Chapter Nine: Yue's lone lunch

As the lunchtime bell rang, the cafeteria buzzed with activity. Haoran, Xiao, and Yuze gathered around Alexander, sharing laughter and animated conversations. The atmosphere was lively, and the new transfer student seemed to have effortlessly integrated himself into the social fabric of Tiong Se Academy.

However, amidst the vibrant scene, Yue sat alone in the back, a solitary figure in the midst of camaraderie. The clinking of utensils, the hum of conversation, and bursts of laughter filled the air, but Yue remained detached, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

Alexander, ever observant, noticed Yue's isolation. The classmates, Haoran, Xiao, and Yuze, exchanged glances and murmured, "Alex, be careful with Yue. His father is the leader of the gangsters. He's always alone, and everybody avoids him."

Despite the warning, Alexander felt an instinctual urge to bridge the gap. As he excused himself from the lively group, he made his way towards Yue, who sat at a secluded table in the corner.

"Hey, mind if I join you?" Alexander asked, his friendly smile contrasting with the cold exterior Yue had cultivated.

Yue, accustomed to solitude, gave a curt nod, acknowledging Alexander's presence without uttering a word.

Undeterred by the frosty reception, Alexander pulled up a chair and sat beside Yue. The murmurs among the classmates intensified, and curious glances were exchanged as the unexpected duo occupied a corner of the cafeteria.

Haoran leaned in, whispering to Xiao and Yuze, "Did you see that? Alex is sitting with Yue. Is he asking for trouble?"

Xiao nodded, echoing the sentiment, "Yue's father is no joke. Alex better watch himself."

Meanwhile, Yuze, more optimistic, added, "Maybe Alex sees something in Yue that we don't. Let's see how this plays out."

As Alexander engaged in casual conversation with Yue, attempting to break through the icy exterior, the classmates couldn't help but steal glances at the unconventional pairing.

Classmate 11: "Is Alex crazy? Sitting with Yue like they're best buddies."

Classmate 12: "I heard Yue's father is a big deal in the underworld. Alex must have a death wish."

Classmate 13: "Look at them talking. I wonder what Alex sees in Yue."

Despite the hushed warnings and skeptical glances, Alexander remained undeterred. He continued to converse with Yue, determined to unravel the mysteries that surrounded the enigmatic figure.

Yue, however, maintained his cold and distant demeanor. The classmates watched with bated breath as Yue, seemingly irritated, abruptly stood up and walked away from the table, leaving Alexander alone.

Classmate 14: "Told you so. Yue doesn't want anyone getting close."

Classmate 15: "Alex should've listened. Now, he's in for trouble."

As Yue distanced himself from Alexander, returning to the solitude he had embraced, the cafeteria returned to its lively atmosphere. The classmates resumed their conversations, but the unexpected encounter lingered as a topic of speculation.

Alexander, undeterred by the cold reception, simply shrugged it off, flashing a grin to Haoran, Xiao, Bai, Feng and Yuze as he rejoined them.

After the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Haoran, Xiao, and Yuze approached Alexander with inviting smiles.

"Hey, Alex! We're heading to a nearby cafe. Wanna join us?" Haoran asked, his friendly demeanor inviting Alexander to be part of their group.

"Sure, why not?" Alexander replied, appreciating the camaraderie and eager to spend time with his newfound friends.

As they walked towards the cafe, the group encountered an unexpected scene near the school fence. A young girl was skillfully climbing the fence, her movements fluid and agile.

Haoran, curious, called out, "Hey, what are you doing there?"

The girl, now sitting on top of the fence, looked down and replied with a beaming smile, "Oh, hi! I'm Yuxi. My big brother was supposed to pick me up, but he's running late. So, I thought I'd have some fun climbing while I wait!"

The boys exchanged glances, amused by Yuxi's carefree spirit. Before they could inquire further, their attention was diverted as someone caught their eye.

Yue, showcasing his parkour skills, effortlessly leaped across obstacles and executed impressive stunts. The boys were captivated by the display of agility and precision.

"Wow, that's incredible!" Yuze exclaimed, his eyes fixed on Yue's movements.

Haoran added, "Is he always this good at parkour?"

Yuxi, still perched on the fence, giggled, "That's my big brother, Yue! He's amazing, right?"

Before the boys could react, Yue, having completed his parkour routine, landed gracefully on the ground. Yuxi waved enthusiastically and called out, "Hey, big brother! Come meet my new friends!"

Yue glanced in their direction, his stoic expression momentarily softened by a hint of surprise. However, without uttering a word, he nodded to Yuxi and gracefully retreated, disappearing from their view.

"He's a man of few words," Xiao remarked, chuckling.

Yuxi, undeterred by her brother's departure, hopped off the fence and joined the boys. "Come on, let's go to the cafe together! My treat!"

The group, now including Yuxi, made their way to the cafe. Laughter and lively chatter filled the air as they shared stories and got to know each other better.

As they reached the cafe, they decided to split into two tables, each forming a separate cluster of conversation. Alexander found himself seated with Haoran, Xiao, and Yuze, while Yuxi joined her brother Yue at a nearby table.

Haoran: "Did you see that girl climbing the fence? She's so fearless!"

Yuze: "And did you catch that guy doing parkour? That's Yue, Yuxi's big brother. He's like a ninja!"

Xiao: "I didn't know Yue had a sister. They're so different!"

At their respective tables, the classmates engaged in animated discussions, sharing anecdotes about their day and exchanging laughs.

The café buzzed with the hum of conversation as Yuxi and her friends settled into their respective tables. Yuxi, Haoran, Xiao, and Yuze placed their orders while Alexander sat with them, engaging in friendly banter and laughter.

As they awaited their orders, the cheerful atmosphere took an unexpected turn when a group of unruly individuals entered the café. Among them was a man with a menacing demeanor, eyeing Yuxi with an unsettling gaze.

Bai: "Who are these guys? Do you know them, Yuxi?"

Yuxi, momentarily unfazed, shook her head. "No idea. Maybe they're just passing through."

However, as the group approached Yuxi's table, it became evident that their intentions were far from innocent. The menacing man leered at Yuxi and said, "Hey, pretty girl, why don't you come join us? We'll show you a good time."

Haoran, Xiao, and Yuze exchanged uneasy glances, sensing trouble. Before anyone could react, Yuxi, displaying unexpected courage, stood up and delivered a swift punch to the man's face.

Haoran: "Whoa! Did you see that? Yuxi just punched that guy!"

Feng: "She's a force to be reckoned with!"

The café fell silent for a moment, the unruly group taken aback by Yuxi's unexpected act of self-defense. However, as Yuxi's friends prepared for a potential confrontation, Yue, seated at a nearby table, called out to his sister.

"Yuxi, leave them. Come back with the orders. I found a new game to play," Yue said, his eyes fixed on a handheld console.

Yuxi, with a triumphant smile, glanced at her brother and retorted, "Brother, your life is so gloomy. Why not have some fun sometimes?"

Yue, focused on his game, replied without looking up, "Why not score higher than 50 sometimes?"

Yuxi pouted, crossing her arms. "You're no fun, brother! Always buried in your games. You should try being more social."

Yue finally looked up, his expression unchanged. "Socializing won't help me achieve my goals."

Yuxi, undeterred, leaned in and said with a mischievous grin, "But brother, imagine all the fun you're missing. And being single for life? How about selling yourself? With that handsome face of yours, you'd make a fortune!"

The classmates nearby, overhearing the exchange, couldn't help but chuckle at Yuxi's teasing and Yue's stoic response.

Haoran: "Yuxi is fearless! She just punched that guy, and now she's teasing her brother."

Xiao: "Yue seems so focused on his games. Yuxi is just trying to lighten things up."

Yuxi continued to playfully banter with her brother, drawing amused glances from their friends and other café patrons.

Xiao: "They're quite a duo. Yue and Yuxi, the dynamic siblings."

Bai: "I didn't expect Yue to have a playful side. Yuxi brings out a different side of him."