Xiaocui was very happy, and excited as well. She thought to herself that she must do her best to help Shen Mianmian in the future. Mianmian had been so kind to her, and she wanted to reciprocate that kindness.
The two of them strolled around the streets again, with Shen Mianmian showing Xiaocui around to familiarize her with the surroundings. However, Xiaocui didn’t remember the way at all, but Shen Mianmian hadn’t really expected her to memorize it all at once. Still, getting her acquainted with the area was definitely a good thing.
When they got home, it was only half past two in the afternoon. Having been out and about, they were both drenched in sweat. Shen Mianmian took a shower and changed into clean clothes, which made her feel much more comfortable.
Xiaocui also wanted to shower, but she didn’t know how to use the modern conveniences of the city. Shen Mianmian didn’t mind the trouble and taught her how to use them, and Xiaocui found these city conveniences incredibly handy.
"Xiaocui, if you’re bored after taking a shower, you can watch some TV. I’m going to read for a while and then take a nap," Shen Mianmian suggested.
Her life in Beijing had been so leisurely lately that aside from reading books and watching TV, Shen Mianmian had taken to napping as a habit. When this time of day came around, she found herself feeling sleepy.
"Okay, go ahead and sleep!" Xiaocui replied.
Xiaocui, holding her clothes, went to the bathroom. After sorting everything out, she sat in the living room, but she didn’t turn on the television. Back in the village, everyone watched together, and she felt that watching a television alone was a waste of electricity. So she also went back to her room for a nap.
The two of them slept until past four in the afternoon, then went out to buy groceries together. For dinner, they cooked four dishes and one soup. Xiaocui helped out, looking on as Shen Mianmian prepared so much, she was a bit puzzled.
"Mianmian, the two of us can’t finish all this, can we?" she asked.
"There’s also Brother He." Brother He had helped her so much, and she didn’t know how else to repay him except to be as kind as she could.
Hearing that He Nan was coming, Xiaocui felt a bit nervous. She had never seen He Nan face-to-face; she had only caught glimpses from afar. But even just from his silhouette, she felt an imposing aura.
Seeing her a little flustered at the mention of Brother He’s visit, Shen Mianmian comforted her, "Don’t be afraid. Even though Brother He always looks stern and serious, he’s really a good person."
"Mm," Xiaocui responded, feeling a bit more at ease and comforting herself that He Nan wasn’t going to eat her—there was nothing to fear.
At half past six in the evening, shortly after Shen Mianmian finished cooking the meal, footsteps were heard from outside. She ran to open the door and saw He Nan pulling out his keys, also ready to unlock the door.
Upon seeing her open the door, he asked in his usual indifferent tone, "What’s up?"
"Brother He, you haven’t had dinner yet, have you? I’ve made dinner. Why don’t you come over and have some?" Shen Mianmian offered.
There had been some issues in Beijing, and He Nan had originally planned to come back, pack up some of his stuff, and inform her before leaving. But now, meeting her eager, expectant gaze, he found himself reluctant to refuse.
A certain spot in his chest felt like it had bumped into cotton, a little soft.
"Alright, I’ll grab some things and come over. If you’re hungry, you can start without me," he said.
After speaking, he opened the door to his room and went inside, while Shen Mianmian hurried back to the dining table to serve the rice.
The door to the house wasn’t closed, and after about fifteen minutes, He Nan came over in fresh clothes. His hair was slightly damp; he must have just taken a shower. Upon entering, he didn’t stand on ceremony and directly sat down at the dining table.
He wasn’t surprised or inquisitive about the extra person in the house. The source of thɪs content is 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
"Brother He, this is Xiaocui, the person I mentioned to you before." Shen Mianmian took the initiative to introduce them.
"Mm," He Nan nodded and picked up his bowl and chopsticks, "Let’s eat!"