The next second, a concise question mark appeared in the chat box—?
Lin Zhexia typed a reply: Come to my house for dinner later.
Oh
Afraid Chi Yao might overthink, she further explained: It’s not me inviting you, it’s my mom.
Chi Yao replied: Got it.
Having delivered the message, Lin Zhexia was about to close the chat window.
Her finger paused, remembering the scene at noon, and finally typed: I think, in the future, you should try to be a decent person.
At that moment, the bus circled the enclosing wall, heading toward the school, and soon the military training base became distant and blurred.
After Chi Yao went home to put away his things and take a shower, Lin Zhexia dragged him toward her house.
Chi Yao’s hair was still wet as he followed behind her: “Are you reincarnated from a starving ghost?”
Lin Zhexia didn’t look back: “I am very hungry, walk faster.”
She pulled Chi Yao by the edge of his clothes all the way, then pushed open the door and called out: “Mom—I’ve brought him, let’s eat quickly.”
Compared to Chi Yao’s cold and quiet home, the Lin household appeared much more lively.
Wei Ping sat on the sofa, examining his newly purchased telescope. Seeing Chi Yao arrive, he pushed his glasses and greeted: “Chi Yao, come sit here, help uncle figure out how to use this telescope.”
Lin He was busy in the kitchen, ladling soup from the pot.
Lin Zhexia said, “Mom, let me help you,” but sneaked into the kitchen to steal a piece of Coca-Cola chicken wing.
Lin He called out, “Did you wash your hands?”
Lin Zhexia mumbled with the chicken wing in her mouth: “I did.”
Lin He: “As if! Go wash your hands now.”
Lin Zhexia: “Too late now.”
When all the dishes were served, everyone gathered around the table for dinner.
Chi Yao accepted the chopsticks: “Thank you, Auntie Lin.”
Lin He smiled: “No need for such formality. Eat more; today I made all your favorites.”
Lin Zhexia thought to herself that no wonder, besides the Coca-Cola chicken wings, the other dishes on the table were somewhat different from usual: “Who’s the biological child here? What about my favorites?”
Lin He laughed and lightly tapped her head, only this time it was a cold laugh: “You should be grateful to have anything to eat.”
“…”
Chi Yao often ate at their home.
When they were young, the “sickly” Chi Yao ate very bland food. Whenever he came to her house, she had to eat those tasteless dishes alongside him.
By the time they finished dinner, it was already dark.
Lin Zhexia took two popsicles from the refrigerator, gave one to Chi Yao, and the two walked around the neighborhood to aid digestion.
She had grabbed them randomly, so she asked: “What flavor is yours?”
Chi Yao: “See for yourself.”
For some reason, Lin Zhexia always felt his popsicle seemed tastier: “Let’s swap.”
Chi Yao did not react.
Lin Zhexia thought for a moment and proposed a new suggestion: “How about you just don’t eat it?”
This time, Chi Yao reacted; he raised his hand and made a gesture as if to pinch the back of Lin Zhexia’s neck.
His fingers had just been holding the popsicle, so his fingertips carried a distinct coolness. He pinched very lightly, the weight falling like a feather. Lin Zhexia shrank her neck, feeling cold.
The two walked side by side and happened to meet He Yang.
He Yang had also just finished military training, his entire person tanned like a coal ball: “Damn, you two didn’t go to military training?”
Lin Zhexia: “We did, five days.”
He Yang pointed at Chi Yao again: “He went too?”
“Then how come neither of you got tanned?” He Yang pointed at himself. “I applied sunscreen, but still got tanned like this. What’s with you two? Why is it so unfair?”
Lin Zhexia didn’t have the heart to tell him that Chi Yao hadn’t even used sunscreen.
She patted He Yang’s shoulder, and as she passed by, she broke off half of the crushed ice popsicle from Chi Yao’s hand and gave it to him: “Try a different sunscreen brand next time. The one you bought might not be very effective.”
He Yang looked toward Chi Yao: “Really? Is it the sunscreen’s problem? Which sunscreen do you use? Recommend one.”
Chi Yao glanced at him: “I suggest you reincarnate.”
He Yang: “…”
After the three gathered together, their stroll led them to Chi Yao’s home.
Lin Zhexia, having finished her popsicle, sat idly on the sofa for a while, then suddenly punched He Yang.
He Yang was bewildered by the punch: “What are you doing?”