Intersection

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and the students in the classroom began packing up their things, preparing to go have lunch. Yun Xian lowered her head, neatly putting her notebook and textbook into her bag with measured, unhurried movements.

Just as she zipped up her bag, Lin Wan’er’s voice came from beside her: “Yun Xian, want to have lunch together?”

Yun Xian paused slightly, turning her head toward Lin Wan’er, who was resting her chin on her hand, smiling warmly at her.

“I’m not eating lunch,” Yun Xian replied calmly, swinging her bag over her shoulder and preparing to stand.

“Ah?” Lin Wan’er raised an eyebrow. “Not eating lunch? Why?”

“I have to work,” Yun Xian answered succinctly, then stood up and walked straight toward the classroom door.

Lin Wan’er was momentarily stunned, then smiled and followed: “You can’t skip meals like that; your body won’t hold up if you keep it up.”

Yun Xian didn’t respond but walked steadily forward. The two walked one after the other down to the base of the academic building, where a cool breeze swept across the tree-lined path, carrying a faint dampness in the air.

Reaching the bicycle racks, Yun Xian steadied her bike by the handlebars, then turned to Lin Wan’er and said softly, “Thank you for your kindness, but I really won’t eat lunch.”

Lin Wan’er stood behind her, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on Yun Xian’s profile, her eyes thoughtful: “Alright then, whenever you feel like eating, we’ll eat together.”

Yun Xian said nothing more, just nodded slightly, stepped on the pedal, and casually tossed out, “Okay, got it,” before riding off.

Lin Wan’er stayed where she was, watching Yun Xian’s figure grow smaller in the distance. Her long black hair fluttered gently in the wind, a faint, elusive smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Yun Xian cycled out of the school gate, weaving through several narrow alleys before finally stopping at a modest, unassuming little restaurant.

The restaurant’s facade was simple and worn, the edges of the signboard chipped, the door curtain swaying lightly in the breeze. The air was tinged with the soft aroma of cooking.

She pushed the door open and said softly, “Uncle, I’m here.”

Behind the counter, a middle-aged man looked up and smiled: “Yun Xian’s here, why so early today?”

Yun Xian didn’t explain much, simply nodded and shoved her bag into a corner by the counter.

“Where’s Aunt Zhang?” she asked casually, scanning the room.

“She’s busy in the kitchen,” the man replied casually.

Before long, a middle-aged woman wearing an apron came out of the kitchen carrying a plate. Seeing Yun Xian, she smiled warmly: “Yun Xian’s here. Haven’t seen you eat much lately; have you lost weight again? Don’t just work all the time—you need to take care of your health.”

Yun Xian smiled faintly. “I know, Aunt Zhang.”

Aunt Zhang shook her head with a smile, set down the plate, and returned to the kitchen. Yun Xian picked up a rag and began wiping the tables.

This small restaurant was short-staffed but always had steady business. Yun Xian had been working here for over a year. Though she didn’t say much, her steady personality and efficient work made her well-liked by everyone.

“There will be many customers at lunch today, so work hard,” the boss said from behind the counter.

Yun Xian nodded, grabbed a tray, and delivered dishes to the customers’ tables. Her movements were skillful—lowering her head to serve food, wiping tables—without unnecessary words, the entire process clean and efficient.

Just as Yun Xian bent down to tidy a table, the news broadcast on the wall-mounted TV caught her attention.

“Yesterday afternoon, a senior high school girl, overwhelmed by academic pressure, jumped from the teaching building. Despite rescue efforts, she passed away last night. This incident has once again sparked public calls to reduce students’ academic burdens…”

Yun Xian’s hand froze slightly; she instinctively looked up at the screen. The image showed a photo of a girl. She wore a school uniform, her short hair reached her shoulders, and on her face was a faint, innocent smile, looking pure and simple.

Yun Xian’s pupils contracted minutely. “That is…”

The girl clutching her bag strap, trembling in the elevator from her memories, slowly overlapped with the smiling face in the photo. Her brows barely furrowed.

Until the task was over, Yun Xian had never seen that girl again. It seemed she hadn’t made it out alive from the elevator.

Or perhaps... she died during the mission? Images of a burly man and a woman in a red dress flashed through her mind. They didn’t seem to be entering these missions for the first time—so in reality, how would they die?

Yun Xian stared at the TV, her thoughts churning. If she hadn’t made it out last night, would she be the one appearing in the news today?

She withdrew her gaze and continued wiping the tables. Her movements remained brisk, but inside surged a wave of fear mixed with a faint sense of relief.

The restaurant gradually quieted as the lunch rush ended, and the place became much calmer.

As Yun Xian wiped the last table, the boss’s voice came from behind: “Yun Xian, finish up and you can go home. Don’t stay out too late.”

“Okay,” she replied, putting down the rag and turning to clear the empty plates from the serving station. Just then, a voice called from behind her: “Waiter, I’d like to order.”

Yun Xian wiped her hands casually on her apron, picked up the order book and pen, and looked toward the voice.

Lin Wan’er sat at a table, wearing a look of “pleasant surprise” and a smile curving her lips: “What a coincidence, meeting again.”

Yun Xian showed no expression, walking calmly to the table. Her tone was even: “What would you like?”

Lin Wan’er tilted her head, considered for a moment, then picked up the menu and ordered several dishes in succession: “This one, this one, and this one…”

Yun Xian lowered her head to record the order, and after confirming, looked up with the same calm tone: “Anything else?”

“Not for now,” Lin Wan’er smiled, setting down the menu and resting her chin in her hands.

Yun Xian walked to the kitchen and handed the list to Aunt Zhang, who glanced at it, then looked toward Lin Wan’er and couldn’t help but ask, “Is that girl your classmate? Ordering so much alone—can she eat it all?”

“I’m going home,” Yun Xian replied lightly, turning to take off her apron.

She went to the corner of the counter, picked up her bag, and said to the boss, “I’m leaving now.”

“All right, take care on your way,” the boss said with a smiling wave.

Just as Yun Xian reached the door, Lin Wan’er’s voice came from behind: “Yun Xian, wait!”

She turned to see Lin Wan’er standing, wearing an innocent smile. “What should I do? I ordered too much—I definitely can’t finish it. Why don’t you sit down and eat with me?”

Yun Xian stood at the doorway, her gaze steady on her, silent.

Seeing this, Lin Wan’er feigned a sigh, her tone tinged with a hint of coaxing: “Come on, help me out. Otherwise, it’d be such a waste.”

After a moment of silence, Yun Xian finally sighed and walked over, pulling out a chair to sit: “What exactly do you want?”