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The students in the surrounding queues continued to watch the unfolding scene.

Chen Yang’s actions were undeniably bold.

He had thrown the tray directly at the buzz-cut boy, who hadn’t even had time to react and was now drenched in soup and vegetables, looking utterly disheveled.

Though his behavior was extreme, the girls who knew about the earlier queue-cutting incident were thrilled—his response was sharp and satisfying.

Le Ya quickly stood up and stepped back a little.

She hadn’t anticipated that the buzz-cut boy would escalate to physical violence over something as minor as cutting in line. Fortunately, Chen Yang had intervened; otherwise, she didn’t know what would have happened.

Her gaze cautiously shifted back to the buzz-cut boy. He now stood alone, abandoned by the person who had been ahead of him in line. That student had quickly grabbed their food and fled, leaving him isolated.

At First High School, students picked their meals themselves, and Le Ya could easily tell that this meal included both soup and vegetables.

Thus, the boy’s situation was particularly miserable.

Chen Yang stood opposite him, wearing his school uniform with the zipper fully closed, revealing a T-shirt underneath. A silver chain peeked out from his collar, disappearing into his shirt—its pendant hidden from view.

His cuffs were casually rolled up, exposing part of his wrist. The clean lines of his hands drew attention, his fingers long and defined, exuding an air of elegance and sensuality.

Hand enthusiasts would undoubtedly adore such hands.

It was hard to imagine that these same hands had just thrown the tray.

Many students couldn’t help but marvel at how Chen Yang managed to look good even in the unflattering school uniform. Comparing him to Le Ya, they set the standard.

By contrast, the buzz-cut boy looked even worse.

Qian Ziyou, the buzz-cut boy, finally snapped out of his daze after a long moment. As he touched his head, his hand came away wet with soup, and he flicked off the vegetables hanging from his nose.

The sticky sensation made him feel nauseous.

Qian Ziyou should have been a senior student, but due to poor grades, he had repeated a year and transferred to First High School, making him a sophomore now.

As for who Chen Yang was, he had no idea.

But that didn’t stop him from getting angry. “Who do you think you are? Are you insane? I didn’t cut your line—what gives you the right to interfere? Do you think you’re some kind of cosmic police officer? Which law says anything about cutting in line? You’ve soaked me with this stuff—you’d better apologize!”

His last sentence was particularly loud.

However, the onlookers’ expressions changed, finding him increasingly foolish.

“This queue-jumping guy has guts. Is he even from our school? Doesn’t he know about the seniors?”

“I… actually kind of want to see if Chen Yang will apologize… Am I whispering quietly enough?”

“This show is getting better.”

“…”

Chen Yang repeated the last two words. “Apologize?”

Even Le Ya was surprised, turning her head to look at him.

Qian Ziyou didn’t expect him to be so weak-willed, thinking he had already conceded. Feeling slightly satisfied, he pressed on, “You soaked my clothes. Do you know how much this outfit costs? Several hundred yuan—it’s almost a thousand! You need to compensate me.”

He wasn’t wearing his school uniform today because it hadn’t arrived yet.

Liang Qian’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

This guy was shameless. His entire outfit cost only a few hundred yuan, yet he was boasting endlessly. Liang Qian thought it must have been worth much more.

Not reflecting on his earlier actions of cutting in line or attempting to hit someone, Qian Ziyou was truly an eye-opener—a relic of a bygone era.

Seeing Chen Yang remain silent, Qian Ziyou grew smug and continued, “And then there’s the compensation for emotional distress. Let’s see… make it a thousand yuan!”

The cafeteria fell silent, everyone drawn to the unfolding drama.

Chen Yang raised an eyebrow. “Finished?”

Qian Ziyou paused, then said, “Yes, I’m done. Now it’s your turn. Apologize first, then compensate me!”

Chen Yang lazily stood across from him.

The hard lines of his jaw, combined with his emotionless expression, created a sense of detachment, as if he existed in a world apart from others.

As for the other boy’s long-winded speech, he hadn’t paid any attention.

Le Ya tugged gently at his sleeve, her face filled with concern. In a soft voice, she whispered, “Don’t listen to him—he’s just trying to extort you.”

Chen Yang, of course, already knew.

He nodded at Le Ya, then turned to Qian Ziyou, tilting his chin slightly. “Now that you’re done, it’s my turn.”

Qian Ziyou hadn’t expected him to say anything else. With a condescending tone, he said, “Go ahead.”

Chen Yang swept his gaze from head to toe.

Qian Ziyou felt a chill run down his spine.

Before long, Chen Yang’s lips curved into a smirk. Casually grabbing a tray from a nearby spectator, he prepared to throw it again.

Seeing this, Qian Ziyou instinctively covered his head and crouched down.

The surrounding students held their breath.

Le Ya, seeing Chen Yang’s movement, hurriedly stopped him, gripping his wrist tightly. “No!”

If Chen Yang threw the tray once, it could be seen as an impulsive act, but twice would be deliberate. If this matter were reported to the teachers, it would surely be exaggerated, and if it escalated, there would inevitably be consequences.

Le Ya didn’t want Chen Yang to get into trouble because of this.

She pleaded softly, “Can you please not throw it?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, tugging at his heartstrings.

The arrogant and aggressive aura surrounding him was palpable—Liang Qian, standing nearby, could clearly sense Chen Yang’s anger on the verge of erupting.

Chen Yang looked down and saw Le Ya gazing up at him, her eyes shimmering with moisture, his reflection clearly visible in them.

Even the sound of her pleading was so endearing.

Chen Yang took a deep breath and reined himself in.

He then placed the tray back into the hands of the stupefied student who had been watching, the contents miraculously still intact.

His long fingers left the silver tray and returned to his side. He pulled out a napkin and wiped his hands clean.

The onlookers: “… “

Still so meticulous.

But why did he suddenly stop throwing it?

Qian Ziyou waited for a long time without feeling the tray hit him. Slowly uncovering his head, he peeked and saw Chen Yang still standing there. He prepared to mock him.

Finally, someone couldn’t bear it anymore and reminded him, “Hey, you were the one who cut in line first, and you even tried to hit someone. Stop embarrassing yourself!”

They couldn’t stand to watch any longer.

Qian Ziyou wanted to retort, but under the weight of the surrounding gazes, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Such accusatory stares were more humiliating than words.

Qian Ziyou no longer cared about compensation and just wanted to leave. Le Ya mustered her courage and raised her voice, ensuring everyone could hear, “Next time, don’t cut in line so rudely.”

Liang Qian burst out laughing, leaning against Zhao Mingri.

He clapped his hands. “Well said.”

Chen Yang looked at Le Ya in surprise. Seeing her ears turn red, he knew she must have been internally conflicted.

Le Ya turned back, obediently saying, “Thank you.”

Chen Yang hummed in acknowledgment.

Le Ya thought he appeared particularly aloof this time.

Xie Qingyu, who had been standing behind her, patted her chest. “You scared me to death. Thankfully, Chen Yang arrived just in time. But will this behavior be reported to the teacher?”

Le Ya thought for a moment. “I can explain later if needed.”

Chen Yang softened his tone. “No need.”

“Exactly.” Liang Qian chimed in. “No need. The teachers adore our Brother Yang—don’t worry.”

Besides, this incident had a clear cause.

Chen Yang looked at the petite girl who only reached his shoulder, gently patting her head. Her hair was soft, pleasant to the touch, and somewhat addictive.

Le Ya intended to dodge, but remembering how Chen Yang had just saved them, she let him pat her.

Once Chen Yang withdrew his hand, she softly said, “I’ll clean up this area. It’s too messy here.”

After all, this mess was indirectly caused by her, and there was no need to disturb others. With this window in chaos, no one dared to come forward to get their food.

As she spoke, the cafeteria auntie came out with a broom.

Le Ya approached her.

Unexpectedly, the auntie waved her off and went straight after the departing Qian Ziyou, shouting, “Hey, the student who got drenched in soup—don’t rush off!”

Qian Ziyou stopped, frowning. “What is it?”

The auntie shoved the broom into his hands, grinning. “Sorry, but you need to clean up the floor.”

Qian Ziyou was absolutely furious.

The auntie added, “Otherwise, I’ll tell your homeroom teacher.”

Qian Ziyou gritted his teeth. “… Fine, I’ll sweep.”

He had just transferred to this school and couldn’t afford to offend his homeroom teacher—if he got on their bad side, things could get ugly.

The remaining students in the cafeteria couldn’t help but laugh.

The auntie’s finishing move was lethal—killing with kindness, unseen yet deadly.

Once the commotion ended, the onlookers dispersed.

Qian Ziyou continued sweeping resentfully, knowing he’d have to mop the floor afterward.

The cafeteria gradually returned to its usual bustling atmosphere.

Standing in front of Chen Yang, Le Ya asked, “Are you still going to eat?”

Since he had thrown away his meal, he certainly needed to get another one.

Chen Yang slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled. “Of course.”

There was a teasing glint in his eyes, as if asking Le Ya whether she thought he skipped lunch entirely.

Le Ya’s face flushed. “That’s not what I meant—I meant…”

She wore the same uniform as him. Her slightly furrowed brows held a lake-like depth, and strands of black hair fell across her forehead, accentuating her fair complexion.

Chen Yang’s voice rose slightly at the end. “What are you trying to say?”

Le Ya thought for a moment. “Let me treat you to a meal. Look, you wasted your food on that person because of my issue.”

It was only right for her to express gratitude.

Upon hearing this, Liang Qian hurried forward a few steps and said, “Treat us? Great! Treat me, treat me!”

He loved being treated to meals.

Before Liang Qian could reach them, Chen Yang casually blocked him with a hand and said lightly, “Treat me instead—it’s fine.”

Le Ya glanced at the excited Liang Qian. “He…”

Before she could finish, Chen Yang turned her head back toward him and said leisurely, “Ignore him—he’s already eaten.”

Liang Qian: ?!?!?!

What “already eaten”? How did he not know anything about it? His meal was the one sacrificed heroically!

Beside them, Xie Qingyu observed the situation and suddenly said, “Yueya, I won’t go. You two go ahead and eat.”

Le Ya was a bit surprised. “Why aren’t you coming?”

Xie Qingyu blinked. “I’ll just eat in the cafeteria. Alright, don’t waste any more time—class starts soon.”

Seeing her persistence, Le Ya didn’t press further.

She checked the time. There was indeed only an hour left until the first class of the afternoon. The earlier commotion had taken up a lot of time.

Le Ya looked up and said, “Alright then.”

As they walked away, Liang Qian was utterly frustrated. It was his meal that got thrown—how could he be left behind like this?

Xie Qingyu patted his shoulder and joked, “Big brother, how about I treat you to cafeteria food? Deal?”

Liang Qian nodded enthusiastically. “Sure, sure.”

At least this way, he wouldn’t have to be the third wheel.