"I’m hungry. I don’t care, you have to treat me to a meal."
Shen You’an gave her a once-over and suddenly laughed, "Miss High-and-Mighty, you really want me to treat you?"
Shen You’an turned and walked towards the opposite side of the road.
Gao Yuyue jogged to catch up, "Shen You’an, where are you taking me?"
Stepping into a narrow alley, the ground was littered with small puddles formed by accumulated rainwater. Gao Yuyue was practically losing her mind, carefully dodging the puddles as she walked, yet her shoes still ended up splashed with dirty water.
She stared at the figure ahead of her and suddenly had a mischievous idea. Deliberately stomping into a puddle, water sprayed everywhere, with a few drops landing on Shen You’an’s pant leg.
Gao Yuyue thought Shen You’an would lose her temper, and then her goal would be achieved.
But Shen You’an was completely unfazed, as if getting dirty water on her pants was the most ordinary thing in the world. Even though her pristine white sneakers were now stained with grime, her demeanor remained calm and unbothered.
That feeling was like punching into a pillow—completely ineffective—leaving Gao Yuyue feeling rather powerless.
She suddenly realized how childish her actions must have seemed to Shen You’an.
As they walked through the alley, the view opened up. On both sides stood rows of low, worn-down residential houses, and ahead were all kinds of street food stalls.
It turned out, hidden deep within the alley, there was a little food street.
The environment wasn’t great, but at least it was relatively clean.
Gao Yuyue never would’ve thought that one day she’d willingly step into a place .
Shen You’an navigated effortlessly into a small shop. The shop was rectangular in shape, narrow and deep, evoking a sense of mild claustrophobia.
About a dozen square tables were scattered on both sides, and the middle pathway was so narrow that only one person could walk through—any bigger and you’d risk getting stuck.
At this hour, there were only a few people inside. The owner sat behind the counter, crunching numbers on a calculator.
Seeing someone walk in, the owner immediately perked up and called out, "Come in, come in! What would you like to eat?"
Recognizing a familiar face, the owner promptly grabbed a kettle of tea and came over, beaming, "Brought a friend this time."
"Yeah, has business been good lately, boss?" Shen You’an asked with a smile.
"Ah, same as always. But look at you, over two months away, and you’ve grown taller again."
The owner was a slightly chubby middle-aged man with pale skin and a warm, kind smile.
The way he looked at Shen You’an was almost like how a father looks at his daughter—with affection and tenderness.
His gaze shifted to Gao Yuyue, and he sighed, "This is the first time I’ve seen you bring a friend here—how nice."
For nine years, he’d watched her grow from a little sprout to a graceful young lady, always alone, always solitary.
Gao Yuyue cleared her throat, "You two seem pretty familiar?"
The owner smiled, "She often comes here to eat. Over time, you naturally get to know someone."
What Gao Yuyue thought was: Shen You’an’s family must not be well off; otherwise, why would she eat at such a shabby little spot?
The owner placed a menu on the table, "Take a look, what would you like to have?"
"I’ll go with my usual."
Gao Yuyue glanced at the menu, which was both worn and greasy, and didn’t even dare to touch it. So she said, "I’ll have whatever she’s having."
"Any dietary restrictions?" the owner thoughtfully asked.
"No spicy, no scallions, no cilantro, no garlic..." Gao Yuyue began counting on her fingers, then lifted her head to see the two of them exchanging speechless expressions. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she added,
"Alright, please wait a moment."
After the owner left, Shen You’an poured tea into a disposable plastic cup and handed it to Gao Yuyue.
Gao Yuyue wrinkled her nose and said unhappily, "Shen You’an, is this really the kind of cheap dive you’re treating me to dinner at?"
Shen You’an took a sip of tea, her expression calm, "The door’s behind you—no one’s stopping you."
Gao Yuyue pouted, looking aggrieved, but ultimately endured it.
"You get so many scholarships every year, and Lanya Group even gave you a million in scholarship money. By all accounts, you shouldn’t be short on cash—why would you let yourself live ?"
Gao Yuyue was entirely baffled.
Shen You’an raised an eyebrow, looking up at the pampered heiress sitting opposite her.
Adorned with gold and wrapped in splendor, her natural grace and pride marked her as completely out of place in this cramped, rundown eatery.
Shen You’an shook her head, "A true pampered princess, untouched by the grit of the world."
"Shen You’an, don’t change the subject! Tell me the truth—is your shameless aunt bullying you? Did she take your money? Tell me, I’ll help you get it back!"
Gao Yuyue’s expression was urgent, her indignation overflowing, as if she genuinely intended to seek justice for Shen You’an.