"Luo'er didn't directly go to find Baiyue, instead he hid in the bathroom. He washed his face with cold water, thinking about Tangmo's gaze, he felt like he understood something.
He understood what Tangmo meant. He had been too conspicuous during the team-building process. Because of his eagerness to form the team and complete the assessment as quickly as possible, he had taken Tangmo's place as the captain again and again. This had likely made her feel sidelined. Moreover, the foundation of the squad is made of three people led by Tangmo. Luo'er hoped to integrate with them instead of creating divisions within the team.
Although he had considered taking over as captain, what mattered to him at the moment was to have the squad develop combat capabilities as soon as possible. There was simply no point in creating factions within the squad.
But Baiyue's words made it clear to them that she and Luo'er were a team. He was worried by this immediately drawn factional line. Regardless, the squad needed interaction and integration now, not divisions.
Massaging his temples, Luo'er's mind cooled down somewhat. Considering the current awkward situation, it was impossible to get everyone to get comfortable with each other. However, the squad couldn't continue like this. There were still a few months left before the final assessment. After the assessment would be the selection competition. To make the squad combat-ready and then win the selection competition, he needed to integrate everyone on the team.
Luo'er sighed. He lifted his head to see his face reflected in the mirror. Looking at his own dark green eyes, they sparked with determination. He dried his face and turned around to walk towards Baiyue's classroom.
"Um..." Luo'er arrived at the entrance of the classroom and lightly knocked on the door.
Baiyue, seated at her desk, lifted her head to look at him and coldly asked, "What is it?"
"What you said today..." Luo'er scratched his head, getting straight to the point.
"Was I wrong?" Baiyue's tone remained emotionless.
"That... Tangmo is the captain..."
"So, I should listen to her, right?"
"No..." Luo'er didn't know how to explain. He looked down and saw the rebellious expression in Baiyue's eyes.
He sighed, pulled out a chair and sat down across from Baiyue and spoke, "Since you said that you would listen to me, I'll just speak frankly. Right now, I hope that we can engage in some team-building, accept one another rather than reject each other. After the final assessment, there will be a big event that needs our squad's cooperation. So, I hope the squad forms quickly and develops fighting strength. This matter is very important to me, and I don't want to lose. That's why I put all my effort into forming this squad... I don't know if you understand the meaning of what you said earlier, but I don't want this squad to fracture..."
Baiyue lowered her head as if thinking. Luo'er turned to look at her and continued, "If you really are willing to listen to me, then I hope you try to fit in with them, fit in with the team. Can you do that?"
Baiyue didn't look at him but kept her head down. She stopped reading and seemed lost in thought. Luo'er quietly watched her, waiting for her response.
"I can..." After what seemed like a lifetime, he heard Baiyue's soft voice. This was the best affirmation he could have hoped for.
He let out a breath of relief and thought of something. He then asked, "You should have free time this weekend, right?"
"Mm..." Baiyue nodded lightly.
"The unfinished welcoming party can be held at my place." Luo'er suggested.
Baiyue looked a little surprised. She lifted her head to look at Luo'er but remained silent. However, this was enough for Luo'er. He was about to leave but she stopped him.
"The big event you mentioned, what is it?"
Luo'er paused, glancing at Baiyue. She looked directly at him without any signs of avoidance. He nodded, turned around and calmly said, "Entering the Otherworld..."
Having resolved the issue with Baiyue, Luo'er braced himself to find Tangmo. However, he found her and Hu Daoke ridiculously munching on a ton of snacks they bought, looking happily content. His worries had been for naught.
Luo'er humbly extended an invitation for the weekend which was accepted by Tangmo. She seemed to be the type not to overthink things and had completely forgotten the awkwardness earlier in no time at all.
On the weekend, Luo'er was busy at home. He lived in a single-person dormitory. Although small, it was fully equipped. This wasn't uncommon as Haiya Academy's dormitories were basically all single-occupancy, one per person. Considering the school had a small student body, this policy had been continued. The dormitory area was more like a residential compound, and the dorm supervisor acted more like a security guard. Each student had a free dormitory of their own since elementary school, which they could continue to occupy until graduate school.
Luo'er had lived here for almost twenty years. At this time, he was busy preparing a wonderful meal. His house was cleaned up to welcome the incoming squad members. The academy did not forbid students from visiting each other, they just needed to register.
He had been busy since early morning. The ingredients for the dishes were all bought specifically from the cafeteria. Although the variety wasn't vast, it was enough for him to prepare a delicious meal.
Just as he scooped out the stewed meat into a bowl, before he could move it onto the dining table, he heard a knock on the door. He put down the bowl, wiped his hands on his apron, and went to open the door."
The first to arrive was Baiyue, who appeared to have put a little effort into her appearance. Although she was still in her school uniform with a large hat on, her previously messy silver hair had been brushed and looked much smoother. Upon seeing Luo'er, she instinctively turned her head, not wanting him to see her expression.
"Come in." Luo'er did not overthink it and opened the door for her.
Baiyue touched her hat and cautiously peeked her head into the room. Luo'er knew what she was thinking, so he said: "The others haven't arrived yet, you can come in and wait."
Hearing Luo'er's words, Baiyue seemed to let out a sigh of relief. She looked up at Luo'er, pursed her lips without saying anything, and walked straight in.
"I'm sorry, we may have to eat in the living room since there aren't enough chairs in my house." Luo'er said, wiping his hands behind her.
He didn't have much furniture, but at least there was a set of sofa and coffee table in the living room, which was enough for five people to squeeze for a meal.
Baiyue didn't say anything, she headed straight to the living room and sat down on the sofa, eyeing the dishes on the table. Luoer's cooking skills, which he learnt from the cafeteria staff he often interacted with, made students like her, who always ate in the cafeteria since a young age, feel intrigued.
Luo'er carried the stew to the coffee table, and Baiyue inhaled the fragrance of the well-cooked food in the bowl, seeming somewhat entranced. But it was as if she suddenly thought of something, quickly covered her mouth, and then looked at Luo'er.
Although curious, Luo'er did not ask. He set the stew on the coffee table and turned to prepare the next dish. Baiyue stared at Luo'er until he went back to the kitchen. She then leaned in to smell the aromatic dish in front of her, frequently glancing at him as if afraid he would turn around.
Just after he finished the last dish, Tangmo arrived with others, following the aroma. As Luo'er hadn't closed the door, they walked in nonchalantly, not considering they might have got the wrong room.
"Luo'er!" Tangmo jumped in front of Luo'er and greeted him enthusiastically, seeming in high spirits.
"You're here. Go sit in the living room." Luo'er turned and gave her a smile, untying his apron.
"So, you live in the building next door!" Hu Daoke looked around Luo'er's room and commented to Cheng Ziang, not caring whether Ziang was listening to him.
Cheng Ziang came straight into the living room, immediately locking eyes with Baiyue. They regarded each other warily. He hummed softly, walked unabashedly to the coffee table, and sat directly across from her.
"Luo'er, let me taste it." Seeing the dishes Luo'er had prepared, Tangmo couldn't control her drooling and begged him to allow her a bite.
"Please wait a bit, we'll be ready to eat soon." Luo'er replied diplomatically.
"Why do you seem so formal?" Tangmo cocked her head at him.
"It's just my personal..."
Before Luo'er could finish, Tangmo began shaking him violently, whining like a spoiled child. "Let me taste it, Luo'er!"
Luo'er sighed, gave in to her demands, and served her a small bowl of food before banishing her to the living room.
Now everyone gathered in the living room, salivating at the array of delicious food on the table. They hadn't expected Luo'er, who seemed so quiet, to be such a proficient cook.
"Your coffee table is a bit low." Hu Daoke sat on the sofa, looking at the food on the coffee table and complained. For him, who was nearly two meters tall, eating like this was indeed a bit uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, I will get you a lower chair." Luo'er apologized.
"Forget about it!" Hu Daoke waved off and sat cross-legged on the floor. Even though it was a little awkward, it was at least better than his previous position.
"I'm really sorry, I'll make sure to have more tables and chairs next time." Luo'er apologized.
"Next time?" Hu Daoke seemed to have misplaced his focus.
Cheng Ziang glanced at him expressionlessly, silently pulled out a cushion from under his seat, and threw it at his face.
"Quite resourceful, aren't you?" Hu Daoke casually stuffed the cushion under his butt and gave Ziang a thumbs up in praise.