It’s lively outside University City at this hour, with all the shops lit up and neon signs flickering. Only Li Si’s storefront remains dark.
"This place is not bad!" Leng Mochen looked around. "Leaving it empty like this is a waste of resources!"
"What brilliant idea does President Leng have?" Li Si thought it was amusing and teased him with mock seriousness.
Leng Mochen replied casually, "Rent it out!"
"As if that needs your suggestion!" Li Si shot him a look, then burst into laughter. This man always loved teasing her. Checking the ti, she affectionately looped her arm around his. "We should find a place to eat. Why is my stomach suddenly feeling hungry?"
Leng Mochen laughed as well. He knew it—every ti he was with her, his mood would unknowingly improve.
Strolling along, the two passed many university students, so of whom gave them curious glances. After wandering through several small shops, they finally chose a restaurant nad "Lehe Eatery." The na had a playful touch, and from the outside, Li Si could tell the place was buzzing with activity.
The restaurant had around ten tables in the hall, most of which were occupied. The owner—a friendly middle-aged woman—greeted them warmly as soon as they walked in. The waitstaff quickly led them to a table, poured tea, and took their order. At the owner’s suggestion, Li Si picked a few of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
After setting down the nu, Li Si looked around the restaurant and thought to herself that its popularity was well-earned. Just based on the excellent service they’d received so far, if the food turned out to be delicious, she’d definitely beco a regular if she lived nearby.
"What’s on your mind?" Leng Mochen asked as he carefully sterilized utensils with hot water, noticing her glancing around.
Li Si smiled softly. "I just think this place is fun, especially the na—’Lehe’! It’s cheerful just hearing it. I’m even wondering if this could be my classmate Liu Xiaole’s family restaurant!"
"Oh?" Leng Mochen raised an eyebrow, curious about this Liu Xiaole, whose na she ntioned quite frequently.
Li Si chuckled and shook her head. "I’m probably just making wild guesses. Most likely, the na is just ant to give off that happy vibe. What are the odds, right?"
The dishes started arriving: braised ribs, marinated tripe, fish-flavored shredded pork, and boiled cabbage. Tasting them, the pair nodded in approval.
Li Si was engrossed in chewing on a rib, savoring its rich flavor, when she suddenly felt a sharp pat on her back. "Li Si!"
From that clear, vibrant voice, she didn’t even need to turn her head to know—it was her classmate, Liu Xiaole.
"Haha! It really is you! I was just coming out of the kitchen when I spotted a back that looked like yours. Especially with that outfit—you wore the sa thing earlier at school! So, how’s the food? Delicious, right? I wasn’t lying to you!" Liu Xiaole plopped down next to her without hesitation, rattling off words like a machine gun.
Finally noticing Leng Mochen, Liu Xiaole leaned closer and asked in a small voice, "Sisi, is this your boyfriend? Wow, he’s so handso! He looks like one of those male leads from romance novels! Where on earth did you find soone like him?"
"Mochen, let introduce you—this is my good friend, Liu Xiaole. And this is my boyfriend, Leng Mochen," Li Si said, setting her chopsticks down, both helpless and amused by the situation.
Leng Mochen had sharp ears; though Liu Xiaole thought she was speaking quietly, he had caught most of it. He smiled politely at her.
Liu Xiaole made an exaggerated gesture, clutching her chest. "Sisi, I’m feeling a little jealous and envious now. How do you have such a handso boyfriend? Does he have any brothers at ho? Introduce one to your sister here!"
"He has a younger sister. Interested?" Li Si replied mischievously, earning a lodramatic look of despair from Liu Xiaole. "You’ve hurt —and you did it with a smile!"
Unable to bear Liu Xiaole’s antics any longer, Li Si quickly redirected her. "Xiao Le, earlier when we went to watch a movie, we ran into Du Juan. She ntioned Ling Wei was planning to co here and organize a gathering at your family’s restaurant, but I turned her down. Do you know anything about this?"
Liu Xiaole shook her head cluelessly. "No one ntioned it to at all! Du Juan is so unreliable. Just let whatever she says go in one ear and out the other!" Then, she perked up again. "Seriously, we’re so fated! It’s amazing you stumbled upon my family’s restaurant!"
"How’s my dad’s cooking? I was thinking of having my mom personally cook sothing for you when she’s free—so cola chicken wings, maybe? Just wait, I’ll go tell her now!"
"Don’t—" Li Si tried to stop her but couldn’t.
Liu Xiaole was already yelling across the room, "Mom! This is my new friend Sisi and her boyfriend! Can you show off your skills and make so cola chicken wings for them?"
Nanny Liu erged from behind the counter, beaming as she approached. She warmly addressed Li Si, "You must be the new classmate my Xiao Le keeps talking about! Auntie will make it right away. Xiao Le is a bit straightforward and speaks her mind. Please be patient with her!"
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