The Female High School Student felt a bit embarrassed under his gaze, turned her face away, and asked in a low voice, “Big brother, what’s your name? What do you do for a living?”
“My name is Xu Bei. I used to work in Female Psychological Counseling,” Xu Bei replied.
“Psychological Counseling?” The Female High School Student wanted to say something more.
“One question per person. Now it’s my turn. Why do you want to let a strange man stay at your house?” Xu Bei asked.
“Eh? Because a lot of my female classmates say the same thing. They all talk about having a Handsome Guy at home and whatnot. I feel like if I want to fit in, I should learn from them,” the Female High School Student answered.
“Are the ones who say this all Bad Girls? Delinquents?” Xu Bei pressed further.
“Uh? Hmm? I think so.” The Female High School Student thought for a moment, then nodded to confirm.
“Then they were definitely tricking you, you silly girl. What kind of Female High School Student really keeps a man at home?” Xu Bei ridiculed.
“Ah?” The Female High School Student cried out in surprise.
“It’s too late to regret it now. You’ve already agreed to let me stay,” Xu Bei said.
The Female High School Student fell silent for a moment, her face showing a hint of regret.
“You don’t have to worry. I’m not interested in you, and I don’t want to commit a crime. I won’t lay a hand on a minor. I’ll just stay for a while,” Xu Bei added.
“Ah…” The Female High School Student went quiet after hearing that.
“What’s your name?” Xu Bei pressed her.
“Sun Xiaohui.” The Female High School Student answered in a small voice.
“What a plain name,” Xu Bei commented.
Sun Xiaohui couldn’t help but lower her head, her whole demeanor deflating, slipping into silence.
Normally, as a Bartender, Xu Bei wouldn’t say such tactless things.
Usually, when facing women, he was smooth-talking and full of sweet words, coaxing rich ladies to buy drinks.
But now that he wasn’t working, he became sharp-tongued and couldn’t say anything nice. People are just like that—contradictory.
Sun Xiaohui didn’t say anything else. She got up from the bedside, picked up a set of clothes, and went into the tiny bathroom by the entrance to change.
When she came out, she was no longer wearing her sailor uniform, but a set of work clothes.
“Brother Xu, I’m heading to my part-time job now. I’ll come back later tonight. Do you want anything to eat? Is there anything you need me to bring back for you?” Sun Xiaohui asked considerately.
“Bring me a set of casual clothes. And for dinner, I want Pork Chop Rice. Thanks,” Xu Bei replied without hesitation.
“Okay.” Sun Xiaohui nodded, then left the room with her small bag.
Just like that, she left a strange man in her home, as if she trusted him completely.
Maybe it was because she knew there was nothing valuable in her house anyway.
Xu Bei, of course, wasn’t after money. He had already seen through the vanity of the world, escaped the hustle and bustle, and sworn off competition and troubles.
He stayed here simply to sleep off his hangover, his head pounding, planning to sleep until dusk.
Xu Bei slept for another half a day before someone shook him awake. He slowly sat up.
“Brother Xu, get up and have something to eat.”
He saw Sun Xiaohui put a plastic bag on the little dining table, then sit at the desk looking utterly exhausted.
Xu Bei rolled off the bed. There was only one chair in the whole room, so he could only sit on the floor.
Opening the plastic bag, he found a box of half-priced Pork Chop Rice from the Convenience Store and a bottle of Energy Drink.
“No alcohol?” Xu Bei asked.
“Sorry, minors can’t buy alcohol.” Sun Xiaohui spoke apologetically.
“It’s fine, I was just sighing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a night without a drop of alcohol,” Xu Bei said with a bitter smile.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, back against the bed, pulled the little table in front of him, opened the lunchbox, and started eating while chatting, “Do you not have any friends?”
His question was a bit sharp, leaving Sun Xiaohui momentarily unsure how to answer.
Xu Bei continued, “No need to answer, I can see right through you. You fit every trait of a withdrawn girl. You just want someone to talk to. But when you really find someone, you don’t know what to say.”
“Uh…” Sun Xiaohui was a bit embarrassed and stammered.
“Come sit in front of me, I’ll teach you how to overcome your shyness,” Xu Bei beckoned.
Sun Xiaohui, a little shy but also expectant, sat properly in front of him, head lowered, not daring to meet his eyes.
“Look me in the eyes,” Xu Bei said coldly.
“I… I can’t do it.” Sun Xiaohui buried her head even lower, clutching a Sketchbook.
“Alright, I guess that’s a bit too difficult to start with. Let’s just chat casually then,” Xu Bei didn’t push her, taking a bite before continuing.
“I… don’t really have anything to talk about. I don’t have friends at school, no one talks to me, so I have nothing to chat about,” Sun Xiaohui replied.
“No friends? Isn’t that something you can talk about?” Xu Bei said.
“This…” Sun Xiaohui still spoke hesitantly, struggling to get a word out.
But after hesitating for a bit, she suddenly seemed to remember something and started chattering, “Today I heard from a Female High School Student next door that there’s a male singer named Kuang Shisheng who’s really popular lately. I’m planning to check him out and try to connect with others.”
“How many times has this kind of thought crossed your mind?” Xu Bei asked.
“What thought?” Sun Xiaohui scratched her cheek.
“This idea of wanting to like whatever others like, just to fit in,” Xu Bei said.
“Uh…” Sun Xiaohui thought for a while and fell silent.
Because she’d had this thought too many times in her life!
She was always eavesdropping on other girls’ hobbies, hoping to use them as conversation starters, but never succeeded.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t find topics or interests among Female High School Students, but that she didn’t have the courage to strike up a conversation—she just couldn’t open her mouth.
“Just be yourself, there’s no need to force yourself to make friends. Even without friends your own age, even if you don’t follow the crowd, you can still live well,” Xu Bei said with a smile.
“But people without friends get isolated and bullied. There are a lot of bad students at school, and I’m a bit scared,” Sun Xiaohui said in a small voice.
“That’s quite a unique reason for wanting to make friends. If you’re afraid of being bullied, you should learn some defense techniques,” Xu Bei said.
“Defense Technique for Women is taught at school,” Sun Xiaohui replied.
“True, I think we learned that back when I was in school too. See, aren’t we chatting just fine now? Are you an art student?” Xu Bei quickly finished the Pork Chop Rice, glanced at the paintings on the wall, and twisted open the drink.
“I’m not an art student. I’m a Nianxie Ability User,” Sun Xiaohui shook her head and answered honestly.
“Cough, cough!” Xu Bei choked when he heard that and couldn’t help but joke, “So you’re a Superstar of the Future from the Demon Investigation Bureau. Who would dare bully you? But I guess with that job, it’s hard to find friends.”
Sun Xiaohui looked completely innocent, her small mouth helpless, unable to argue back.