Rebirth at the Start: This Fate is Too Explosive!

Chapter 154 An unexpected encounter with Pei Yi'an and Tang Yanning in the cafeteria

"oh..."

Xian Zuling responded softly, like a tamed little animal, and obediently walked to the designated spot and sat down, placing his hands properly on his lap.

From childhood to adulthood, apart from her grandmother and mother, almost no one truly cared about her or felt sorry for her.

She had long since learned not to harbor any illusions, and dared not presume to believe that others would be kind to her.

But these past two days, Ye Fan's subtle concern has been like a pebble thrown into a still lake, causing her dormant heart to stir with timid, uncertain ripples for the first time—is this feeling... real?

A short while later.

Ye Fan returned carrying a large, steaming basin filled with the aroma of chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns.

It's boiled sliced ​​pork!

The domineering, spicy aroma instantly entered Xian Zuling's nasal cavity, striking her taste buds fiercely.

She stared blankly as Ye Fan placed the tempting bowl of food in front of her. An indescribable warmth welled up from the bottom of her heart, instantly rushing to her nose, and her eyes became hot.

She's from Hunan, and has a natural love for spicy food. This boiled pork slices were incredibly tempting to her. Normally, she only dared to look at it from afar; the price of one bowl was enough for her to eat plain rice and vegetables for several days.

After placing a bowl of boiled sliced ​​pork on the table, Ye Fan turned around and got two servings of rice.

"Eat it while it's hot."

He sat down and pushed a bowl of rice in front of her.

Xian Zuling nodded, picked up his chopsticks, carefully picked up a slice of meat covered in bright red broth, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.

The familiar yet longed-for spicy and savory flavor exploded on her tongue, making her so satisfied she almost wanted to sigh.

Just then, two familiar figures walked over.

"Ye Zi! It really is you!"

Tang Yanning skipped over to the table, her curious gaze immediately landing on Xian Zuling, who was looking down: "Huh? Is this young lady your classmate?"

When she saw the "disguise" on Xian Zuling's face, a barely perceptible look of surprise flashed in her eyes, but her good upbringing allowed her to quickly conceal it, and her smile remained bright.

Pei Yi'an stood gracefully to the side, smiling as she looked at Ye Fan: "You've been quite busy these past few days, haven't you? I haven't seen you at all."

After a brief reunion on the first day of school, the three went to different colleges and were busy with their own things. This was the first time they had met before military training.

Ye Fan laughed and replied to Tang Yanning, "Yanning, judging from your energetic personality, you must have great relationships with your roommates. Unlike Lao Zhao, who spends all day complaining about his 'amazing' roommates in the group chat, haha."

He then turned to Pei Yi'an: "Yes, there's a lot to do. Military training starts tomorrow. Have you all prepared your sunscreen and large water bottles?"

"Everything is ready!"

The two answered in unison.

Tang Yanning immediately pouted: "Hmph! Ye Zi, you're so lucky, you have the privilege of not having to do military training! Remember to bring us water and refreshments tomorrow! Be our personal logistics manager!"

Ye Fan made an OK sign: "Of course, I'll be there to serve you all tomorrow."

The ancestral spirit beside him kept its head down, eating its meal in small bites, but its heart was filled with tremendous turmoil.

Ye Fan himself is so outstanding and dazzling, and his friends are just as radiant, confident, and generous. Pei Yi'an's gentle and calm demeanor, and Tang Yanning's bright and lively personality, are both as dazzling as the sun.

Although she knew that her appearance was no less than others, the inferiority complex ingrained in her bones made her feel as dim as a speck of dust.

The difference... is really huge.

Tang Yanning's gaze shifted between Ye Fan and Xian Zuling, a hint of mischief in his eyes: "Ye Zi, you haven't introduced this young lady yet. Isn't she your classmate? Humph, you eat with other girls, but not with us."

Ye Fan quickly replied, "Oh dear, my young lady, I'm quite busy, aren't I?"

He then introduced, "This is Xian Zuling, my classmate, a girl from Hunan, who is rather shy."

He then said to Xian Zuling, "These two are my good friends and high school classmates. This is Pei Yi'an, and this is Tang Yanning."

After Ye Fan finished speaking, the two of them greeted the ancestral spirit.

"Hello, Ancestral Spirit." Pei Yi'an smiled and nodded in greeting, his voice gentle.

"Hello, Zu Ling!" Tang Yanning greeted him warmly.

Xian Zuling looked up somewhat flusteredly, her cheeks slightly flushed, and replied softly, "You...hello."

Tang Yanning and Pei Yi'an exchanged a knowing glance.

They knew Ye Fan too well; there must be a reason why he cared so much about this seemingly "special" female classmate.

Ye Fan understood their expressions and took out his phone to send a message to the four-person group chat: It was about how Xian Zuling's family was quite poor and she was one of the most disadvantaged students in our class. She was also a bit insecure and the teacher took good care of her. As the current temporary person in charge of the class, he would check on her whenever he encountered her.

Of course, he couldn't tell the truth—he couldn't very well say, "I know she's actually an absolute beauty, and I'm playing a dating sim," could he?

After reading the message, the two women instantly understood, and their gazes toward the ancestral spirit held a newfound understanding and a subtle softening.

The three chatted for a while about the arrangements and interesting things that happened during the military training.

Seeing that it was getting late, Tang Yanning and Pei Yi'an prepared to go back to their dormitory to shower and rest, so as to recharge for tomorrow's challenges.

"Alright, you guys should go back and rest too, get some rest," Ye Fan said.

"Okay, bye-bye, Ye Zi!" Pei Yi'an waved and smiled kindly at the ancestral spirit.

"Goodbye Ye Zi! Goodbye Zu Ling!" Tang Yanning said goodbye with great enthusiasm.

Xian Zuling responded shyly in a low voice again. Watching their confident departing figures, the thought about the gap in her mind became clearer and more confusing: Why were they able to live so brightly and confidently?

As Ye Fan approached the cafeteria entrance and was about to get into his car, Xian Zuling mustered her courage and called out to him, "Then...then I'll find you later...where can I look for you?"

Xian Zuling was naturally referring to the car-washing incident.

Ye Fan glanced at his watch: "Seven o'clock, wait for me downstairs at my dorm."

After saying that, he opened the car door, started the car, and quickly disappeared into the night on campus.

Xian Zuling looked in the direction where the taillights disappeared, then turned around and silently walked towards her dormitory building.

........

Meanwhile, the three people in dormitory 208 had just finished dinner in the cafeteria and were strolling back to their dormitory building.

Xiao Ji looked indignant: "Old Ye is such a jerk! He handed out the training uniforms at noon and then disappeared in a flash, and he didn't even come for dinner! Damn it, does he think we brothers are invisible?"

Li Yifeng stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with the brilliance of a master detective, and dropped a bombshell in a low voice: "You guys think... Old Ye might... have secretly gotten a girlfriend? She's always so elusive!"