Luo City University was quite large. By the time Qin Guanglin finished setting up the painting and walked out, it was already five o'clock.
Retracing his steps, he once again reached the traffic lights. Looking at the small hand on his sleeve, Qin Guanglin suddenly regretted: why hadn't he worn a short-sleeve shirt in this hot weather?
He adamantly refused to admit he was being inappropriate; he just wanted to see where she would grab if there were no sleeves... the hem of his shirt?
Thinking of this, he looked up at He Fang's face, only to find her looking at him with suspicion.
"What are you thinking?" He Fang's gaze moved to his sleeve and then back at him.
"Nothing." Qin Guanglin avoided her eyes, pretending to look at the traffic light.
"Really?" He Fang laughed, then her small hand moved, grabbing his hand.
It was soft, a little cool.
Qin Guanglin's heart suddenly skipped a beat. He didn't dare look down at her. He hesitated for a moment, then subtly tightened his grip.
He stealthily took a breath. In his twenties, and merely holding hands, what's there to be nervous about?
But holding hands... was this more than friendship?
Was it not more than friendship?
It should be more than friendship, right?
"Green light," He Fang reminded him from the side.
"Oh, let's go." Qin Guanglin instinctively glanced at her, then straightened up and focused on crossing the street.
He Fang seemed to have discovered something amusing, as she smiled mischievously.
After crossing the intersection, she naturally let go of his hand. "Are you hungry?"
"It is time to eat; what do you want to eat?" Qin Guanglin discreetly rubbed his hand on his pants—his palm was covered in sweat, so useless.
"Let's go this way." He Fang took the lead, guiding Qin Guanglin through twists and turns until they entered a corner family restaurant on the square.
It was indeed home-cooked food. There wasn't even an official sign, just five crooked words seemingly scribbled on a wooden board—Shao's Home-cooked Restaurant.
"Didn't expect you to bring me here." Qin Guanglin looked around, very familiar with the place.
Back in university, he often ate here with friends. The food was tasty and plentiful, and the owner took good care of them. Sometimes, they even delivered food to the school at night. Even after graduating two years ago, he would still come for a meal whenever he was nearby.
"It's been a while, Xiao Qin." The owner was a robust, two-hundred-pound man with a booming voice who greeted Qin Guanglin warmly, "What are you having today?"
"Uncle Shao." Qin Guanglin responded with a smile, "I'll take a look at the menu; you go ahead and do your thing."
"Bringing your girlfriend for a meal? Here, have some tea first." Uncle Shao laughed heartily as he brought over a pot of tea. His small restaurant wasn't flashy, with a poor location, mainly serving regulars.
"Friend, friend."
"Take a look." He Fang pushed the menu over and then picked up the teapot to rinse their utensils.
Qin Guanglin took the menu. A Tilapia Fish, stir-fried shredded carrots, a cucumber salad—he couldn't help but look at He Fang. These were what he ordered every time here.
Did they have such similar tastes?
"Uncle Shao, here's our order." He took a quick glance and handed the menu back to Uncle Shao. The portions were large here, more than enough for the two of them.
"Alright, let me pick out a juicy one for you." Uncle Shao glanced at the menu, then headed towards the kitchen.
"We're right on time. If we were an hour later, this place would be packed." Qin Guanglin watched He Fang sterilize the utensils, feeling a mysterious tranquility inside.
He Fang, with a gentle smile, finished everything, poured two cups of tea, and pushed one over. "I really liked that painting. Thank you."
"Didn't you just thank me?" Qin Guanglin scratched his head, "No big deal."
The food was cooking in the back, and a few more tables of customers trickled in.
"Sorry for the wait." Uncle Shao served the Tilapia Fish on the table, "Girl, the rice is over there; you can serve yourself or have this guy help you."
Casting a glance at Qin Guanglin, Uncle Shao turned to greet others, "Xiao Bin, finishing work early today? What will you have?"
"I'll help you." Qin Guanglin offered, stopping He Fang from getting up, and taking two bowls to serve rice.
He Fang wasn't on a diet. After finishing a full bowl of rice, she asked Qin Guanglin to get another half bowl.
"Want to order some soup?" Qin Guanglin didn't usually drink soup, but suddenly thought he might not know if He Fang was used to it.
"Tea is fine." He Fang put down the rice bowl, rubbed her stomach, with a hint of satisfaction on her face, then picked a piece of Tilapia Fish, removed the bones, and put it into Qin Guanglin's bowl.
Seeing his slightly widened eyes, He Fang thought for a moment, "Hmm... let's consider this as a thank-you for the painting."
"No need to be so polite..." Qin Guanglin didn't know how to respond, so he focused on his food.
One removing fishbones, the other shoveling rice, they quickly arrived at the bill-paying moment.
"My treat this time." He Fang took out a pink wallet and turned to call Uncle Shao for the bill.
Qin Guanglin calmly picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, "He won't charge you; put it away."
"That'll be eighty-eight, eighty is fine."
Sure enough, Uncle Shao didn't disappoint Qin Guanglin, directly standing before him, hand outstretched.
He Fang wasn't bothered. She took out a small mirror from her bag, looked into it, then applied some lip balm, "Then I'll buy the movie tickets later."
After stepping out, the sun had set, but the sky was still bright. It was the best time of day, neither cold nor hot.
Qin's Mom held a small snuff bottle, contentedly walking through the square with Aunt Wang, ready to head back.
"It's yours anyway; let me borrow it for a few days." Aunt Wang, with empty hands, looked enviously at the snuff bottle in Qin's Mom's hand.
"No borrowing." Qin's Mom shook her head proudly, "Oh, this little thing is probably from the late Ming or early Qing; I need to study it."
"Look at how stingy you are." Aunt Wang felt a bit annoyed. She had recently been missing good things, and Qin's Mom managed to snag them.
Qin's Mom grew even more pleased, "Hey, last time when I borrowed that cigarette holder, weren't you just as stingy? That's called..."
"Hmm? The one over there looks like your boy." Aunt Wang interrupted, jerking her chin forward.
"Lin? Where?" Qin's Mom looked into the distance and quickly found him, "Hey, it really is him. Let's go show him my treasure."
"Who's the girl next to him?"
"Oh!"
Qin's Mom stood still, exchanged a glance with Aunt Wang.
Unbelievable!
Aunt Wang wanted to wave and call out, but Qin's Mom quickly pulled her back, turned around, then sneakily peeked over.
Her behavior was like an undercover agent surveilling the enemy.
"What are you doing? Let's go say hi and meet her." Aunt Wang straightened her sleeves.
Qin's Mom gestured for silence, "Stay quiet, let's see what they're up to."