Chapter 180 I WANT TO BE HER FRIEND

YUAN XING stared at the boy smiling brightly at him. Truthfully, he was startled a little bit when he saw him. Because this was the first time that he had ever seen a boy this pretty. Based on his petite stature, he first thought that he was a middle-schooler. But seeing his uniform, it’s obvious that he’s from the high school department. Then a first year, perhaps?

Then he moved his gaze to the tall teenager sitting beside the beautiful boy. He was eating like normal without even paying any mind to his sudden arrival. He didn’t even as much as look in his direction. The more he looked at him, the more he seemed familiar. Then Yuan Xing suddenly remembered where he saw the kid. It was some time last year, when he visited the Chairman’s office. This teenager was waiting there with a sullen expression on his face. He had a wild look to him back then, as if he would bite anyone who would come close. If he remembered correctly, his name was Luo Jin. That delinquent first who made a lot of havoc last year.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

But seeing as how that wild and violent atmosphere that surrounded him was now gone, Yuan Xing could tell that a lot had changed.

Luo Jin put a bunch of greens on the beautiful boy’s bowl of rice. "Yan, eat."

Yuan Xing raised one of his brows. He had a feeling that the change he was seeing now in this teenager was brought about by this beautiful boy. But the more important thing right now was how Yu Jiao became acquainted with the two.

Truthfully, when he heard from the other employee of the restaurant that Yu Jiao brought people with her, his first thought was the girl was being bullied. He had known her for almost a year now. And during that time, she had never brought anyone here. She’s a good girl but she was also painfully shy and timid. Knowing her personality, it would be almost impossible for her to bring anyone here on her own accord. His suspicion strengthened when he heard that her companions were both boys.

But hearing the beautiful boy’s answer and seeing the current situation, he knew that he definitely just thought too much. And he was glad that that was the case. Because if anyone deserved having a friend, then this girl definitely does. Even if the three of them seemed to be a very unlikely combination.

"This is Brother Yuan Xing, the manager and chef of this restaurant," Yu Jiao introduced him to the two boys. Before turning her gaze to him. "Brother Yuan, these two are Luo Yan and Luo Jin."

When Yuan Xing heard that both had ’Luo’ as a surname, he immediately assumed that the two were either brothers or cousins. "I didn’t expect Xiao Jiao to be friends with younger students," he just off-handedly commented.

The beautiful boy named Luo Yan suddenly sharply turned his head to his direction. His big peach blossom eyes glared at him. He even pointed his chopsticks at him. "Look here, Uncle, I’m Yu Jiao’s classmate. We’re the same age. Telling me I’m someone younger is definitely offending. Or are you just looking down on me because of my height?"

The boy tried to look stern, as if what Yuan Xing did was truly offensive. But all he could see was a boy with a cute frown and a cute glare. Even the way his brows furrowed was cute. It’s like he’s looking at a small harmless animal trying his best to act like he’s some big scary carnivore.

He couldn’t help but chuckle. He could even forgive him for calling him ’uncle’ when it’s quite obvious that he’s only in his mid-20s. Who told him to be so cute? "Yes, it’s this uncle’s fault."

"Hmp! It’s good that you know your wrongs. And I’ll forgive you because the food that you make is delicious."

Luo Jin agreed to that last part. Not only was it delicious, it was also nutritious. That’s why he didn’t stop Luo Yan from eating here. If the food here was the type that was oily and greasy, he would have definitely taken his second brother out of this place.

"I’m thankful then," Yuan Xing said. "I’ll leave you to your lunch then."

He nodded at the three before walking back to the kitchen.

Seeing the interaction between the two, Yu Jiao couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. She just didn’t expect that Brother Yuan, the one who’s usually too lazy to talk to anyone, would actually admit that he’s wrong. And Luo Yan’s reaction was also quite adorable. If she ever had a younger brother, she actually him to be like Luo Yan.

She abruptly stopped, realizing what she just did. "I- I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh."

"If you find something funny, then laugh. It’s not something to apologize for. That’s a very bad and annoying habit," Luo Jin said and although his voice was full of irritation, one could see that he’s not really mocking Yu Jiao but giving her a good and sound advice instead.

Luo Yan secretly smiled when he heard what Luo Jin said. This adorable tsundere. He looked at Yu Jiao. "Whenever you’re with us, you can always laugh as much as you want to. We won’t ever hold it against you. Besides, I think Yu Jiao is really cute when she laughs."

Although Yu Jiao doubted that last sentence, she was still pretty moved by what the two brothers said. Was it really okay to just be as carefree? "Thank you," she could only say.

"If you truly want to thank us, then how about letting us join you for lunch here from now on?" Luo Yan said, smiling at her.

Yu Jiao was speechless for a second. But before she could properly decide, her mouth seemed to already have its own decision. "O-okay."

Before she realized what she just did, it was already too late to take it back. It looked like she’s lonelier than she realized. But even if that was the case, she did not regret her decision. Eating lunch with these two would probably be not too bad.

"Good," Luo Yan said, smiling brightly. Seeing a sudden worry filling her expression, he already had an idea on what’s going on in that head of hers. So he added, "Don’t worry, we’ll just directly meet here. The same goes for going back. The two of us could go back ahead of you or vice-versa."

"Why--?"

"Because Yu Jiao seemed scared that you would attract more attention if you’re seen with us," Luo Yan answered. "But I hope, soon, you would have the courage to stand beside us. I don’t want it to look like we’re embarrassed being seen together with you. Because that’s definitely not the case."

Yu Jiao could only nod. But until the end of their lunch, Luo Yan’s words still echoed in her mind.

Luo Jin stared at the tall girl’s back. She was walking ahead of them back to the third year’s teaching building. So he and his brother were waiting for a couple more minutes before going back as well.

"I though you planned to get her to make our weapons?" he asked Luo Yan. And yet, his second brother never mentioned a word about the game throughout lunch.

"What? Was Ah Jin thinking that I only wanted to get close to her because of that?" Luo Jin only looked at Luo Yan as if telling him ’wasn’t it?’. Which led to Luo Yan acting all affronted. "I can’t believe Ah Jin thinks of me like I’m some kind of opportunistic villain," he said, even fake-crying.

[Well, you’re not opportunistic. But you could definitely be act like a villain if you wanted to.] "I’m not saying that you are. It’s my fault for making you feel that way," he said, just to stop his brother’s fake-crying.

Which seemed successful since Luo Yan did stop.

He looked at Yu Jiao’s back that was starting to get smaller and smaller. Yes, his plan was just to get close to her so he and Luo Jin could get benefit from her talent as a Blacksmith. But that changed when he saw her unexpected burst of courage earlier. Especially after he observed just how lonely the girl was.

"I just want to be her friend." He glanced back at Luo Jin. "Don’t you feel the same?"

Luo Jin only shrugged. "I guess it’s okay. She doesn’t seem to be as annoying as other girls."

"What does Ah Jin considers as a ’not an annoying girl’?" Luo Yan asked curiously. Then he smiled playfully, suddenly thinking of something. "Is it Sister Yuqi?"

Luo Jin was about to answer ’yes’. But when he saw the teasing smile on Luo Yan’s face, his answer suddenly crawled back of his throat. And his whole face heated up for some reason. "I- I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

Then he walked forward, no, it’s probably more appropriate to say that he dashed forward.

"Ah Jin! Don’t walk too fast. I won’t be able to catch up to you!"

When Luo Yan shouted that, his younger brother immediately stopped. He didn’t look back but it was obvious that he was waiting for him. Luo Yan could only shake his head helplessly.

Then he walked forward to catch up to him.