"I’ll be heading back to school tonight, but next time, I’ll give it a try."
Lai Wei walked ahead, caught between laughter and tears, "You two, give me a break, Linlin, don’t be shy, just squeeze in, the house is small."
Lai Wei’s home was really tiny; you could run into each other just by turning around. Lai Wei’s mother hadn’t expected her to bring so many friends over, and the house was quite cramped and awkward. She felt she had let Lai Wei down, and after greeting Jian Dan and the others with a smile, she pulled Lai Wei outside because she felt uneasy.
"Weiwei, bringing your friends over , I’m this way, isn’t it very embarrassing for you? I’m sorry, it’s all mom’s fault for not being capable. All these years, we’ve been crammed here without a decent place to entertain your friends."
Their house was barely over twenty square meters, as small as it gets.
Lai Wei was heartbroken yet she held her mother’s hand, "Mom, what are you talking about? They’re my friends, they won’t mind our house being small."
Lai’s mom: "...Really?"
"Yeah, really. If they cared about my family situation, they simply wouldn’t be my friends. Mom, you’ve done everything you can to provide what I need, so now, I don’t feel at all that you aren’t good enough or that you embarrass me. That’s just not possible."
Lai Wei’s mom felt a bit relieved. Upstairs, Jian Dan poked her head out, "Auntie, Weiwei, come upstairs for some cake. We’ve already sliced it. It’s delicious!"
Jian Dan’s smile was warm, and warmth flickered in Lai Wei’s heart, "See? Mom, they are not what you thought."
Lai’s mom hummed with emotion, "I understand now, Weiwei."
Lai Wei had eaten cake made by Lin’s mom before because Jian Dan had brought some to the school before, letting her have a taste.
Jian Dan told her that if she wanted cake in the future, just to let her know and she would have Lin’s mom make it. Zhao Linlin’s cousin is her neighbor and also the drummer for the H2O band. She asked if that was unexpected and surprising.
Mi Lu was utterly delighted, "Linlin, can you get me an autograph? Is Mu Qing a man or a woman?"
Jian Dan was flabbergasted, "Lulu, don’t make me hit you. I just said she’s her cousin. What do you use your ears for? Decoration?"
Mi Lu laughed awkwardly, "But Mu Qing is just so handsome! When he plays the drums on stage, oh my, I absolutely can’t resist!"
Zhao Linlin rolled her eyes to the sky, "You really don’t understand her at all. Once you do, you’ll definitely dislike her. Her personality is awful, I can’t even stay at her house overnight; she always sends me packing."
"Pfft..." Jian Dan laughed, "I’m your cousin and I’d send you packing too."
Mi Lu was keenly interested, "What happened? Tell us all about it."
Jian Dan recounted how Zhao Linlin was a bit annoying when she spoke, while Lai Wei and Mi Lu listened with great amusement. Mi Lu clasped her hands to her face, "Zhao Linlin, if I were your cousin, I’d hit you too."
Lai Wei deeply agreed, "Linlin, you really don’t give your cousin any face."
Zhao Linlin then realized she might have been wrong, "Do all of you think I’ve gone too far?"
The three of them nodded simultaneously.
Zhao Linlin sighed, "Sigh, you really have been deceived by Mu Qing’s exterior. When we’re alone, she can be really terrible to me. I’m not lying, really."
Watching the four girls joking and chatting, Lai Wei’s mom was very happy. From childhood, Lai Wei, though confident, had never made friends, let alone brought them home.
This was the first time.
These friends also surprised Lai Wei’s mom; clearly, all children from very good families, they seemed very above it all. But at home, they were completely down-to-earth and did not mind their modest household.
This must be a very fortunate and joyful thing for Weiwei.
Jian Dan handed her a sweet treat, smiling warmly, "Auntie, this is made by my aunt, it’s sticky rice inside, very delicious, please try it."
Mi Lu and others also gathered around, chatting with Lai Wei’s mom who initially didn’t know how to react, then her eyes reddened as she thanked them for taking care of Lai Wei. Jian Dan told Lai Wei’s mom, "Auntie, it’s Weiwei and Lulu who have really been looking after me. I should be thanking Weiwei."
Lai Wei’s mom shook her head, "Weiwei has never had many friends since she was little. I can see that she gets along well with you and likes you very much. Please come to our house more often in the future, although it is a bit small."
Mi Lu interrupted her, "Auntie, this place is great, really. Small, but warm."