So it turned out to be a girl! Shen Jingrou was a bit disappointed, but she still comforted in a soft voice, "At your age, it’s easy to be emotional. Once both of you calm down, those friction and misunderstandings will soon be resolved."
Upon hearing this, An Yin’s eyes lit up, "Really?" She didn’t want to lose her best friend!
"Of course." Shen Jingrou replied confidently, with the deanor of soone who’s been through it all.
Hearing Shen Jingrou’s words, An Yin felt a lot better.
Both of them held things in their hands and continued on their way back, pushing through the bustling crowd. Fearing that the young girl might be pushed away by others, Shen Jingrou quickly reached out to hold An Yin’s arm.
At this mont, she mulled over sothing for a while and then, pretending to chat casually, gently asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
An Yin rarely went out shopping, and her curious eyes were always attracted to the lively calls of the street vendors. Hearing Shen Jingrou’s question, she blurted out without thinking, "No."
The young girl mumbled bashfully, her cheeks blushing like the evening glow, beautiful and striking.
Shen Jingrou was certain An Yin wasn’t lying. Although they hadn’t spent much ti together, Shen Jingrou, who grew up in an affluent family, was quite confident in her ability to read people.
From her appearance, An Yin seed like an angel, and from her behavior, it was clear that the young girl was pure-hearted and not at all adept at hiding her true feelings. Such a sincere and innocent person was indeed rare in Shen Jingrou’s view.
However, the information she received before couldn’t be false! Everyone in their circle knew that Bao Cheng’s girlfriend was nad "An Yin" and that she was from T University.
Could it be that the girl was just shy? So she falsely claid she didn’t have a boyfriend? Shen Jingrou pondered.
Shen Jingrou couldn’t help but recall her elder brother’s birthday banquet. Her daughter wasn’t feeling well, so she didn’t attend. Later, after the banquet, people in their circle vividly described the event, notably how her brother didn’t hesitate to reach into the mahjong table to ensure Bao Cheng’s girlfriend’s safety. At the ti, she paid no mind to the gossip nor cared what Bao Cheng’s girlfriend’s na was until she saw her brother’s car at T University’s gate, then she pieced everything together and inquired about Bao Cheng’s girlfriend’s na.
Unexpectedly, it was such a coincidence!
The other person’s na was also An Yin!
Seeing the person beside her deep in thought, An Yin deliberately slowed her pace, then looked at the street vendor selling stinky tofu. Her eyes flickered, and looking at the steaming oil pan, she couldn’t help but swallow.
Back ho, there were similar roadside vendors. She occasionally snuck out to buy so, but there were always tis when she got caught. The result was a scolding from Mrs. An, then a lecture on her weak stomach and how she shouldn’t eat street food. After obediently listening to Mrs. An’s nagging, she would always add at the end, "Mom, I won’t eat it next ti!"
Rembering the past, An Yin’s eyes crinkled with a happy smile. She didn’t follow through on her promise and secretly ate many tis afterward.
Shen Jingrou clearly felt that the young girl couldn’t move her steps. Turning her head, she found that the girl was staring longingly at a vendor selling stinky tofu and couldn’t help but sigh internally: still a child!
"We’ve walked for so long, and I’m hungry too. Let’s go there and have sothing to eat." Shen Jingrou thoughtfully led An Yin towards the street vendor.
"Okay!" An Yin answered quickly.
The street vendors were unlike the shops, with a few small tables placed around carelessly. Custors seated themselves randomly, and sotis the owner was too busy to clear the leftover food on the tables, with trash scattered about.
Shen Jingrou had been to places like this before, just for fun. As for the food, she only sampled a bit.
"What would you like to eat, Jingrou?" An Yin stood in front of the vendor, looking at the array of foods.
"Order their specialty." Shen Jingrou suggested, watching the dark tofu fry in the oil pan, bubbling hotly. She couldn’t help but pull An Yin back a step to avoid being splashed by the oil.
An Yin ordered a signature stinky tofu and a cold noodle dish.
An Yin rushed to pay, and Shen Jingrou let her.
Then the two found a slightly cleaner table and sat down.
"It’s so lively here!"
An Yin had visited this alley a few tis, and there were always plenty of people.
"Indeed." Shen Jingrou agreed, "I suppose everyone cos for the antique architecture."
Shen Jingrou hit the nail on the head. As tis changed, this alley hadn’t been developed into skyscrapers but had retained its ancient style. With people used to urban prosperity, this kind of quaint street beca precious, attracting many visitors.
They chatted a bit more before the owner brought the food they ordered to the table and left.
Two disposable bowls and chopsticks were placed in front of them.
Shen Jingrou wasn’t accustod to using these plastic items but didn’t show any discomfort, picking up the chopsticks to try a piece of stinky tofu.
"Not bad!" Shen Jingrou was particular about taste, and the street’s stinky tofu was indeed delicious.
"I think so too."
An Yin took another bite, the crunchy sound spreading from her mouth. At that mont of tasting the food, she felt the shadows in her heart vanish completely.
Shen Jingrou only ate a bit before putting down her chopsticks and watching the young girl eat with relish.
At this mont, Shen Jingrou noticed the noise from the table next to them getting louder and couldn’t help but look back. She saw a young couple seemingly arguing.
Their bickering grew louder.
"What’s wrong with packing up the leftovers?" the boy, wearing glasses and appearing quite gentle, exclaid loudly. His face turned red, especially when he noticed everyone looking at him.
A girl sat beside him, wearing long boots and a short skirt despite the winter, with her legs exposed as if she didn’t feel the cold. She was glaring at the boy angrily, the disdain in her eyes apparent.
"Can you stop being so stingy all the ti? Every ti I go out with you, especially in front of my friends, your behavior makes feel ashad." The girl didn’t care about others’ glances, pouring out the words buried in her heart.
The boy, hearing this, looked at the girl in disbelief.
The boy said nothing, lowered his head, and silently packed up the unfinished food from the table, then went to the owner to ask for a plastic bag, returning to pack it up.
Spectators quickly dispersed.
Shen Jingrou had already turned her gaze back, and after watching for a while, An Yin continued eating the cold noodles in her bowl.
In the cold winter, eating chilled food only made her feel even colder inside.
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