Arcade

Three months have passed since school had started, it was finally time for the first semester exams.

Half of the student population was busy studying, filling the hotspots of the campus to the brim. Even the library at the administration building were full of people.

"Aish! Every single spot is full, where will we go study now?"

Cao Wei whined as she pulled on Kang Shu's arm.

All of them gathered together and were currently riding the train. Jiang Shen invited them out to play, which prompted them all to come along.

"Why not study at my house?"

Cheng Muyi suggested. Not only was his house big, they could even get to relax and eat at the same time. It was also perfect that there's always almost no one home.

"That's a great idea! Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"You didn't ask."

Cheng Muyi shrugged.

"When should we study?"

As they got off the train, Jiang Shen turned and asked.

"Hm... Since exams are next week, why not this weekend?"

Kang Shu wanted to spend her weekend with the rest instead of by herself. There was no need to worry since she's been busy studying as soon as the schedule for exams released.

"We can also hold a barbecue!"

Ju Sheng excitedly added. It had been a long time since they had eaten together. Instead of hanging out at a restaurant, it was better to eat at home.

"Do you guys even have the money?"

Shi Fen snorted. All of them were just students with no jobs. Where would they get the money to pay?

"Who said we don't?"

Cao Wei headlocked him and messed up his hair.

"I've got money, right here. Ever since we started Year Three, my parents raised my allowance!"

"Then, how much would we need?"

Cheng Muyi thought of the budget.

"Including drinks and vegetables, twenty yuan each!"

Jiang Shen calculated their appetites and guessed that a kilo was enough for all of them.

"Do you think we should also invite Yang Mu?"

Ju Sheng asked. After all, they were already acquainted with each other. If they invited him to study, they would gain another tutor!

"That's fine. I'd think he'd agree to it."

Jiang Shen already considered Yang Mu as a good friend. Besides, she had already noticed that he liked taking care of her.

Although the feeling was very foreign, she didn't dislike it in the least.

"I'll text him," Cheng Muyi said as he pulled out his phone.

"Since when were you guys on a texting basis?"

Shi Fen asked as he frowned.

"Since I asked him to help me with volleyball practice."

"Wow! Smart and athletic. I'm guessing he also has an attractive body? Hehe... Ow!"

Cao Wei received a flick on the forehead as she rubbed the spot.

"Why are you so violent? Are you a sadist?"

"Say that again?"

Kang Shu prepared to flick her again.

"Bully..."

"I heard that."

"Good!"

They soon reached the arcade and went separate ways for different games.

Jiang Shen walked to the rows of claw machines and observed. She couldn't decide where to spend her coins on.

"Need any help?"

A voice beside her quipped. Jiang Shen turned her head as she widened her eyes.

"Yao."

"Hey."

Qing Yao, the genius from the STEM department and the rumored person in a mysterious relationship with her. His ever blank expressions became his signature look and his smiles were considered a rarity in school. He looked handsome in his uniform with a knitted vest, exuding an aura of seriousness.

"What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be studying for the exams?"

He was the epitome of a busybody. After a few months of no contact with him, Jiang Shen felt a little weird talking to him now. But... it felt a little good to catch up.

"I am but then I was dragged here by my friends. I happened to be passing by when I saw you looking at the claw machines so intently," he gestured behind him where his fellow classmates nodded in greetings.

Jiang Shen nodded back and said, "Then how long have you been here?"

"The last class was vacant so..."

He checked the watch on his wrist.

"A half hour ago, I think."

"I see..."

Qing Yao then said, "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What're you doing here?"

From what he knew, Jiang Shen always made it a point to go straight home and almost never hangs outside with friends.

"Oh, I invited my friends out to play before going into study mode."

"That's rare."

Such a coincidence suddenly made him feel less regretful that he was dragged here. His lips curled up slightly.

Jiang Shen smiled.

"I could say the same to you."

"Are you going to be playing?"

"I don't think so. I'm not very good at claw machines. In any case, I just wanted to try my luck."

Jiang Shen sighed. She even thought that the egg character looked especially cute.

"What caught your eye?"

"Hm?"

She looked at Qing Yao, whose face looked all the more serious. Not a hint of a smile could be seen. If it wasn't because they've known each other since children, she would've thought he was messing with her.

"I mean, did anything look interesting?"

"Why?"

He pulled out a coin and said, "I'll get it for you."

"You will?"

Jiang Shen smiled widely. Then she pointed at a yellow claw machine filled with various types of egg characters. If possible, she would like him to get them all but in the end she said, "This one. The one using a bacon as a blanket."

"Wait a moment," Qing Yao inserted the coin into the machine and skillfully calculated the distance and strength of the claw. Most of the time the claws are rigged, so he had to use a special technique in order to get them.

Thankfully, it worked as the plushie was successfully caught. Jiang Shen felt warm inside as she smiled cheekily and patted his back.

"That was amazing. Show me some more!"

"Sure."

In the end, when her friends spotted her together with Qing Yao, all of them tacitly agreed not to disturb them and left them alone in the claw section.

Time passed by and Jiang Shen's arms were filled to the brim with egg characters.