Amused yet suppressing laughter, Liu Xiaoyan covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to burst into laughter but unable to conceal her amusement, her eyes brimming with mirth.
Wang Ziming, with a disheartened face, dusted himself off and cautiously settled onto the nearby chair, not daring to make a sound.
"Ah, Ziming, how old are you this year?" Lin Yu asked, assuming an air of mature authority.
"I'm twenty-nine," Wang Ziming replied meekly, sounding more like a nursery tot, even softer in tone than Liu Xiaoyan. It was barely audible.
"You're twenty-nine and still aimlessly roaming outside. Is that commendable?" Lin Yu spoke with emphasis and gravity.
"Not commendable, not commendable..." Wang Ziming continuously wiped off the beads of sweat on his forehead, whispering.
"If you know it's not commendable, why persist in such a manner? Go back, get a decent job. The old factory site of the Gear Factory is about to be demolished, right? Go find some work there. Stop idling outside all day. It saves your family from worrying, doesn't it?" Lin Yu patted his shoulder, advising.
"Yes, yes, I'll go tomorrow." Wang Ziming didn't dare to refute, just nodding fervently like a pecking chicken.
"That's right, being obedient is being a good boy. Let's go. Remember what you said. I hope to see you at the construction site tomorrow morning, alright?" Lin Yu smiled gently.
"Okay, okay, okay!" Wang Ziming hastily stood up, bowed, and hurriedly escaped from this terrifying place.
"See, what did I tell you before dinner? Is everything fine now? Resolved?" Lin Yu chewed on a bamboo shoot, watching Liu Xiaoyan with a cheerful smile.
However, unnoticed, Liu Xiaoyan had subtly shifted away, now seated at a distance, not as close as she was a moment ago.
"What's wrong?" Lin Yu looked around, momentarily surprised, wondering if he had pricked her unknowingly.
"Little Yu Ge, you seem different from before." Liu Xiaoyan murmured softly, not daring to lift her head, her gaze fixed on the large copper basin used for the hotpot, speaking cautiously.
"What's different?" Lin Yu found it amusing, realizing he might have startled Liu Xiaoyan earlier, feeling somewhat apologetic.
"Well, you... Little Yu Ge, are you the same as those people, from the same group?" Liu Xiaoyan hesitated for a long time, finally bit her lip, and cautiously asked. Simultaneously, her eyes showed concern, as if she found it deeply distressing that Lin Yu had "fallen" to a point where he was addressed as a big brother by a significant figure in the Black Society.
"Nonsense, how could I be the same as them? That guy Zhao Guang is someone I casually met. It's quite amusing actually; he was swimming in the park yesterday and nearly drowned. I saved him, so he's grateful. This Prince Ming yesterday morning said he hangs out with Zhao Guang, so I just brought Zhao Guang here. It's that simple. Yan, you can't seriously suspect that I'm some big brother from the Black Society, can you? Have you ever seen a Black Society boss that looks like a beggar?" Lin Yu shook his head and chuckled.
"Really?" Liu Xiaoyan's eyes brightened, though she still seemed skeptical.
"Truly, truer than pearls. Oh, what nonsense goes on in your little head all day? I am a teacher, and I could mingle with those degenerate scoundrels? Really." Lin Yu put on an air of righteousness.
"You just got hired today; you're acting all high and mighty." Liu Xiaoyan scoffed, but she had moved closer again, sitting by his side, her face beaming as if relieved that Lin Yu hadn't plunged into the abyss of the Black Society, leaving Lin Yu inwardly amused by her purity and how easily he could deceive her.
"You're shuffling around so much. Aren't you tired?" Lin Yu teased her intentionally.
"I'm willing. Do you have a say?" Liu Xiaoyan blushed, glared at him, and then continued to meticulously pick skewers for him, delicately placing the skewered food into his bowl.
After all the commotion and an afternoon of skirmishes with Zhang Xinran, Lin Yu was genuinely hungry. He indulged himself, and Liu Xiaoyan sat contentedly by his side, occasionally eating a few skewers, her face radiant with happiness, seemingly delighted that Lin Yu hadn't fallen into the vile abyss of the Black Society. Lin Yu felt a warmth and contentment in his heart, observing her pure and easily pleased demeanor.
After devouring about thirty skewers, downing two bottles of beer, and finishing a bucket of fried rice with soy sauce, Lin Yu finally put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and quipped, "Yan, did you bankrupt yourself?"
"As long as you're happy eating, it doesn't matter if I go bankrupt," Liu Xiaoyan chuckled.
"My darling Xiaoyan, you're quite the charmer, truly my little sister. Alright, we're full and merry; let's leave." Lin Yu, with a contented round belly, stood up, laughing heartily as he walked out.
However, when they went to pay the bill, the bartender informed them that someone else had already settled it. Liu Xiaoyan was surprised again, but Lin Yu didn't pay it much mind, silently nodding to himself, "Zhao Guang has a good eye; he's got a clear mind. These years, the big brother hasn't wasted his time for nothing."
Despite the twists and turns during the meal, it ended satisfactorily, almost meeting expectations. Xiao Yan was very pleased, and Lin Yu was also content.
Humming a little tune, Lin Yu reached home, flopping onto the sofa. As he turned on the TV, Grandma Lin eagerly sat beside him, repeatedly asking, "Xiao Yu, how did it go?"
"What 'how did it go'?" Lin Yu rolled his eyes, pretending not to understand.
"You little rascal, don't play dumb with me. I'm asking about your meal with Xiao Yan. Also, did you make her pay? You, this boy, always carefree, don't forget about this matter." Grandma Lin knocked his head playfully, chiding with a smile.
"Ah, Grandma, what's the big deal about a meal? As long as we're well-fed, that's enough. What else result do you expect?" Lin Yu sighed, feeling somewhat frustrated by Grandma's gossiping nature.
"I'm asking you about this! I wanted to ask you..." Before Grandma Lin could finish her sentence, Lin Yu's gaze fixed on the TV, his eyes widening because he had just spotted a familiar face on the screen...