“I heard there’s a new internet café in town. Xiaoyuan, are you going?”
Early in the morning, Tang Chengmin was already urging his little cousin to go with him.
Back home, there was no computer.
He only had a small laptop, which was mainly for school projects, and its specs weren’t enough to run any bigger games—it would probably struggle even with the slightest demand.
“When?”
Lin Xinyuan felt bored anyway; that annoying Huangmao was busy again and couldn’t bother with her…
“Tonight?”
At the sound of this, Lin Xinyuan hesitated slightly.
Although going at night would be more atmospheric, wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous?
Besides, she wasn’t sure how her mother and the others would feel about it…
“It’s fine, don’t worry! We can book a private room.”
Seeing her hesitation, Tang Chengmin gave a sly smile. “We can sneak out a bit later if we want.”
Lin Xinyuan hadn’t expected that her seemingly steady second cousin would have such a rebellious side.
After thinking it over for a moment, she agreed.
“Alright then…”
As long as her mother and the others didn’t find out, and they came back early, it should be fine.
Time flew quickly, and before she knew it, night had fallen.
After dinner, Lin Xinyuan went upstairs to shower, then played on her phone quietly in her room, waiting.
Just past midnight, her door was knocked softly—three rapid taps—the secret signal from her second cousin.
She quickly got up and opened the door quietly, seeing Tang Chengmin acting furtively.
He made a “shh” gesture and then pointed to the door next to them—the room where Lin’s mother had already come back from work and was resting.
It was late at night, and sneaking out the daughter of the little aunt to an internet café made him feel guilty.
If they got caught, the aunt might say something, but the real problem would be his grandfather breaking his legs…
With how tightly his grandfather watched over his granddaughter, that was actually quite possible!
Still, Tang Chengmin went ahead mainly because having someone else along made it less lonely and could ease the awkwardness between cousins…
Although their relationship had improved a bit since they first met a few days ago, it was still somewhat awkward.
They had been apart too long, and both had changed a lot since childhood.
Especially Lin Xinyuan, who had blossomed into a very pretty young woman…
If it weren’t for their childhood participation in the Bird Watching Competition, Tang Chengmin might have thought Lin Xinyuan was raised as a boy.
Maybe this was what they called a pseudo-androgynous condition?
Lin Xinyuan followed Tang Chengmin’s lead, stepping cautiously like thieves as they quietly made their way downstairs.
Tang Chengmin let out a sigh of relief—no matter what, as long as the little aunt didn’t find out, they were safe.
Both elders were on the first floor and already fast asleep.
It was deep sleep time now, so as long as they kept the noise down, there was no need to worry about being discovered.
Tang Chengmin gently picked the lock with the key; if not for being inside the door, it almost felt like burglary…
“Wait outside. I’ll go start the car first.”
He lowered his voice and glanced around furtively like a seasoned thief.
Lin Xinyuan nodded and went outside to wait.
The night wind was still strong and cold, sneaking into her clothes.
Luckily, Lin Xinyuan was dressed warmly and wore knitted gloves.
Her usually icy-cold hands weren’t as cold now.
The girl cupped her face with her hands, feeling much warmer.
Otherwise, the wind hitting her skin directly would sting painfully.
Tang Chengmin pushed the electric scooter out of the yard, locked the door, and got into the driver’s seat.
“Get in.”
He nodded toward Lin Xinyuan and glanced around stealthily like a pro thief.
Lin Xinyuan’s initial impression of this second cousin was somewhat shattered.
It might be worth a thorough investigation into his past!
Cough cough…
Looks like he’s no stranger to sneaking around.
Lin Xinyuan got in the back seat.
Just as she settled, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, jolting her backwards and startling her.
“Ah…!”
Her small exclamation made Tang Chengmin realize, and he immediately slowed down.
“Sorry, I’m just used to it…”
So he really was a repeat offender?
“Mm… it’s fine…”
Lin Xinyuan thought she might need to redefine her second cousin’s image.
Tang Family Village wasn’t far from town—a ten-minute drive or so.
Soon, the electric scooter stopped in front of a store.
“Starlight Internet Café?”
The girl got off and looked at the tech-themed storefront, surprised because the decoration was really nice.
The equipment inside must be pretty decent too.
Tang Chengmin parked and led Lin Xinyuan inside, told the front desk their reservation number, and was guided to a private room.
Inside, there were two computers and two small beds.
The environment was quite good, and everything looked brand new.
“Xiaoyuan, do you play League?” Tang Chengmin asked, looking up while contacting his friends on his phone, ready for a big gaming session.
“No.”
Lin Xinyuan rejected immediately; she wasn’t interested in MOBA games at all.
Tang Chengmin was a bit disappointed but smiled: “Alright, then play whatever you want.”
“2789…”
Soon, Tang Chengmin immersed himself in the game, while Lin Xinyuan put on her headset to watch videos, tuning out her cousin’s noisy excitement.
There was no denying that watching videos on a computer was a completely different visual experience than on a phone, let alone a cinema screen.
She glanced at her phone occasionally and half-heartedly watched the computer screen but still felt a bit bored.
She yawned after some time, her eyelids drooping, feeling sleepy…
Sure enough, she knew she couldn’t stay up all night and would easily get tired.
It hadn’t even been an hour!
And she was already sleepy…
Tang Chengmin had been watching his little cousin from time to time and kindly suggested, “If you’re tired, go rest on the bed.”
Lin Xinyuan propped her cheek with her hand, nodding slightly as her head nodded up and down.
“Oh…”
But despite saying that, she didn’t go to sleep immediately—she was still waiting for that guy…
Why wasn’t he back yet?
Wasn’t he supposed to be free tonight?
Though she complained silently, after sending one message, she didn’t dare send more, afraid of disturbing his work.
Work was more important than play, even though Lin Xinyuan was incredibly bored…
Taking off her headset, she tried to watch her second cousin play, hoping to stay awake and not just fall asleep watching videos.
Tang Chengmin seemed to be playing with friends…
Shouting, teasing, occasionally cursing at each other—the atmosphere was lively…
She watched quietly, and Tang Chengmin noticed her attention, becoming more serious with his gameplay and cursing less.
However, Lin Xinyuan soon felt sleepy again.
She just couldn’t understand it—she really had no interest in this game…
Better to go back to watching videos…
Just as Lin Xinyuan was thinking this, her phone suddenly vibrated, jolting her awake.
She looked at the message.
q: “Just got free.”
q: “Come on, log in.”
Brief and to the point, but it made the girl’s heart leap, her half-drowsy mind instantly clear.
That guy!
Finally showed up…
But she had really been waiting a long time!
Still, she had to admit she was unusually free.
Waiting around for that annoying Huangmao…
Really…
Was this even her?
Did she really used to be like this?
Lin Xinyuan felt a little confused, barely able to remember.
It had only been a few months, but it felt like years had passed…