Chapter Nineteen: Like a Well-Behaved Little Cat

"Beautiful."

Wen Er cleared his throat lightly, his gaze somewhat drifting.

Lu Meng suddenly brightened as if recalling something.

"Let's take a photo together. This is the first meal we've shared; we should commemorate it properly."

A photo?

Wen Er felt a bit nervous and somewhat excited, though he didn’t show it. He simply replied, "Okay."

Lu Meng moved closer to him, then pulled up the light screen on her wrist, aiming it at the two of them.

"Come on, say cheese with me!"

The girl's profile was just inches from his face; Wen Er instinctively glanced sideways at her.

The photo froze.

The girl, dressed in a pink princess dress, smiled warmly at the camera, her smile seemingly able to melt any chill. Nearby, the sentinel’s eyes rested on her.

"You didn’t look at the camera, Wen Er," Lu Meng said, staring at the photo.

Wen Er covered his lips and coughed softly. "I forgot. Shall we take another?"

"Sure."

"Say cheese with me!"

The frame locked again.

The two were close, the girl's smile curved at the eyes, both beautiful and adorable.

The sentinel beside them didn’t smile but wasn’t indifferent either; instead, a cool aura surrounded him.

Their height difference and contrasting personalities strangely complemented each other.

"Lovely, lovely!" Lu Meng was very pleased. Then she looked at Wen Er. "I'll send you the photo so you can save it."

Wen Er whispered, "Okay."

---

Just as Lu Meng sent the photo to Wen Er, his meal arrived.

Lu Meng was surprised to see his dish. "You ordered this too?"

Wen Er tried to sound calm. "Yeah, I haven’t been here before, so I didn’t know which was good."

"No worries, it’s my first time too," Lu Meng said, then grew curious. "Where did you eat before?"

"At the Third Canteen; it’s closer to the training ground," Wen Er replied.

Lu Meng couldn’t help but ask, "Was the food good?"

Wen Er answered, "It’s okay."

Lu Meng sighed, "Then next time, if I have time, I’ll try it too."

Wen Er’s eyes flickered slightly as he said casually, "If you go, let me know in advance. I'll take you; I know which stall is good."

Lu Meng nodded quickly, "Sure! I’ll definitely tell you beforehand!"

She smiled at Wen Er.

He looked away briefly, his ears flushing red.

Like a well-behaved little kitten.

Strictly following the rule of no talking while eating, Lu Meng kept silent from the start, and Wen Er did not speak either.

The whole private room was very quiet.

Only when Lu Meng put down her spoon did Wen Er glance at her and quickly finish the rest of his meal.

Lu Meng wiped her mouth, looking at him with some surprise. "You’re done too?"

Wen Er took a sip of water, his gaze drifting slightly. "Yeah."

Lu Meng sighed, "We’re so in sync!"

Wen Er coughed lightly. "Really?"

"Yes!" Lu Meng nodded enthusiastically. "Don’t you feel it?"

---

Only then did Wen Er say, "A little."

Lu Meng smiled lazily like a cat. "I knew it."

Suddenly recalling something, she asked, "Are you going to training later?"

"Yeah."

Wen Er checked the time. "One o’clock. Fifteen minutes left."

"Then shouldn’t you go? Don’t be late."

Lu Meng couldn’t help but worry a bit.

"It’s fine, I’m on time," he said, sounding unconcerned, which reassured Lu Meng.

"Okay, let’s go out together."

She stood up and walked out of the canteen alongside Wen Er.

They walked side by side at a leisurely pace.

Wen Er glanced at Lu Meng and finally asked the question he'd been wanting to ask, "Are you busy this afternoon?"

Lu Meng suddenly wilted. "Does going back to the dorm to study count?"

Wen Er’s eyes flickered; so she wasn’t going out in the afternoon?

"You don’t even know what I did yesterday—"

Lu Meng stopped mid-sentence, realizing Wen Er was a sentinel, and talking about this might be awkward, so she held back.

Wen Er pressed, "What happened yesterday?"

Lu Meng quickly waved her hand. "Nothing, nothing. I was just studying late."

"Well then, I’m heading back! You should go back to training too. Don’t be late. Let’s eat together next time."

"Okay," Wen Er replied.

He watched Lu Meng’s back until she disappeared from sight, then turned and walked back.