Early the next morning, in a daze, Xu Lin heard the phone ringing. He fumbled around his head and answered it.
"Hello~?"
"Hello, Mr. Xu, I just arrived in Linshui. I'm not usually in Linshui, so I don't know where the good restaurants are."
"Just let my cousin find a place, called Qingzhen Xialan Pavilion, you should know it too, we'll have a quick meal at noon."
"Alright."
What a coincidence, I just went there yesterday, so I can conveniently ride my bike back home.
However, this morning, let's go visit Teacher Guan first. It's been half a month since he last went. If he doesn't go soon, she might really get upset.
Originally, he promised to visit once a week, but in this past month, he had only gone twice, and one of those times was to see Chu Qingchan.
After tidying up, Xu Lin was getting ready to meet Chu Qingchan at Chu's house first. Usually, she heads to Teacher Guan's around 8 in the morning.
"Xu Lin, are you going to Xiaochan's house?"
"Well, Mom, haven't you gone to work yet?"
"There's an event at the company today, so I will be going straight to a meeting at 9 o'clock. I went out this morning to buy some things, take these with you."
"What?" Xu Lin saw Li Yuan handing over three bags, he quickly took them, his hands trembling.
"Wow, this is heavy. What is it?"
"Last time they came here for dinner, I noticed Qingchan likes strawberries and mangoes, so I bought some. Then Ji Yun likes watermelon, and Fengyi likes cherries."
"Um... you're more observant than me, no wonder you're my mom."
To be honest, Xu Lin hadn't observed so meticulously; he only knew that Chu Qingchan likes strawberries.
And most importantly, Mom even noticed what Chu Fengyi likes to eat, even though she was initially indifferent to her...
Suddenly, I feel so useless as the so-called system holder. Mom is already going all out, and here I am just idling by.
"Just some fruits," Li Yuan said. "You should also find out what they like to eat. Next time they come over for dinner, I can prepare accordingly."
"Um, then I'll leave first."
"Take it slow."
Balancing the fruits, Xu Lin arrived at the doorstep of Chu Qingchan's house. He knocked on the door, and Chu Qingchan opened it, then she glanced at the bag in his hand.
"Mr. Xu, why did you bring something again?"
"My mom bought some fruits for you all."
"Let's put these in the fridge first, along with the watermelon. Ji Yun likes watermelon, and Chu Fengyi also likes cherries."
"Mom observes better than I do, knowing what you both like to eat."
"Auntie is also considering you~" She glanced at him with a hint of sourness, knowing full well what Li Yuan was thinking.
Chu Qingchan gently leaned against him as they put things in the fridge, and as they did, she slowly leaned back, resting in his embrace, holding his hand with hers.
Xu Lin gently held her waist, like an old married couple, standing there in silence.
Xu Lin felt her slightly cool hand and realized it had been a long time since they had been alone together, feeling a pang of guilt.
After all, it was he who had plucked her from her hometown, altering her life trajectory; he felt a greater responsibility towards her.
Initially, he had envisioned propelling her towards success more quickly to achieve his own goals, but it was clear his strategy of copying songs hadn't worked out well.
"I'm sorry... I've been really busy lately."
"I didn't mean to blame you. I'm busy too. I originally promised to teach you about music when I'm free."
Chu Qingchan listened to Xu Lin's gentle, apologetic tone, feeling a bit embarrassed herself.
She wasn't complaining; she just felt that they hadn't spent enough time together lately.
He's also very busy, going to school, writing, and now planning to start a business. He's really tired, and she doesn't want to disturb him.
"Recently, I wrote a song, do you want to listen?" Xu Lin suddenly remembered a popular little love song from his previous life.
"Sure!"
Then, Xu Lin started to sing gently, and Chu Qingchan closed her eyes, quietly listening to his voice striking her heartstrings.
As the song drew to a close, the door clicked open, startling the two individuals who quickly let go of each other's hands.
Ji Yun and Chu Fengyi entered, noticing the somewhat awkward scene in front of the refrigerator, they felt something was amiss.
"What are you guys doing? You're not playing some weird game, are you?" Chu Fengyi asked bluntly, while Ji Yun blinked and asked very innocently.
"Can you play games in the kitchen?"
"It's just that... I'm looking for some materials for tonight... and there are some in Chu Qingchan's place."
"Ahem!" Chu Qingchan, with a light cough, hurried over and hugged Ji Yun as if protecting a chick.
"Chu Fengyi, I'm telling you, don't teach this and that! How old is Ji Yun?"
"Chu Qingchan, I remember you started sneaking around reading those things at 15, didn't you?"
"I didn't do anything like that, don't falsely accuse me!"
Though Chu Qingchan's expression remained calm, her flushed ears betrayed her.
"It's true and I'm serious. Ji Yun is also 16 now. If she doesn't understand anything, it's not good."
"Xu Lin, what are they saying? What don't I understand..."
Ji Yun also looked confused, leaving her arguing sisters and coming over to Xu Lin's side.
"Um, well, it's just those things in bed."
In fact, Xu Lin thought what Chu Fengyi said made some sense. Ji Yun is already 16 years old, almost an adult, so not understanding these things is a failure in education.
"Ah! Are you guys really discussing such things?"
She was surprised, then nodded slightly, a little embarrassed, and then showed a puzzled expression.
"But what does it have to do with the kitchen?"
"Big star Chu, I think she really doesn't understand anything. You can communicate with her a little to learn something, at least she should know something."
"Anyway, sometimes, girls need to know certain things to protect themselves... Well, I'll leave it to you guys."
With that, Xu Lin interrupted the conversation between the two sisters, and Chu Qingchan also calmed down a bit.
Sometimes, chatting with Ji Yun, she realized that she was completely clueless about this aspect.
Between men and women, at least, she had kissed. So she can give a bit of guidance.
"Okay, tonight I'll chat with Ji Yun."
"So, what exactly are you two going to talk to me about? I really didn't understand."
Miss Ji Yun was confused and then found herself enrolled in a special study session by everyone.
Later, after having some fruit, Xu Lin and the others prepared to set off.
"Do you have any plans for today?"
"No, we don't. How about we go there and listen to you sing?" Ji Yun's eyes sparkled instantly; she had never heard Xu Lin sing before.
"Sure, I'm free too." Chu Fengyi continued eating cherries, with a happy expression on her face, her eyes even crinkling at the corners.
"It's quite boring actually, you'll just have to sit there."
It seems like both of them wanted to go, but Chu Qingchan mentioned how boring it was and how it sometimes made her feel restless.
Of course, she also had a little selfish thought, wanting to enjoy Xu Lin's singing alone. However, her two sisters didn't give her any chance at all, immediately shaking their heads.
"We feel bored, let's just leave! Xu Lin has a lunch appointment anyway, we can go together."
"...Alright." Stinky sisters, I'll remember this grudge!