Zhao Xiaoyue glanced absentmindedly at the people coming and going in the hall, idly swinging a small bear doll from her handbag.
This was her first day in Haishi, and she bought it from a roadside stall.
The brown doll grinned foolishly, seemingly very happy, but she couldn't feel happy at all; she felt like there was nothing that could make her happy.
She seemed to have suddenly lost her direction in life, feeling empty and unsure of what she should do.
He didn't reply to the letter he sent to his master, and he wasn't allowed to visit him. He could only go home with Sixth Master, otherwise his parents would worry. Some lies are hard to cover up.
So I can't go back home now.
I was originally planning to give the land in Kyoto to Situ Ming at the end of the year and then discuss cooperation, but alas...
Liang Cheng frowned as he looked at the sentimental captain.
However, figuring out how to keep the captain happy is a technical issue.
She disliked all the things little girls liked, showed no interest in high-end electronic products, and wouldn't even glance at bags and clothes—things women liked.
They really didn't understand what this little girl liked or what her hobbies were.
Hou Taotao was the most cunning and observant person among them, yet even he couldn't figure him out.
You could say she's fond of fighting, but she only resorts to violence when provoked or in danger; she's a bit violent.
She is usually a cheerful and easygoing person, and she is very polite to everyone. Only when she sits at the conference table does she show her commanding presence.
In all the time we've spent together, this is the first time I've seen the captain so dejected.
It's probably still related to that guy named Situ Cheng, who said some inappropriate things!
I really don't understand!
"Roasted corn, fragrant and sticky roasted corn, sweet roasted corn, chewy roasted corn!"
An old man was pushing a cart, which was steaming hot. There was a stove on the cart, with a fire underneath and a rack on top, similar to an oven for baking naan. Corn was roasting on the rack.
The old man, especially his face, was filthy, looking like someone who had just come out of a chimney. He wore a large sheepskin hat and a thick sheepskin coat, and was hawking his wares on the street.
Zhao Xiaoyue stared at that person, lost in thought.
She remembered one time when she and her friends had just left a comic convention and had nothing to eat, so they set their sights on a homeless man's bowl.
It was a day after New Year's Day, a particularly cold day, that the two of them hid in a corner, waiting for their chance to strike.
Shivering from the cold at the anime convention, he still couldn't help but complain, "Damn it, my monthly salary isn't even as much as what some people beg for in a day."
Then, while the homeless man was using the toilet, Zhao Xiaoyue pretended to go to the toilet with him to block his view, and carefully took the opportunity to grab a handful of money and run away.
Even after the comic convention ended, he ran away. He ran for a long time before stopping when he was sure no one was chasing him.
Looking at the money in their hands, they both laughed heartily, knowing they could have a good meal tonight.
Those days of going hungry one day and eating a full meal the next lasted for a long time. They started by slowly building their fortune from roasted corn.
Liang Cheng saw the helmsman staring at the corn seller and assumed she wanted some corn, so he ran over and bought three.
He handed one to Zhao Xiaoyue, and only then did Zhao Xiaoyue come back to her senses when she looked at the roasted corn in front of her.
Taking the roasted corn that was handed to him, he broke off the kernels one by one and ate them. "I didn't expect to find such sweet roasted corn at this time of year!"
Liang Cheng explained, "These farmers are very good at storing things. This is their secret recipe. They store the produce when it is ripe in the summer and take it out to sell in the winter. Although it is not as fresh as the seasonal produce, it is better than nothing."
"Zhao Xiaoyue!!"
Lan Caihe exclaimed.
"Pfft, cough cough cough!"
Zhao Xiaoyue swallowed a corn kernel right down her throat, and Liang Cheng quickly patted her back.
After finally vomiting, Lan Caihe rushed over like a gust of wind and hugged Zhao Xiaoyue tightly.
This girl is so outgoing, it's impossible to explain.
Liang Cheng quickly took two steps back.
"Didn't you say you were going home? Why haven't you left?"
She was still holding Zhao Xiaoyue's arm. Zhao Xiaoyue pulled away slightly, and Lan Caihe pouted, then hugged her even tighter.
Zhao Xiaoyue had no choice but to let her be.
"My master went to be with his wife, so I can't go home!"
Lan Caihe feigned sympathy, "Oh dear, how pitiful, you can't even go home. Why don't you come to my house? You're homeless anyway."
"Hey, hey, stop! Don't you know how to use your words? I can't go home right now, not that I'm homeless," Zhao Xiaoyue corrected her righteously.
Lan Caihe then pretended to be embarrassed and said, "Hehehe, oh! I know I was wrong. As an apology, I sincerely invite Zhao Xiaoyue to come to my house. Would you do me the honor?"
Then, in a loud and boisterous tone, she added, "Min'er is coming too. She'll be working as a part-time cleaner at my house during the Chinese New Year. It'll be perfect for the three of us to hang out together!"
Tsk tsk, is this a bird that's just been released from its cage? It keeps chirping nonstop.
Lan Fenglin saw his younger sister playing around with a girl from afar. He walked over helplessly and said to Liang Cheng, "I'm sorry, my sister was a bit rude to your child."
Liang Cheng frowned, but smiled faintly, "It's okay, your sister and my niece are good friends, it's normal for them to bicker."
Lan Fenglin is a full twelve years older than Lan Caihe. Whenever Lan Fenglin is home, Lan Caihe will drag her brother shopping.
Lan Fenglin and Liang Cheng stood together, both silent.
While Lan Caihe was still nagging Zhao Xiaoyue, Min'er ran over and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Then he politely greeted Liang Cheng and Lan Fenglin, "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Brother Lan."
Polite yet distant, without being impolite.
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