Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Food Food Hungry Hungry
The school’s bicycle shed was behind the teaching building, shaded by several tall plane trees.
Few people came here, with only a few scattered bicycles parked there alone.
Most noble young masters and ladies didn’t need bicycles.
Philin found a clean step to sit on, sunlight filtering through leaves to cast dappled shadows on the ground.
Sophia had become stammering in the end, saying nothing before letting him leave.
What a strange homeroom teacher.
Philin pulled out a spell seal from his pocket and stuck it on his lunchbox.
Soon, steam began rising from the lunchbox.
“Spell seals are really convenient.”
He opened the lunchbox, and fragrance immediately wafted out.
Soft, perfectly cooked white rice paired with fried eggs, pan-seared meat cutlets, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.
Philin always brought his own lunch.
Controlling oil and sugar kept his figure from losing shape—this was also part of his work.
Plus, he could get adequate carbohydrates, protein, and fat at a relatively cheap price.
Philin used his brain too much, whether for studying or dealing with young ladies.
Poor nutrition wouldn’t do.
Though somewhat late, the best part of today was about to begin.
The plane tree’s shadow swayed gently in the wind, occasionally dropping leaves to the ground, giving the quiet world some sound.
This kind of solitary afternoon time gave Philin immense peace.
The sound of leaves being crushed was particularly clear in the quiet corner, slowly approaching.
Philin didn’t turn around—he knew who it was from the footsteps.
Violet stood under the plane tree in her school uniform, several golden plane leaves landing perfectly on her shoulders.
Sunlight filtering through the leaf gaps fell on her, leaving a soft halo on her pale pink hair.
The entire scene was like a carefully composed painting.
“Grumble—”
A soft sound from her abdomen broke the atmosphere.
Her amber eyes widened slightly, her elegant expression showing a trace of subtle wavering.
Violet’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.
The butler had brought lunch for her this morning, but thinking Philin would still bring her food, she’d left it at home.
“Haven’t eaten yet?”
Philin didn’t turn around, focusing on his meal.
“Mm.” Violet nodded.
“The cafeteria has food. Don’t you have money?”
Philin didn’t plan to continue this charade with the young lady and only hoped she’d leave quickly.
To avoid being seen again and causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
Violet looked at Philin’s back, bit her lip, took a deep breath, and finally spoke.
“Not as good as yours.”
Philin put down his half-finished lunch and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
Leaving this young lady hungry wasn’t an option—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 lunch tomorrow.”
Violet’s gaze fell on Philin’s lunchbox.
Her lips parted slightly, as if wanting to say something.
“Don’t say you want to eat this.”
Spare me.
Philin sighed inwardly.
How could he possibly give Violet his half-eaten lunch?
“I’ll buy it with money.” Violet’s gaze never moved as she pulled out a wallet decorated with a pink unicorn from her pocket.
“I refuse.”
“Is a thousand crowns enough?”
“Deal.”
Money for goods.
Philin’s principles once again yielded to the power of money.
Damn capitalism!
Violet took two steps forward, crouching beside Philin, extending both hands to take the lunchbox.
Philin grabbed Violet’s hands, making her look up in confusion.
“A thousand crowns can’t let you eat leftovers. People would curse me for being heartless.”
Just thinking of this cute, popular young lady eating his leftovers made Philin feel perverted.
He pulled out another portion from his bag and handed it to Violet.
“This is…”
“My dinner.”
Philin habitually carried an extra portion.
In case clients had him work overtime at night, this saved money and prevented weight gain.
If he didn’t eat it at night, he’d save it for the next day’s lunch.
Fortunately, this world’s preservation spell seals were powerful enough to prevent spoilage.
“Thank you.”
Violet took it with both hands, placing it on her white-stockinged knees, then pulled out another thousand crowns from her wallet.
“The lunchbox just now was only half full, but this portion is more, so here’s the difference.”
Philin looked at this serious young lady, wondering if rich people normally didn’t mind spending 2,000 on a meal.
“No need, I’ll take the loss.”
Philin didn’t accept it. He picked up his lunchbox and scooted a bit further from Violet.
“Then… then consider it payment for bringing me lunch tomorrow…”
Philin raised an eyebrow. Who taught her this trick?
“I won’t bring you lunch. Today is just an exception.”
If Siraphel found out he still had a relationship with Violet after the contract ended, he wouldn’t let it slide.
Besides.
Philin tilted his head, looking at the young lady sitting on the steps beside him.
Violet sat quietly next to him, taking small bites of his lunch.
She put a fried egg in her mouth, satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
She gently swung her legs, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
Besides, Philin didn’t want too much contact with this young lady.
After finishing lunch, the young lady beside him didn’t seem inclined to leave.
She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then handed the lunchbox to Philin with both hands.
“Being with me will cause misunderstandings. So Miss, you’d better stay away from me.”
Philin said while packing up.
Violet pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on Philin’s backpack.
“I understand.”
Sure enough, Philin pulled out a pink-wrapped candy from his backpack.
After meals, Philin always gave himself a delicious candy.
Violet’s pupils dilated slightly. She saw Philin reach out toward her and extended her hand to receive it.
Oh no.
Philin realized what he was doing.
He was still following his behavioral pattern from during the contract, automatically giving Violet candy after meals.
This wouldn’t do.
Philin unwrapped the candy and popped it into his own mouth.
Violet’s hand froze in mid-air, bewilderment flashing in those amber eyes.
She slowly withdrew her hand, lowered her head, slender fingers unconsciously tugging at her skirt hem.
The expression that had held anticipation moments before instantly dimmed, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
“Class is starting. I’ll go first.”
Philin shouldered his backpack and nodded to Violet.
Violet wanted to say something but remained frozen in place.
Pink bangs covered Violet’s eyes but still couldn’t hide her perfectly beautiful face.
Watching Philin’s departing figure, Violet suddenly remembered she’d forgotten the important matter.
She was supposed to go to Philin’s house to help him with his studies.
She’d have to wait until near dismissal time to go to his classroom and call him.