Chapter 5, So this is the taste of junk food

Then I will definitely pull out the thickest book from my backpack and firmly slap it on his face

I nodded: "I have been here during the day, but I did not know it would be so lively here at night."

Indeed," he said, pulling out the pockets of his pants to show me, revealing nothing but two crumpled tissues.

I took a couple of sips of beer but could not endure the strange taste that was both bitter and sweet. I set down the glass and caught a glimpse of a girl sitting to my right, wearing a yellow tank top. She had a large, soft black handbag, as if she had just gotten off work. She kept fanning her mouth with her hand and exclaimed to the man sitting across from her, "So spicy! So spicy!" Then she picked up the beer on the table and took several big gulps.

He simply enjoys teasing me and then appreciates the way I get angry

In a corner of the living room, my mother was on the phone with someone, seemingly mentioning my name. Suddenly, my heart raced, and I stood by the bookshelf, straining to listen carefully.

Practicing the piano? ... If I am not mistaken, the person on the other end of the phone is Lu Wei

He looked at me and smiled, raising the beer in his hand: "Come on, cheers!"

I am too! he said, and then reached out his hand, forcibly shaking it back.

Two beer bottles collided, producing a dull thud, while the golden liquid inside swayed, creating white foam.

Oh my! Oh my! My heart is constantly filled with amazement, yet I cannot attend to many things.

I watched as the small vendor at the barbecue stall skillfully sprinkled spicy powder and pepper on the golden-brown skewers. The charcoal beneath the black iron rack emitted a red glow, while fat dripped down, creating a murky yellow oil as it was grilled. Flames leaped up, licking the meat on the rack. With each breath, I could smell that pungent aroma, and I frowned slightly, lowering my voice to say to him: "My mother says that street food like this is not safe to eat; barbecue is a typical junk food that can easily lead to cancer and is unhygienic."

I suppressed my laughter: "Do I not usually laugh?"

"Please! Are you really going to wait until the streetlights are off and even the security guards start dozing off before you consider it late?" I looked at him with a mix of amusement and frustration, "What exactly do you want to do?"

I jumped from the cave onto the small stone bridge, nervously surveying my surroundings. The small park had long since returned to its usual tranquility; apart from the gushing sound of the fountain, there was only the rustling of the cool breeze through the leaves. The sun gradually descended in the distance, becoming a fiery red sphere, while the clouds at the horizon were tinged with pink, contrasting beautifully against the blue-purple sky, creating an indescribably stunning scene

However, I just cannot be frank!

"More than one hundred, I suppose," Ye Mubei said to me with a serious expression.

Thinking of this, I could not help but sit up straight, feeling as if I were on pins and needles

He must have done it on purpose

Soon, beer and the fragrant, sizzling barbecue were placed on our table

The glow of the sunset cast upon his face added a touch of warmth to his cold expression, making him appear somewhat more approachable

I suddenly remembered that I am still wearing my uniform

"If it isn't, then why get so worked up? Are we arguing?" The boss, known for his sharp tongue, widened his eyes, placed the beer on the table, and wore a smile that lingered on his face. "He must have done something, right? No worries, order as much as you like! Eat more, make him go broke!"

I originally thought it would at least be something like an omelette rice or ramen

Under the dim light, she held the microphone, relaxed against the sofa, the anger that had been evident just a moment ago had vanished, replaced now by a face full of amiability.

However, as I looked around, I suddenly realized that this bustling night market was truly a paradise for couples. Pairs of men and women around me were linking arms, whispering, and teasing each other. Our dinner for two seemed almost like a date. Just a moment ago, he had even fed me a skewer of barbecue, an act that, to outsiders, appeared no different from the intimate gestures that occur between couples.

Indeed! Ye Mubei's response was beyond my expectations

"It is not tasty at all!" I deliberately shouted at him.

One would rather believe in other people's children than in their own, why is that

Should we drive to the seaside to set off fireworks, or spend a couple of hours playing games in a smoke-filled arcade

Upon entering the room, a heavy weight in my heart finally lifted. I secretly exhaled, feeling my hands and feet grow weak.

Boss, I want five skewers of potato chips, one mackerel, and crispy bones! I shouted to the boss while raising my hand, then I snatched a bottle of cold beer from Ye Mubei's table, watching his expression turn from a smile to one of shock and disbelief.

Isn't it better to be frank

"You don't like it? That's just perfect, I do," Ye Mubei said, unceremoniously taking three meat skewers from the plate in front of me and stuffing them into his mouth, eating in a bold manner

"It’s all just food that you like to eat, isn’t it?" I picked up a bunch of chives and pouted, murmuring softly.

So I tightened my grip on the backpack handle and perked up my ears

"No, the academy has matters to attend to..." I had to tell a lie, striving to minimize the impact of this storm.

Then are you free to come to my house tomorrow? Auntie has made abalone stewed chicken, which is very good for the eyes. You usually have to study for exams and take assessments, it is too hard for you, you must pay attention to protecting your eyes

"Look at you, just like an angry squirrel!" He leisurely propped his chin on his hand, observing my disheveled appearance, chuckled softly, and then opened a bottle of beer for himself, filling the glass beside me.

Please, don't joke with me, this can't be true! A stiff smile lingered on my face, and this joke is not funny at all! I couldn't help but interrupt him loudly, looking at him in disbelief. You owe me a favor, inviting me to dinner, yet you want to take money from my pocket? Isn't this a bit insincere?

I stared at the five RMB notes in my hand, cold sweat began to break out on my back and palms, and I didn't know where to direct my gaze, not even daring to look at the boss's figure.

Looking at him with a face full of disdain, as if to say, "Why should I be saved? Do I really need a mere weak woman to save me?" I suddenly realized that it was rather foolish to expect such a person to return any favor. It would be better to suppress those strange thoughts and quickly return to my studies.

I was suddenly drenched in cold sweat. Interesting? The words coming out of his mouth sounded so inappropriate! So I struggled to get up: "What... what is interesting? I want to go home! It's getting late..."

"Have you been here before?" he asked me

Let's go, I will take you to an interesting place

I can no longer distinguish the road ahead, and Ye Mubei's palm is burning hot. It must be due to the tension; both of our palms are sweaty and heated.

However, Ye Mubei, who was sitting next to me, was already laughing so hard that he was pounding the table, and he deliberately shouted loudly to confuse the issue: "Hey, be straightforward!"

Sometimes, I hate this version of myself

A chill rose from the depths of my heart, surged into my blood, and spread throughout my entire body

I... I held back for half a day, yet I could not utter a single word

The joy of eating barbecue quickly turned into the frustration of having been deceived

I am just ... ...

"Handsome, here is your beer." The boss came over again with two bottles of ice-cold beer, glanced at the messy scene on the table, looked at him, then looked at me, and said casually, "Handsome, your girlfriend is quite beautiful!"

However, I was surprised to find that beer did not have the spicy and pungent taste I had imagined; it resembled a somewhat stimulating beverage and was not as difficult to drink: "So this is beer, bitter and not enjoyable at all!"

"That is lamb, right? I don't like eating lamb." I glanced at the bright red skewers of meat on the plate and frowned. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the plate was filled with the barbecue ordered by Ye Mubei, and it was all his dishes

It is evident that he is a regular customer, thoroughly familiar with the dishes at this stall. After ordering, he skillfully led me to sit down beside him.

In the distance, a lively English rock song plays, and the last few chicken wings on the plate have finally turned into a few clean bones, while the last drop of beer in the bottle has also found its way into my stomach

Before I could dodge, I bit into a large piece of meat, the salty and fragrant taste stimulating my taste buds. At the same time, my stomach was once again clamoring loudly for the arrival of food. It is truly lamentable that unhealthy food often carries a dangerously enticing aroma, challenging my reason at the moment when I was so hungry that I felt dizzy.

However, I clearly told her in person that it was a matter of the academy... In that moment, I did not know whether to cry or to laugh. Should I be grateful that Lu Wei answered that call and helped me out of the predicament, or should I be saddened by my mother's lack of trust

That sense of powerlessness returned to my body, and with the thought of "if I run into this guy, it's just my bad luck," I fished out two ten-yuan notes and three one-yuan notes from my pocket

I felt a tightness in my chest, so I put down the apple in my hand and lost all desire to eat fruit.

"What are you eating?" My mother turned around and stared at me, as if trying to discern a hint of something from my face

I stared blankly at the glass bottle emitting a chill, paused for a few seconds, and said: "My mother said that I am still a minor and cannot drink alcohol"

What nonsense is your little head thinking? It seems as if I am truly that bad! He scratched his head and said, I mean, it's getting late, and you must be hungry, right? I'll take you to eat something, as a way to thank you for helping me today

I held a skewer of meat, looking up at him with a glare, while he was admiring the expression on my face as I had a piece of chicken in my mouth, wanting to bite it but hesitating, smiling without saying a word

Thus, I began to walk forward, leaving Ye Mubei behind me

After taking a few steps, I raised my head and saw the orange-yellow light shining through a familiar window, and a sense of unease suddenly welled up in my heart

Indeed, you are shameless! I would never be like you

But I remember that when I exchanged smiles with Ye Mubei in the dark alley, I felt as if I had come back to life again

"Let's go, we are going to have barbecue." Ye Mubei pulled me, who was dumbfounded, and brought me to a barbecue stall. He waved to the owner and shouted loudly: "Boss! I want ten skewers of beef, ten skewers of chicken, six skewers of potato slices, six skewers of cucumber, two servings of eggplant, and one grilled crucian carp!"

"Looking at you, it seems like you are drinking not beer, but sulfuric acid from a laboratory! It's just a cup of beer, is it really necessary to react this way?" Seeing my frown and the expression of sticking out my tongue, Ye Mubei laughed, "You girls probably don't like beer the first time you drink it, right? Drink a bit more, and you'll get used to its taste. Just think about it, taking a big gulp, although it's a bit bitter, it feels quite refreshing, and you feel like all the pores in your body are opening up, don't you?"

Hahaha! Laughter came from behind me. I turned to glance at Ye Mubei, who was smiling triumphantly, showing no restraint at all, as the sound clearly came from my stomach! At that moment, I was so embarrassed and angry that I wished I could jump into the pool

It was quite inexplicable when he poured orange juice into my wine glass: "This way, it won't be so bitter, so cold, or so sharp, right?"

"Worrying about this and that all day long, you might as well not go out. The probability of dying in a car accident is so high, and even sitting at home, you could be hit by a plane falling from the sky!" He patted my head, "If you can get cancer just from eating barbecue once, then what about me, who eats barbecue every day? Wouldn't I be unable to see the sun tomorrow?" After he finished speaking, he swiftly stuffed a skewer of chicken into my mouth.

Her bold demeanor while drinking beer truly left me in awe. Perhaps sensing my attention, she turned her head to glance at me, then lingered with a peculiar gaze on my clothes for several seconds

Standing in the bustling night market, my eyes are filled with dazzling neon lights and a continuous flow of people. Vendors shout into their megaphones about a clearance sale, mixed with the crude sounds of popular internet songs, accompanied by the enticing aroma of roasted duck or some sweet dessert that stimulates the senses. Everywhere, there are steaming hot snacks with unidentifiable names, and a few children excitedly rush past me, holding skewers of bright red grilled squid. Alright, I admit, this place is even livelier than I had imagined. However, pointing to the squid grill stall not far away, I furrow my brow and hesitantly say, "Are you sure you want to eat here? It seems like..."

What happened? I frowned and asked him with a strange expression on my face

Thus, the two of us ran desperately down the street, with the sound of car horns and the shouts of the boss chasing after us

"Not bad! I run so fast, and you can actually keep up with me," Ye Mubei retracted his hand and said, "Looking at your little arms and slender legs, and your appearance of only studying without gaining any weight, you can run even better than I imagined!"

I apologize for the suddenness, but there will be leaders coming to inspect the academy tomorrow, and we still need to set up the study area and the blackboard news. Since I am the study committee member, I... I rambled on a lot, feeling so nervous that my palms were sweating

No, the higher the expectations, the greater the pain of the fall. Perhaps I need to think even more simply. Looking at his shameless appearance, he wouldn't say, "I'll give you a kiss as a reward," would he

Your body is much more honest than your mouth! After laughing, he still did not forget to mock me

"Is it really possible to do it this way?" I looked at him with confusion, hesitatingly took a sip, and the next moment, the taste was so strange that I couldn't help but cry out, pushing the cup in front of him and saying, "This taste is even worse than before! Can I just have orange juice?"

There is nothing more embarrassing than this, two people shamelessly indulging in food and drink without paying! At this moment, I truly wish to find a gap to slip into, transforming directly into a creature of the earth, burrowing back to my own home!

At this point, I think it might be worthwhile to consider his suggestions

"Are you implying that I owe you a significant favor?" Ye Mubei quietly approached me from behind and suddenly spoke in my ear

After chewing a few times, it was surprisingly delicious. The chicken was quite tender, and before long, I had eaten three to five skewers.

I glared at him, unsure of what to say

We have lived and died together, how can we not even be considered friends

However, I do not know why I always find it difficult to refuse his requests; in fact, I have hardly ever refused anyone's requests.

I ... ... '' I really do not want to admit this fact, I looked down at the watch on my wrist and couldn't help but scream, `` Oh my God! It's almost 9 o'clock! ''

"Friend? Have you told me your name and where you study?" I said this, but in my heart, I had already regarded him as a friend, for he had helped me before

Well, nice to meet you! Not wanting to ruin his cheeky smile, I took a deep breath and decided to let him continue smiling, only saying the words 'happy' with a bit of gritted teeth

I knocked just once, and the door opened. I saw a face shrouded in dark clouds; it was my mother

Ye Mubei looked at me, took another skewer of potato slices from the plate, smiled and shook his head, then waved over there: "Boss, bring two more chicken wings, four skewers each of enoki mushrooms, chives, cauliflower, and steamed bun slices, and four bottles of beer"

I never expected that I would accept Ye Mubei's invitation, sitting in the night market eating snacks that my parents had strictly forbidden, which inevitably gave me a sense of guilt

Did you see through it? He nodded nonchalantly, showing no intention of concealing his ill intentions

Is that so? This is what the publicity committee member should be doing, right? Why are you working so late? Do you know that you need to prepare for the interview now? The exam should be the top priority. You might as well quit being the study committee member!" Mother said, turning to go into the house. "Hurry up and tidy up, it's time to eat!"

It seems that Lu Wei has helped me cover up the lie

Dumplings. If I say I went to eat barbecue, she will definitely fly into a rage.

What should I do

This beer has a very low alcohol content, and you can completely treat it as a beverage. I assure you, you won't get drunk. Otherwise, why don't you take a sip first?" he said, pouring beer directly into my glass.

He looked at me and simply smiled: "How is it? Tasty, right?"

Tonight, there are no drowsy listening exercises in my headphones, no perplexing sprout-like letters on the pages of books, no worries about the teacher's tests, no troubles concerning Xiaoyu, only delicious barbecues and refreshing beer, along with Ye Mubei

"Are you in such a hurry to go back?" He suddenly grabbed my hand, "It is still quite early! Look, the sun has not yet set!"

A table full of remnants, all of which are the masterpieces of Ye Mubei. He devoured the food at a speed four times faster than mine, leaving only bare bamboo skewers haphazardly piled in the empty plate. Immediately after, he ordered many more meat skewers and pushed the plate towards me, saying: "Eat more, you are too thin."

I am both angry and amused: "Why should I listen to you? Are we that familiar?"

"Not bad, this introduction has a personal touch of yours." I grasped his hand and shook it twice

God knows, my face is also burning hot, and even as the wind brushes against my cheeks while I run, it still cannot lower its temperature

What a shameless person

When I returned to the area below my home, it was already 9:30, and the myriad lights illuminated the city as if it were daytime

In any case, it will never be a normal dinner or a simple gift

Ah... I am so full! I rubbed my belly, feeling a bit tipsy, my head spinning, and I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Understood

"No," I shook my head, "My mother does not allow me to eat such things"

I, as a person, detest one thing the most, which is being in debt to others, especially when it comes to owing favors to girls

Where have you been? Do you know that we almost called the police? Do you know that we have been waiting for you all this time? The sudden barrage of reproaches made me shudder, and my mood plummeted from the heights of joy to the depths of despair, transforming the previous moment of elation into trepidation, now weighing heavily beneath my feet

Is being frank not a good thing? If everyone around you wears a hypocritical smile, saying things that differ from their true thoughts, causing you to live in suspicion every day, isn't such a life quite exhausting?" He said as he finished the last sip of his beer, "Some say this is not good, but that is because some people have unseemly corners in their hearts and are unwilling to let others know too much about them. As for me, I believe that those who are with me must be frank. Whether that is good or not, you can judge for yourself.

Ye Mubei was drenched in sweat, looking as disheveled as a thief being chased. He lifted his head and met my gaze for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. His laughter was so foolish that I couldn't tell if I was infected by his emotions, but I couldn't help but laugh along with him

Damn it, this guy just enjoys seeing me in a state of exasperation

Eating something? My heart skipped a beat; it was the first time a boy said he wanted to treat me to a meal

Ten minutes later, I was taken by Ye Mubei to a strange place, which indeed only operates in the evening, and it looks quite interesting— a night market

I cautiously brought the beer to my lips, and as I lifted my hand, the bitter and astringent liquid immediately flowed into my mouth. My tongue tingled, followed by a wave of coolness that penetrated to my core, melting away all the heat in this refreshing sensation, causing me to involuntarily shiver

The mother was taken aback for a moment, and the anger on her face seemed to fade somewhat, but what replaced it was a deep sense of confusion

My stomach even began to churn

The dim light of the floor lamp slanted over, sharply outlining the contours of her profile. Looking at her tightly closed, drooping corners of her mouth, I stood there at a loss, twisting my fingers, and then, under her stern gaze, I gradually lowered my head little by little

The sound of my mother's greetings continuously reached my ears, sounding so gentle, so kind, yet it felt like a pair of scissors stabbing at my heart, so cold, so hard

Alright, just a little something to eat, it should be resolved quickly, right? Just this once, let's give it a try? After all, there won't be a second time

"I haven't thought it through yet," he said as he came over and took my hand, "Anyway, just follow me!"

"Who are you having dinner with? A man or a woman?" the father asked, standing at the door

However, going out to dinner with a boy I have only recently met is clearly challenging my boundaries. I immediately shook off his hand, my face flushed: "Thank you, but no! I do not need you to repay any favors. If you truly have my best interests at heart, it would be better to let me return home early to avoid being nagged by my family."

Ye Mubei pondered for a moment and then snapped his fingers in that direction: "Boss, bring a bottle of orange juice!"

"You may, but you must finish this cup first." He raised an eyebrow and coldly pushed the cup back.

I said, "You actually don't want to eat alone at all, do you? That's why you brought me along to keep you company." I replied loudly

How much did we spend today? I have never had much of a concept of roadside barbecue, but I have a bad feeling about it

Before I could react, I was pulled up by Ye Mubei and we started running wildly. I screamed, but had no choice but to follow. After running about ten steps, I heard the boss's roar from behind: "Don't run! You little brat, you haven't paid yet!"

"Who said you owe me a favor?" I shot him a glance and said, "I am going back!"

Have you never eaten barbecue

How cold you are! If you continue like this, how will you ever find a boyfriend? It's just dinner, aren't your parents being a bit too strict? Even a princess in ancient times could change into men's clothing and go out for a stroll!" He put his hands in his pockets, observed my troubled expression, and continued to charm me with sweet words, "Just think of it as being so hungry that you can't stand it, so you resolved it outside, it's really not a big deal, is it?

You... indeed! He openly admitted it, which instantly made me feel deceived. Just as I was about to scold him for being shameless, a string of enoki mushrooms was suddenly stuffed into my mouth

Ye Mubei's hand was gripping so tightly, while my heart was racing so fast; it was all simply too terrible

Then, we rushed into a dark alley, leaning against the wall, gasping for breath

The two of us looked at each other and laughed for a while, almost like two fools

The sky had completely darkened, and the orange-yellow lights flickered above the heads of the crowd and over the distant stalls. The light fell upon the faces of the people coming and going in the darkness, creating an atmosphere that felt so soft and warm

Embarrassed, I stopped in my tracks and turned back, looking at him helplessly

It is as if coming here without taking a couple of sips has become something entirely different

However, I am not hungry, thank you. I reluctantly uttered this sentence and intended to leave. But as soon as I turned my head, I heard a rumbling sound.

"Are you full?" Ye Mubei glanced at me, suddenly leaned closer, and asked in a strange tone, "Do you have any money on you?"

Although I have done something wrong, there is a subtle exhilaration in my heart, as if I am being scorched by something, while also being sprinkled with cumin and chili powder. The brief two hours spent with Ye Mubei felt like a marvelous journey, causing everything around me, which was originally mundane, to become agitated. I tried to break free, but in the end, I could only dance to the rhythm of his footsteps.

The whole family is waiting for you to have dinner, what are you doing outside all alone? Are you out fooling around with someone else? Having one Lin Xiaoyu at home is already enough of a headache, do you want to learn from her and make it impossible for the two of us, who are getting older, to live on?

"That is not laughter; this is true laughter," Ye Mubei said, shaking his head. "Come, laugh again!"

My goodness! You have grown up without ever having eaten barbecue? It seems I have indeed caught a true young lady! So, are you disdainful or simply afraid?

Ye Mubei's speed was so fast that I even felt as if he were flying. Faces of astonishment flashed before my eyes, while behind me, my boss was unleashing a torrent of curses like a machine gun, using filthy and unspeakable language I had never heard before. I dared not look back, fearing I would see his figure closing in on me. Thinking of this, my legs felt weak, yet I still forced myself to keep up with his pace

Seeing the slight smile at the corner of his mouth, various unpleasant images flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine: "Let go of me! I will not go with you to those chaotic places!"

Completely at a loss, I was in a daze when suddenly a large hand grasped my wrist, and a deep voice sounded in my ear: "Run!"

Before I could react, he said, and pulled me down from the bridge, continuing to walk forward on his own

It seems a bit dirty

Have those people all left

The temperature of his palm was so hot that it startled me

What is the point of getting angry with a rogue

Hurry up and eat, you won't die! Do you really want to dig the meat out of your mouth after it has been delivered to you?

I would like to take a sip first, is that alright?

I do not know whether it is worth it tonight

Hello, my name is Ye Mubei! I am the Ye Mubei from the same college and the same teaching building, but on a different floor. If you want to drink, you can find me; if you want to go for a ride, you can find me; if you want to fight, you can find me; just don't look for me when it comes to studying. How about that, is it clear enough?" Ye Mubei said with a smile, extending his hand to me

I am not his girlfriend!" I said loudly, my face turning red.

I am alone

This is truly a cruel challenge, I glanced at the murky liquid in the cup and steeled myself to raise it.

A motorcycle squeezed through the crowd, its horn blaring, and its sound became very muffled

Alas, that is indeed a place that is only enjoyable at night

Ye Mubei's silhouette disappeared at the end of the streetlight, he whistled loudly, it was a lively tune that I had never heard before

"Go ahead and boast!" He raised one eyebrow, "However, no matter how fast you run, you still need me to take you back!"

Aren't you being a bit too frank? I have never seen anyone like you from childhood to now!" I had no choice but to swallow the last bite of enoki mushrooms in my mouth with effort, glaring at him.

The sound of a piano emanated from the neighboring Lu Wei's house, playing a lively classical piece that carried the mystery of the night, reminiscent of a vampire gentleman stepping to an eerie dance.

This clearly far exceeds what she can bear My goodness, she will surely faint with her eyes rolling back!

There was no time to stop it, and half a cup was spilled all at once

Happiness always comes at a cost, and engaging in wrongdoing incurs an even greater price. Whenever I gain something, I must relinquish something else.

What matter must be dealt with until it is dark? Why not mention it in advance? The father stepped out from behind the mother, and both of their expressions were extremely serious.

Seeing him in this state, my anger seemed to dissipate like the bubbles in a cup, leaving behind only a sense of helplessness

What? What are you saying? He raised his head to look at me, his mouth full of lamb, speaking unclearly

What is happening to me? I am actually being led by the nose by this guy in front of me

I suddenly realized that I lost my wallet, as well as my phone, because just now I was only focused on shaking off that group of bastards, I had to ... ...

So... where do you want to take me to eat? I asked him hesitantly, looking at him with difficulty

The bottle contained a completely transparent liquid, dazzlingly bright yellow. I looked around, and the people nearby were in small groups, almost everyone had beer in their hands or on the tables. Drinking beer in large gulps seemed to be a commonplace activity here. I even saw a glowing green lightbox in front of the barbecue stall across from me, which read: No beer, no barbecue

"This is the first time you have smiled at me like that; you really look beautiful when you smile." He said, staring at my face, his eyes sparkling in the dim light

I silently vowed to myself that the next time I passed by the barbecue stall, I would definitely make sure to pay the owner the money I owed.

Do not underestimate me, for I am the champion of the 100-meter sprint

Ah? My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that this guy is still thinking about repaying a favor? Although my intuition tells me that hastily accepting his repayment doesn't seem like a good idea, a trace of irresistible anticipation rose from the depths of my heart. Perhaps it is just curiosity; what extraordinary and bizarre idea might he come up with this time?

"What are you looking at? You can frantically point at the food you like, but I can't do the same?" I imitated his actions, tearing off a piece of meat from the skewer and then gulping down beer.

I believe I must have misheard something

I am always afraid of hurting others, treading carefully with each step, fearing that I might leave a bad impression on them

I have eaten

I came out of the restroom, took an apple from the table, and quietly ate it

A warm current emanated from the palm of his hand, and I knew that at this moment, he and I had already intersected.

"It's fine, no worries, just come back," the father said to the mother as he closed the door. "Quickly wash your hands, there are peeled apples on the table"

I cast a skeptical glance at him, then took a large gulp; the icy, sharp beer slid down my throat, seemingly lowering the temperature of the surrounding air. My taste buds were overwhelmed by bitterness, and I couldn't help but stick out my tongue at him, making a face: "I don't think I'll ever get used to its taste, unless it's sweet."

Wearing the academy uniform and drinking beer with delinquents at the barbecue stall in the night market is indeed a dangerous affair

Perhaps this is the reason why I am unconsciously attracted to Ye Mubei

Father is organizing materials in the study, with a small desk lamp lit in front of him

He spoke as he once again reached out to push the beer towards me, the glass suddenly pressed against the back of my hot hand, sending a sharp chill through me

Indeed, who would not wish to associate with an honest person? And Ye Mubei is the most straightforward person I have ever encountered

No way... it's already so late!" I muttered to myself with some annoyance, "Oh no, I haven't read a single book all afternoon!"

"Shouldn't you say, 'It's a pleasure to meet you'?" he said

Ah? His grip was so tight that I couldn't break free at once, and could only follow him as we walked towards an unfamiliar direction

Is the wallet lost

Seemingly unaware of my restlessness, Ye Mubei simply held a skewer of chicken wings and opened a can of cold beer for himself. Just when I thought he was going to drink it alone, he placed it beside my hand.

I had no time to explain, and once again I was met with a harsh reprimand

I was momentarily stunned, the muscles in my face suddenly became rigid, my chest felt as if it had been struck, and my heart sank heavily, a sense of foreboding creeping in.

Suddenly having my mouth stuffed with something, all I could do was glare at him

I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. If my mother were to find out that I had not returned home on time, lingering outside, going to the night market with the notorious troublemaker Ye Mubei from the academy to eat barbecue, and even drinking an entire bottle of beer, what would her reaction be? The worst part is that the two of us actually left without paying after we were full, hand in hand, making a swift escape

"You are truly the most interesting girl I have ever met, always mentioning your mother. Don't you find it bothersome?" Ye Mubei picked up another bottle of ice-cold beer and gulped down a large mouthful right in front of me. Then, he let out a long sigh from deep in his throat, looking quite comfortable, and leisurely glanced at me, "You must be feeling thirsty after eating barbecue, right? Have a drink. There's nothing better in summer than ice-cold beer with barbecue! Without chilled beer, it doesn't feel like summer at all"

Is that so... I was wondering why your academy would let Xing An return so late, it turns out this is the reason! I was just worried that this child might have encountered some trouble, there are quite a few bad people out there these days... Thank you so much for taking care of my two children, I hope I didn't disturb you while you were practicing your piano