Do I really think that a bottom-tier student like him has anything valuable that I could covet?
Or am I greedy for his nonexistent intelligence?
Maureen cast a glance at the down quilt and other items set aside.
She didn't believe it for a second.
Those things didn't look like they could be won as prizes.
She concluded that there was a good chance that Liam had specifically gone and bought them - the reason for it, she didn't know.
But she suspected it could be because of the desserts she had been giving him these past few days.
Probably Liam felt embarrassed about only ever accepting her generosity and had decided to give something back in return.
Regardless, Maureen couldn't help but feel a touch of warmth in her heart, especially after the continuous harassment from Oliver, Richard, and others.
"Thank you."
Her eyes curved into a smile.
As Liam met Maureen's gaze, he noticed that she was dressed lightly, her long delicate eyelashes curled upwards when she smiled, her eyes sparkling in the reflected light.
Liam quickly diverted his gaze and blurted out irritably,
"I told you they won a prize.
What are you thanking me for?"
"I didn't say that wasn't part of the prize." Maureen said, speechless.
Seeing Liam turn his head, she discretely took the opportunity to take a whiff.
The air was filled with a dry pine-scent that she couldn't resist.
The smell was so invigorating that the fatigue from doing homework for such a long time just vanished.
Maureen's actions were subtle, but Liam, who had always been observant, continued to watch her coolly and intently from the corner of his eyes.
Liam had prepared himself a thousand times before coming here, reminding himself to stay composed.
However, in the end, his composure shattered within a second, his ears turning instantly bright red.
Damn it, he intentionally chose a seat far away from her, and she was still sniffing him!
Just as Liam was about to say something, Maureen, fearing he would speak recklessly again, quickly interrupted him, looking up at Niel,
"What did you guys win?"
"Oh, oh, oh." Niel's attention was completely on Richard, who was looking at them from not far away. Not considering much, he simply squatted down to unzip the suitcase.
"Wait, you should open it later when you get back——"
Liam hadn't even finished his sentence.
The moment the zip was heard; two pieces of silk underwear fell out.
Niel had completely forgotten that the cashier had stuffed this item in their bag.
A handful of people scattered not far away all turned to look over.
Maureen was stunned, unable to react immediately to what was happening:
"Was this also part of the prize?" Liam was the first to recover.
His expression paused for a moment then sharply changed.
He darted over and angrily thrust the underwear back into Niel's hands,
"What is this?
How did it get in the suitcase, did you put that in there?"
Niel's expression was one of being at a loss for words,
"Liam, you——" Liam turned his gaze to the right, hinting that he take the underwear and leave promptly.
Inside Niel was raging.
Hastily, he shoved his underwear into his backpack, then slammed the suitcase shut:
"This is my part of the winnings, the rest is all won by Liam."
Maureen's face was indescribable, her impression of Liam leveled up once again:
"Why would you, a big guy, buy things like this?"
Within, Liam silently cursed. His face is reddening in frustration:
"Do you think I wanted to buy it— No, I won it.
You don't get a say in what you win."
Maureen shifted the topic:
"Have you had dinner yet? For shopping— I mean, for winning the prizes, you guys didn't skip dinner, right?"
Niel and Liam simultaneously replied:
"I have eaten; brother Liam hasn't yet."
"I've eaten." No sooner than they finished speaking, Liam's stomach grumbled loudly.
"Liam's handsome face quickly turned expressionless. He stood up, hands in pockets, and coolly looked around at the others as if he was uninvolved:
"Whose stomach was that?" Niel: "..."
Maureen: "..." Maureen felt both embarrassed and amused, but what was more was a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
She guessed Liam probably knew that she had run away from home to live on campus, otherwise he wouldn't have sent a down comforter over.
The weather was getting colder and she genuinely needed it.
But since he probably has never bought these kinds of things before, he ended up stuffing a whole heap of random items.
Apparently, Liam wasn't as annoying as she initially thought.
Holding back her laughter, Maureen turned around and continued writing her assignment:
"Forget it, stop fussing around, go eat."
Liam finally sat down again, awkwardly opening the takeout.
He glanced at Maureen, who was focusing on her homework.
His mood was no longer visibly downcast, so he lifted the corner of his lips slightly and opened the takeout box.
Niel, having packed his suitcase, also pulled up a chair and sat down:
"What did you order?"
Liam replied, "fried rice and chicken."
As soon as he finished speaking, he frowned,
"There's Mayonnaise."
Liam instantly lost his appetite, but his stomach was growling with hunger.
He took a pair of Spoon and planned to pick out the cilantro piece by piece and place it on the side cover.
But then, he saw Maureen's eyes suddenly glistening.
Maureen excitedly leaned in like a kitten, "Liam, let me pick them out for you!"
How many delicate sprouts must he nurture to handle such detailed chores!
"Go ahead then," Liam grumbled.
As soon as he agreed, Maureen immediately sat next to him and pulled the takeout box towards her.
Liam lowered his gaze and sneakily glanced at Maureen's bright eyes.
He tried his best to act nonchalant but cheeks turned slightly red, and his "tail" was figuratively wagging in the air.
She wanted to do even such tiny tasks for him!
How much does she like him?! Liam cast a triumphant glance at the single dog, Niel sitting beside him.
However, he noticed that Niel was distracted, his gaze directed elsewhere.
Liam looked in that direction - and made direct eye contact with the icy eyes of Richard, who was watching from several rows away.
It's that guy again.
Liam frowned and instinctively took a glance at Maureen.
He noticed... the person that guy was intently staring at, was his woman.