When he arrived at school, class hadn't started yet. Passing by Kiara's classroom, he saw her chatting with a few girls. He didn't know what they were talking about, but she seemed quite enthusiastic.
Noticing him standing outside the window, Kiara turned her head and waved at him with a smile. This prompted teasing from the girls beside her, causing her to turn back with a blush.
Seeing that nothing was unusual with her, Alex went back to his own classroom, though he still wondered in what form the Wish Crystal Ball would fulfill Kiara's wish.
He sat down at his seat as class began. Part of Alex's attention was on Zhang Shikou, his mind recalling the image of her crying her eyes out in front of him not long ago, calling him 'Big Brother Xiao Ke.' He couldn't help but think it would be nice if that were true.
However, back then Zhang Shikou was only acting, her goal being to drive a wedge between him and Kiara. Alex gradually shook off the fantasy, deciding no longer to be influenced by the memories of the parallel-world version of himself.
At noon, students swarmed toward the cafeteria. Alex quite disliked queuing, but there was a dish he really liked that would be gone if he arrived late, so he followed the crowd.
While standing in line in the cafeteria hall, a meal tray suddenly extended from the side.
Alex turned to look; it was Kiara. She seemed to have run all the way there, her small face slightly flushed and breathing a bit hard. She said expectantly to Alex, "Xiao Ke, help me get my food. I'll go grab a seat for us. The teacher went overtime today, and I'm so hungry."
Alex looked back at the boy behind him. Seeing a pretty girl, the boy was a bit constrained and kept his head down. Alex knew he didn't mind, so he nodded to Kiara and took the tray: "What do you want to eat?"
"More vegetables, and then chicken breast..."
The line began to move. Kiara stopped speaking, and Alex followed the flow of people forward.
Standing where she was, Kiara suddenly let out a deep sigh and turned to walk forward with a slight tremble in her step. She lowered her head and spread her palm, her expression regretful: "What a pity, I didn't manage to successfully hand the remote control to him. I'll find another chance later, mm..."
Alex finished getting the food and checked his phone. Kiara had sent a message saying she was on the second floor, so he carried the lunch over.
Arriving on the second floor, he saw Kiara sitting by the window. Alex went over and sat down. He glanced at her and asked curiously, "Are you very hot? Your face is so red."
"Is it?" Kiara touched her flushed, alluring cheek and said embarrassedly, "Maybe I ran too fast just now. I get like this whenever I exercise."
"If this happens again, don't rush. Just find someone to help you get your food," Alex said.
"I originally planned to ask a classmate for help, but I just happened to see Xiao Ke, hehe," she laughed.
She probably meant that because they were close, she didn't seek help from classmates. Alex actually felt guilty because he wasn't the childhood friend in her memory.
But on second thought, the parallel-world version of himself and Kiara hadn't spoken since primary school. Back then, it was just a childhood friendship. It was only because memory had beautified that sentiment in Kiara's heart that she kept thinking about reclaiming their past friendship.
And the one Kiara got to know after growing up was the current Alex.
Having figured this out, Alex wasn't as conflicted anymore.
Chapter 83 (2)
The two began to eat. Kiara didn't start eating immediately; she first used her chopsticks to sort through the food on the tray, picking out some chicken breast and putting it on Alex's plate, saying, "It's too much, I can't finish it. Here, for you."
Alex conveniently picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. "The texture of chicken breast is a bit poor. It would be better if it were shredded to make hand-shredded chicken."
Kiara thought for a moment and suddenly said, "I scrolled past a video yesterday that teaches how to make whole chicken breast delicious. I want to try it. How about you come to my house tonight and I'll cook it for you?"
"Are you trying to make me your food taster?" Alex smiled.
"No, I'll eat it too," Kiara retorted, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Will going to your house at night disturb your mom?"
Alex asked, that scene from the Dream World inexplicably surfacing in his mind.
"My mom isn't home tonight."
"Eh..."
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but Kiara's tone while speaking just now seemed to carry a bit of a pant. Alex wanted to listen more, but Kiara had already stopped talking; she was looking straight ahead.
"What's wrong?" Alex asked.
Kiara said embarrassedly, "My classmates saw us sitting together, and they're laughing at me. No, I have to go over to their side!"
Alex scanned the area but didn't see where her classmates were sitting. Kiara didn't explain; she just picked up her tray and left.
Alex continued to eat alone. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small object left on the seat where Kiara had been sitting. Curious, he picked it up to look, and it was actually a remote.
The experienced Alex immediately imagined a whole drama, but his reason told him this was impossible; it must be a misunderstanding.
At that moment, Alex sensed someone approaching. Looking up, he saw Zhang Shikou standing in front of him. She was staring at him with a strange expression—or more accurately, staring at the remote control in his hand.
She was dazed for a moment, then glared at Alex with a look of contempt: "I really didn't expect you guys to play so wildly. That girl was acting all hypocritically in front of me this morning, but turns out she's just a total slut."
Alex frowned, wanting to warn her not to talk nonsense, but the evidence in his hand made him lack the confidence to speak. By the time he finally thought of a rebuttal, Zhang Shikou had already snorted coldly and walked away. She gave off the feeling of being exceptionally angry, though he didn't know why.
Alex didn't want to think about it. He was currently shocked by a certain fact: was Kiara really doing that?
Actually, the method to prove it was very simple.
Alex looked down at the small object in his hand, then looked around again, spotting Kiara's figure in a corner. She was talking to her classmates.
As long as he used this tool, everything could be proven. Yet Alex hesitated, lacking the courage to use it.
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