Feng Yiman wasn't sure what to make of her relationship with Chen Yu. More than friends, less than lovers? It felt too soon for that label; they'd barely known each other. He'd helped her out a few times, and she felt grateful. She'd seen him...well, seen him, and he'd touched her underwear. That was the extent of their intimacy. What did that even count as?
In her mind, "going out to eat" meant a restaurant, a few dishes, some light conversation, maybe a few laughs. Reality, however, was proving different.
She'd gotten permission from her parents, claiming a school activity that would keep her out late. Her mother, understanding, had even given her some spending money, encouraging her to socialize and make friends, worried her daughter was too quiet and prone to melancholy.
"Yo, Chen! Wanna hit the internet cafe?" Yao Hainan asked as the last class ended.
Chen Yu slung Feng Yiman's pink and blue backpack, adorned with a floppy-eared bunny keychain, over his shoulder. "No can do tonight. Go solo! And don't wear yourself out!" He called to Feng Yiman and they left, leaving Yao Hainan to waggle his eyebrows and shout after them, "Where you two off to? A love hotel?"
His teasing words reached Su Nana, who was exiting Class 5. Had Chen Yu found a new girlfriend so quickly? She watched as he walked away, Feng Yiman's distinctly feminine bag a clear indicator.
"Give me that, I'll carry it myself," Feng Yiman muttered, self-conscious of the onlookers.
"Quit your whining! Come on, I'm starving!" He nudged her forward.
Outside the school gates, they hailed a cab, ignoring the greetings from Chen Yu's friends.
"Where do you want to eat?" Feng Yiman asked.
"Don't worry about it. Just come with me."
A sense of unease settled over her. This felt suspiciously like a setup.
The taxi pulled into the "Seaview Splendor" complex, a well-known collection of luxury villas. Chen Yu lived here.
Taking in the spacious courtyard and the modern architecture of the villa, Feng Yiman couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, your family is rich!" Wait. Why was he bringing her home? Wouldn't his parents be there?
The housekeeper offered her slippers, and she mumbled a polite thank you.
"You can go home now," Chen Yu told the housekeeper. Then, leading Feng Yiman to his room on the second floor, he said, "Make yourself comfortable."
"Why are we here? Aren't your parents home?" It was her first time in a male classmate's house, and she felt awkward.
"They're on vacation. It's just the two of us." He offered her a cola from the fridge.
She reached for the drink, then hesitated, eyeing him warily. What did he mean by that?
He set the cola down and chuckled. "Scaredy-cat."
"I thought we were going out to eat? Let's go." A bad feeling was intensifying.
He popped open the cola, took a swig, and sat beside her, looking at her with a sideways glance. "We can eat here."
"Um… maybe another time. I, uh, I have to go." She stood, the atmosphere suddenly thick with tension. She could practically feel his mischievous intent radiating off him.
He caught her wrist. "Relax. I'm not going to jump you. I just want to look."
"Look?" Look at what?
"Don't think I don't know you have my pictures. Now it's my turn. Turnabout is fair play."