren to the school gate, thinking today's 'lover performance' was over. She suddenly said, “There’s still some time; let’s go for a walk outside at some small stores!”

Lingzhao Middle School was semi-residential, not entirely closed-off. At least during lunchtime, the school gates were open and students could eat out.

The great review session is now over, and Hao Ren blends in with the students, following them out.

Once outside, he breathes a sigh of relief; this time, he has finally left the grounds of another school.

Seeing Zhao Yanzi walking beside him, Hao Ren boldly takes her delicate hand.

Zhao Yanzi turns to look at Hao Ren, hesitates for a moment, but does not pull away. Instead, she pulls Hao Ren into a small shop near the school.

Arriving at a gift store next to the school, Zhao Yanzi holds onto Hao Ren's hand while selecting small trinkets.

"Ah Zi, this is your boyfriend" A few girls who are also picking out small pendants come over and curiously ask Zhao Yanzi.

"Yes," Zhao Yanzi admits without reservation to their guesses.

The girls seize the opportunity to size up Hao Ren. Their gaze moves from his face, down to his physique, and finally rests on his hand holding Zhao Yanzi's.

"What grade are you in You’re not from our school, right" Another girl asks Zhao Yanzi.

"Grade 10, North City No. 1 High School!" Zhao Yanzi says.

Hao Ren only now realizes why Zhao Yanzi asked him what high school he attended earlier. But reducing his grade from sophomore year to junior year is quite a stretch!

The girls size up Hao Ren once more, seeing that he looks embarrassed and does not speak, they teasingly say, "Your boyfriend is rather delicate!"

They are unaware that Hao Ren's embarrassment isn't due to being with his "girlfriend," but because Zhao Yanzi has directly downgraded him from a sophomore to a junior year student. How can she tell such a lie without blushing or hesitating! Impressive!

"He pretends to be delicate, but when he’s around me, he's very fierce!" Zhao Yanzi tells them.

Hao Ren sighs helplessly in his heart and tightens his grip on Zhao Yanzi's hand a little more to prevent her from continuing to speak nonsense.

"He seems quite refined. He must be an excellent student, I didn't expect Ah Zi likes this kind of guy!" Another girl comments.

"Yes, he looks like a good big brother," the other girls chime in.

Good big brother Hao Big Brother "You guys are quite accurate with your guesses." Hao Ren thinks as he watches these chattering girls.

"Alright, stop talking nonsense! It’s his first time at our school; I’ll take him on a tour!" Zhao Yanzi waves her hand and sends them away. In fact, she would be happy if they spread the news around.

She flips her ponytail and continues into the shop. She heads to an area with mobile phone decorations, lets go of Hao Ren's hand, and carefully selects one.

"Which is prettier This one or this one" Finally, she picks up two different crystal pendants and holds them up in front of Hao Ren.

"The left one suits your style better," Hao Ren gives his opinion.

"Alright then! I'll take the left one!" Zhao Yanzi happily grabs that pendant chain and leads Hao Ren towards the shop's exit.

At the cash register, she suddenly stops.

Hao Ren stands there for a few seconds before realizing she is waiting for him to pay.

"You little brat," Hao Ren mutters as he takes out his wallet and pays for the small pendant chain.

Stepping outside the store, the sun shines brightly once more.

"Alright then, your mission is complete. You can go back now."

Zhao Yanzǐ pulled her sportswear back from He Ren's shoulder and waved at him.

Seeing the slightly displeased look on He Ren’s face, Zhao Yanzǐ pouted, "You bumped into me yourself. It wasn’t like I wanted to use you."

He Ren looked at her and thought for a moment, “I’ve been such a good boy. Don't you think I deserve something”

"Reward" Zhao Yanzǐ raised her bright eyes, "What kind of reward do you want"

"For example," He Ren deliberately blinked his eyes, "something better than holding hands."

Zhao Yanzǐ pouted and looked at He Ren with disdain, "Isn't it just a kiss Why beat around the bush!"

Huh” He Ren didn’t expect such an open-minded attitude from this young middle school girl. He had only wanted to tease her.

Zhao Yanzǐ slapped He Ren’s arm, "Close your eyes!"

"Forget it, I was just kidding! I'm going back," He Ren felt a bit scared and turned around to leave.

Zhao Yanzǐ grabbed his hand, "Close them!"

There are people forcibly kissing here. Students nearby walked by indifferently.

"Close your eyes!" Zhao Yanzǐ urged again and pinched He Ren’s arm hard, making him wrinkle his eyebrows in pain.

He Ren had no choice but to turn away from the crowd and close his eyes.

He felt Zhao Yanzǐ’s hands on his shoulders from the front, with her slight breath gradually getting closer to his neck.

"Don't open your eyes!" Zhao Yanzǐ added another warning.

He Ren coughed softly and was willing to take a risk. Whether light or heavy, it would just be one time.

Sensing Zhao Yanzǐ’s fingers fiddling with his neck for half a minute, He Ren couldn’t help but ask, "Is it done"

"Stop nagging! I wanted to do it slowly!" Zhao Yanzǐ scolded.

He Ren coughed again and stood awkwardly.

"It's done!" A moment later, Zhao Yanzǐ suddenly said.

"Done" He Ren was puzzled.

Seeing the confused look on He Ren’s face, Zhao Yanzǐ glared at him, "Do you think I wanted to kiss you or something"

"Of course, I thought..." Before He Ren could finish his sentence, Zhao Yanzǐ punched him lightly in the mouth.

Fortunately, this punch was not hard. Instead, it felt soft and He Ren nearly bit down on it by reflex.

Zhao Yanzǐ retracted her fist with a slight blush, "I added a small pendant to your necklace. It used to belong to my father. Wearing it will increase your cultivation speed. Anyway, I don’t need it anymore, so I gave it to you."

He Ren looked down and noticed that the necklace Su Han had given him now had an amber pendant about as thick as his thumb added to it.e Yang continued to chat over tea, Hao Ren was lost in thought looking out at the vast sea outside the cabin. Lu Linlin and Lu Lili were surrounding Xie Yujia, discussing girl topics — clearly they wa...