Chapter 24

In the lively canteen of Elite High School, Lin Miaomiao absentmindedly stabbed at her vegetarian meal, her eyes lacking their usual energy. Seated across from her was Deng Xiaoqi, attentively listening to her grievances.

Taking a bite of carrot, Miaomiao complained, "Now in my stomach, I feel like there are many teeth that are abusing me." Miaomiao grieves, mimicking crumpling paper. "Like this! It seems like my esophagus is moving backward, I can't swallow anything. I don't know what I'm thinking about not accepting Ye Bai's suggestion not to do it."

Deng Xiaoqi watched her friend's expressive face with amusement. "I thought you'd heed Ye Bai's advice. He spoils you, you know, but you take it all for granted."

"He called me stubborn and said the more I'm teased, the more I jump into the pit," Miaomiao sighed, feeling wronged.

"Look, here comes Sanyi," Deng Xiaoqi pointed out, with Qian Sanyi heading their way.

Turning around, Miaomiao noticed Qian Sanyi checking his food tray. She grabbed some cucumbers and began munching. Qian Sanyi nodded at her, saying, "Well, that's good," before taking a seat behind her.

Leaning in Miaomiao, call Qian Sanyi, "Psst, psst!" 

Qian Sanyi leaned closer.

"Hey, I bet you eat meat at home but pretend to be a vegetarian here," Miaomiao whispered.

Qian Sanyi, taking a bite, replied, "I'd eat here all the time if I could," unperturbed. "We could monitor each other."

Miaomiao smirked, "Not necessary. We are both obedient students, no need to do this."

"I'm watching you for Haozi's wellbeing. His life is in your hands," Qian Sanyi declared, continuing his lunch.

"This Qian Sanyi is going to drive me crazy," Miaomiao muttered.

"I will tell them to give me some vegetables under the caramelized pork. Can I?" Miaomiao asked Deng Xiaoqi. "Or my serving has a few drops of sauce in my rice."

Miaomiao's face was pushed by Deng Xiaoqi because she blocked her view by looking at Qian Sanyi's figure.

Suddenly, she hears Sun Chuanchu happily munching meat dishes on the side. She swallowed her saliva. "Hey, what are you doing."

Sun Chuanchu: "Eating."

Miaomiao is full of envy. "Then why are you chewing noisily? I tell you to stay away from me a little bit. I'll go crazy."

Deng Xiaoqi slapped Miaomiao and scolded, "What are you doing?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure if photosynthesis can give me the energy I need. I want—" Miaomiao began, interrupted by Qian Sanyi. "I'm going to monitor you, "He said before leaving his table. 

As Qian Sanyi left, Miaomiao muttered, "So hateful."

Deng Xiaoqi stares at the leaving Qian Sanyi with stars in her eyes and says, "He's really handsome." Then she looks at Miaomiao. "But where is Ye Bai? I thought you'd be his right hand," Deng Xiaoqi asks curiously.

Miaomiao's mood changes quickly. "Can't sit together, remember? Jiang Tianhao is helping him eat back in their dorm. He says it's not proper for him to be fed here," she explained, giggling at the thought.

"Pffp! You're mischievous, Miaomiao," Deng Xiaoqi burst into laughter and playfully slapped her shoulder.

"And you're thinking what I'm thinking, admit it," Miaomiao teased back.

...

Female Dorm 

Miaomiao was sitting on the table, looking at the watch in her arms, when Deng Xiaoqi came in holding a book. 

"Aha, Lin Miaomiao!" Deng Xiaoqi exclaimed, spotting a cup of noodles on the table. "I'm telling Haozi you're eating meat."

"It's just noodles," Miaomiao protested.

Deng Xiaoqi pointed at the cup. "BEEF noodles."

Miaomiao chuckled, "Are there ants, in 'Ants Climbing a Tree', or is there a tiger skin in 'Tiger Skin Pepper?" She excitedly opens the lid of the noodles. "Where is Buddha in 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'? Where's that wall again?" she continues.

Deng Xiaoqi glanced at herself in the mirror. "Not my problem. Anyway, Jiang Tianhao is the one who won't die well," she said nonchalantly. 

Miaomiao slurped her noodles. "That's not my problem too. If I order a serving of beef, that's the problem. But I'm not; this is a fake. I should sue all the noodle advertisements; they are all fake."

Deng Xiaoqi was amazed at Miaomiao's skill at making excuses every time.

...

This is the day when they go to the radio station again. Miaomiao wanted to eat meat and wanted Ye Bai to help him hide the fact that she would eat meat. 

Ye Bai looks at Miaomiao and walks faster than usual to the cafeteria. He knows that Miaomiao already wants to eat meat, but he also knows that Qian Sanyi will catch her in the act of eating meat. 

As they reached the cafeteria, Miaomiao eagerly approached the counter. Abruptly, Ye Bai halted her, questioning, "Miaomiao, are you really planning to eat meat?"

She paused her ordering gesture, admitting, "I really need to eat meat, Ye Bai. These past few days, I can't think properly."

Ye Bai looked at her pitifully, walked to the counter, and inquired, "Auntie, is the food I requested ready?"

The staff looked at Ye Bai with a smile and said, "Oh, the handsome boy. Yes, I've already cooked it. Thank you for sharing half; it's truly delicious."

"Thank you, Auntie. I'll take it," Ye Bai replied.

Miaomiao, confused by their exchange, noticed a tray with steak-like food. "What! Are you really letting me eat this?"

Ye Bai nodded, urging her to taste it. Finding a table, Miaomiao happily indulged, exclaiming, "Wow, it's delicious. I miss the taste of meat," as she devoured the dish.

Qian Sanyi entered the cafeteria, scanning for someone specific. Spotting Miaomiao, he approached them, stating, "I knew it, you can't endure that much."

Lin Miaomiao panicked at the sight of Qian Sanyi. Ye Bai already expected this. In the show, Miaomiao was blackmailed to become a 'slave of Qian Sanyi' as long as he didn't tell Haozi that she ate meat.

"It's alright, Qian Sanyi. I permitted Miaomiao to eat this," Ye Bai explained calmly.

Qian Sanyi glanced at Ye Bai. "I'm disappointed, Ye Bai. You've spoiled her too much, allowing her to break her promise."

"This isn't meat; it's mushrooms—lion's mane and portobello," Ye Bai clarified.

Miaomiao was amazed and looked at her supposed meat dish. "This isn't meat? But it tastes like meat."

Ye Bai explained, "Many vegetarian foods taste like meat when processed. Some mushrooms naturally have a meaty flavor, like this lion's mane. Taste this; it's like seafood."

Miaomiao quickly tasted the soup, discovering its lobster-like flavor. "Incredible, it really does taste like seafood."

"Come, Sanyi, join us." Ye Bai invited Qian Sanyi.

Qian Sanyi was now a little embarrassed. He knew that there was a food that tasted like meat, but he did not think that Ye Bai would buy this kind of mushroom just for Miaomiao. He just wants to catch Miaomiao in the act. "It's alright, I'm going back to the classroom."

Ye Bai shook his head when Sanyi left.

Miaomiao looked at Ye Bai gratefully. "Thank you for getting this for me."

"That's why I warned you about the challenge. Are you feeling better now?" Ye Bai asked.

Miaomiao gave him a thumbs up. "Yes, I feel my energy coming back. Let's finish the broadcasting work."

...

Lin Miaomiao entered the broadcasting room, ready to start working as soon as she arrived.

"I'm going to collect the request letters from outside," she announced before heading out.

Outside the broadcasting room, there was a box where students could submit their requests to the radio station. However, each request needed approval from the radio manager before it was finalized.

As Miaomiao stepped out, she noticed a group of girls waiting at the door. Recognizing them as those who were interested in Ye Bai, she quickly closed the door to prevent them from entering.

"This is the broadcasting room; we need a quiet environment here," Miaomiao explained firmly. "If you have any requests for the radio station, please leave your letter in the box over there."

"We came here for the prince," the girls responded eagerly.

"We're working right now; if you have anything to say, tell me, and I'll pass it along to him," Miaomiao compromised.

One of the girls handed Miaomiao a stack of letters. "Please give these to our prince," she requested. The others also offered snacks to Ye Bai.

Miaomiao accepted the letters and snacks. "Okay, I'll deliver these now. Please leave quietly; we don't want the radio manager to hear this commotion."

She took the request letters and snacks back inside, placing them on Ye Bai's table. "Your admirers gave these to you; I managed to stop them from barging in just to deliver these."

Ye Bai smiled as he looked at the letters. He remembered seeing Wu Lei receive fan letters at the film academy dormitory.

Observing Ye Bai's smile, Miaomiao couldn't help but wonder, 'Does he like love letters that much? '

Ye Bai offered one of the snacks to Miaomiao. "Here, take this as thanks for receiving these letters for me."

Miaomiao grinned. "Sure! Next time, it'll be my turn to receive requests in the mailbox. Maybe when you're famous in this school, you'll get even more snacks. I'll gladly accept them."

Ye Bai tucked the letters into his bag and resumed his work, appreciative of Miaomiao's help.

...

In the classroom, Miaomiao is energetically assisting Ye Bai, who begins to feel uneasy with her enthusiastic service.

"Miaomiao, you don't have to do everything. I'll ask if I need something," Ye Bai insists, trying to halt her efforts.

"I swore to be your right hand; you also gave me delicious food," Miaomiao asserts firmly.

Observing the scene, Deng Xiaoqi senses something more than mere assistance. Jiang Tianhao also seems to notice something unusual between them.

Deng Xiaoqi questions Miaomiao, "Are you being a bit too energetic in helping Ye Bai?"

"Really? I just want to fulfill my duty as his right hand," Miaomiao defends.

Ye Bai feels conflicted, realizing he unintentionally burdened himself with her commitment. His initial intent was to help Miaomiao, but the situation took an unexpected turn.

After the classroom incident, Ye Bai forced his hand to recover, impressing even the infirmary nurse with his fast recovery.

...