Chapter 44: Come to My House for Dinner

Yuhang replied coldly, “I have no desire to get beaten up by Chen Li!” Yet, despite his words, Yuhang still picked up the luggage he’d originally planned to leave at school and followed Minghan home. Bathed in the light of the setting sun, the scene was breathtakingly beautiful.

As they walked, the two of them discussed the events of the previous night. Upon learning that Lin Jingjing had feelings for Minghan, Yuhang was utterly astonished. He pinched Minghan’s cheek and asked, “Is this face of yours really that irresistible to girls?”

Minghan laughed triumphantly, “Don’t worry, Yuhang! You’re the only one I care about. True love only exists between men.”

Yuhang rolled his eyes so hard it was almost audible…

Their friendship, although it had started over Japanese adult films—a rather shallow foundation—now had the support of shared interests, and so they spent even more time together.

“What’s Daxu been up to lately?” Ever since the summer break began, Daxu seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Yuhang scoffed, “The moment vacation started, he disappeared into an internet café! He ranked in the top 150 this time, so now he has nothing to worry about. Rumor has it he’s about to reach Supreme in the Arena.”

He was talking about a game; Supreme was the highest rank in that game.

Daxu had been obsessed with Dungeon Fighter Online since seventh grade, pouring his heart into it. Naturally, his skills were top-notch by now!

“Let’s not talk about Daxu! Minghan, didn’t Chen Li give you a hard time last night?” Yuhang teased.

Minghan sighed helplessly and recounted the events of the previous night to Yuhang.

Yuhang burst out laughing. “Minghan, if you don’t explain things to Chen Li, I bet she won’t speak to you for the rest of the summer!”

Minghan couldn’t help but think that girls’ moods were truly hard to decipher—one moment sweet, the next stormy.

“So what should I do?” Minghan smacked his forehead, looking utterly lost.

Yuhang shook his head, “Don’t ask me, damn it, I’ve never been in a relationship either! But tonight, invite her out for dinner—just be extra attentive and charming!”

Well, it seemed there was no better option.

He took out his phone and dialed Chen Li’s number. It took about thirty seconds before she answered, “What?”

Minghan said, “Can’t I call you without a reason? Haha! Chen Li, want to grab dinner tonight if you’re free?”

Chen Li thought Minghan was calling to apologize, which sweetened her mood. “Alright.”

“I’ll pick you up in front of the supermarket near your place, okay?”

When the call ended, Minghan let out a sigh of relief. He’d expected Chen Li to turn him down coldly, but it seemed her temper had improved.

What he didn’t know was that she had changed her own principles because of him.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chen Li was bustling about at home—washing her hair, picking out clothes…

At six in the evening, Minghan appeared punctually at the supermarket near Chen Li’s house.

Chen Li felt a bit shy when she first saw Minghan—just the two of them, alone together on a bike, was more than a little suggestive.

“Chen Li, I’ve come to pick you up in my BMW,” he joked.

In a crowd, this boy was truly striking. He stood at six feet tall, wore white canvas shoes, and carried a crossbody bag. His hair fell slightly over his eyes, giving him a handsome, radiant look.

Blushing, Chen Li climbed onto the back seat of Minghan’s bicycle.

Minghan rode slowly, and they meandered through the streets, taking in the ever-changing scenery.

“Minghan, will you still give me rides like this when you’re twenty?” Chen Li’s voice was so soft it was barely audible.

Minghan didn’t quite catch it. “When I’m twenty, I’ll be busy getting ready for the college entrance exams. Still, Chen Li, I really hope you’ll always be by my side.”

Perhaps Minghan hadn’t given much thought to their relationship, but he cherished every moment he spent with Chen Li.

Chen Li responded sweetly with a gentle hum.

That evening, Minghan was straightforward and took her directly to his mother’s restaurant for dinner.

The place wasn’t large, but business was good. Many customers came to enjoy food and drinks.

By the time Minghan arrived, Yuhang was already there, chatting happily with Su Yan.

Yuhang had a knack for making people laugh, and Su Yan was so amused she could hardly keep a straight face.

“Mom, I’ll be eating here tonight!” Minghan announced.

Su Yan’s eyes lit up when she saw Chen Li sitting on the back of Minghan’s bike.

“Hello, Auntie! I’m Minghan’s classmate,” Chen Li greeted politely.

Su Yan burst into laughter, delighted. “Order whatever you like; there’s nothing I can’t make.”

“We love everything you cook, Auntie…” Yuhang chimed in smoothly.

Su Yan bustled off to work, but not before dragging Minghan aside. “You rascal, are you dating now? Bringing a girl home already—isn’t that a bit hasty?”

Minghan waved his hands, “I’m not dating, we’re just friends.”

Su Yan pinched his cheek gently. “Son, your mother doesn’t approve of you dating right now. But! This girl is someone you should befriend. When you get to college, you should try to win her heart. She’s beautiful and seems very sweet…”

Minghan was speechless—his mother was already planning out his future for him.

With a look of utter resignation, Minghan returned and sat down beside Chen Li.

“Daxu and Huang Ying will be joining us too…”

Minghan nodded. The more, the merrier.

“What’s wrong?” Chen Li asked with concern.

“Chen Li, if my mom asks you any strange questions, just ignore her, okay? She’s not very proper. I have no idea how someone like her ended up with such a calm and steady son like me.” By the end, Minghan was even praising himself.

Yuhang could hardly listen anymore. Calm? Proper? Did he really not realize he and his mother were cut from the same cloth?

Chen Li laughed, “I actually think your mother is adorable!”

Minghan managed a wry smile. Adorable? If his mom heard that, she’d probably be over the moon.

Soon, the table was covered with dishes, more than enough to fill it to the brim.

“Wow, Su Yan, you’ve outdone yourself! Is this a banquet?” Minghan was dumbfounded—how could five people eat all that food?

“These dishes are to welcome Lili for her first visit to my restaurant. Is that a problem?” Su Yan replied matter-of-factly.

“Lili”—using such a cringeworthy nickname—Minghan felt he could barely tolerate his mother anymore.

But Chen Li was delighted. She was genuinely happy that Minghan’s mother liked her so much. “Thank you, Auntie!”

“Eat plenty. Later, I’ll have Minghan take you home,” Su Yan said.

Minghan looked at the two women, one older, one younger, treating each other with such respect and affection. The scene felt oddly intimate, almost like a daughter-in-law meeting her mother-in-law for the first time—he was nearly moved to tears.

Yuhang kept his head down, busily eating, occasionally snickering to himself.

After dinner, Minghan borrowed his mother’s electric bike to take Chen Li home.

“Chen Li, you’re not still upset about last night, are you?” Minghan asked.

Chen Li huffed, “Minghan, you said yourself you wouldn’t date in middle school. Don’t let yourself get carried away…”