A Standoff in the Cafeteria

Ming Fa and Christine were having a meal in the cafeteria, amid the usual hustle and bustle. But as they sat down, they noticed Peter and Huang Kai had taken the seats opposite them.

"I don't think you're welcome here," Ming Fa pointed at Peter's spaghetti.

"Hey, come on, aren't you being a bit too much, 'Sharpshooter'?" Peter put on a pitiful look, with his puppy eyes fixed on Ming Fa, only to be met with a disapproving glare from Christine.

"I just need someone to eat with me, too many people make my ears uncomfortable," Ming Fa didn't want to entertain the insincere plea from the man in front of him.

"Fine, then," Peter stood up, leaving the spaghetti behind, and gestured for Huang Kai to continue eating.

With a stern face, he went around and stood behind Ming Fa and Christine, their sudden movement sending shivers down their spines. Peter's forceful palm patting on their shoulders felt like a threat looming over them.

"What were you discussing with General Nolan last night?" Peter placed his face in between the two, his initially gentle smile and twinkling eyes now looking grim.

While Peter had indeed received orders from the general to keep an eye on Ming Fa and Christine, his rebellious nature made him unwilling to fully obey. Besides, he was deeply interested in Ming Fa and knew he wasn't a spy.

"Come on, spill it. What did you talk about with General Nolan?" Peter's eyes grew larger and closer to Ming Fa's face, the smile turning from gentle to sinister.

"Why do you want to know so badly?" Ming Fa stared back at Peter, his eyes full of vigilance.

Peter let out a light laugh, but it sounded eerie as if it didn't come from his throat, "Just curious, you know~"

Their eyes locked in a threatening stare, the crackling tension between them felt like two cowboys ready to draw their guns. One was a nonchalant cowboy, the other a rugged one. They remained still, completely motionless.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" A young voice came from behind Peter.

"Oh, hey, Robert!" Peter finally straightened up from his hunched position, his expression returning to its usual gentle and mischievous one as he turned to the young man named Robert.

He had jet-black straight hair with a V-shaped fringe, sharp dead fish eyes, and a disillusioned expression, coupled with the fried chicken on his plate and the suit he was wearing, looking like a knockoff version of 'Constantine.'

"Why are researchers like you coming to our military cafeteria? Shouldn't you be at the one next door?" Christine pointed to the adjacent cafeteria.

"I'm better off with him than those nerds only talking about relativity and calculus," Robert pointed at Peter and patted him on the back. "Still, thanks for your left foot."

"Hmph, I can tell by the look in your eyes what you've been up to, you poor lad," Peter also patted Robert's shoulder forcefully, nearly causing the fried chicken in his hand to jump away.

"Alright, everyone, let's eat!" Peter, in high spirits with Robert's arrival, vigorously waved his hands in the air.

But before leaving, he said something to Christine that momentarily stunned her, but she managed to force herself to remain composed. Ming Fa didn't catch this moment.