Chapter 13: VIP Announcement

What do you mean, taking advantage of someone…

She definitely wasn’t taking advantage of him!

Xia Yu instantly scooted back.

“Just now, I—just now was an accident! I didn’t mean to touch you! I just wasn’t sitting steady!”

Xu Baiyan looked at her and let out an “Oh,” as if he believed her, but also as if he didn’t.

“So you’re still the kind of person who uses someone and then tosses them aside, right?”

Xia Yu was at a loss for words.

“I was just worried something might have happened to you…”

“Even if something happened, you still need to eat first.”

Xu Baiyan turned the handle of his electric scooter, braked, and said, “Get off, let’s eat here.”

Xia Yu glanced sideways and realized they’d stopped in front of a hotpot restaurant.

She hurriedly got off the scooter and followed Xu Baiyan inside.

This was a restaurant specializing in Zaopo Vinegar Hotpot, a Hai Cheng specialty.

After sitting down, Xu Baiyan ordered the soup base, some meat, and a seafood platter, then handed the menu to Xia Yu.

Xia Yu had never had this kind of hotpot before.

Relying on her impression of Hai Cheng, she ordered half a Wenchang Chicken and two servings of Coconut Water Qingbuliang.

After ordering, she roughly calculated the price, planning to pay for the meal when they finished.

Ten minutes later, the dishes and soup base were served.

They both got up to prepare their dipping sauces. Xia Yu liked sesame sauce and added a lot of it. She glanced at Xu Baiyan and found that his sauce was almost the same as hers, except he didn’t add scallions or garlic.

Ah… Aren’t those the essence?

He doesn’t eat either of them.

Back at the table, Xu Baiyan calmly started cooking the meat and vegetables.

Xia Yu put in some of her favorites too, and then waited quietly.

But it was too quiet, a little awkward.

So she cleared her throat and forced herself to start a conversation: “Is this kind of hotpot really tasty? I’ve never had it before.”

Xu Baiyan glanced at her.

“This place has the best Zaopo Vinegar Hotpot in Hai Cheng. You should try it.”

“Oh.”

“There’s also a pretty good one in Hangcheng.

The Boss there is from around here.”

Xia Yu was surprised.

“Really? Where?”

“By Lin Lake.”

“Ah… I haven’t really been over there.”

Talking about Hangcheng, Xia Yu naturally remembered that He Jiasen had said he was from Hangcheng too, so she casually asked, “Coach, do you often travel between Hangcheng and Hai Cheng?”

The meat was cooked. Xu Baiyan fished it out and dipped it in his sauce.

“No, I don’t really stay in Hangcheng.”

“Didn’t you say your hometown is over there?”

“That doesn’t mean I like that city.”

“…Oh.”

Hangcheng is so beautiful, why doesn’t he like it?

Xia Yu was a little puzzled, but since it was a personal matter, she didn’t ask further and just picked up a piece of meat.

The taste of Zaopo Vinegar Hotpot was quite unique.

The first couple of bites felt a bit strange, but gradually it became really delicious.

After all that exercise, Xia Yu was hungry, so she stopped trying to make conversation and focused on eating.

Once she was about eighty percent full, she put down her chopsticks and started eating Coconut Water Qingbuliang to cleanse her palate.

Just then, her phone rang with a few WeChat notifications.

It was Song Yu’an, asking if she was done eating and heading back.

Xia Yu simply replied “still eating,” and didn’t say anything more.

She suddenly realized she didn’t know how to chat with Song Yu’an anymore.

Should she act like before?

Or should she keep a bit of distance?

“That guy, what is he to you?”

As she was lost in thought, the person across from her asked.

Xia Yu looked up.

“Hm?”

Xu Baiyan glanced at her phone from a distance.

He couldn’t see the content, but from her hesitant look, he could guess it was that guy who wasn’t very good at surfing.

“I’m talking about the guy you like.”

Xia Yu almost choked.

“…I don’t like him.”

Xu Baiyan’s expression clearly didn’t buy it. Xia Yu hesitated for a moment and had to explain, “He’s a year above me, a fellow alumnus… and also my childhood neighbor.”

“Oh, childhood friends. No wonder he calls you ‘little sister.'”

“…”

Why bring up the one thing I don’t want to talk about.

Xia Yu’s mouth twitched slightly, and she unconsciously stabbed her Qingbuliang a bit harder.

Juice splattered everywhere.

Xu Baiyan raised an eyebrow.

“Now you know how to get angry, huh? But just now, when she said all that, you didn’t say a word?”

“I’m not angry.”

Xu Baiyan leaned back and said lazily, “Then why does your face say, in four big words: I am angry.”

“…Where?”

Xia Yu looked down in dissatisfaction, poking at the bottom of her bowl with her little spoon.

After a while, she said in a low voice, “She wasn’t wrong, so what would I be angry about?”

Xu Baiyan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Seeing her like this, he suddenly regretted bringing up that guy.

At the same time, he thought, why is his student such a little coward, letting everyone push her around?

“I’m done eating… What about you?”

The little coward obviously didn’t have much of an appetite anymore.

Xu Baiyan inexplicably felt a little annoyed and looked away.

“About done.”

“Then, should we go?”

“Yeah.”

The conversation ended again, and the two stood up.

Xia Yu thought she should definitely treat Xu Baiyan to this meal, so she rushed to the counter ahead of him.

But the clerk told her the bill had already been settled, deducted from Xu Baiyan’s stored card at the restaurant.

“I should have treated you to dinner today,” Xia Yu said as they left.

Xu Baiyan took out his scooter key.

“I wanted to eat this today, so I brought you. If you want to treat me, pick the place next time.”

Xia Yu was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

“Okay, next time I’ll choose a good place, and I’ll treat you.”

“Alright.”

Xu Baiyan straddled the scooter and gestured to the back seat.

“Stop looking so down, get on, I’ll take you back.”

***

Over the next two days, Song Yu’an and his group kept coming to surf at the beach in front of Summer.

But Xia Yu was busy and didn’t interact with them much.

“What’s your relationship with that guy?”

In the afternoon, while making fruit drinks, Kk suddenly asked the same question Xu Baiyan had asked a couple of days ago.

Xia Yu glanced outside.

Today, Song Yu’an and his friends had already come back from the sea and were sitting outside drinking juice.

“We’ve known each other for many years. His house is right across from mine.”

Kk said, “I thought so. He seems to care about you quite a bit. Yesterday, when he bumped into me, he even asked about your workload.”

Xia Yu replied, “He’s always been good to me since we were kids.”

Kk’s eyes sparkled a little, with a hint of gossip.

Xia Yu saw what she was thinking and helplessly explained, “But that’s all. There’s nothing like what you’re thinking between us. He’s just… a good person, and he’s used to looking after me.”

“I see. So do you have a guy you like?”

Xia Yu was stunned for a moment and chose to shake her head.

Kk laughed.

“Then what do you think of our Jiasen? He really likes you.”

Xia Yu blushed.

“Sister Kk, don’t say that…”

“I’m not making it up! It’s okay if you don’t like Jiasen, but if you like anyone else, I can introduce you! We have plenty of singles here. Oh! Your Coach is single too.”

Coach?

Ah, Xu Baiyan.

Xia Yu’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head.

“I’m just here to work! No distractions.”

Kk saw how she reacted to Xu Baiyan’s name and burst out laughing.

“What, are you afraid of him?”

“No…”

“I get it, he does give off a distant vibe sometimes, super cold. But actually, once you get to know him, you’ll see he’s a really good person.”

Xia Yu agreed, “I know Coach is a good person, but—”

“But what?”

Xia Yu thought for a moment and pulled out a reason from her mind.

“But he’s too good-looking.”

“Huh? Isn’t that a good thing? Don’t you like handsome guys?”

“It’s not that… It’s just that handsome guys are too hard to match with.”

Just like Song Yu’an.

Ever since they were kids, lots of girls liked him, and she was just one of the unnoticed ones.

Most of them would probably end up with lively, beautiful girls, ones who could really match them.

And girls like her—they wouldn’t even notice her.

“How could that be! You’re really pretty and cute too,” Kk said.

“Sister Kk, don’t tease me.”

“Really!”

Kk truly meant it, so she just thought Xia Yu was being modest.

“How about this, if you ever get distracted, come talk to me. I can help you!”

Seeing how serious she was, Xia Yu could only smile helplessly.

“Okay, got it.”

With that, the topic ended. Kk brought up something important.

“By the way, Xia Yu, tomorrow night our shop is hosting a Bonfire Party with a few other nearby shops. It’ll be really busy, so you’ll need to start prepping drinks and alcohol earlier in the afternoon.”

Kk had told her about this a few days ago, and Xia Yu had already put it in her memo.

“No problem, I’ll confirm the ingredients list with the suppliers again tomorrow morning.”

“Great, thanks for your hard work.”

“It’s nothing.”

***

The next day, Xia Yu arrived at the shop early.

The Bonfire Party would officially start after dark, but as Kk had said, lots of people usually showed up around four or five in the afternoon.

Xia Yu busied herself in the store, and after prepping all the ingredients, Kk and Cheng Li arrived, so the three of them worked together to get ready for the evening.

By a little after five, the drink and dessert stands outside their shop were all set up.

Xia Yu finally got a moment to rest and sat down by the side.

Just then, she saw Song Yu’an and his friends walking over from the beach.

They were all dressed perfectly for a beach Bonfire Party today—swimsuits and beach shorts, and Song Yu’an was even wearing a bright yellow floral shirt…

But the one who stood out the most was Xue Enjin, with her long curly hair, delicate makeup, and a sizzling bikini.

The bikini was pale yellow, matching Song Yu’an’s color scheme.

She wondered if they’d coordinated their outfits before coming.

As Xia Yu watched them get closer, she subconsciously glanced down at her own clothes.

For convenience at work, she was wearing loose jeans and a T-shirt. Compared to a bikini, she looked way too plain.

“Wow, the drinks at Summer look amazing today! Xia Yu, did you make these?”

Xue Enjin exclaimed as she came closer.

Xia Yu replied, “I made them with the Bosses.”

“Mm, I want a mango juice!”

“Sure, here you go.”

Xue Enjin scanned the code, took the mango juice, and sat down next to Xia Yu.

“We spent forever taking photos on the beach. I’m exhausted.”

“We weren’t tired at all, but you had us take a hundred photos and didn’t like a single one,” Cai Weihao protested.

Xue Enjin replied, “That’s because your photography skills are terrible.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re all terrible. In the end, only Yu’an could take photos you liked.”

Xue Enjin pulled out her phone and started editing her pictures while drinking her juice.

“Honestly, Yu’an really does take the best photos.”

“Tsk tsk, Yu’an is the best at everything~”

Xue Enjin glared at him and snapped, “Stop being sarcastic. You’re just bad at taking photos.”

“Alright, alright, it’s all my fault.”

Cai Weihao patted Song Yu’an and the other guys.

“Hey, since we’re done with photos, let’s go play some volleyball!”

The guys: “Sure!”

Song Yu’an agreed, but didn’t leave right away.

He asked Xia Yu, “Have you been busy all day?”

Xia Yu nodded.

Song Yu’an reminded her, “Don’t forget to rest, even if you’re working part-time.”

Xia Yu smiled.

“It’s fine, I’m not that tired. Besides, it’s not busy anymore now.”

Song Yu’an hummed, then handed her something.

“You haven’t eaten, right? I bought this from one of the stalls over there.”

Xia Yu glanced down at the hot dog in the bag.

“…Thanks.”

“No need to thank me, eat it while it’s hot.”

Song Yu’an said, and just like before, ruffled her hair familiarly before heading off with the guys to play volleyball.

“He’s always been so nice to you, hasn’t he?”

Xue Enjin suddenly said from beside her.

Xia Yu paused a little, but didn’t nod or shake her head.

Xue Enjin didn’t need her to answer and continued, “That’s so great. I’m really envious of your relationship. If only I had met him earlier.”

Xia Yu was a bit dazed.

“It’s not too late for you to know each other now.”

“But I still regret it. I don’t know what he was like as a teenager.”

Xue Enjin propped her chin and looked toward the people on the beach, then suddenly said, “Xia Yu, can you tell that I really like him?”

The hot dog bag in Xia Yu’s hand crinkled softly.

She heard Xue Enjin go on, “You’ve known him for so long—do you know if he has any special likes? Do you think he’d like a girl like me?”

Xia Yu rubbed her nose.

“Have you two ever talked about whether you like each other?”

“How could we? I just feel like we get along really well, and I can sense he feels the same way. But as for actually liking each other, neither of us has said it.”

Speaking of this, the usually bold Xue Enjin was actually a bit shy.

“Honestly, I don’t know what he’s thinking… Of course, I don’t want to confess first. That sort of thing should be up to the guy, right? Hey, keep this a secret for me.”

That kind of obvious crush won’t stay hidden for long—the sun will see it soon enough.

Only her own secret crush would sink deep into the sea.

“Mm… I’ll keep it secret.”

“Then you still haven’t told me if he has any special likes. Tell me, so I can ‘prescribe the right medicine.'”

Xia Yu’s chest tightened with an uncomfortable anxiety.

‘Prescribe the right medicine’… She’s liked him since she was little, but she still didn’t know how to ‘prescribe the right medicine.’

“Xia Yu.”

Just as she was tangled up in awkwardness, a voice suddenly sounded behind her.

Xia Yu turned her head.

At some point, the sky had started to glow with sunset.

The orange-yellow light was fading, but the bonfire flames were rising, lighting up the night.

Not far behind, Xu Baiyan stood at the border of light and shadow, his expression calm and cool, but the white T-shirt he wore seemed to carry a hint of gentleness.

“Kk wants to know where you put the fresh milk,” he said to her.

“Ah? I’m coming.”

Xia Yu immediately got up and headed inside, but as she brushed past Xu Baiyan, she suddenly remembered that Cheng Li had put away the fresh milk today, and Cheng Li should be right beside Kk now.

She paused for a moment and looked at Xu Baiyan.

He remained expressionless. “Aren’t you going?”

“Oh…”

He had pulled her out of an awkward situation.

Xia Yu thought in a daze, it seemed she owed him another one.