Chapter 22: White Bird
I still remember the reason I started learning how to cook—it was because my mom always used to say how satisfying it was to see someone close to you smile happily while eating something you made.
After hearing it over and over, I got a little curious myself.
Eventually, my mom coaxed me into learning how to cook.
Well… that memory doesn’t really have much to do with what I’m seeing right now.
But even though I didn’t make this bento myself, it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the content smile on Zhi Nian’s face.
“Gu Fan, Gu Fan, you eat too—don’t just space out.”
Zhi Nian’s rosy eyes curved into crescents as she waved her chopsticks at me, urging me to eat.
I’d been staring a bit too intently. I hadn’t even touched my bento yet.
“So? Does it suit your taste?”
No one knows my mom’s cooking better than I do.
I grew up with it, and by now my own skills have long surpassed hers.
Just by looking at the dishes and catching a whiff of the aroma, I can pretty much guess what they taste like.
Zhi Nian picked up a piece of braised pork and popped it into her mouth. While chewing, she nodded repeatedly.
“Mmm, it’s great! Please thank Auntie for me when you get home—her cooking is really amazing.”
She swallowed the bite and then looked at me seriously.
“And I’m also really looking forward to your cooking, Gu Fan~ Hehe.”
“Hmph. If there’s a chance, I’ll make something for you.”
I rested my chin on my hand, a warm feeling quietly blooming in my chest, spreading to the smile that naturally showed on my face.
Ever since reconnecting with Zhi Nian, I’ve been smiling more and more.
At first, it was just out of politeness, but now—it’s genuine.
Normally, being expected by others is a good feeling.
It gives you more motivation. But that’s just normally.
For me, everyone’s expectations have turned into a heavy shackle that I can’t breathe under.
Maybe… expectations themselves aren’t the problem.
It’s just that what they want from me is so different from what I want for myself—that’s what leaves me tired and drained.
But right now, I think I am enjoying Zhi Nian’s expectations.
Faced with such a starry-eyed, adorable catgirl who sincerely compliments you—who wouldn’t want to cook a delicious meal for her?
We ended up chatting for quite a while.
The bento had gone cold to the touch, so I quickly told Zhi Nian to dig in, then started to fill my own growling stomach.
Hmm. Not bad.
After swallowing a bite of my mom’s vegetable salad, I noticed she hadn’t added enough dressing.
No cream either—it tasted too plain.
In other words, it tasted so bland it was practically turning my mouth into a desert.
Luckily, neither Zhi Nian nor I are picky eaters.
We’ll eat whatever’s served without much fuss.
I might complain a little more than she does, though.
Hearing her praise the food so much, I thought maybe Mom’s cooking had leveled up this time.
Letting go of the texture issue, I focused seriously on finishing the bento, which—despite the taste—was arranged quite neatly.
“Gu Fan! Why are you eating here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”
A voice called out from a distance.
I turned around and saw Fang Cheng walking toward us with a girl I didn’t recognize.
Zhi Nian, sitting across from me, only had to look up to see them approaching.
But… she seemed a bit tense? Her whole body stiffened.
“Gu Fan, hey—oh, you’re here too.”
Fang Cheng rushed up and only then noticed Zhi Nian sitting across from me, clearly caught off guard.
“Ah, hi… hello.”
Zhi Nian nodded absentmindedly toward Fang Cheng, then glanced at the girl beside him—clearly a classmate of ours—and added another polite greeting.
“Hi~ Gu Fan, and you too, little catgirl. Good afternoon! I’m Bai Niao—we’re in the same year. I’ve been wanting to get to know you both for a while now.”
This girl, Bai Niao, was surprisingly outgoing.
She beamed brightly and even enthusiastically grabbed Zhi Nian’s hand, who looked utterly confused by the gesture.
“What’s your name?”
“Ah, I-I’m Shen Zhi Nian.”
Zhi Nian’s eyes narrowed nervously as she looked back and forth between me and Bai Niao, clearly uneasy.
“Mmm~ Zhi Nian~ What a pretty name!”
“Ah… ah, thank you.”
Zhi Nian clearly wasn’t used to being treated so warmly and didn’t quite know how to react.
Bai Niao might have looked quiet and elegant at first glance, but once she started talking, she was bursting with energy.
Honestly, she made even Mom seem reserved—no wonder Zhi Nian was overwhelmed.
Watching Zhi Nian getting more flustered by the second, I debated whether or not I should step in.
“Zhi Nian, how about we go for a walk?”
Before she could respond, Bai Niao had already asked a few more questions and was now tugging Zhi Nian along, suggesting they go for a walk together.
The sudden invitation clearly shocked Zhi Nian.
She turned to me, her gaze uncertain—was she asking for help, or trying to say goodbye?
I looked into her eyes carefully, trying to figure it out.
Well, she’s not exactly rejecting it, so maybe Zhi Nian can make some friends?
Although this friend seems a little strange—and they’ve only just met a few minutes ago, full of energy.
“All right, Gu Fan, Fang Cheng, we’re heading off now.”
Bai Niao smiled, the sunlight catching the corner of her lips as she waved at us.
Oh… the radiant glow of someone living their best life is truly blinding.
I’m not very close with her, but since she’s so forward, I had no choice but to play along and wave goodbye.
Innocent Zhi Nian curled her soft cat ears and kept glancing back at me every few steps.
I shook the nearly untouched bento in my hand and shouted loudly:
“Don’t worry, next time I’ll make you a bento myself!”
The moment I said that, Zhi Nian’s eyes sparkled brightly.
Even from far away, I could see her ears perk up in excitement.
Fang Cheng didn’t bother with us anymore.
After the two walked away, he yawned.
“All right, Gu Fan, you can talk now, right? Oh, and that girl came on her own—her personality, you’ve seen it. I couldn’t say no.”
“Yeah, it’s fine. That’s not important. What I really need is your help.”
Fang Cheng found this place because I told him where to come.
Bai Niao following us was totally unexpected.
“Just so you know, I’m not going to hit a girl.”
“Of course… it’s just a hit to her reputation, not a real beating.”
I said this with a smile, but from the outside, it probably sounded pretty creepy.
After all… who would want to suddenly become someone else’s boyfriend after being away for just one morning?
Especially when I’d just rejected that girl yesterday.
Naughty girls who act on their own have to face the consequences.
*****
Ughhh—
My head is all dizzy.
I still haven’t fully recovered.
Who would’ve thought my first friend in high school would come about in such a weird way?
Miss Bai Niao, does she really want to be friends with me?
Or is this just a whim?
Like those people before—chatting for a bit, then forgetting me in an instant.
That kind of thing happens all the time.
Though she seems to have some ulterior motive, there’s no denying she’s really good at pretending.
Only someone as sensitive to subtle looks as me can tell something’s off.
I’m still not paying attention in class.
Ah, this won’t do. I promised that girl I’d beat her at grades.
If I want to prove her wrong, I have to do it hard and fast—half-measures won’t be enough.
Not just for myself, but also to defend Gu Fan’s honor.
Hiding the joy of making a new friend deep in my heart, I started seriously reviewing what I needed to know.