Xiao clicked his tongue softly.
Not loud enough for anyone to hear—but enough for himself.
Why is he always here?
Every single time.
Without fail.
Just when he finally had Chen sitting across from him alone, speaking calmly, asking for help in that gentle, trusting tone—
Zhou Kai appeared like a summoned calamity.
Like a curse that activated on proximity.
Xiao lifted his gaze and finally took in the full scene.
Xiao lifted his eyes and looked at the table.
Four people sat on the table in cafeteria where only two should have been two uninvited guests, .
Chen sat straight, expression mild, completely unaware of the undercurrent swirling around him.
Across from him sat the new tranfer student , posture impeccable. The boy barely spoke, only nodding when spoken to, clearly trying his best not to be a disturbance.
Then there was Zhou Kai.
Elbow on the table. Chin in his palm. Eyes glued to Chen like the cafeteria, the food, and the rest of the world simply did not exist.
Xiao felt a faint headache forming.
The first to break the silence was Juri.
He straightened slightly in his seat, clearly gathering courage, then bowed his head politely toward Xiao.
"Professor Xiao," he said, voice careful and sincere. "I'm sorry for the sudden interruption during your lunch."
As he spoke, his elbow accidentally nudged the person beside him.
"—Ah," Zhou Kai said immediately, tone lazy and unapologetic. "Sorry."
The word came out far too easily. Too lightly.
Xiao's gaze shifted—slow, measured—and landed on Zhou Kai.
That was not an apology, not in the slightest.
Zhou Kai met his eyes without flinching, even smiled faintly, as if daring him to say something.
Xiao endured it.
Barely.
He inhaled once, then turned his attention back to Juri, his expression smoothing into something professional.
"It's fine," Xiao said evenly. "Go ahead and take your lunch."
His eyes flicked briefly to Chen.
"Chen already said we'd eat together."
Chen nodded, completely unaware that a silent battlefield had just been negotiated on his behalf.
"Yes," Chen added gently.
Zhou Kai pushed his chair back first, standing up with an ease that made it obvious he felt completely at home here.
"Come on," he said, nodding toward the serving area. "Let's get food."
Juri blinked, then hurriedly stood as well, following him a half-step behind.
The cafeteria they walked into wasn't the usual noisy student hall. This one was quieter, cleaner—clearly meant for faculty. The counters gleamed, and the food trays were arranged neatly, steam rising in thin, comforting wisps.
Juri slowed instinctively.
"Uh… are we allowed here?" he whispered.
Zhou Kai didn't answer immediately. Instead, when it was their turn, he casually pulled out a card and handed it to the cafeteria aunty.
Chen's faculty card.
The aunty looked at it, then at the two boys, then broke into a knowing smile.
"Oh?" she said warmly. "Teacher's treating you today?"
Juri froze.
Zhou Kai smiled back without the slightest shame. "Yes, aunty."
The aunty chuckled as she scooped food onto their trays. "Then behave yourselves. Don't cause trouble for the teacher."
"Yes, yes," Zhou Kai replied easily.
Juri, flustered, bowed slightly. "Thank you."
They stepped aside with their trays, moving toward the drinks station.
That was when Juri elbowed Zhou Kai again—harder this time.
"Ow—what the hell?" Zhou Kai hissed, glaring sideways. "Why do you keep elbowing me?"
Juri shot him a look, lowering his voice. "You pulled me with you here running like a maniac on corridor and now here in teacher's cafeteria."
Zhou Kai scoffed. "That was for your sake."
Juri didn't buy it for a second.
They walked a few steps in silence before Juri spoke again, more quietly this time.
"…Did you use me earlier?"
Zhou Kai stopped.
Juri halted too, clutching his tray. "In class. And just now. You said I needed lessons and dragged me along before I could even answer. Why?"
For once, Zhou Kai didn't immediately fire back.
He stared at the drink dispenser like it held the secrets of the universe.
"…You're overthinking," he said finally, tone a little stiff.
Juri raised a brow. "Then explain."
Zhou Kai clicked his tongue, clearly cornered. He grabbed two cups, filled them with water, then sighed.
"…Fine," he muttered. "I just wanted free food from the professor, okay?"
Juri stared at him.
"That's it?"
Zhou Kai glanced away. "What, you think it was something noble?"
Juri was quiet for a second. Then he said flatly, "That's the worst excuse I've ever heard."
Zhou Kai smirked, recovering fast. "Hey, food is expensive."
Juri shook his head, exasperated but oddly relieved. "You're unbelievable."
"Yeah, yeah," Zhou Kai said, nudging him with his shoulder this time. "Now let's go. Food's getting cold."
They turned back toward the table.
From a distance, Chen glanced up as they approached, offering a gentle smile.
Xiao watched them return—eyes narrowing just slightly—as Zhou Kai sat far too comfortably again.
And Juri, still confused but polite, carefully placed his tray down, thinking to himself:
This university… is strange.