The school's bicycle shed was behind the main building, blocked by several tall plane trees.
Few people came here, with only a few scattered bicycles standing lonely.
Most noble young masters and ladies didn't need bicycles.
Felyn found a clean step to sit on, sunlight filtering through leaves to cast dappled shadows on the ground.
In the end, Sofia had become hesitant and let him leave without saying much.
What a strange grade director.
Felyn pulled out a seal from his pocket and stuck it on his lunchbox.
Soon the lunchbox began steaming.
"Seals are really convenient."
He opened the lunchbox, and aroma immediately wafted out.
Soft, glutinous white rice paired with several fried eggs, pan-seared meat cutlets, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Felyn always brought his own lunch at noon.
Controlling oil and sugar kept his figure from changing shape—this was part of his work too.
Plus he could get sufficient carbohydrates, protein, and fat at a relatively cheap price.
Felyn used his brain too much, whether studying or dealing with young ladies.
Poor nutrition wouldn't do.
Though somewhat late, the most beautiful time of day was about to begin.
The plane tree's shadow swayed gently in the wind. Occasionally a few leaves fell to the ground, giving the quiet world some sound.
This solitary afternoon time made Felyn feel incredibly peaceful.
The sound of leaves being crushed was especially clear in the quiet corner, slowly approaching.
Felyn didn't turn around—he knew who it was from the footstep frequency.
Viloti stood under the plane tree in her school uniform, with several golden plane leaves having just fallen on her shoulders.
Sunlight filtered through the leaf gaps onto her, leaving a soft halo on her pale pink hair.
The entire scene looked like a carefully composed painting.
"Grumble—"
A slight sound from her abdomen broke the atmosphere.
Her amber eyes widened slightly, her elegant expression showing a trace of subtle wavering.
Viloti's face instantly reddened. She instinctively turned her head away, but that enticing aroma made it impossible to maintain her usual aloofness.
She hadn't eaten yet.
A young lady like her had never been to the school cafeteria and didn't know what to eat.
This morning the butler had brought her food, but thinking Felyn would still bring her meals, she'd left it at home.
"Haven't eaten yet?"
Felyn didn't turn around, burying his head in his meal.
"Mm." Viloti nodded.
"The cafeteria has food. Don't you have money?"
Felyn didn't intend to continue acting with this young lady, only hoping she'd leave quickly.
To avoid being seen again and causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
Viloti looked at Felyn's back, bit her lip, took a deep breath, and still said it.
"Not as delicious as yours."
Felyn put down his half-finished boxed meal and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
Letting this young lady go hungry wasn't a solution—her father doted on her terribly.
"I'll take you to the cafeteria. Tell me what you want to eat. Remember to have your butler bring you food tomorrow."
Viloti's gaze fell on Felyn's lunchbox.
Her lips parted slightly, as if wanting to say something.
"Don't say you want to eat this."
Spare me.
Felyn sighed inwardly.
How could he possibly give Viloti his eaten leftovers?
"I'll pay money." Viloti's gaze never moved. She pulled out her pink unicorn wallet from her pocket.
"I refuse."
"Is 1,000 crowns enough?"
"Deal."
One hand money, one hand goods.
Felyn's bottom line retreated once again before money's power.
Evil capitalism!
Viloti walked forward two steps, crouched beside Felyn, and reached out to cup the lunchbox with both hands.
Felyn grabbed Viloti's hands, making her look up in confusion.
"A thousand crowns can't make you eat leftovers. If people knew, they'd scold me for being heartless."
Just thinking of this cute popular young lady eating his leftovers made Felyn feel perverted.
He pulled out another portion from his bag and handed it to Viloti.
"This is..."
"My dinner."
Felyn habitually carried an extra portion.
In case clients had last-minute overtime requirements, this saved considerable money and prevented weight gain.
If he didn't eat it at night, it became the next day's lunch.
Fortunately, this world's storage seals were powerful enough to prevent spoilage.
"Thank you."
Viloti accepted it with both hands, placed it on her white-stockinged knees, then pulled out another 1,000 crowns from her wallet.
"The lunchbox just now was only half full. This portion is more, so here's the difference."
Felyn looked at this serious young lady, wondering if rich people didn't mind spending 2,000 per meal normally.
"No need. I'll just take a small loss."
Felyn didn't accept it. He picked up his lunchbox and moved slightly away from Viloti.
"Then, then consider it payment for bringing me food tomorrow..."
Felyn raised an eyebrow. Who taught her this trick?
"I won't bring you food. Today is just an exception."
If Silafiel knew he still had relations with Viloti after the contract ended, he wouldn't spare him.
Besides.
Felyn tilted his head, looking at the young lady sitting on the steps like him.
Viloti sat quietly beside him, eating his bento in small bites.
She put the fried egg in her mouth, satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
She gently swayed her legs, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
Besides, Felyn didn't want too much contact with this young lady.
After eating, the young lady beside him didn't seem like she intended to leave.
She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then handed the lunchbox to Felyn with both hands.
"Being with me will cause misunderstandings. So the young lady should stay away from me."
Felyn said while cleaning up.
Viloti pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on Felyn's bag.
"I understand."
As expected, Felyn pulled out a pink-wrapped candy from his bag.
After meals, Felyn always gave himself a delicious candy.
Viloti's pupils dilated slightly. She saw Felyn reach out to hand it to her and extended her hand to receive it.
Oh no.
Felyn realized what he was doing.
He was still following the behavioral patterns from the contract period—giving Viloti candy after meals.
This wouldn't do.
Felyn unwrapped the candy and tossed it into his own mouth.
Viloti's hand froze in midair, bewilderment flashing in those amber eyes.
She slowly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, her slender fingers unconsciously tugging at her skirt hem.
The expectant expression from moments before instantly dimmed, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
"Class is starting. I'll go first."
Felyn shouldered his bag and nodded to Viloti.
Viloti wanted to say something but remained frozen in place.
Pink bangs covered Viloti's eyes but still couldn't hide her exquisite, perfect face.
Watching Felyn's departing figure, Viloti suddenly remembered she'd forgotten the main matter.
She was supposed to go to Felyn's house to help him with tutoring.
She'd have to wait until near dismissal time to call him from his classroom.
(End of Chapter)