"Hello, Uncle."
"Hello."
After putting the keys back in their usual spot at the door and seeing the familiar business car and ’driver’, Lin Li gave a proper greeting and quickly sat back in his original seat.
Chen Yu Ying was still sitting in the passenger seat, keeping an eye on Chen Zhongping.
The vehicle started, bidding farewell to the mountain pavilion.
The girls were surprisingly quiet this ti, as each was busy selecting photos for their social dia, with ssages popping up non-stop in the group chat.
Even Bai Bufan was choosing pictures for his social dia.
"No need to fuss over selfies, no one looks at them anyway." Glancing over, Lin Li’s voice drifted lightly.
Bai Bufan: "...Damn."
That one stung a bit.
Seeing his friend’s mouth about to continue, Bai Bufan stretched out a hand to stop him:
"Lin Li, a kind word brings warmth to a cold winter,"
"Bufan, a harsh word is truly fun to hear."
Lin Li imdiately chid in.
Bai Bufan: "?"
"Save it for later, just for Bao Wei."
While harsh words can be fun, Bai Bufan attempted to convince Lin Li to save these words to curse Zhou Baowei later.
"No worries, we’re all buddies here, everyone’s fair ga; you get a slap, and Bao Wei gets two." Lin Li generously offered.
"You think you’re... so handso?" Unable to joke along, Bai Bufan could only retaliate, but instinctively his words lacked power.
"Ha." Lin Li scoffed, brushing his hair back, "Right now, my stunning looks hold up the entire Class 4 of the first high school year, I’m the definite face of the class."
"Phooey—"
But Lin Li’s self-praise imdiately drew disdain from Ding Sihan and Qu Wanqiu behind him.
Instead, Bai Bufan nodded in approval.
Lin Li gave a smug smile, as if to say, "See, I was genuinely praised by Bai Bufan."
"I don’t see you as the face of the class, but Lin Li, you definitely resemble a foundation; just looking at you makes want to use a pile driver on your face a few tis." Bai Bufan said.
Eh?
Lin Li: "Scram."
Ding Sihan and Qu Wanqiu burst into laughter.
"Dare to talk to like this, was your mom bought in bulk?"
Frustrated, Lin Li chose to lash out, yet given they were in a car, not a single mother was truly "consud."
...
In reverse order from the way there, they first dropped off Qu Wanqiu and Bai Bufan, and the car returned to Nansang.
Lin Li’s residential area appeared in front of them.
"OK, bye, see you tomorrow." With no luggage, Lin Li got out after opening the car door and greeted Ding Sihan and Chen Yu Ying.
"See you tomorrow."
"Lin Li." At this mont, the driver’s window rolled down, and Chen Zhongping called out to Lin Li walking towards the residential area.
"What’s up, Uncle?"
Chen Zhongping: "Are you interested in visiting a cent factory?"
Chen Yu Ying: "?"
Lin Li: "!"
"Of course, if there’s a chance, I’d definitely go." Lin Li nodded without hesitation, his eyes shining.
After all, he was sorted by the sorting hat into the civil engineering departnt.
Besides, mixing concrete seed quite fun before it beca a job; if there’s a chance, why not take a tour!
"Great, I’ll call you when the opportunity arises. You definitely have the makings of a pillar." Seeing Lin Li so on board, Chen Zhongping didn’t hesitate to complint him.
"Thank you, Uncle." Lin Li bowed slightly in thanks, then quietly glanced at Chen Yu Ying.
"Thanks, class president."
But Lin Li, passing this look, saw the sa confusion in her eyes.
Eh? So it wasn’t the class president who put in a good word for him with her dad? Then why is Old Deng suddenly so nice to him?
Seeing Lin Li politely thanking him, Chen Zhongping nodded approvingly.
...
Returning to the residential area, Lin Li went upstairs, used the key to open his ho door, and saw Wu Min sitting on the sofa watching the living room TV.
"Back ho?" Wu Min inquired.
Lin Li looked down at himself already inside the house, thought about it, and stepped back out: "I’m not back yet."
Wu Min: "?"
This was Lin Li’s vocal rebellion against the human habit of asking redundant questions.
Just like when Bai Bufan ca out of the bathroom, there was always soone who would casually ask, "Having a al?"
Utterly absurd, did they think Bai Bufan went to the bathroom to eat a al, instead of, you know, using it?
"Sister Min, what’s for dinner?" Lin Li re-entered, took off his shoes, and asked.
Earlier today, Lin Li had already inford Wu Min that he would be back before dinner.
So there was definitely dinner prepared at ho.
"Dongpo pork, garlic vermicelli shrimp, scallion oil fish, sweet and sour ribs..." Wu Min imdiately started listing the dishes.
Lin Li was a bit moved: "Mom, I’ve only been away for a few days, there’s no need to make so much. I can’t finish it. It’s so sumptuous, it’s like I haven’t been ho in four years."
Feeling moved, Lin Li eagerly lifted the food cover.
Wow, a golden legend.
On the dining table was a whole plate of dried small shrimps!
That’s all.
Lin Li’s smile froze on his face. He returned to the living room to question Wu Min: "Mom, where are my Dongpo pork, garlic vermicelli shrimp, scallion oil fish, and other dishes filled with motherly love?"
Wu Min didn’t even lift her eyelids, focused on watching TV: "That’s the nu from the community canteen today. If you’re hungry later, get there early. They cook less during holidays, go late, and it might be sold out."
Lin Li: "?"
"No cooking at ho?" Lin Li was incredulous.
Even though he had announced he wouldn’t eat dinner at ho in advance.
"Just , why bother cooking? It’s better to eat sothing good out, especially when you’re not here, I might as well splurge." Wu Min laughed cheerfully.
Don’t disturb , let think.
"Mom, I have a heartfelt question. Am I really your biological son? If I was picked up from a heap of trash, just tell , I can accept it." Thoughtful Lin Li, heartbroken, said.
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