Li Haimei, afraid her daughter might notice her unease, quickly said, "I'm heading back to my room," and promptly went back to her bedroom.
After seeing her mother return to her room, Li Ke said nothing more and also went into her room.
Once inside, she climbed onto the bed and hugged her stuffed animal.
Thinking about the events of the evening, she chuckled softly. "Teacher Xu is really quite interesting."
Li Ke continued to smile to herself as she spoke.
Meanwhile, in her room, Li Haimei was deep in thought.
After leaving the Li family home, Xu Xiuwen drove back to his house in Jiangning Huayuan.
It was already 9:30 p.m. when he got home.
After freshening up, he was preparing for bed.
Before going to sleep, he took a moment to think and then sent a message to Tang Weiwei, offering a brief explanation.
Tang Weiwei, as expected, was still awake.
After receiving the message, she quickly replied, "Okay, I understand. Feel free to ask me for help anytime you have difficulties."
Xu Xiuwen could easily imagine Tang Weiwei smiling cutely at her phone screen.
"Sure, I'll keep asking you in the future."
The next day, Xu Xiuwen had business to handle at the Guangming Distillery.
He drove there early in the morning.
The Guangming Distillery was now fully operational.
The newly launched Guangming Vintage Pure Liquor was very popular locally.
The distillery had arranged for both day and night shifts, working overtime to keep up with production.
The current output was sufficient to meet the market demand in Langya City and the surrounding county-level cities.
However, Xu Xiuwen, having learned the tricks of the trade from General Manager Lei, continued to employ a scarcity marketing strategy.
The distillery claimed that production couldn't keep up and had to limit supply.
Some large malls and hotels, through connections or long-term contracts, hoped to get more of the new liquor.
Xu Xiuwen naturally accommodated these requests.
These hotels and malls acted as free advertising for Guangming Distillery's new product.
Smaller shops or restaurants, on the other hand, could only get limited supplies.
This created a state where the entire Langya City could buy the liquor but not always have it available immediately.
Other cities also had some distributors actively seeking cooperation, but the number was still relatively small.
Currently, the main market for the Guangming Distillery's new liquor was Langya City, its county-level cities, and even townships.
On the fourth day after the Dragon Boat Festival, which was Saturday, Xiao Youran returned to school.
Xu Xiuwen happened to be in Guangming City that day and couldn't pick her up or send her back, so she had to travel alone.
Because he didn't see her off, Xiao Youran was quite unhappy.
She complained to Xu Xiuwen over the phone, accusing him of being inconsiderate and even claiming he had become a heartless person who neglected her.
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this and promised to go to the school as soon as he finished his work to be with her.
After some persuasion, he managed to cheer Xiao Youran up.
On June 5th.
At noon, after spending two and a half days resolving issues at the Guangming Distillery, Xu Xiuwen immediately returned to Jinling City.
He was so busy that he didn't have time for lunch.
Once back at school, as it was Monday and the students were all in class, Xu Xiuwen grabbed some food from the cafeteria and prepared to eat.
While eating, he didn't forget to send a text to Xiao Youran saying, "I'm back."
In the classroom, Xiao Youran, who was in the middle of a lesson, was startled when she saw the text message and immediately stood up from her seat.
Her unusual behavior did not escape the notice of her roommates.
Cheng Lu and An Shishi, sitting behind her, both looked over with interest.
At this moment, the teacher at the podium was still lecturing.
Xiao Youran realized she had been too impulsive after standing up.
Luckily, she reacted quickly and came up with an excuse, saying she needed to go to the restroom.
After getting the teacher's permission, she quickly left the classroom.
"Xiao Xu, are you back? Where are you now?"
"Hehe, I'm having a meal in your school's cafeteria."
"Wait for me, I'll be there soon." Xiao Youran was overjoyed.
She couldn't stop smiling.
Xiao Youran ran to the cafeteria, quickly finding Xu Xiuwen eating by the window.
Just as she was about to call out Xiao Xu's name, she suddenly remembered something.
She quickly stopped, took a few deep breaths to calm herself, smoothed out her skirt, and then, with a cute smile, called out sweetly, "Xiao Xu~"
Upon hearing the voice, Xu Xiuwen turned and saw Xiao Youran approaching.
He didn't say much but simply waved at her.
Xiao Youran walked over with a smile. "Xiao Xu~"
"I'm just eating. I'm starving."
"Mm-hmm."
Watching Xu Xiuwen gobble down his food, Xiao Youran couldn't help but laugh, "Why are you eating so fast? Slow down."
"I haven't eaten all day."
"Huh? How come you haven't eaten all day?"
"I've been too busy, didn't have time to eat."
"Then hurry up and eat. I won't disturb you." Xiao Youran was worried about delaying Xu Xiuwen's meal and quickly closed her mouth.
She sat down across from him, propped her chin on her hands, and smiled as she watched him eat.
Her focused look made it seem as if she were gazing at a masterpiece.
Xu Xiuwen finished his lunch quickly.
"Alright, I'm full."
Immediately, Xu Xiuwen waved at Xiao Youran again.
"What is it?"
"Come here."
"Aren't I right here?"
"Come a little closer."
"What's up?" Xiao Youran asked, though her body obediently moved from her seat to stand in front of Xu Xiuwen.
Xu Xiuwen pulled her into his lap.
Xiao Youran's face turned red.
"Xiao Xu, there are other people here."
Xu Xiuwen spoke domineeringly, "I'm hugging my own girlfriend. What does it have to do with other people? Can they control it?"
Seeing Xu Xiuwen's domineering manner, Xiao Youran chuckled.
She also wrapped her arms around Xu Xiuwen and stopped speaking.
"Do you miss me?"
"Mm."
"Where do you miss me?"
"Huh?" Xiao Youran was not so worldly.
If it were An Shishi, she would understand immediately.
Although Xiao Youran had some experience, she was still quite innocent and didn't fully grasp Xu Xiuwen's meaning.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled and changed his approach. "When do you miss me?"
"Every night."
"And during the day?"
"During the day… occasionally."
Xu Xiuwen immediately said, "That's not fair."
"What's unfair?" Xiao Youran couldn't quite follow Xu Xiuwen's line of thinking.
"You only miss me at night and occasionally during the day, but I'm always thinking about you. It's very unfair to me."
Xiao Youran burst into laughter at Xu Xiuwen's playful complaint.
Xiao Youran's beautiful smile was truly captivating.
Her radiant grin was incredibly charming.
Xu Xiuwen's heart warmed at the sight, and he instinctively leaned in to kiss the corner of her mouth.
Xiao Youran was startled by the sudden kiss but relaxed a bit once she realized it was Xu Xiuwen.
Although she liked Xu Xiuwen very much and enjoyed being affectionate with him, they were in a cafeteria where students were constantly coming and going.
She was shy and uncomfortable with showing such intimacy in front of so many strangers.
So, Xiao Youran eventually pushed Xu Xiuwen away.
Her face flushed as she said, "Not here."
"Alright," Xu Xiuwen agreed without pressing the matter.
After a few seconds of quiet, Xiao Youran suddenly said, "Xiao Xu, the college entrance exam is the day after tomorrow."
"Mm, I know. What about it?"
"I saw Xiao Yu the night before last. Isn't she about to take the college entrance exam?"
Xu Xiuwen was momentarily taken aback by Xiao Youran's mention of Xiao Yu.
"I haven't seen Xiao Yu in a long time. How about you?"
Xu Xiuwen snapped back to reality and replied, "Same here."
Xiao Youran suddenly grinned, "Xiao Xu~"
"Hmm?"
"I have to tell you something. Xiao Yu is really beautiful now and has such an elegant demeanor."
Xu Xiuwen laughed, "It sounds like you're saying Xiao Yu wasn't beautiful before. If she hears you say she wasn't pretty, she might get upset."
"Oh no, that's not what I meant! I meant she's even more beautiful now."
"Is that so? Then I should find a chance to see her."
"Hmph~" Xiao Youran suddenly made a huff and turned her head away, clearly signaling: I'm upset, come and make it up to me.
"Still sulking, are we?"
"You're the one being petty!" Xiao Youran said, annoyed.
"Whoever is sulking is petty."
"I'm not sulking."
"Good."
Xiao Youran knew she couldn't win the argument.
She changed the subject and asked, "Xiao Xu~ who do you think is more beautiful, me or Xiao Yu?"
Xu Xiuwen hadn't seen Jiang Ruoyu in a long time.
He didn't know who was more beautiful now.
But he wasn't going to fall into that trap.
"Of course it's you, silly."
"Really?" Xiao Youran was delighted, her eyes squinting with joy.
"Of course it's true."
"Then who do you like more?"
"Obviously, it's you."
"Nope."
"What's wrong?"
"When we were little, you always bullied me and never bothered Xiao Yu. You clearly liked Xiao Yu more!"
Xu Xiuwen couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at how adorably silly you are."
"You're the silly one."
"Didn't you know that boys often bully girls to get their attention? I used to tease you when we were kids. Doesn't that mean I liked you more from the start?"
"So you had your eye on me back then, you bad guy!" Xiao Youran said with a scolding tone, but her smile was undeniable.
Xiao Youran suddenly sighed, "I miss the times when the three of us played together. I wonder if we'll have another chance in the future."
"When Xiao Yu also comes to Jinling, I'll treat both of you to a meal. We'll get to play together again soon."
"Sounds great."
"But…"
"But what?" Xu Xiuwen asked.
"But what if Xiao Yu doesn't do well on the exam?" Xiao Youran replied.
"Xiao Yu has always had better grades than us. You don't need to worry about her."
Xiao Youran shook her head, "I know she's good at studying. It's just… when I saw her a few days ago, she didn't look well."
"Don't worry. Auntie Gu will take good care of Xiao Yu."
"Mm." Xiao Youran felt reassured by Xu Xiuwen's words and let go of her worries.
As evening approached, Xu Xiuwen cooked dinner at home.
Xiao Youran arrived, along with Cheng Lu, An Shishi, and Song Siyu.
Xiao Youran had wanted to enjoy a private evening with Xu Xiuwen.
But instead, her roommates showed up, including Xu Xiuwen's official girlfriend, Cheng Lu.
This made Xiao Youran somewhat sulky.
Her jealousy grew stronger.
After dinner, the girls cleaned up—some washed the dishes, some mopped the floor, and others took out the trash.
Xu Xiuwen, meanwhile, relaxed on the sofa like a landlord.
At this moment, his phone suddenly rang.
He picked it up and saw an unknown number.
After a moment's hesitation, he answered.
"Hello…"
"Is this Xiao Xu?"
A familiar voice came through the receiver.
Xu Xiuwen immediately recognized it as Auntie Gu's voice.
"Auntie Gu?"
"Yes, it's me, Xiao Xu." Auntie Gu's voice was filled with surprise.
Xu Xiuwen glanced at the girls in the kitchen and then went out to the balcony.
He closed the sliding glass door behind him and asked, "Auntie Gu, how did you get my number?"
Auntie Gu explained, "I asked your mother for it."
"I see. Is there something you need?"
As soon as Xu Xiuwen asked this, the line suddenly went quiet.
Then a soft sobbing sound came through.
"Auntie Gu, are you crying?" Xu Xiuwen asked urgently.
"What happened? Don't cry, please tell me."
Although Auntie Gu was an elder, at this moment, the roles seemed reversed.
Xu Xiuwen felt like the elder, while Auntie Gu seemed like a child in distress.
Auntie Gu wiped her tears and denied, "I'm not crying."
Xu Xiuwen didn't believe her but didn't press further.
Sometimes pushing too hard isn't helpful.
"If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know."
Auntie Gu said, "Xiao Xu, I'm at my wit's end."
"It's alright, just tell me."
"Xiao Yu is sick, and I don't know what to do!"
Xu Xiuwen's heart sank.
He suddenly remembered Xiao Youran mentioning earlier that Xiao Yu didn't look well.
"What happened? How did she get sick?"
"Xiao Yu hasn't been herself since she woke up today. She's vomited three times this morning. I took her to the doctor, but they couldn't find anything wrong, just advised her to get an IV."
"And then?"
"The doctor said it might be vomiting due to psychological stress."
"Stress?" Xu Xiuwen could only think of the upcoming college entrance exam.
"Is it because of the exam?"
"I don't know. No matter how much I ask her, she won't say."
"I see. That's indeed a tricky situation."
Auntie Gu said, "Xiao Xu, are you free tomorrow?"
"I'm available."
"Xiao Xu, you and Xiao Yu are the same age and have grown up together. It might be easier for you to talk to her. Can you help Auntie?"
Xu Xiuwen didn't hesitate at all.
"Alright, Auntie. I'll come over now. Which hospital is Xiao Yu in?"
"No need to come now. It's too late, and driving at night isn't safe."
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll come tomorrow morning."
"Thank you, Xiao Xu. Auntie is counting on you."
"It's nothing, Auntie Gu. It's the least I can do. Which hospital is Xiao Yu in?"
"We're back from the hospital already. She's done with the IV."
"Okay, I understand."
"Well, Xiao Xu, you can continue with your activities. I won't disturb you any longer."
"Alright, Auntie Gu."
After ending the call, Xu Xiuwen was filled with questions.
Why would Xiao Yu suddenly be so stressed that she's vomiting?
He didn't recall hearing about this in his past life.
Of course, it might be because he was also preparing for the college entrance exam back then, so no one mentioned it to him.
In any case, Xu Xiuwen decided to visit Jiang Ruoyu the next day.