On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, with siblings Ban Chuan and Ban Lin joining, Xu Nianhua and Xu Nian’an decided to eat at a nearby restaurant to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
"Little sister, give Yicheng and Yining a call and invite them to join us. It would be perfect to celebrate the Lantern Festival together," Xu Nian’an thought of the days when he frequently bothered the siblings Pei Yicheng and Pei Yining, and even though he had sent many gifts, Xu Nian’an felt that a meal was still necessary.
"Nian’an, Xiaolin and I just need to grab a bun or a pancake to eat, you guys go ahead," Ban Chuan said, already feeling embarrassed for taking up Xu Nian’an’s place today, and now with Xu Nian’an offering to buy them dinner, he and his sister felt even more uncomfortable.
"How can that be? It’s the Lantern Festival today, we should eat together," Xu Nian’an adamantly didn’t give Ban Chuan a chance to argue, saying, "Ban Chuan, don’t act like a woman, hesitating like that."
Xu Nian’an directly decided on the matter just like that.
Ban Chuan and his sister Ban Lin exchanged a look and then conscientiously began to work.
Ban Lin had to remember what each item cost; the store had a wide variety of items, both large and small, packed full, and there were many things Ban Lin needed to remember.
Ban Chuan was busy sorting out the inventory in the attic.
Xu Nian’an said with a smile, "Ban Chuan, take a break, or maybe read a book. Otherwise, I’d feel like I’m taking advantage of you, having your sister work and getting an extra helper."
"It’s okay, it won’t take much longer," Ban Chuan said with a smile and continued to help around the store.
In the afternoon, quite a few students returned to school, and the business in the store picked up.
Xu Nianhua handled the cash and also explained the prices of various items to Ban Lin who had a good memory. She could remember everything clearly after being told once.
No wonder the second brother had gone so far to bring them here; they were indeed very good.
Xu Nianhua felt instantly relieved.
As night fell, Xu Nian’an had already reserved a table for dinner at a local restaurant. Even though school hadn’t officially started, today’s earnings were very good.
"Yicheng, we’ve been waiting for you," Xu Nian’an saw Pei Yicheng’s figure and immediately said, "Little sister, Ban Chuan, Ban Lin, let’s go eat."
"Eh, where’s Yining?" Xu Nianhua asked when he saw Pei Yicheng alone.
Pei Yicheng had just submitted the final draft for the Xiyue Hotel and rushed over here. Pei Yining had called him asking if he wanted to return to the Pei family for the Lantern Festival, but Pei Yicheng had declined.
Returning to the Pei family was not as good as spending it with Nianhua and the others.
After all, that place was no longer his home.
Pei Yicheng collected his thoughts and replied, "Yining went back home for the Lantern Festival. I’m here alone. You guys don’t mind, do you?"
"Welcome," Xu Nianhua raised a bright smile, her radiant smile dispersing the gloom in Pei Yicheng’s heart, instantly brightening everything around. Pei Yicheng’s affectionate gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, it seemed like they were the only two people left in the world.
Xu Nian’an couldn’t stand it anymore, feeling goosebumps all over. He said, "Yicheng, don’t you lead my little sister astray."
What the big cousin said was always right.
Pei Yicheng changed the subject and said, "Nian’an, these two are..."
"He’s Ban Chuan, my classmate, and that’s his sister Ban Lin. They’ll be working in the store from now on," Xu Nian’an introduced. "This is Pei Yicheng, also a student at Beining University."
"Hello, I’m Nianhua’s boyfriend," Pei Yicheng introduced himself.
Xu Nian’an glared at him fiercely. He really must have wanted everyone to know, right?