Xu Lin finally found his way back after calling Bai Xiaoxiao.
Xu Lin realized why he couldn’t find his way earlier. He had taken an early turn, thinking he should turn at the wall with the red mark.
Why did I make a mistake? Bai Xiaoxiao explained that there was red paint at this corner and the previous one, but he had only noticed one.
“This guerrilla tactic of yours really works well.”
“I actually took over half a month to get familiar with these paths. I got lost many tis, and that’s how I t so many neighbors.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” She recalled her past, wandering through the alleys. Though she knew many neighbors, she felt a bit lonely without friends her age. But now…
She glanced at Xu Lin, rembering the friendly classmates she t at school, including younger sister Ji Yun and others.
Initially, she only aid to do well in exams, get into a good university, find a good job, and change her life. But after getting into university and finding a job, what did she really want?
Honestly, she wasn’t sure now, but she had a new goal—to improve herself. She wanted to beco more excellent, so she could confidently tell him she liked him.
Xu Lin felt the intensity in Bai Xiaoxiao’s gaze for the first ti. He reached out, gently hooking her finger. Bai Xiaoxiao shivered, instinctively wanting to pull away but ended up hooking his finger with hers.
It wasn’t like holding hands; it was more like a pinky promise between children. As they approached Bai Xiaoxiao’s house, she let go of his finger and pointed behind her.
“Rember last week? Another notice ca. It looks like they really are going to demolish this place.”
“Didn’t they say that several tis already?”
Xu Lin rembered the elderly n in the community talking about it seven or eight tis before, but it never happened.
“This ti it seems certain. There’s a notice, the landlord ca several tis, and there’s an announcent posted.”
“Are you moving?”
“Yes, but we have so ti. We’re planning to find a good place.”
“Another courtyard?”
“Yes, we’ve never lived in an apartnt, and we’re not used to it. Having a courtyard is nice.”
As they spoke, Bai Xiaoxiao and Xu Lin entered the courtyard. Seeing the clean yard, she felt a bit lancholy.
Even though this place wasn’t great, worse than their old ho, they had lived here for several years and had grown attached to it.
“Don’t worry. If you can’t find a place, I’ll arrange it.”
Xu Lin thought Bai Xiaoxiao was worried about the house and reassured her.
“Okay.”
In the courtyard, a small round table replaced the original iron basin, with small stools arranged around it.
“Give the stuff; I’ll cut it.”
Bai Xiaoxiao took the items from Xu Lin and walked into the kitchen.
“Auntie, why did you make two more dishes? Sorry for the trouble.”
Xu Lin saw two more dishes on the table—stir-fried green peppers with at and shredded bamboo shoots with at.
“Cooking isn’t tiring. Sit.”
Xu Lin sat down between Chu Qingchan and Ji Yun. Chu Fengyi gave him an annoyed look; there was an empty spot between her and Chu Qingchan too.
Xu Lin deliberately ignored Chu Fengyi’s glare and took the bottle of beer handed to him by Bai Xiaoxiao’s dad.
“Drinking a bit of beer is fine, right?”
“Beer is okay, but just one bottle. More than that and I’ll get dizzy.”
Xu Lin took the bottle and poured a glass for Father Bai first, then poured one for himself.
“I can’t drink much either, but since there are so many people here today. Let’s drink a little. I should thank you for helping us so much.”
“No, no.”
“By the way, this is for you.”
“What?”
Father Bai placed a small green bead on the table, and Xu Lin quickly grabbed it to prevent it from rolling onto the floor.
He glanced at it and noticed that the healing bead had turned from a bright jade green to a murky green.
Could it be that this thing is consumable, and it depletes as it heals soone?
“Auntie doesn’t need it anymore?” Though he was curious, he still asked politely.
“Your aunt went for a check-up yesterday, and she’s doing pretty well. dication will suffice. The surgery can wait for up to six months, so there’s no rush.”
“Well, I hope she gets better soon.”
“Yes, let’s have a drink.”
“Sure.” Xu Lin raised his glass, and the two of them downed it in one gulp.
Then, Bai Xiaoxiao brought over several dishes she’d prepared and placed them on the table.
With all the dishes ready, Father Bai called everyone to start eating.
Liu Qinnuan took off her mask and started eating, completely devoid of any celebrity airs.
Mother Bai glanced at Liu Qinnuan and then at Chu Qingchan, secretly pulling her daughter’s arm.
“Hey, hey, aren’t these two celebrities?”
“Mom, you recognize them?”
“I’ve seen this pretty girl on billboards. I thought the photos were surely touched up, but she looks even more beautiful in real life.”
Mother Bai looked at Chu Qingchan, thinking she looked just like a fairy. No wonder young people call beautiful girls “little fairies.”
The other one was even more familiar. She rembered seeing her often in TV dramas, so urban sitcoms. She was a child back then, and now she’s grown up.
“They’re all Xu Lin’s friends. Please don’t tell others.”
“Do you think your mom is the type to show off?”
Mother Bai gently patted her daughter’s hand. Actually, if her daughter hadn’t ntioned it, she really wanted to brag to the neighbors.
But the next mont, she began to worry about her daughter again and asked quietly.
“Sweetie, does Xu Lin not have a girlfriend?”
“No, and I know what you want to say. I just want to focus on my studies for now and nothing else.”
“Hearing you say that, I’m relieved.”
“Yeah.”
Seeing her mother breathe a sigh of relief, Bai Xiaoxiao smiled wryly and took a sip of soup.
She wanted to beco more confident and outstanding, but if she liked Xu Lin, did that an she had to compete with everyone else?
She’d never competed with anyone for anything before, and the idea of competition felt strange and sowhat unpleasant.
Maybe she should talk to Junior Sister Ji Yun when she had the chance. She got along so well with Miss Chu, so she must have good advice.
But then, Ji Yun also liked Xu Lin, didn’t she? Still, Bai Xiaoxiao was convinced that soone as gentle as Ji Yun wouldn’t deceive her.
Xu Lin initially thought Chu Qingchan and the others wouldn’t like the cold cuts and fried foods, but they all seed to enjoy them quite a bit.
Actually, Xu Lin didn’t have much concept of fine cuisine. Despite having Cooking Level 2, he essentially believed that a dish should be judged not by its price, ingredients, or techniques.
As long as what you make is delicious, and those who eat it smile and want more, then it is a successful dish.
Xu Lin and Father Bai were drinking and chatting about the shop and future plans, while the won talked about movies and stories. Even though they were in a small, dilapidated yard, they were grilling on the stove, eating homade food, and chatting about everything under the sun.
Everyone felt the relaxation and joy of the al, letting go of all their worries, whether work-related or personal.
As the saying goes, eating is just eating—filling your stomach and relaxing is the most important thing. This is also why drinking parties are so annoying.
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