The two re-entered the store and walked to the front desk when Liu Zhimin suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, right, let's split the bill for dinner today."
Yu Qianjue looked puzzled and asked, "Didn't we agree that I would treat? Why the sudden change to splitting the bill?"
"Because it's not easy for you to earn money, and besides, when Ningning first told me you were treating, I already wanted to split the bill."
Liu Zhimin took out her wallet, intending to give Yu Qianjue money, but he grabbed her hand and put the wallet back.
"How could I let you pay? Compared to me, who has savings, you trainees have much higher expenses. If you really feel bad, you can treat me after you and Min-jeong debut."
With a flick of his hand, Yu Qianjue magically pulled out a bank card and handed it to the front desk staff.
"Hello, I'd like to settle the bill."
The front desk staff nodded with a professional smile, swiped the card, and handed it back to Yu Qianjue.
Liu Zhimin wanted to take the receipt to check the price, but Yu Qianjue was quick, tearing it into pieces in a flash.
"Seriously, I already let you pay, can't I even look at the receipt?"
She balled her small hand into a fist and lightly punched Yu Qianjue's shoulder. Yu Qianjue raised an eyebrow.
"Why so weak? I saw you ate quite a bit just now. Oh~ I know~"
Turning to look at Liu Zhimin's small fist, Yu Qianjue suddenly put on a sorrowful expression and covered his face.
"How tragic, bearing such a painful fate at such a young age, not even caring that her hands have evolved into mangosteens. Truly admirable..."
However, no sooner had he finished speaking than he felt a sharp pain in his waist, causing his expression to change and him to gasp.
Liu Zhimin smiled, her expression unconcerned, yet the pressure on his waist, the fierce look in the girl's eyes, and the clenching of her teeth visible in her cheeks even without her opening her mouth, all indicated that Liu Zhimin was not as harmless as she appeared.
"Sis, my bad, sis, I shouldn't have run my mouth."
Yu Qianjue feigned a pained plea for mercy. In truth, such pain was a minor issue for him; he had endured pain a hundred times stronger during his training, let alone just pinching the soft flesh of his waist?
"I just praised you and you got carried away. Are you a balloon? Given that you made fun of my small hands, my favorability towards you has dropped to the lowest point!"
Liu Zhimin lightly bit her silver teeth. She was very satisfied with her hands; her father's hands weren't big, so she had inherited her father's good qualities!
"Oh, small hands have their advantages, you know. For example, they look very cute, and if you fall in love later, your partner will surely love the feeling of holding your hands."
Hearing this, Liu Zhimin nodded, reluctantly agreeing with his statement, but still shot him a glare and then huffed, turning her head away from Yu Qianjue and quickly walking back to their booth.
"Ah, Euni, you're back! Come quickly, I just found a fun video!"
Liu Zhimin was a step ahead, sitting next to Ning Yizhuo. Yu Qianjue had no choice but to sit beside Kim Minjeong.
Liu Zhimin across from him extended two fingers, pointed to her eyes, then to Yu Qianjue, and then pursed her lips towards Kim Minjeong.
Liu Zhimin: I'll be watching you, fix this problem quickly!
Yu Qianjue's mouth twitched. Seeing her gesture, he decided it was best to settle things quickly.
He turned his head to speak, only to see Kim Minjeong secretly tugging at his shirt.
She looked awkward, head bowed, one hand pulling at the hem of Yu Qianjue's shirt, the other rubbing the corner of her own clothes; judging by the rubbing marks, she had probably been doing it for a while.
Kim Minjeong pursed her lips, still finding it difficult to speak. She had already thought of what to say, but now seeing Yu Qianjue, she couldn't bring herself to open her mouth.
Watching Kim Minjeong's expression grow increasingly awkward and the corner of her clothes becoming more wrinkled, a trace of pain flashed in Yu Qianjue's eyes.
Kim Minjeong suddenly felt a hand gently caress the back of her head, once, twice, stroking down her hair.
The little Maltese slowly raised her head, meeting a pair of blue-gray eyes—the color of the contact lenses Yu Qianjue was wearing today.
The blue-gray pupils added a touch of gentle elegance to his apologetic and remorseful gaze.
A slight furrow in his brow carried a hint of sorrow, and a faint bitter smile played on his lips.
The two looked at each other for three seconds, neither averting their gaze.
Finally, Yu Qianjue sighed softly and whispered to Kim Minjeong, "Min-jeong, I'm truly sorry, I didn't mean it just now. Can you please forgive me?"
Shaking her head, Kim Minjeong took the opportunity to shift her gaze.
Facing that face was truly a bit too much pressure; her organized thoughts were once again scattered by the hint of melancholy in Yu Qianjue's brow.
She vaguely understood why some emperors in ancient China kept male concubines; such a handsome face combined with that expression was simply too endearing.
"It's okay, A Yu, you don't need to apologize. It was just a small misunderstanding, and I overreacted."
Releasing her tightly clenched clothes, Kim Minjeong felt much better after speaking, but her other hand, still holding his shirt, had not yet let go.
Yu Qianjue stroked Kim Minjeong's head again. He noticed the girl in front of him seemed to relax, and he nodded in thanks.
"I heard Ningning say you love Guo Bao Rou before. I'll make it for you sometime. From now on, whatever you want to eat, if I can make it, I will. If I can't, I'll take you out to eat."
Upon hearing about delicious food, Kim Minjeong asked, "Really? Then it's a promise."
"It's a promise. Ningning even says my cooking is good, so you'll definitely be satisfied."
Kim Minjeong showed her puppy smile, giggling.
Yu Qianjue looked at Kim Minjeong with affectionate eyes. Although their birthdays were only a day apart, he always felt that the person in front of him wasn't a peer, but rather a younger sister who deserved to be doted on.
Unlike Ning Yizhuo, who was boisterous and naturally bold like someone from the Northeast, the cute charm of the Liangshan puppy seemed to draw even heaven's attention.
After making a promise with Kim Minjeong, Yu Qianjue looked at Liu Zhimin and made an 'ok' gesture, indicating that the misunderstanding had been resolved.
Liu Zhimin opened her mouth, silently mouthing something.
【I want to eat too】
Yu Qianjue understood that Liu Zhimin had overheard their conversation and silently replied.
【Anything is fine, just order whatever you want to eat】
"Bro, why are you two just mouthing words without making a sound?"
Your friend, former dancer, little clever ghost, Ning Yizhuo, has come online.
"No, I was just asking Youzi if she wanted to take a picture to commemorate our first meeting."
"Yes, yes! Let's go outside and take one later!"
Kim Minjeong, beside her, also nodded, thinking it was a good idea.
Liu Zhimin secretly gave Yu Qianjue a thumbs-up.
You really think fast!
Yu Qianjue had a proud look on his face.
Don't you understand the value of my world-class adaptability!