CHAPTER 962: CHAPTER 557: TESTING THEM

The setting sun poured through the windows, drenching every corner of the classroom in golden light, even enveloping the blackboard, desks, walls, and the air itself in a radiant glow.

It was currently the break after the second class of the afternoon.

"Jiang Ning, do you want to eat some Plum Blossom Cake?"

"No." Jiang Ning replied.

Thinking that would end the conversation, she didn’t expect Tongtong to insist, saying:

"But I want to buy it for you. You must have never tried it before, right!"

She fiddled with her phone and saw a post about a new Plum Blossom Cake shop that just opened at the school gate on the Fourth Middle School campus forum.

"I’m really not interested."

"Come on, you definitely want to try it, it’s Taro Plum Blossom Cake!" She tugged at Jiang Ning’s sleeve, feigning a pitiful plea.

She showed Jiang Ning a picture of the Plum Blossom Cake, which looked enticing with vibrant colors, visibly laden with corn, raisins, and red dates, giving it a delicate and elegant appearance that seemed delicious just by looking at it.

"If you eat the cake now, how will you manage dinner later?"

"I can definitely eat both!"

"Alright then." Jiang Ning stood up, stretching a bit, and walked to the corridor outside. Seeing this, Xue Yuantong quickly followed him.

Since the school day wasn’t over yet, the school gate was securely closed. Without her, Jiang Ning might not be able to leave the campus.

The two walked outside and were spotted by the twin sisters standing lookout on the corridor. Chen Siyu asked, "What are you two up to?"

With excitement in her voice, Xue Yuantong replied, "We’re going out to get Plum Blossom Cake!"

"Oh~" The twins nodded in understanding.

Watching their mismatched tall and short figures until they disappeared from view, Chen Siyu pulled her sister back into the classroom and took over Jiang Ning and Xue Yuantong’s seats.

"Xiaxia!" Chen Siyu called softly.

Bai Yuxia was immersed in solving math problems, her pen scribbling on scratch paper. Upon hearing her, she turned slightly, "What’s up?"

"Do you know about Plum Blossom Cake?" Chen Siyu asked.

"Yes, I had it once in Nan City. It has a great texture. There’s a rumor that it was named by an ancient Emperor because its shape resembled a plum blossom, but it actually contains no plum blossoms." Bai Yuxia explained slowly.

"Wow, you even know that?" Chen Siyu and her sister expressed identical surprise.

Bai Yuxia dismissed it casually, "It’s no big deal."

Then she placed her scratch paper on Jiang Ning’s desk and continued calculating. She was close to solving this problem and didn’t want to lose the thread of her thoughts.

With their chins propped in their hands, Chen Siyu and Chen Siqing basked in the brilliant sunset. Their gaze drifted, and at a certain moment, they seemed to have a telepathic connection, instantly making eye contact.

The two sisters leaned in closer and whispered in front of Bai Yuxia, who was still writing:

"Sister, Xiaxia, have you noticed how close Jiang Ning and Tongtong are?"

A golden reflection shone in Chen Siyu’s eyes, adding an air of wisdom and purity to her features.

Chen Siqing: "Yeah, they go to and from school together every day. They’re even neighbors, so they must see each other almost daily!"

Chen Siyu: "Yes, it’s rare for people to have such a close relationship."

Bai Yuxia continued to focus on her writing without engaging in the conversation.

Chen Siyu glanced around, seeing no one else paying attention. Only then did she whisper, "Is it possible they might be...?"

In high school, dating wasn’t considered a taboo subject anymore. Many boys and girls who got along well secretly dated. Some even went to the extent of living together outside school, unbeknownst to their parents and teachers. These were not secrets.

Bai Yuxia’s hand still scribbled away, although not as smoothly as before.

She listened quietly, her ears taking on a subtle pink shade under the hazy sunlight, appearing tender and beautiful, like a delicate painting.

"It’s impossible. Tongtong is still a kid!" Chen Siqing rejected the notion.

"Even though they’re really close, I still don’t think it’s likely." Chen Siqing believed there wasn’t that kind of atmosphere between the two of them.

Chen Siyu: "Oh, don’t rush, sister. I have a method to test it."

Chen Siqing: "What method?"

While solving the problem, Bai Yuxia’s mind also echoed the thought, ’What method?’

However, she couldn’t help but feel foolish for even entertaining the idea; she knew just how silly the twins could be.

But Chen Siqing had great faith in her younger sister.

Chen Siyu explained, "From a scientific and psychological perspective, when we make eye contact with someone we like, our brain releases a substance called ’dopamine.’ Dopamine makes people feel joyful. If they make eye contact, they’ll smile and be happy, their lips curved up!"

Chen Siqing didn’t quite grasp it but nodded in admiration.

"So, all we need to do is get them to make eye contact. Based on their reactions, we can determine the situation." Chen Siyu confidently asserted.

Chen Siqing: "Here’s the problem, though. How do we get them to look at each other?"

Chen Siyu was also at a loss; she couldn’t force Jiang Ning to look directly at Tongtong, could she?

Jiang Ning was far too strong, even if she and her sister joined forces, they’d be no match for him!

Bai Yuxia quietly stowed away the messy scratch paper.

She lifted her head, her eyes reflecting light, revealing clarity and calmness.

The twins looked over in unison, and they saw Bai Yuxia’s hair falling elegantly over her slender shoulders, with a halo of sunlight enhancing its black and silky texture. Her lips appeared vividly red, and with understated elegance, she said:

"I have an idea."

...

During dinner at the Fourth Middle School Cafeteria, students gradually fell silent as each table was served.

After enduring hunger all afternoon, the students eagerly enjoyed their cafeteria dinner.

The dinner menu was rather ordinary tonight, featuring dishes like Steamed Chicken in Chili Oil, Stir-fried Cauliflower, Oyster Sauce Lettuce, as well as Pumpkin Soup, Honey Date Rice Soup, along with bread and steamed buns, and other items like boiled corn, eggs, sweet potatoes, and so on.

Just as Chen Siyu prepared to implement her plan, Zhao Xiaofeng, along with two of his mates, rushed to the cafeteria entrance. Immediately, two men in work attire pushed a trolley into the cafeteria.