The aroma of hot pot filled the room, the broth bubbled and steamed, and chili peppers floated on the pure red oil base. The prepared ingredients were laid out on the round table.

The fizzing sound of the cola can being opened signaled the start of dinner.

Xu Lang smiled and picked up the can. "Come on, cheers."

The cans clinked together. Gu Li said, "This appointment was a bit sudden. I'll make it up to you next time."

Lu Chao took a sip. "Don't do that. I'm just being polite in front of new friends. I refuse to make empty promises."

Ji Hai also took a sip. "Don't try to compensate me, that would only cause more trouble, Brother Li," he teased with a smile.

Xu Lang said, "I was wondering why Brother Li was being so distant. He's such a good actor. Jiang Xu, don't be fooled by him. His words are deceitful."

Gu Li said, “I’ve lost face, so,” he quickly picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, “the first piece of meat was to make up for it.” He looked down and said, “Hey, I took too much. The second piece of meat is here too. I’ve decided to share it with my new friend.”

Lü Chao: "You're such a jerk, I'm slow again."

Gu Li put the meat into Jiang Xu's bowl. "Practice more. You're always the slowest. Obviously, you're the slowest again now."

Jiang Xu looked at the slices of beef in the bowl and said, "I'm touched, my friend."

Lu Chao glanced around. Everyone else had meat in their bowls, but his was still empty. "I've been distracted."

Gu Li said, "You see, lazy people can't get to eat good food."

Lü Chao: "Only the most fussy person can't get a share."

Gu Li said, "So you're quite the troublemaker after all." He then showed off his chopsticks to Lü Chao, clearly intending to smugly display his skills.

Xu Lang: "Chao, hurry up! Chat with Gu Li for a bit longer, then we'll have soup."

Lu Chaoyi raised the can in his hand and said, "Come on, let's not just eat! Cheers! Let's celebrate the addition of our new friend and thank our old friends for gathering together."

Gu Li said, "If you had been a little slower, I might have believed you." He held up the can as he spoke. "But you're right. Come on, let's have one."

While they were talking, Lü Chao held up a soda can in one hand and quickly scooped up meat with the other. Even after being caught, he didn't stop until he felt he had done enough. "Let's go."

The Coke cups we just bought in the summer had a thin layer of condensation on the walls. When the cups of six people touched, some of that condensation was wiped away.

Friendship is both simple and difficult; it can be formed in a single encounter or it can be difficult to form even after many encounters. But at this moment, the six of them formed a friendship amidst the warmth of a hot pot meal.

This meal was like a battlefield. Jiang Xu went from being indifferent at the beginning to fighting for food with everyone. After they were full, they leaned back in their chairs and chatted. "Is this how you guys eat?"

Ji Hai: "It wasn't like that at first, but Gu Li and Lü Chao started it first, and then we found out."

Gu Li continued Ji Hai's words, "You've discovered that food tastes better when you fight over it, hasn't it?"

Jiang Xu: "I didn't think so at first, but after I managed to snag one, I realized it was true."

Lü Chao said, "But we should get together once in a while, otherwise we'll end up fighting."

Xu Lang: "To be fair, Chaozi, you really are slow."

Lü Chao said, "This is elegance, you wouldn't understand."

Xie Tao, "Your elegance is outdated here."

Lü Chao: "Impossible, elegance never goes out of style."

Gu Li burst out laughing, "Hahahaha, Chao, you're so elegant."

Laughter, like fireworks igniting a fuse, instantly ignited the entire circle around the table. Different voices echoed the same laughter, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere in the room filled with the aroma of hot pot.

After resting for a while, the six of them got to work, and the messy kitchen was quickly cleaned up with their combined efforts, leaving only the indoor air purifier continuing to work diligently.

Lu Chao fanned himself, "This smell doesn't dissipate very quickly. It's a pity Gu Li didn't bring his keys, otherwise his house would be the one polluted."

Gu Li wiped her hands as she walked out of the kitchen. "I heard it all from the window. I'll go stand outside the door and listen. Why don't you grab a megaphone and shout?"

Lü Chao said, "There's also a loudspeaker, bring it here, bring it here, how thoughtful of you."

Gu Li: "100 yuan per use, pay first and then use."

Lu Chao stretched and said, "This is a shady place. I can't stay here any longer. Let's go, brothers."

Xu Lang and Xie Tao threw the trash into the trash can. Xu Lang clapped his hands and said, "Yeah, it's getting dark. It'll be dangerous soon."

Lü Chao, "Danger what?"

Xu Lang patted his chest and said, "With someone as radiant as me, I have to be careful. Chaozi, you can go ahead without worry, nothing will happen."

Lu Chao walked over, hands on his hands, and said, "Kid, you've gotten even more mischievous in the time I haven't seen you. Let me see how you've become so radiant."

Ji Hai glanced at the sky outside the window. "It's getting late. We should head back. Next time, we should get together at our place. Don't be late!"

Gu Li: "How could I be late? I'll be the first one here."

While playfully teasing Lü Chao, Xu Lang said, "Impossible, Tao and I must have arrived first."

Xie Tao pulled the two playfully fighting apart, one in each hand, and added, "Next time you'll see who gets there first."

Jiang Xu: "We arrived a day early."

The people who were fooling around stopped, winked at Jiang Xu, and Xu Lang raised his hand to show his approval, "You guys are ruthless, letting you get here first."

Gu Li: "We earned it through our own abilities, we don't need to give way."

Six people stood at the door. Gu Li said, "I'll see you off."

Jiang Xu: "I'm with you."

Gu Li pushed the four of them out the door. "No need, wait for me at home. I have something to say to you later." He smiled at Jiang Xu after he finished speaking.

Seeing Jiang Xu nod, Gu Li closed the door.

Lü Chao: "No, when did we start doing this kind of thing, sending people away?"

Gu Li waved her hand, "I'm just in a good mood today, why don't you want to give me a ride?"

Xu Lang: "I sense a conspiracy."

Lu Chao and Xu Lang exchanged a glance. "Me too."

Gu Li raised an eyebrow. "My good intentions have been interpreted as a conspiracy," he paused, then continued, "Did you hear that?"

Ji Hai, "What did you hear?"

Gu Li clapped her hands. "Crack! The sound of my heart breaking."

Xie Tao, "suddenly went deaf."

Xu Lang, Lü Chao, and Ji Hai: "Me too."

The five of them walked into the elevator while talking. Gu Li became more serious and said, "I didn't bring my keys. I contacted the property management and will pick them up on my way."

Lu Chao said, "You almost fooled me. Why didn't you let Jiang Xu come with you? What are your plans? Tell me."

Gu Li rubbed her phone. "Jiang Xu joined the student council as a minister. I prepared some gifts for him. I'm not worried about him being shy. I'll give them to him after you leave."

Ji Hai sighed, "Li, ah."

Xu Lang sighed, “Li,” adding to what Ji Haiwei had said, “You acted really well, but innocence really doesn’t suit you.”

Gu Li: "Why doesn't anyone believe my genuine feelings?"

Lü Chao smiled and said, "Then tell me what you're planning to give as a gift?"

Gu Li's eyes gleamed as she raised them slightly. "Can I tell you?"