Most of the dishes on the table had been eaten, and several empty beer bottles were lined up on the floor.
Everyone’s pace of eating had slowed, and most leaned back in their seats, occasionally sipping Beer or Orange Juice. Instead of gathering in small groups to chat, they tossed out topics at random—someone always picked them up.
Lin Yiren took a sip of Jasmine Tea that Deng Min handed her. She didn’t really like the taste of Beer.
She used to think she’d be the type to gulp it all down in one shot and let out a hearty “Ha!”, but in the end, she still preferred sweet drinks.
“Ha~” A Long-haired Boy sitting across from her let out a sigh, still holding a half-drunk bottle of beer.
So this is what it’s like to drink straight from the bottle, Lin Yiren clicked her tongue.
After that, she didn’t attract any special attention. Most people were amazed when they first saw her, but later only asked her a couple of polite questions— even Wu Yong was now passionately singing duets with someone else.
Lin Yiren put a Hotpot Beef Roll dripping with broth into her bowl, mixed it with rice, and took a bite.
The Hotpot Beef Roll was perfectly tangy, and the Boiled Sliced Pork she had just now wasn’t bad either—just that the Sichuan Peppercorn made her mouth a bit numb… The girls around her seemed to eat less, while she hadn’t stopped picking up food.
She never felt at ease in large gatherings like this. Back when she was still a boy, she only talked to the person beside her and couldn’t bring herself to shout something out into the air, waiting for someone to respond.
The girls’ voices fluttered softly in conversation, discussing all sorts of gossip from the Entertainment Industry.
Female Writers loved talking about this stuff too. If there had to be a difference between them and regular girls, it would be—“I think those two have great chemistry. I’m going home tonight to write some good fanfic.”
“Yiren, you really have a good appetite,” Lin Mo said. This historical web novelist, who’d been flitting around the room chatting with everyone, no longer called her “Big Sis,” and now affectionately used “Yiren.”
Suddenly being addressed, Lin Yiren nodded blankly.
Lin Mo saw her dazed expression and couldn’t help but smile, continuing, “Yiren, your name sounds so lovely. Did your mom give it to you?”
Lin Yiren blushed and said she’d forgotten.
Though she had her parents’ permission, the name was basically Chen Zhaoyue’s idea alone.
“Yiren” had once symbolized something beautiful and carried a lingering meaning. It had taken her a long time to get used to the name Chen Zhaoyue gave her.
And now, when Chen Zhaoyue called her, her originally clear, gentle voice would add a layer of softness, making that “Yiren” sound full of countless subtle meanings.
***
As the gathering neared its end, some people left early, and a few of the guys made plans to go play arcade games.
Lin Yiren felt a bit tempted. She had once spent an entire afternoon with friends at an arcade, those times of bros teasing each other and laughing together were truly memorable.
But now, she could only bid farewell with the other girls.
In the end, only four girls were left standing at the restaurant entrance.
“Min-jie, where are we going next~?” Lin Mo leaned softly on Yu Die’s shoulder—Yu Die, who’d been sitting next to Lin Mo, was the mature big sister with wavy yellow hair and vivid red lipstick.
“Hmm, I’m thinking either KTV or doing some crafts—Yiren, you’ll come too, right?” Deng Min stroked her chin.
“Yeah.” Lin Yiren nodded. Although she couldn’t join the boys’ plans, she was still looking forward to and curious about hanging out with the girls.
She just hoped it wouldn’t be something completely out of her depth.
Seeing everyone hesitate, Yu Die checked her phone and suggested, “How about going for some beauty care? I visit the Beauty Salon at this Mall all the time.”
Beauty care? Lin Yiren’s pupils contracted, and she nervously grabbed the hem of her pants.
She’d never been to a Beauty Salon before. Was her first girl’s outing going to be something so… feminine?
But beauty care probably just meant washing your face, right? Besides, she’d just said she’d go along…
“I’m in!” Lin Mo was the first to raise her hand.
“It’s true, I haven’t been in ages,” Deng Min said with a smile, turning to look at Lin Yiren.
“I’ll join too,” Lin Yiren agreed, though she felt pushed along.
“Hurry up, hurry up, it’s too hot here,” Lin Mo urged, nudging Yu Die to lead the way.
***
Deng Min and Lin Yiren walked behind.
“How do you feel? It was just a casual get-together, right?”
“Yeah, I thought it would…”
“Be like a book club, discussing plot lines or something, right?” Deng Min covered her mouth and chuckled.
“Yeah.” Lin Yiren nodded, a little embarrassed. She had even wondered if everyone would go to the Library after dinner.
But the most common topics turned out to be talking up each other’s works and poking fun at the latest abstract masterpieces they’d found.
“If you think of this as work, right now it’s after hours,” Deng Min winked at her.
Lin Yiren smiled.
Though it wasn’t what she’d expected, hearing new friends talk about their struggles as rookie authors and the feelings they shared made her relax a lot. It also gave her more confidence.
Stepping out of the hot air and into the Mall, a cool wave enveloped her skin.
“Whoa~” Lin Mo couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
After entering the Mall, the four of them walked together, with Lin Mo squeezed between Deng Min and Yu Die, while Lin Yiren kept a little distance beside them.
The four stylish girls, each with their own flair, drew plenty of attention from passersby. Watching them leaning on each other and laughing, chatting about girl talk, people couldn’t help but think, “Let me join!”
Walking among them, Lin Yiren noticed the admiring looks from a couple of boys passing by, and felt a subtle sensation inside.
It seemed she’d fulfilled a big dream for her fellow men. She was a bit pleased, but also a little uneasy, not daring to get too close.
Deng Min and the others were discussing the guys from dinner.
“Wu Yong broke up again.”
“I remember the girl he brought last time was really nice. Weren’t they all lovey-dovey then?”
“Hehe, I saw Wu Yong messaging her—she didn’t even glance at it.”
Not really her forte, Lin Yiren could only nod and smile from the side.
Girls’ conversations could be random and jumpy, going from celebrity gossip to guessing song titles in a heartbeat. There was a peaceful, everyday harmony to it.
***
They arrived at the Beauty Salon.
Yu Die was a VIP at this place. As soon as they entered, a Service Staff member in uniform came over to guide them.
“Miss Yu, bringing friends today?”
“Yes, we’ll just do a basic facial care today.”
“Very well. We’re also offering a new Body Care Package. Would you like to try it?”
The phrase “Body Care” made Lin Yiren’s face tense up. Did it mean undressing for a massage or something?
Fortunately, Yu Die thought for a moment and declined.
“Please change your shoes over here.”
Lin Yiren followed Deng Min and the others closely, glancing around.
It was her first time in a place catering mostly to women. She was curious but a bit anxious, afraid she’d do something “un-girly.”
After changing shoes, the Service Staff led them to a Private Room.
“We’ve prepared a Shower Room for you here. After showering, you may change into Customer Robes.”
Shower?!
Lin Yiren’s eyes widened.
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