Chapter 22: Dinner Invitation, Xia You’s Thoughts

Liu Yan initially thought that when Bai Mengling’s parents invited him to dinner, it would be at their home.

But unexpectedly, it was at a restaurant outside. It wasn’t particularly upscale, just close to the school.

Of course, there was still some ceremony to it.

This made Liu Yan relax a lot.

If he had to go to Bai Mengling’s house, he felt the pressure would be huge—or maybe this was another thoughtful consideration by Bai Mengling’s parents.

“My dad and mom are actually pretty easygoing. You don’t need to be too nervous. It’s just an ordinary meal together, nothing special. When we get there, don’t be too reserved—just order whatever you want to eat,” Bai Mengling kept saying in Liu Yan’s ear. “In the end, our relationship is between the two of us. My parents probably don’t oppose it… I mean…”

She seemed even more nervous than Liu Yan himself.

Liu Yan couldn’t help but laugh. “Mengling, I understand what you mean. Don’t worry too much about me. I’m in a pretty good mindset. You need to relax yourself.”

Hearing Liu Yan’s words, Bai Mengling looked him over again and found that he really didn’t seem very nervous.

“Eh? You’re not nervous about meeting my parents?”

“I believe that parents who can raise someone as excellent as you won’t be bad people. Since they aren’t bad people, why should I be nervous?”

He spoke very frankly, to the point where Bai Mengling, because of his calmness, relaxed herself as well. “You making me, who’s a little tense, look like an idiot.”

“Your concern for my situation touches me very much.”

Liu Yan smiled and said, “But Mengling, about Shi Yiyi’s matter, how was it handled afterward?”

“I had my family’s foundation conduct a detailed investigation and follow-up. Her illness isn’t incurable—it’s just that the surgery success rate isn’t very high… We need to hire top domestic experts to perform it. I’ve already arranged for that. As for those friends of hers, I heard they were also educated by the counselor. It’s all fine overall.”

Liu Yan nodded. “That’s good. I didn’t expect something like that to happen. If Shi Yiyi hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

Really?

If Shi Yiyi hadn’t been there, would you really not have known what to do?

Bai Mengling couldn’t know what actions her boyfriend would have taken if Shi Yiyi hadn’t been present. But the fact was that Shi Yiyi was there at the time.

She had saved face for her.

At that moment, her mind had gone completely blank.

Thinking about it, her expression turned a bit dejected. “I always thought I could handle everything well. I always believed I could manage all matters. Like the debate competition, I was confident I would succeed. But last night, I was really confused. When I heard them say those kinds of words, I felt absurd, angry, embarrassed, ashamed… I don’t know what words to use to describe my feelings at that time—but I deeply know that I am not mature.

At least not as mature as I imagined. I still need to keep growing.”

Liu Yan’s expression was gentle. “It’s okay, Mengling. After all, we’re still just college students. There’s plenty of time to grow. Look at ancient history—Liu Bang was over fifty when he started his rise to become emperor. It’s never too late to grow up in life. There’s no need to feel anxious about this kind of thing.”

He always spoke softly, without any harsh tone.

In a certain sense, he was a rather perfect man—even though he wasn’t as handsome as a movie star, even though he didn’t look particularly strong, even though his academic performance didn’t seem earth-shattering.

In every sense, this man couldn’t be called an “elite.”

But he seemed like an ordinary person.

Yet he was very comfortable.

Being with him made people feel very at ease.

No pressure. It felt like he could handle everything calmly—like knowing that when it rains, he will definitely stand by your side and pull out an umbrella he prepared long ago to hold over you.

Nourishing things silently.

She felt that using this poem to describe a man might not be quite appropriate, but it was indeed suitable to describe Liu Yan.

Her heart gradually relaxed.

“Let’s go. Meet my parents.”

…

“Xia You, what’s going on? The matchmaker passed on the news that you weren’t even willing to hug! Don’t you like Zhou Bin? Then just tell Mom directly, and I’ll find someone else to introduce you to.”

Hearing her mother’s call, Xia You frowned. “Mom! What are you saying! I’m only a freshman. Why are you so eager for me to find a partner? You’re acting like your daughter can’t find anyone! And as for that matchmaker, how does she have any say in how I conduct my relationship? She’s not the one dating! Stop listening to her! How I date Zhou Bin is none of her business!”

“Hey! You child! More and more disobedient!”

Xia You hung up directly.

“Sister Li, sorry for the delay.”

“It’s fine, Xiao Xia. That’s normal. There were three more online orders just now—two coconut milks, one fruit tea. Get on them quick.”

“Okay, sis.”

Xia You was a girl from a family without much money.

In fact, Zhou Bin’s family conditions were also quite average… Both of them used their free time to earn some pocket money… But the main thing was that day when Zhou Bin fought with someone.

True, those hooligans had come over to harass and provoke them, but after checking the surveillance footage, the evidence was conclusive—Zhou Bin had thrown the first punch. So they had to pay compensation for the medical bills. That was the result after mediation.

Otherwise, if neither side was willing to settle, then both would be locked up for a few days, and Zhou Bin would have to stay two more.

Of course, this wasn’t a criminal case, so no criminal record would be left.

But for a college student like Zhou Bin, the impact was too severe.

If he got locked up, how would he ask for leave from school?

He’d definitely get a major punishment. If it were more serious, they might even expel him—after all, high school and college aren’t compulsory education; the school has the right to expel you.

So they had to pay the compensation… and as a result, they became quite poor.

So they started working side jobs together. Yesterday, Xia You went to cheer for Bai Mengling because Bai Mengling had paid her one thousand yuan in wages.

Generally speaking, Bai Mengling wouldn’t offer that amount… Even though she was rich, she had a standard for giving money.

A standard befitting a student’s identity.

Probably because Bai Mengling knew Xia You was short on money these past two days, so she gave that amount.

Xia You was very grateful to Bai Mengling. This Student Council President was indeed gentle and generous, as well as kind and upright.

But she kept thinking back to last night’s events.

Shi Yiyi being there must have been Liu Yan’s doing.

She could be sure of that. The subsequent conversation with Chen Tang also confirmed it.

What was utterly absurd was that she felt jealous.

A strong jealousy.

The boy she once liked was taking action for another woman… She was painfully aware of this fact.

She saw Bai Mengling’s expression at the time.

She recognized it at a glance.

That was the expression of someone in love.

That was Bai Mengling’s heart moving.

This woman had fallen into love, fallen in love with Liu Yan.

She shouldn’t feel jealous.

After all, she had been the one to break up with Liu Yan. After all, she had chosen to date Zhou Bin—and Zhou Bin himself wasn’t bad. His grades were decent, he also had a part-time job like her, lived diligently, and treated her well. The fight a couple of days ago was because of her…

She shouldn’t be dissatisfied.

Everything from her upbringing, her own values, what she believed to be right… All of it told her that she shouldn’t think about Liu Yan. She should forget Liu Yan completely—even if she felt regret, even if she thought she had made a mistake, she couldn’t turn back. That would be too undignified, too immature, too unlike what an adult should do.

And she had known since childhood.

She couldn’t make mistakes.

Just like when she lost five yuan at the age of ten, she got beaten severely.

She was ten years old after all.

Maybe that wasn’t considered old?

But if she made a mistake, she would be severely punished. She couldn’t be wrong. She couldn’t admit she was wrong. And she wouldn’t make wrong choices.

Zhou Bin was right.

She should believe Zhou Bin was right.

Liu Yan was also good, but he wasn’t her fated man.

…

“Sister Tang, I want some milk tea. It’s so hot today!”

Chen Tang helplessly looked at Liu Mengmeng. “Ah, I said let’s drink cola, and you said it would make your bones soft. Now I see that milk tea isn’t much different… You young girls like this stuff… No matter how famous the milk tea brand is, how can it compare to cola?”

“Wow! Sister Tang! That’s such a typical otaku theory! I’ve heard boys in my class say that before—something about a century-old factory, time-tested, hasn’t raised prices for years, monopolizes the world… I don’t get it~”

Ah, you girls!

Chen Tang had no choice but to take this little girl to buy milk tea.

After showing her around the school, even she herself was thirsty.

Liu Yan was probably enjoying a nice meal right now—what should she and Liu Mengmeng have for lunch later?

She walked into a milk tea shop.

“Welcome.”

Chen Tang was slightly taken aback…

Liu Mengmeng also froze.

“Xia You?”

“Chen Tang?”

Liu Mengmeng had seen photos of Xia You from Liu Yan’s social media feed.

To actually meet her in person today.

Chen Tang quickly composed herself. “Oh? You’re working part-time here?”

“Yeah, earning some living expenses.”

Xia You didn’t feel inferior about it. She often worked around campus; it wasn’t unusual. These shops were happy to hire her because there were always boys coming to support the business.

Chen Tang said to Liu Mengmeng, “Just order whatever you want to drink. Give me a matcha latte. Hot, half sugar.”

“Then I’ll have a strawberry pudding.”

Both ordered what they wanted.

Xia You began preparing the drinks efficiently.

“This is Liu Yan’s cousin,” Chen Tang suddenly said.

“Oh?”

Xia You looked up briefly, then lowered her head to continue making the drinks. “She’s much better-looking than Liu Yan.”

“Liu Yan isn’t ugly, is he?”

“Not ugly and pretty are two different things.”

The two of them acted like they were quite familiar… Actually, they weren’t strangers at all.

Even before the timeline change, they had eaten together with Liu Yan a few times. They had a certain acquaintance.

“Since she’s Liu Yan’s cousin, why are you the one bringing her around? Where’s Liu Yan?”

“Bai Mengling said her parents were treating him to dinner, so she took him.”

Xia You had already finished one drink. “You don’t seem worried at all.”

“What’s there to worry about? It’s not like I’m the one meeting Bai Mengling’s parents.”

“What if they think he’s okay?”

Chen Tang laughed. “So what if they do?”

Xia You gave Chen Tang a slightly surprised look.

But she didn’t say anything and continued working.

“Speaking of which, summer break is coming soon. You come out to work every day. Won’t your grades and GPA be an issue?”

“Passing is fine. As for GPA, I’ll work hard.”

“Then it’ll be hard for you to get a postgraduate recommendation…”

Xia You shook her head. “Given my family situation, I don’t have time to go to grad school. Unless I do like those women online—find a man to support me through school, then kick him once I get in—but I won’t do that.”

“I know you, Xia You. You have your dignity. So you mean you’ll just work directly after graduation?”

Chen Tang personally had no particular like or dislike for Xia You, but she couldn’t accept that Xia You had dumped Liu Yan, so she wasn’t going to be overly friendly.

“Yeah.”

“Why don’t you use your Student Union connections to go work for Bai Mengling later?”

“You mean, the ex-girlfriend goes to work under the current girlfriend? I’m not that desperate for money, am I? Besides, the President isn’t the type to promote people just because of personal feelings. She separates public and private matters very clearly. In private, she can give you expensive gifts, but in public—she pays exactly what the job is worth, nothing beyond the normal rate. And I don’t have any deep friendship with her.”

While talking, she had finished their orders.

“Good luck.”

Chen Tang took the milk tea and left the shop with Liu Mengmeng.

“Sister Tang! Why were you being so nice to that woman? She’s Brother Yan’s ex-girlfriend!”

Chen Tang found it amusing. “If you want to stand up for your cousin, why didn’t you go yell at her yourself?”

“Well! That’s because you were there, Sister Tang! You weren’t this easygoing before.”

Hmm… This girl was cunning in that way—she knew Chen Tang wasn’t easygoing, so she wanted Chen Tang to make the first move, and then she’d say a few nice words to boost her own image.

But it was normal. Girls, a little scheming.

“That woman breaking up with Liu Yan was actually a good thing. Otherwise, how would your cousin have found a rich woman as a girlfriend? This is a big win. Maybe Liu Yan will even thank her for breaking up with him in the future!”

“Brother Yan isn’t the type to be blinded by money!”

“You little girl, still defending him in front of me. Who do you think I am? I even know the password to the hidden files on your cousin’s computer! Don’t I know him well enough?”