Chapter 10: A Promise for the Future

To catch Senior Meiyue’s attention, he had to stand out from the crowd. He needed at least one or two remarkable qualities.

Even animals in the natural world, like peacocks, knew to spread their tails during courtship.

But did he really have any strengths?

Chen Lin rubbed his forehead, his head aching from overthinking.

He was far too ordinary, lacking any particularly outstanding qualities.

Although his grades were decent, he ranked only in the middle of the class, not even placing in his grade.

He did well in sports, but wasn’t selected for the school team, and ball games were a complete mystery to him.

After much thought, he seemed entirely average in every aspect, with nothing remarkable about him.

It wasn’t the first time he realized he was just an average person, but having no standout traits was truly disheartening.

Exceptional people were everywhere, but the majority were ordinary like him.

Maybe he should try to discover his talents elsewhere? Like becoming a game streamer or learning to draw comics.

Being a game streamer sounded cool, almost like a star, and top earners made a lot of money. But competition was fierce, and as a high school student, he simply didn’t have time for that.

So it seemed the only option was to try learning comic drawing.

Using spare moments, he could probably draw comics. He remembered that both his middle and high school art teachers had praised him, saying he had some artistic talent. But comics always felt somewhat useless.

The school bell rang. Walking home, Chen Lin felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his phone and saw that someone had sent him a message.

[Big brother, are you out of school?]

Because his high school required phones to be on silent during school hours, Chen Lin hadn’t noticed her earlier message at noon.

[Yeah, I’m out. The lunch bento was delicious, thank you. As for the lunchbox, how should I return it?]

[I’ll come pick it up tonight, and I’ll bring you dinner too.]

[Really, no need to trouble yourself.]

Chen Lin replied immediately, but there was no further response.

“What’s going on? Am I being fed by a little girl?” Chen Lin tilted his head in confusion. Honestly, he couldn’t comprehend the situation.

How to put it? Something felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what.

After returning home, Chen Lin waited two hours. Finally, a knock came at the door. He opened it to find Yan holding a little bear-shaped thermal lunchbox. She handed it to him.

“Dinner’s here~” Yan said to him.

Although Chen Lin felt a bit embarrassed by her kindness, he reluctantly accepted. He figured this was just the little girl’s fleeting enthusiasm, so he might as well accept it. After a while, Yan would probably lose interest in making him bentos.

“Thanks.” Chen Lin expressed his gratitude and took the thermal box.

He set it on the table and opened it. Inside was a large yellow bento box, bigger than the one from lunch. When Chen Lin opened it, it was filled with dishes.

Compared to the morning’s lunchbox, both the quantity and quality had clearly improved. For instance, the salad had neatly diced vegetables, and none of the cooked dishes were burnt.

Chen Lin picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of braised potato, and put it in his mouth. The texture was perfect—neither too soft nor too firm—and the seasoning was just right.

“Did you make this bento too?” Chen Lin asked Yan.

Yan nodded. “Yes, it’s pretty good, right? This is my second time cooking~”

“It’s excellent. Your improvement from the first time is remarkable. It’s hard to believe the same person made both bentos.” Chen Lin didn’t hold back his praise.

After being praised, Yan looked very happy.

Chen Lin seemed to think of something. After taking a bite of rice, he asked Yan, “Have you had dinner yet?”

“I’ve already eaten,” Yan replied. She sat beside him, watching him eat the food she had cooked. With every bite he took, her eyes sparkled.

Being stared at while eating by a little girl was honestly not something Chen Lin was used to, but he didn’t try to stop her. After all, he understood that chefs care whether diners finish their food—it was common.

After eating the last piece of chicken, Chen Lin had finished all the food in the box. He sincerely thought Yan had a talent for cooking. Everything had been prepared well.

Now that he had been fed by the little girl, he couldn’t let her wash the containers. Together with the lunchbox from noon, Chen Lin washed them clean with detergent, dried them with a paper towel, and returned them to her.

“It’s getting late, Yan. You should head home soon. Want me to walk you?” Chen Lin asked.

“No need, I can go home alone.” Yan shook her head, as if she didn’t want him to accompany her.

“Then I’ll walk you downstairs. Remember to text me that you got home safe.” At Chen Lin’s reminder, Yan nodded, and the two went downstairs.

Chen Lin couldn’t help but remark, “I think when you grow up, Yan, you’ll make a very capable bride. Whoever becomes your husband will be very lucky.”

Yan’s face flushed bright red, like a ripe apple. “Do you really think so, big brother?” Her voice was as tiny as a hamster’s.

“Of course. I have no reason to lie to you,” Chen Lin nodded.

“…Then… then…” Yan seemed extremely shy, unable to voice her thoughts.

“Then?” Chen Lin looked at her curiously.

As if making up her mind, Yan mustered all her strength and said to Chen Lin, “If I grow up, and you become my husband, would you be happy?”

Her voice started out loud but gradually became softer and softer. After saying this, Yan nervously closed her eyes, not daring to look at Chen Lin. Her trembling hands fully revealed her inner anxiety and torment.

Chen Lin was stunned. He never expected Yan to say something like this. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

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