Su Zelin grinned cheekily.
"You're the only one with so many requests!"
The cafeteria lady grumbled, but being called "Big Sister" made her heart bloom with joy. Instead of her hand trembling, she added an extra half-spoon of meat.
Su Zelin was a smooth talker. While others behaved themselves when ordering food, he called all the ladies "Big Sister." After three years, all the cafeteria ladies remembered his face.
The cafeteria ladies didn't care if you were a good student; they weren't aware anyway. As long as they thought this boy was sweet-talking and sensible, it was enough. Plus, Su Zelin had a pleasing appearance, so his food portions were always larger than others with the same meal. Sometimes, the ladies would even "accidentally" give him an extra egg or sausage because it wasn't their money, after all.
Looking at Su Zelin's lunch box filled with two meat dishes and two vegetables, Lu Haoran fell into deep thought.
This could really work?
Although he and Su Zelin were good friends, their meal times rarely coincided. This was the first time he witnessed such a clever trick.
So, he decided to give it a try.
"B-B-B..."
Looking at that wrinkled face behind the counter, honest Lu Haoran found it hard to articulate. He stammered for a while before spitting out the words "Big Sister!"
The cafeteria lady retracted her smile, her face stern as she took his lunch box. Not only did she not add an extra half-spoon, but her hand shook more than usual.
The main issue was that Lu Haoran's "Big Sister" sounded neither smooth nor natural, lacking sincerity. With her sharp eye, the lady could easily tell.
Moreover, Lu Haoran had this bookish look and wasn't as charming as Su Zelin, so his attempt at flattery backfired.
Looking at the pitiful amount of food in his lunch box, Lu Haoran felt like crying but had no tears.
He walked out of the queue and came to Su Zelin, complaining, "Zelin, why is it that I also called her Big Sister, yet I got even less food?"
"Haozi, you're really dumb!"
Su Zelin couldn't help but feel exasperated.
He asked, "When you called her Big Sister, did you look into her eyes? Did you smile? Was it all in one smooth breath?"
The three soul-searching questions left Lu Haoran baffled.
He subconsciously shook his head, bewildered, "Does it really matter?"
"Of course it matters!"
Su Zelin explained patiently.
"Big Sister has eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. Such an experienced person can see through your insincerity at a glance. Your 'Big Sister' sounded sarcastic to her; how could she be happy and give you more food?"
Lu Haoran wiped his sweat, "Wow, there's that much to it. I've learned something new!"
"Also, what I mentioned is just the basics. You only said it once, but I've been saying it for three years. It's like that saying, 'Sincerity can move mountains,' understand?"
"Besides, you're missing the most important thing that doomed your operation to fail!"
"What's that?"
"You're not as handsome as me!"
"..."
Lu Haoran was dumbfounded. He never thought calling someone Big Sister involved so much knowledge.
The little sweetheart ultimately decided to give up on trying this clever trick next time. Su Zelin's move couldn't be copied; the very first basic step was something Lu Haoran admitted he couldn't achieve.
In terms of intelligence, the honest one couldn't match Su Zelin.
In terms of emotional intelligence and cheek, he was completely outpaced.
"Alright, let me share some with you!"
Su Zelin picked up his lunch box and shared his food with Lu Haoran. After all, he had plenty of meat, and his meals were always so bountiful.
"Ah, Zelin, no need!"
"Don't be so polite, I can't finish it all!"
...