Let's Have Lunch

Shu Qi was having lunch alone in the cafeteria, her eyes wandering across the room, looking for Jun Hao, but he was nowhere to be seen. She sighed, remembering what was written in the book. According to the story, he was probably eating on the steps by the court at that moment. It was his preferred spot because he didn't like being around other people. For a brief second, Shu Qi considered going over there and having lunch with him, but she knew that would only scare him away. He would likely think she wanted something from him or, at the very least, that she was crazy.

She sighed deeply again, feeling a wave of sadness for Jun Hao. No one here seemed to like him, but there was no real reason for it. It was just the author's poor script. Shu Qi finished her meal, lost in her thoughts, and made her way back to class. When she entered the classroom, she saw Jun Hao sitting in his usual spot, his head down. She walked over with a smile and said, "Hello, Jun Hao."

She kept watching him, but he ignored her. Shu Qi continued smiling as if nothing had happened, sat down next to him, and said, "Let's have lunch together next time?" Again, no response came from him. Undeterred, she returned to her studies.

Jun Hao noticed this and thought, "Why does this girl keep talking to me?" He found her different, after all. No one else would try to talk to someone so many times without getting any response.

And so, the day passed with Shu Qi and Jun Hao lost in their own thoughts.

As Shu Qi walked home, she continued thinking about Jun Hao. "In the story, it says his adoptive mother doesn't give him anything to eat, and he had to get a part-time job at a restaurant to pay for his school and food. What Jun Hao doesn't know is that his adoptive mother hates his real father, and that's why she treats him so poorly. Jun Hao never found out about that in the book." Shu Qi decided she would start eating at that restaurant and leave generous tips for him, helping him out in her own way. As for his real family story, she would think about how to handle that later.

She headed home, feeling excited about her plan and thinking about how to execute it.

That night, as usual, Jun Hao went to work. The restaurant's owner was kind to him, allowing him to have all three meals there every day, and Jun Hao was incredibly grateful for her generosity. At one point, a customer entered the restaurant, and while Jun Hao was washing dishes, Mrs. Qing, the owner, called out to him. "Jun Hao, a customer's here. Could you take her order?"

Jun Hao dried his hands, grabbed his notepad, and walked over to the customer, who had her back to him. "Hello, what would you like to order?" he asked.

At that moment, a familiar, soft voice responded, "Hello again, Jun Hao. I'd like the restaurant's best dish, please."

Jun Hao finally looked at her face and was stunned. "Isn't that the new girl sitting next to me at school?"

Shocked, but keeping his face composed, he confirmed her order and headed to the kitchen to prepare it.

Shu Qi wasn't upset by his cold reaction. Instead, she thought to herself, "Finally, I can help you."

As Jun Hao prepared the dish, his mind was racing. Why was she here? Why would she come to the restaurant where he worked? This was his safe space, away from the eyes of his classmates. He couldn't fathom why someone like Shu Qi would want to eat at a place like this.

Back at her table, Shu Qi sat patiently, observing the quiet atmosphere of the small restaurant. The aroma of food being cooked filled the air, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She was determined to be there for Jun Hao, even if he didn't understand her intentions yet. He would eventually see that she wasn't like everyone else.

When Jun Hao returned with her dish, he placed it in front of her without saying a word. Shu Qi smiled at him, but he quickly turned around and went back to the kitchen. She didn't take it personally, though. After all, she knew his character from the book—Jun Hao was reserved, cautious, and deeply mistrusting of others, all because of his difficult upbringing. She just had to be patient.

As she ate her meal, Shu Qi considered what her next steps would be. She couldn't push too hard, or Jun Hao would retreat even further into his shell. But she also couldn't ignore him. If she wanted to help him, she would have to find a way to break through the emotional walls he had built around himself. And that would require time.

Jun Hao, meanwhile, was feeling increasingly uneasy in the kitchen. He glanced through the small window at Shu Qi, who was still eating, seemingly unfazed by his coldness. Why wasn't she bothered? Why didn't she just leave like everyone else did when he acted this way? He couldn't understand her, and that unsettled him even more.

After finishing her meal, Shu Qi waved Mrs. Qing over and paid the bill, leaving a generous tip. "Thank you, the food was wonderful," she said with a warm smile.

Mrs. Qing, always appreciative of her customers, returned the smile. "Thank you, dear. Please come again."

Shu Qi glanced toward the kitchen one last time before leaving, her eyes lingering on the door where Jun Hao had disappeared behind. She would come back. She had made up her mind. Helping him was her mission now, even if he didn't realize he needed help.

That night, as Jun Hao finished his shift and cleaned the restaurant, his thoughts kept drifting back to Shu Qi. Why had she come? Did she know he worked there? Was this some sort of coincidence, or was she trying to reach out to him? The idea both intrigued and frightened him. He wasn't used to people caring about him, not since… well, not since he could remember.

After he finished cleaning, he sat down at one of the empty tables, exhaustion settling in. Mrs. Qing brought him a bowl of noodles, and he ate slowly, the events of the day playing over and over in his mind. Maybe Shu Qi was just trying to be nice. But why him? Of all the people she could talk to at school, why choose him, the one everyone ignored?

As he finished his meal, Jun Hao resolved to keep his distance from Shu Qi. He didn't want to get close to anyone, especially not her. She was too bright, too kind, and someone like him didn't deserve that. He had learned long ago that letting people in only led to more pain.