Shen Xiaoxiao looked in the direction of the voice, and a bright smile immediately appeared on her face as she replied, "Hello, Xia Zhiqing and Dai Zhiqing! What a coincidence!"

As she spoke, she walked lightly to the table where the two of them were sitting.

Lin Huanhuan and others, who were also from the educated youth institute and were sitting at the next table, seemed rather unhappy.

Their relaxed and cheerful conversation instantly turned tense, and everyone's face became gloomy.

Lin Huanhuan, in particular, looked at Shen Xiaoxiao chatting and laughing with Xiahou Jie and Dai Xingyun, and her eyes revealed an undisguised jealousy and dissatisfaction.

When they first entered the state-run restaurant together, Lin Huanhuan and the others invited the two of them to sit with them, but they declined, saying they were not used to sitting with outsiders.

Shen Xiaoxiao sat down with a smile and a graceful demeanor, thinking to herself, "There's no need to be so polite. After all, one of them is already my boyfriend!"

Just then, Xiahou Jie turned his gaze to Shen Xiaoxiao, who had just sat down.

He noticed that ever since Shen Xiaoxiao sat down, the bright smile on his brother's face, which was sitting next to him, seemed to be frozen in time and never disappeared.

At this moment, Dai Xingyun spoke softly, "We just ordered three dishes: braised pork, cucumber salad, and Mapo tofu. Is there anything else you'd like to eat?"

His tone was exceptionally gentle, and his eyes were full of love.

Shen Xiaoxiao waved her hand casually and replied, "I'm not picky about food, any dish is fine with me." After saying that, she even winked mischievously.

Seeing this, Dai Xingyun smiled and stood up, slowly walking towards the windowsill.

He took out a few bills from his pocket, handed them to the waiter, and said, "Could you please add another serving of boiled fish and a serving of rice?"

The waiter quickly responded and then swiftly took the money.

At that moment, Shen Xiaoxiao skillfully took out the banknote from her pocket.

The moment Dai Xingyun sat down, she handed him the money without hesitation.

"What are you doing?" Upon seeing this, Dai Xingyun frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and anger.

After all, in his opinion, it was really unreasonable to have to pay for meals with one's partner.

However, Shen Xiaoxiao was not flustered at all by his reaction. Instead, she lowered her voice and explained softly.

"I'd be too embarrassed to eat your food now! In the future, all your money and tickets will be under my control. I'll only be unhappy if you don't hand them over to me!"

After saying that, she winked playfully at Dai Xingyun.

Upon hearing Shen Xiaoxiao's words, Dai Xingyun, who had been somewhat annoyed, immediately turned from anger to joy, and a bright smile appeared on his face.

Xiahou Jie, who was standing to the side, witnessed the entire interaction between the two and couldn't help but sigh with admiration. He shook his head and said, "It's true that everyone has their day! I never thought that our brother, who is usually so stubborn, would be so easily appeased!"

It seems that if I need anything in the future, I can just go directly to Comrade Shen.

Just then, a commotion arose from the table next to Lin Huanhuan's: "Huanhuan, I heard you even passed the barefoot doctor's certificate exam! You're really amazing!"

"So you won't be working with us anymore, and you'll be working as a barefoot doctor at the health center?" The speaker's tone was full of envy and admiration.

Lin Huanhuan turned around upon hearing the voice, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Chen Xiaoxiao's direction, before replying in the same loud voice, "Yes, I've already received the certificate."

"As for whether or not to continue working, that depends on the team leader's decision."

As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Xiaoxiao a couple more times, her gaze seemingly carrying a deeper meaning.

Shen Xiaoxiao naturally understood that Lin Huanhuan was talking to her, but she chose not to pay attention to her.

After all, she really didn't want to get too involved in these kinds of open and covert struggles.

Just then, the waiter came over and smiled, informing them that they could go and serve the dishes.

Shen Xiaoxiao stood up, ready to serve the dishes.

"You can sit here, I'll go get it!" Dai Xingyun said and walked to the window.

Dai Xingyun brought all the dishes over on a tray and first handed a bowl of rice to Shen Xiaoxiao.

Shen Xiaoxiao took it and said sweetly, "Thank you!"

Shen Xiaoxiao and the other two each picked up a bowl of rice and started eating.

Lin Huanhuan and the others felt bored seeing that Shen Xiaoxiao didn't react at all. Seeing how much they were enjoying their food, they quickly lowered their heads to eat their noodles, afraid that their mouths would water.

When Shen Xiaoxin finished her last bite of food with satisfaction and slowly raised her head, she was surprised to find that Lin Huanhuan's table had already left sometime earlier.

At this moment, Dai Xingyun, who was sitting to the side, smiled and asked in his gentlest tone, "Xiaoxiao, are you full? Would you like some more food?"

Shen Xiaoxiao patted her round belly and replied contentedly, "I'm full."

Seeing that Dai Xingyun seemed unconvinced, she added, "I'm really full, I can't eat anymore! But if you want more, feel free to order more." As she spoke, she let out a loud burp.

Seeing this, Dai Xingyun couldn't help but laugh out loud, followed by a burp, and then said, "Haha, it seems we're really on the same wavelength. I'm also full." After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes full of sweetness and happiness.

This heartwarming scene, however, made Xiahou Jie, who was sitting next to him, feel a little embarrassed. He couldn't help but complain, "Oh my god, I feel like I shouldn't be sitting here. I should crawl under the table!"

These words drew another burst of laughter from the two of them.

Then, the three of them got up and left the state-run restaurant together, slowly walking towards the direction where the oxcart was parked.

Even from a distance, they could hear Uncle Lao Gen shouting at the top of his lungs, "You lot, don't touch that bag!"

Shen Xiaoxiao strode forward as if on the wind, and upon closer inspection, she saw several figures gathered together, trying to open the bag.

Her heart tightened, and she quickly shouted, "What are you doing!"

This sudden shout interrupted the heated argument between the group.

Everyone was taken aback and turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.

When Uncle Lao Gen saw Shen Xiaoxiao arrive, it was like seeing a savior. He hurriedly went up to her and said, "Little girl, you've finally arrived! These people insisted on opening your bag, and I couldn't stop them no matter what I did. I was so anxious that I was sweating profusely!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to wipe the large beads of sweat from his forehead.

Standing to the side, Qin Xiuxiu pointed to the medicine bag and said to Shen Xiaoxiao, "This is your bag, right? Uncle Laogen said it contains medicine."