Chapter 71: The Misunderstood Candlelight Dinner

“I’ll take this room.”

After Ji Jige left, the two started picking their rooms.

The church provided housing, so they’d need to vacate their old rentals and move in.

After discussion, they agreed: the chapel would close tomorrow for a rest day.

Each would handle personal matters.

For today, with time short, they’d just move some essentials.

Meng Linna leaned her suitcase against the wall, inspecting the room.

Good.

Bedding was here.

Only off-season clothes and odds-and-ends stayed in the dorm.

She’d grab them tomorrow when checking out with Miao Miao Niya.

“Ding ding ding!”

The clock struck seven, its loud chimes reminding someone of the time.

Meng Linna looked up.

“Time for dinner.”

Normally, she’d be eating with Stone Fang and Kelly.

Awkward with their PDA, but she liked her kind teammates.

Oh, right.

She’d need to tell them tomorrow.

Three days a week at the chapel?

Definitely a hassle.

Mentally noting it, Meng Linna opened the door.

First priority: fill her stomach.

She saw Na Naya opening her door at the same time.

Na Naya’s room was opposite. A bit awkward, but normal.

Na Naya froze briefly, then looked away.

No greeting, no wave. Just standing silent. Was she being ignored?

A twinge of loss hit Meng Linna, but she closed her door casually.

“I’m heading to dinner. Wanna join?”

Na Naya looked up, surprised by Meng Linna’s casualness. She lowered her eyes quickly.

As adults, no need to overthink this. They weren’t teammates, but chapel colleagues.

Even if she didn’t like it, no point making it awkward. She had to be worldly.

With that, Na Naya spoke.

“Sure, I haven’t eaten either.”

Now it was Meng Linna’s turn to be surprised. She’d just been polite, to avoid awkwardness.

But Na Naya agreed.

No backing out now.

“Let’s hit the usual spot.”

***

“Your grilled sirloin steak is up.”

The waiter brought the last dish, then lit the table’s candle.

Candlelight dinner?

Too awkward!

Cursing the waiter inwardly, Meng Linna focused on her meal.

Just a light source, nothing more.

Na Naya elegantly cut her steak, casually asking.

“What’s up with that therapy Yushi mentioned?”

‘Why ask about me suddenly?’

Meng Linna eyed Na Naya oddly, cautious.

“No news yet. They haven’t found a suitable vampire to target.”

“Mm.”

Na Naya nodded, pressing.

“Speaking of vampires, you’ve got a candidate, right?”

“Vampire? You mean Peggy?”

Na Naya nodded.

“Yeah. I remember your old teammate was a vampire. Take her heart, and you’re cured of vampirism, right?”

Meng Linna shook her head firmly.

“No way. She’s my former teammate.”

Na Naya almost brought up old wounds.

Why’d Meng Linna hurt her back then? But she dropped it. Adults shouldn’t dwell.

Her intended jab softened.

“You really value teammates.”

Meng Linna paused, then replied slowly.

“Yeah. Past or present, I treat them all the same.”

“Mm.”

Silence fell.

Na Naya couldn’t argue. But she couldn’t agree.

In daily life, she and Meng Linna were distant.

Compared to Stone Fang and Kelly, anyway. A stifled frustration rose. Na Naya stabbed her steak harder.

A familiar voice rang out.

“Hey, Great Teacher Meng’s having a candlelight dinner! Who’s the girl you’re dating?”

Only two people in Yanan called her that.

Na Naya looked up.

Sure enough—Stone Fang and Kelly, eyes wide with curiosity.

Shock spread across Stone Fang’s face.

“Na Naya?! I thought you two were just okay. Secret dating behind our backs?”

“No, it’s not like that, we’re just…”

Meng Linna tried explaining.

But the three candles’ romantic glow fueled imaginations.

“I get it!”

Stone Fang ignored her.

“We won’t interrupt. Enjoy your meal!”

“Hey!”

Stone Fang grabbed Kelly’s hand, bolting.

“That girl…”

Explanations failed.

Meng Linna gave Na Naya an apologetic look.

“Looks like she got the wrong idea.”

“Mm.”

Na Naya nodded.

“No big deal.”

Meng Linna wondered what Na Naya’s “no big deal” meant.

But she didn’t ask.

Too direct, too awkward.

Better pretend she didn’t hear.