Wang Peng mentioned the old place, and Yang Xiao knew exactly where it was.
It was a barbecue restaurant on the edge of the university town, not expensive, very affordable.
Yang Xiao and Wang Peng were both poor ghosts back then. So the most upscale thing they would do was to go to that barbecue restaurant.
As time passed and they visited more often, they developed a fondness for the place. Whenever there was something important to consider, the first place they thought of was definitely there.
"Well, don't just stand there, let's get going," Yang Xiao said, feeling a slight thrill at the thought of that place.
Having spent five years inside, although life was pretty good, he always yearned for the outside world.
Now having the chance to visit once again his favorite place from the past, Yang Xiao certainly wouldn't refuse.
Leaving home, the two of them headed towards the university town.
As they approached, they immediately felt the different atmosphere of the place.
It was evening, and many young couples from the schools had started to appear.
Hand in hand, they would get cozy by the roadside. Some couldn't wait and headed straight for hotels.
Watching them, Yang Xiao seemed to see his younger self. Thinking back on his own youth, he too had his green days. But now, he was already the father of a four-year-old child.
After passing through several small alleys in front of the school, they finally saw the barbecue restaurant.
Although it had been five years, the place hadn't changed at all.
"Oh, it's you two! Five years, and I can't believe you've actually come back," the proprietress recognized Yang Xiao and Wang Peng at a glance.
"With the proprietress looking so beautiful, of course we had to come back!" Wang Peng squinted and said with a cheeky smile.
Five years ago, this proprietress was quite famous in the university town. In her late twenties, with a good figure and pretty face, there were many who dubbed her the Barbecue Beauty!
Now, five years later, the proprietress had put on weight, and her face was a bit sallow. Nevertheless, one could say that her charm was still present.
"You chubby little thing, still as glib as ever. What would you like to eat today?" The proprietress didn't get angry at Wang Peng's jest.
After all, numerous students have teased her in the same vein.
There was no real harm done, and such banter could even boost the business of the barbecue joint, so there was nothing really to be angry about, right?
"Since the proprietress remembers us, let's have the usual! But double the portion. We are rich folks now," Wang Peng boasted, patting his chest.
Back when they had no money, they never quite ate their fill. But now, the cost of a barbecue meal was absolutely no concern.
"Alright then, find a seat and I'll get everything ready for you," the proprietress agreed and hurried off to tend to their order.
Wang Peng and Yang Xiao found a suitable spot and sat down.
In the twilight, there weren't many customers in the restaurant. Glancing over, you'd see just a few people bustling about.
"Yang Xiao, what are your plans for the future?"
Wang Peng, while pouring water for Yang Xiao, asked seriously.
Both were not getting any younger, and obviously, they couldn't just keep drifting along like this—especially Yang Xiao, who had just come out and didn't have a job yet.
Hearing the question, Yang Xiao sighed softly and shook his head, "I haven't thought about it yet."
For Yang Xiao, his daughter was currently the most important thing.
He needed to cure his daughter's illness first, then clear up the issues from the past. After clearing the obstacles for Chen Yufei and her daughter, then it would be time to think about his own matters.
Of course, this matter couldn't be told to Wang Peng.
Even though Wang Peng was his good brother, the fewer people who knew about Chen Yufei having a child, the better.
"You should also start thinking about it! But there's no rush, you can stay at my place for now. I, Wang Peng, may not have many skills, but feeding you is no problem. If I have something to eat, so will you."
"Then it's settled!" Yang Xiao didn't decline at all.
In his current situation, without Wang Peng, Yang Xiao really would have no place to call home.
While they were talking, a female customer came into the barbecue restaurant.
She was dressed brightly, sashaying as she walked.
However, her profile seemed somewhat haggard.
Yang Xiao glanced at her casually, his gaze not initially focusing on her. But then something suddenly crossed his mind, and he took a closer look.
With that second look, Yang Xiao was immediately surprised.
"No way, what a coincidence?" Yang Xiao whispered to himself.
"What's so coincidental?" Wang Peng hadn't seen the woman, so he had no idea what was happening.
"Wang Peng, look at that woman, doesn't she look a bit..." Yang Xiao pointed at the woman.
Wang Peng followed Yang Xiao's gesture and took a quick glance, then immediately exclaimed, "It's her!"
"Shh!" Yang Xiao immediately signaled for Wang Peng to be quiet.
"This is too much of a coincidence! Eating barbecue and we run into her? The world is too small. Yang Xiao, what's on your mind now? Do you want to go and say hello? You were just looking at her photo at home a moment ago!" Wang Peng asked.
The woman he and Yang Xiao saw was none other than Yang Xiao's ex-girlfriend, Zhu Li.
Even though they hadn't seen each other for five years and her appearance and figure had changed quite a bit, Yang Xiao still recognized Zhu Li immediately.
Wang Peng had recently seen Zhu Li, so naturally, he recognized her as well.
But such a coincidence to see her here was something Wang Peng hadn't expected.
"Wang Peng, why do you think she would come here? Didn't you say that she married a rich man? Would a rich man come to a place like this to eat barbecue?" Yang Xiao asked in a low voice.
Wang Peng shook his head, "No way! Only students and poor people come to this place, the wealthy care about hygiene, about class! Why would they ever take a fancy to a place like this?"
"Then it's strange! Why did she come here? And she's alone too."
"Psh, if you want to know, why don't you just go and ask? If you're too shy, then I'll go ask," Wang Peng offered.
"Don't go, let's pretend we didn't see her! Our spot isn't easy for others to notice," Yang Xiao stopped him.
Even though she was close at hand, Yang Xiao didn't want to have a reunion with Zhu Li.
Whether it was his current circumstances or Zhu Li's, neither was suitable for a reunion.
"Ah, 'what is this thing called love, that could make people promise life and death to each other so easily?'" Wang Peng sighed.
Although he couldn't fully understand what Yang Xiao was feeling at the moment, he could sympathize to a great extent.
"How about we go somewhere else? What if we accidentally bump into her later?" Yang Xiao suddenly suggested.
"Leave? Why? You haven't done anything wrong!"
"Don't worry about it, let's just go," Yang Xiao said as he got up to leave.
But at that moment, a large group of people entered the barbecue restaurant. And leading them was someone Yang Xiao and Wang Peng both knew.