The Flirting Men Time-Space Agency

"Hey Cole, let me treat you to lunch tomorrow!" Elora said with a bright smile as she looked at Cole.

Cole glanced at her indifferently, "Flattery without reason, either a thief or a fool!"

Elora's face darkened, "I'm just thanking you for helping me in English class today, where did your mind wander?"

"Even more unforgivable," he teased. "You're going to thank your benefactor with a mere meal?"

Elora was left speechless, fuming as she returned to her seat.

...

"Bastard, who offers to treat someone and then nitpicks!" Elora muttered to herself as she kicked an empty soda can on her way home, frustration bubbling up inside. She couldn't help but feel sorry for herself, every attempt to talk to Cole always left her speechless.

"Dad, I'm home!" Elora placed her bag in her room and walked to the kitchen. "Dad, anything I can help with?"

"Go, go, don't cause trouble here."

"Hehe..." Elora spotted some of her favorite dishes and eagerly grabbed a bite. "So good!" she chewed, smacking her lips.

"Did you wash your hands?" Her father lightly swatted her hand, "Your hands are filthy!"

Elora stuck out her tongue and ran off with the dish in hand.

"Lora, tomorrow is Sunday, right?" Her father smiled as he looked at her.

"Dad, stop looking at me like that, you're making me nervous!" Elora felt a chill as her father's smile seemed mischievous. "What's with the weekend?"

"Tomorrow, could you go to the hospital for me to visit someone?"

"Who?" Elora asked, mouth full of food.

"A friend of mine. He recently had a minor surgery, but he has no family, so I've been bringing him meals these days. Tomorrow, I have something urgent, so... would you mind?"

"Alright, I'll go. I thought it was something major!"

...

As Elora left the hospital, she saw an elderly man teetering, on the verge of falling. Without thinking, she rushed over to steady him. "Be careful!"

"Thank you. I accidentally knocked over my cane, could you please help me pick it up?" The elderly man seemed a little embarrassed to trouble a stranger, his face contorted with hesitation.

Looking down, Elora saw the cane on the ground. "Is this it?" She picked it up and handed it to him.

"Yes, thank you, young lady!"

"No problem, but why are you alone? Where's your family?" Elora asked, concerned. She couldn't help but feel that it was unsafe for an elderly person to be out alone, especially with his mobility issues. One wrong move, and he'd end up in bed for weeks.

"My grandson went to get something, he'll be back soon," the old man smiled brightly when he mentioned his grandson.

"Grandpa, what are you doing here?" A familiar voice rang out, and Elora immediately sensed the old man stiffen.

"Cole?" Elora turned around, startled to see him.

"What are you doing here?" Cole asked, equally surprised, though his expression remained neutral.

"I'm visiting an uncle. What about you?"

"I'm here with my grandfather for a check-up," Cole said as he walked over to the old man. "I told you to wait over there, why did you wander off?"

"Hehe, I was just walking along when I saw a fierce chess match ahead. The red-robed player's army crossed the river, and even the border guards couldn't hold back... " The old man started describing the game enthusiastically, but his voice trailed off as he noticed the serious look on Cole's face.

"You could have just said you got distracted by a chess game," Cole teased, raising an eyebrow. He knew exactly what had happened—his grandfather had wandered off to watch a chess match.

"You should thank this young lady properly," the old man said hurriedly, eager to shift the topic.

Cole glanced at Elora, his expression softening. "Oh? How did you end up with my grandfather?"

"I just saw him about to fall, so I helped him," Elora replied honestly, ignoring the old man's awkward look.

Her response was a bit of a defense, as she thought the old man had acted irresponsibly. What if he had fallen? She was sure Cole would agree.

"Grandpa!" Elora could feel Cole's irritation growing.

"I promise, it won't happen again," the old man said, smiling broadly, though his words lacked conviction.

Cole, feeling helpless, knew his grandfather's half-hearted promises weren't worth much. Sighing, he decided to let it go. "I'll take Grandpa home now."

"Alright, genius, take care. See you at school!" Elora waved cheerfully, watching them leave.