Chapter 41

Being stared at like a monkey by so many people, and having other family matters brought up, He Shuying's face turned red and then pale. "Xiao Lin, that's not what I meant. That's what Father said. Maybe I didn't understand clearly. But Xiao He is back, and I still hope she can come home for a visit. Father will be very happy."

Cheng Surin gave him a cold look and said in an unfriendly tone, "Don't call me that, we're not close."

He He hates He Shuying the most, as if she's trying to steal everyone away from her. Fortunately, her maternal grandfather's family members are on her side.

He Shuying was humiliated and looked very upset. She had been in a hurry and forgot that Cheng Sulin didn't want her to call her that. She stood frozen in place.

He Shuying's companion realized the situation was bad and tugged at her, "Shuying, we still have to go to the city cultural center this afternoon, let's eat quickly. If your sister doesn't want to go home, just leave her alone."

Before He Shuying was pulled away, she pretended to be a good person and said to He He, "I will tell Mom and Dad that you are back and that you have been admitted to university. Mom and Dad will not blame you for not telling them this good news. You can come home whenever you want."

He He sneered, "Of course I'll go back. Just wait for me at home. We haven't settled our score yet."

He He was practically going crazy. "How disgusting is your talk?"

After He He finished speaking, she turned and left, still angry at He Shuying. Seeing He Shuying, she was still so useless, and she could always make her angry.

As they left the state-run restaurant, Chen Jingyi and the others continued to soothe and comfort He He.

Cheng Surin: "Don't be angry, Auntie. I think you did a great job today. You've mastered her roundabout way of speaking. Look how angry she is today. Your cursing skills have improved a lot. From now on, just speak like this. You speak very well. If you don't listen carefully, you won't be able to tell that you're cursing her. You can't find a single mistake."

He He exclaimed in surprise, "Really? I've really mastered the essence of her indirect insults?"

Although it's still a bit lacking, it's already quite good. Cheng Surin gave He He plenty of encouragement: "Of course."

"Wait here for me." Chen Jingbai went back to the state-run restaurant. He had seen ice cream on the blackboard today and planned to buy some for He He. Eating something sweet would make her feel much better.

The three were puzzled, but Chen Jingbai came out quickly, holding two ice creams. He gave one to He He and the other to Chen Jingyi.

"Wow, ice cream! The state-run restaurant actually has ice cream today." He He took a lick; the ice cream was strawberry flavored.

Seeing He He cheer up, Chen Jingbai looked at her gently and said, "As long as it tastes good."

The group walked to the bus stop. He He was escorted home by Cheng Sulin, while Chen Jingbai and Chen Jingyi walked together, taking different buses.

The first bus to arrive was the No. 3 bus that He He was taking back to the military compound. The group waved goodbye and made plans to go to the zoo at 10 a.m. the next day. Before boarding the bus, He He reminded them again not to forget to go to the zoo the next day.

Chen Jingbai and Chen Jingyi watched the car drive away, and a short while later, the bus back to their home arrived.

There weren't many people on the bus that night, so Chen Jingbai and Chen Jingyi sat in the back row of seats.

Neither of them were talkative. After a moment of silence, Chen Jingyi suddenly said, "That woman we just met seemed like someone to be trifled with. I wonder how many times Xiao He has suffered at her hands before."

The methods are not sophisticated, and any smart person can see through them, but the real danger lies in biased parents who are so biased that it's obvious what they're doing.

Chen Jingbai believed that He He had the ability to solve problems, and she had solved them herself today; she was very capable.

"She doesn't seem like a good person, but she can handle it."

Rongcheng Zoo is close to the Chen family's house. We agreed yesterday that after visiting the zoo, we would go to the Chen family's house in the afternoon, have dinner there, and then leave.

Chen Jingbai had informed Chen Jingyi and her family in advance.

The four of us didn't have a very good lunch at the zoo; we had only brought dry food. By the time we left the zoo at 3 p.m., we were all quite hungry.

Chen Jingbai and Chen Jingyi, siblings, took them home.

On weekdays, there are only a few elderly people in the alley, but they are also the most gossipy.

Seeing the two siblings from the Chen family return with good-looking young men, they grabbed them and asked, "Little Chen, are these your friends? They're all quite handsome, and this young lady is even more beautiful. Do you have boyfriends?"

The older folks always ask if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, and Chen Jingbai and Chen Jingyi are used to it. They were even asked this question as soon as they stepped out the door after returning home.

He He was curiously looking at the bungalows when she was suddenly asked a question. Her eyes quickly glanced at Chen Jingbai, and she smiled shyly, "Grandma, I already have a boyfriend."

The old lady wanted to ask more questions, but Chen Jingbai interrupted her: "Grandma Wang, aren't you going to pick up your grandson from school? It's almost time for school to let out."

Rongcheng Elementary School lets out at 4 p.m. Some elderly people, having nothing else to do, like to go to the school gate early to wait for their children to get out of school.

The old lady was reminded and hurriedly left to pick up her grandson, allowing the four of them to escape.

Upon arriving at the Chen family home, Chen Jingbai unlocked the door with his key. The room was well-lit, bright and airy in the afternoon.

Chen Jingyi said from behind, "The room is a bit simple. Please have a seat and I'll get you some water."

The house was very clean and tidy. The layout of three bedrooms and two living rooms is already quite large for many families.

He He glanced at the curtains; they were green with small floral patterns. "No, they feel very cozy."

He He wasn't nervous at all; she looked around calmly, finding everything novel and fascinating.

Cheng Surin sat nervously in his seat, his legs trembling slightly. This was his first time visiting Chen Jingyi's home. Although Chen Jingyi's parents weren't there and he didn't have to meet them, he was still very nervous.

Chen Jingbai brought over some biscuits and sat down next to He He. "Have some biscuits to tide you over. Are you hungry now? Would you like me to cook some noodles for you to tide you over?"

He He was indeed hungry, and now she wanted to eat a bowl of hot noodles. She looked at Chen Jingbai eagerly and asked, "Is that alright?"

Chen Jingbai smiled and said, "Of course, I'll cook for you."

He got up after he finished speaking, and He He wanted to follow him so that she could be the first to eat.

"Would you like some tea? I'll make you some." Chen Jingyi had just finished boiling water and came over. She saw He He was about to go with Chen Jingbai. "Hehe, why don't you sit down and rest? Let Xiaobai cook some noodles. Have some water first. You must be tired after walking for so long."

He He sat down again. "Ah, that's fine too. But I'll just drink plain water. Why don't you ask Cheng Surin what he wants to drink?"

Chen Jingbai glanced back at her, then went into the kitchen.

Cheng Surin stopped trembling, but was still nervous, keeping her head down and not daring to look at Chen Jingyi. "I, I can drink anything."

Chen Jingyi first poured them a glass of warm water from a thermos, then took some tea leaves from the cupboard and brewed a pot of tea with hot water.

She placed the teapot on the table and sat down in the spot where Chen Jingbai had been sitting. "This tea was just brewed. If you want some, please pour yourself some. Make yourselves at home and don't feel awkward."

Chen Jingyi pushed the biscuit towards He He, saying, "He He, have a biscuit."

He He took a piece; she was indeed hungry. After finishing one piece, she reached out and took another.

She glanced at Cheng Sulin, then at Chen Jingyi, and decided to go to the kitchen to find Chen Jingbai.