Chapter 9, Gathering (II)

... ...

Having eaten such a large bowl and still not feeling full, is he a pig? Eat well in the morning, have a hearty lunch, and why not eat less in the evening? Go play first, you haven't been out for two days, go get some activity in, and when you come back in the evening, drink the chicken soup that has been simmered!

Everyone is here ... ... Hello to you all ... ...

Yu Xiaoguo truly lacked awareness as she approached the phone and called Cheng Ran's home. After some back-and-forth conversation, she hung up and said, "Cheng Ran said he won't be coming over for dinner; he will eat at home and will come by for a short visit later."

It does not matter for oneself, but Yu Xiao is truly speaking up for Cheng Ran. When he went to find him, Cheng Ran was at home studying, and even the temptation of going to an internet café to play games could not sway him. This indicates that Cheng Ran is genuinely putting in the effort. Yet, in the end, he is met with such misunderstandings and criticisms.

Upon hearing this sensitive name, several individuals displayed varying expressions. Yang Xia had actually noticed that Cheng Ran was absent and initially thought that Liu Ying had not called him, as she was aware of the conflict between Sun Jichao and Cheng Ran. However, with all their friends from the courtyard present today, it would be rather excessive for Liu Ying not to invite Cheng Ran. Yet, it turned out that he did not come on his own. How could this be? Did he forget, or is he simply not punctual? Observing the enthusiasm of the boys around her, Yang Xia felt somewhat surprised by the contrast. Yet, it turned out that he did not come on his own. How could this be? Did he forget, or is he simply not punctual? Observing the enthusiasm of the boys around her, Yang Xia felt somewhat surprised by the contrast.

Although Sun Jichao, Zhou Bin, and Wang Yuran were somewhat reserved at first, the boys in the courtyard of Huadong Company were simply not on the same level as them. In fact, when the latter spoke, the former could hardly interject, relegating them to the role of mere spectators, much like a group of lambs cornered by wolves in a sheepfold. They exuded a sense of having complete control over the situation, naturally becoming increasingly casual and relaxed.

Liu Ying looked around the entire venue, clapped her hands, and said, "Everyone is here, so let's start the meal!"

Is one's existence ultimately a blessing or a misfortune

Yet he felt somewhat powerless, for reason told him that Cheng Ran was now nearing the final few days of effort, and it was already too late

He ascended step by step

Being able to enjoy the meals prepared by his mother, Cheng Ran certainly had no intention of going to Liu Ying's house for dinner. He merely wanted to see an old friend, and it was sufficient for him to have a meal and then take a look; he did not regard this as a matter of great importance.

Standing nearby, Yu Xiao observed the boys' wandering gazes fixed on Jiang Hongshao, and she couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "This is what is meant by 'When my flowers bloom, all others wither.' Old Jiang truly lives up to her reputation! She remains as imposing as ever!"

Seeing everyone gradually making their way to the dining table, Yu Xiao finally realized, where is Cheng Ran? Why hasn't this fellow come over yet?

When it came to this, the loud-voiced Yao Beibei beside Yang Xia shouted, "Yu Xiao, you and Cheng Ran went to that internet station not far from our unit's entrance last night, right? I saw both of you! Hey, I'm not saying anything, but Cheng Ran is really too carefree! He just mentioned wanting to get into No. 1 High School, and it hasn't even served as motivation; he still spends his days goofing around!"

Xie Dongping is usually taciturn and very shy, originally the most inconspicuous person at gatherings. At this moment, being looked at by Jiang Hongshao and receiving such an evaluation, his face instantly turned red, and he dared not meet her gaze. However, he stammered and mustered the courage to say, "No, it's nothing! I'm used to it anyway! I used to be fat, and they all treated me as a meat shield..."

Cheng Ran reluctantly changed her shoes and went out, recalling the location of Liu Ying's house. She walked along the community road, passing three buildings, and reached the fourth one. The units in the building were still quite new, constructed a few years ago through collective funding. After more than a decade, commercial housing has flourished everywhere, yet these once new houses have become marks of the times, aging in the passage of time

Ah... how impressive!

However, Sun Jichao's ears twitched slightly. The reason he had been preoccupied with the fight against Cheng Ran was that throughout his life, he had never suffered a loss in any brawl he participated in. Yet, when he encountered the reckless Cheng Ran at that time, it was a complete defeat; he was even pinned down and beaten. If it had been someone stronger or more capable than him, he could have accepted it, but it was precisely Cheng Ran, such a minor character, that made him resentful.

Laughter and cheerful voices occasionally emanate from the fifth-floor window of Liu Ying's home. Cheng Ran looks up at that direction and hears some familiar voices. This is the reason he came here today: to meet with companions from his childhood, to witness the trajectory of his past life, and to prove that it was not an illusion. This is a precious experience in the present moment.

Cheng Ran appeared there, completely unaware that people had just been discussing him. He only sensed that the atmosphere had suddenly become a bit quiet, so he waved his hand to the people in the room

Forget it, don't cover for him!" Yao Beibei pouted, "What use is it to deceive us? Can you deceive the upcoming high school entrance examination? Can you deceive the test papers that reveal the truth?

Just as Liu Ying was thinking this, a knock on the door sounded. Yu Xiao immediately jumped down from the stool, took a quick step to the door, unlatched it with a click, and opened the door.

Liu Ying looked at the atmosphere and thought to herself that this was truly a perfect gathering. Among the reasons for this were the arrival of Jiang Hongshao, the sumptuous dishes prepared by her parents that catered to everyone's tastes, and also, the fact that Cheng Ran did not come, which prevented a clash with Sun Jiyi that could have disrupted the mood.

Well, Cheng Ran has not arrived yet

Liu Ying felt uncomfortable and was even more secretly annoyed with Yu Xiao. She certainly knew that Cheng Ran had not come and thought he had the self-awareness to realize it at the last minute. That was why she had just said, "Everyone is here." But now she could only say, "Well... why don't you give him a call..."

As Yu Xiao fell into a daze, the others began to discuss other topics.

... ...

Liu Ying smiled and invited everyone to dinner

It seems that if one does not go out, there will be no chicken soup to drink

Made everyone burst into laughter

"I called you... I'm not eating the dishes you made... There's no time to go over." Cheng Ran bit into the chicken leg without raising her head.

During the meal, Xu Lan hinted, "I heard that Liu Ying is treating today... she... didn't invite you?"

As Cheng Ran turned back, he saw the several buildings he had passed, where the people he once knew seemed as if they had never existed; they had been killed by the passage of time and space

The change in the entire atmosphere brought by Jiang Hongshao made the usually dazzling Yang Xia feel as if her brilliance had been overshadowed. She exchanged a reserved greeting with Jiang Hongshao, secretly assessing her attire. Dressed in a red dress adorned with lotus lace, the curves of her waist and abdomen accentuated by the dress evoked an impulse in Yang Xia, even as a girl, to reach out and embrace her in a moment of transgression. With her fair arms and a pair of exquisitely crafted glossy black shoes at the ends of her calves, she appeared both refined and graceful, while also exuding a natural elegance.

Furthermore, there is Jiang Hongshao, whose outstanding presence began to make the other girls present feel self-conscious. However, during meals and conversations, she always managed to attend to everyone present. When someone spoke, she would never interrupt; instead, her eyes, framed by long eyelashes, would focus on the speaker, listening attentively and responding thoughtfully. When everyone shared childhood anecdotes and amusing stories about growing up in the courtyard, she did not feel out of place at all. It seemed that she genuinely felt happy for them, having such a group of friends with whom they had played since childhood. Emotions are palpable, and Yang Xia, Liu Ying, and others became even more animated in their discussions. When they recounted the incident of setting off firecrackers that startled a tricycle on the roadside, and how they were chased down by others seeking accountability, Jiang Hongshao turned to the usually reticent Xie Dong and said, "So, it turns out you were the one who stepped up to take all the responsibility back then... truly brave."

Xu Lan let out a sigh, "You really are something. Yu Xiao asked you not to go, and when Liu Ying invited you, you didn't go either. Although I've seen you studying diligently these past few days, don't overdo it. You still need to attend the gatherings and have some fun. After dinner, you should go find them. I'll take care of the dishes."

In fact, this meal was quite enjoyable. Although everyone belonged to different classes and even different departments, we still shared a youthful spirit. Once we started to play and have fun, the atmosphere became harmonious.

This aura alone is not something an ordinary girl can easily cultivate

Yu Xiao had a sense of being wronged, a great absurdity in this world. Just as she was about to speak, Yang Xia looked over with a stern face and said, "Yu Xiao, could you please tell your good friend that if he continues like this, he will really be finished!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Jiang Hongshao merely glanced at Yu Xiao without saying a word

Liu Yinghua fluttered around Jiang Hongshao like a butterfly, but the girls present were not as lively as before. Perhaps in comparison, they felt somewhat ashamed of themselves. Her aura made them reflect on their own behavior, causing them to become more conscious of their words and actions.

In fact, everyone present could discern the reluctance in her words. The members of the courtyard had also privately heard Liu Ying express her disdain for Cheng Ran on several occasions.

Under Xu Lan's urging, Cheng Ran didn't even finish his meal properly before the bowl was snatched away. A father knows his son best; Cheng Feiyang watched as Cheng Ran was still smacking his lips. Although he was also unsure why Cheng Ran seemed hungrier than usual, he chimed in, "Son, you haven't eaten enough yet..."

We didn't go out to play at all, you are mistaken! Cheng Ran has been studying at home these past two days

Moreover, today is the day Xu Lan specially prepared cold chicken for him, which he truly craves. If not for unforeseen circumstances, in his previous life, he could only taste such flavors during festivals, and due to various reasons, he might not be able to return home every year. Rebirth has given him the opportunity to experience a different kind of life, so how could he miss out on such a grand feast