“So, what do you want to eat?”
A chill mist drifted from the Refrigerated Cabinet, blending with the soft music playing from the Supermarket’s speakers.
Yezhe rested one hand on the Shopping Cart’s handle and turned to look at Yudong, who was following behind him.
“Aren’t you the one cooking? Don’t ask me.”
Her plans were disrupted by Yezhe, and now that he was asking her, Yudong purposely ignored him and shot him a glare.
“Uh… Liuyin, what do you want to eat?”
“Hotpot! I want hotpot…”
“You’re not allowed to ask her…”
But Yezhe didn’t hear that muttered line.
“Got it. Tonight I’ll make you a proper meal.”
“Oh…”
“Didn’t you just say you were too tired? And now you’re pretending to be nice and asking me?”
Though her anger didn’t completely disappear after Yezhe said that, it was enough to improve Yudong’s mood.
“It’s fine, I can handle it. As long as you two eat well, I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Then do your best…”
The atmosphere settled down, and for the sake of their dinner, all three got to work.
Hmm, by “work” they meant filling up the little Shopping Cart.
After all, Yezhe was treating them, so he certainly wasn’t worried about money.
He didn’t top up in games or buy expensive clothes—who knew how much money he still had on hand?
Besides, talking to Yezhe usually made her either furious or half-furious—she’d never really had a chance to vent.
Still, she had to thank him.
If it weren’t for him, what would she do…
“Hey, what are you spacing out in front of all that meat for? Didn’t get enough sneaking food when the Head Chef was done, and now you’ve got your eye on the raw stuff?”
Just as she was picking out some meat, Yezhe’s voice crashed down from above.
…Ugh, so annoying.
She had just been complimenting the guy…
“I just like to eat, and since you’re treating today, I’m definitely going to eat my fill!”
“Auntie, give us two jin of Beef Roll!”
…
“Hello, that’ll be three hundred twenty-seven yuan and forty cents. Will you be paying cash or online?”
“Uh…”
According to Yezhe’s memory, he’d only picked up some inexpensive items.
Tofu, Gongcai, Kelp, Chinese Cabbage, Hotpot Balls, Hotpot Base.
Even if you filled the Shopping Cart with these, it shouldn’t cost that much.
“Seriously, are you two stocking up for a famine?”
Looking at the two gloating at his side, Yezhe complained, but didn’t say anything else.
…
“Liuyin? Do you want something tasty?”
While Yezhe was picking out vegetables in the fresh produce section, Yudong took the opportunity to sway Liuyin.
“Didn’t big brother say he’d make something tasty?”
“Not that. Liuyin, do you want some Snacks?”
Maybe Liuyin didn’t know about other things, but the word “Snacks”—what child could resist that temptation? Besides, Liuyin hardly ever got to eat such things.
During the day when Yezhe was at work, the duty of looking after Liuyin naturally fell to Uncle Wang.
Things like washing up didn’t need Uncle Wang’s help, but when it came to meals…
Bottled Water with Steamed Potato, or Firewood Baked Potato?
Don’t like those? There’s still Potato Noodles.
But you couldn’t blame Uncle Wang—he’d eaten like that for most of his life, and as a single old man, who’d expect him to whip up a full three-dish, one-soup meal?
If Yezhe didn’t always bring back leftover Cold Dish and meat from the restaurant, Liuyin really would get tired of potatoes.
Other than that, every night when he got home, Yezhe would buy Liuyin a bag or two of Snacks.
He’d thought about buying more to keep at home, but just never found the time.
And so, this perfect opportunity fell into Yudong’s hands…
“Big sis knows which Snacks are delicious. Want to go pick some out with me?”
As she spoke, Yudong quietly led Liuyin to the Snack aisle and stuffed a bag of Potato Chips into her arms.
Seeing the wall of Snacks, Liuyin was overjoyed, grabbing Yudong to start grabbing more.
“Wow! Thank you, big sis!”
“Good girl. Let’s take a few more today—your brother likes Snacks too.”
…
“Hmm…”
Yezhe muttered to himself, rifling through the things in the Shopping Cart.
Potato Chips, Chocolate, Guoba, Biscuit, Egg Yolk Pie… there were even Instant Noodles.
He could let Instant Noodles slide, but what was with the Beer?
“Weren’t you the one who said you were treating? Besides, Liuyin picked all these—nothing to do with me.”
“Are you sure?”
Pushing aside the pile of Snacks, Yezhe pulled out a chilled bottle of Beer from the bottom of the cart and stared at Liuyin in disbelief.
“Big sis said this was a tasty drink, so I picked it…”
Realizing something was wrong, Liuyin’s voice grew cautious.
“Ah, that—that was me… cough.”
Seeing Yezhe’s face change, Yudong coughed a couple times, trying to lighten the mood, but it was no use.
“You…”
The usually friendly boy now showed a sternness neither of them had seen before.
“You want to drink? Fine. Explain it to Liuyin properly.”
The cheerful mood instantly turned awkward because of Yezhe’s attitude—for the first time, no less.
“If you don’t explain what Beer is, I’m not letting you take it. Aren’t you worried about setting a bad example for kids?”
His tone was much harsher than before, and Yudong started to panic.
“Alright, alright, don’t be so angry…”
“You explain to Liuyin first. You’re an adult…”
Left with no choice, Yudong crouched down to explain everything to Liuyin, her eyes growing red without her realizing it.
“Liuyin, this isn’t tasty. Cough, this is…”
Because a little girl, out of nowhere, was angry with her…
“This is called Beer, it’s…”
Why won’t you care a little more about me?
“Liuyin, you absolutely mustn’t…”
I’ve always been patient…
You said you liked cheerful girls, so I cut my hair, tried to act more confident…
You said you didn’t want a relationship, so I kept my feelings hidden…
I’ve done all this—why can’t I give this love to you?
…
“Zhe, boys your age usually start dating and stuff, right?”
One evening, the Boss called Yezhe over to the door.
“My daughter doesn’t study properly and just messes around with boys. Even the Class Teacher called me—I’m furious.”
“Sigh, that’s adolescence. Honestly, as long as it doesn’t affect her studies, it’s fine.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re right…”
The man squatted next to Yezhe, sighing, and pulled out a box of cigarettes from his pocket.
He opened the box and shook out two, sticking one in his own mouth and handing the other to Yezhe.
“Want one?”
“I’m not used to smoking…”
Yezhe waved his hand, politely refusing.
“Oh, right, I forgot.”
“By the way, are you seeing anyone? I never see you ask for leave or anything—don’t you get bored staying here every day?”
“It’s alright, nothing I really want to do. A partner… I’m not interested.”
“And besides, how could I possibly…”
Yezhe intentionally lowered his voice for the next bit.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing, nothing. Anyway, isn’t Ying Ying’s grades pretty good? Why did the teacher call you?”
“Ay, good my ass. She’s slipped… Oh, Yudong, off work?”
The heat of summer couldn’t be solved with those two asthmatic old fans in the shop, and with the kitchen’s warmth, they had to leave the main door wide open just to stand it.
The whirring when the doors were shut meant neither man noticed Yudong leaving.
“Mm…”
“Alright, take care on your way. I’ll chat with Yezhe for a while, haha.”
“Mm, you two… don’t catch a cold.”
“Yeah, yeah, hurry home!”
“If only my daughter was as motivated as Yudong, I’d be relieved…”
…
No interest… huh…
…
“Liuyin, did you remember? This is alcohol, kids can’t drink it. Just now…”
The moment Yezhe got angry, all of Yudong’s inner frustration turned to sadness. Holding back tears, she explained everything to Liuyin.
“It’s okay, big sis, I understand.”
Liuyin looked up, her soft voice seeming to wash away Yudong’s sadness. She pulled her hand—clutching Chocolate—from her pocket.
“Big sis wanted to buy it, but big brother wouldn’t let her, so she said I picked it. Don’t cry, big sis.”
A tiny hand reached up to Yudong’s reddened eyes, wiping away the last traces of tears.
“Big brother is a meanie!”
With that, Liuyin puffed out her cheeks, turning away with her little leather shoes clacking against the tiles—tap, tap, tap.
“How did you end up blaming me? She’s the one being a bad example…”
Trying to defend himself, Yezhe’s voice was clearly dissatisfied.
“I don’t care! Big brother made big sis cry, so you’re the big meanie!”
“Wait, she cried?”
Hearing that Yudong was crying, Yezhe’s voice cut off abruptly. He hurried over to get a closer look at her face.
“Crap! Sis, I’m sorry, I was too impulsive just now…”
“Waa… I… I hate you!”