The next day, Han's mother dragged Su Wanwan out early in the morning to carry out the grand plan they had discussed the night before: going shopping.
Before leaving, she reminded Han Feng to help out at the supermarket when he had time, as there were some goods to be delivered today.
Helpless, Han Feng called Wang Hao. At that moment, Han Feng was tiptoeing up the ladder carrying a case of drinks. "Hey, why don't you take it!" Han Feng turned to Wang Hao, who was standing on the ladder, and shouted, his voice tinged with impatience.
Wang Hao slowly took the box, a mischievous smile playing on his lips: "What's wrong? Has your temper gotten worse since Su Wanwan isn't here?"
Han Feng paused for a moment, then casually dusted off his hands: "She went shopping with my mom."
"Oh~" Wang Hao deliberately drew out his words as he jumped down from the ladder, "So she really did stay at your house last night?"
Han Feng's ears instantly turned red. He bent down to organize the goods on the bottom shelf, avoiding Wang Hao's probing gaze: "It's... the guest room. My mom insists on having her stay."
"Tsk tsk." Wang Hao squatted down next to him and lowered his voice, "Bro, I'm not kidding, but the way Su Wanwan looks at you is practically drooling."
Han Feng suddenly straightened up, his head slamming against the shelf with a "thud," making him wince in pain. Wang Hao burst into laughter, attracting curious glances from several early-shift customers.
"Keep your voice down!" Han Feng rubbed his head, pulled Wang Hao into the warehouse, closed the door, and continued, "Don't talk nonsense. We're just classmates and colleagues."
Wang Hao leaned against the cardboard box full of tissues, his expression suddenly turning serious: "Han Feng, who are you trying to fool? She's no relation to you, and you even followed her back to your hometown. What else could that be but liking her?"
"I..." Han Feng looked up, meeting Wang Hao's eyes, "I don't have those feelings for her."
"So, who do you have feelings for?" Wang Hao pressed sharply. "You're not actually having an affair with Liu Mengran from your forum, are you?"
"You're meddling too much." Han Feng pushed Wang Hao aside, opened the warehouse door, and walked out.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the supermarket was gradually emptying out of customers. "Xiao Feng! We're back!" His mother's loud voice rang with the doorbell. Han Feng's hand trembled, and his phone fell onto the table. He looked up and saw his mother carrying large bags and small packages, followed by Su Wanwan, who was also laden with purchases.
Su Wanwan wore a pale yellow dress today, which made her skin look even whiter. She smiled at Han Feng, her eyes crinkling into crescents: "I'm exhausted, Auntie can shop so much!"
"Wanwan has excellent taste," Han's mother said, piling shopping bags on the table in the lounge area. "She picked out this silk scarf for me; it's much better than the one your dad gave me last year."
Han Feng went over to help carry the things, and his fingers accidentally brushed against Su Wanwan's. She quickly pulled her hand back, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Han Feng pretended not to notice and turned to ask his mother, "Where's Dad? He went out this afternoon and hasn't come back."
"He went to buy more goods again and won't be back until tonight." Han's mother gave the two of them a meaningful look. "Wanwan, go and organize today's spoils. I'll go cook dinner."
Su Wanwan glanced at Han Feng, and seeing that he didn't react, she nodded: "Okay, I'll go right away."
"Xiao Feng, come to the kitchen and help me prepare dinner," Han's mother suddenly commanded, her tone leaving no room for refusal. Han's mother deftly tied on her apron and began washing vegetables. Han Feng stood to the side peeling potatoes, his knife skills practiced but his mind elsewhere.
"Wanwan is such a good child," Han's mother suddenly said. "She's sensible, hardworking, and knows how to care for others. Today, while we were shopping, she insisted on buying me that silk scarf, saying it was to thank me for letting her stay."
Han Feng's knife slipped on the potato: "Mom, she's just being polite..."
"Don't be so polite," Han's mother said, turning to face her son. "I can tell she likes you. What about you? What do you think?"
The kitchen fell silent instantly, the only sound the hum of the refrigerator. Han Feng felt a suffocating sensation, as if all the air had been sucked away. He put down the knife and potatoes, took a deep breath: "Mom, we really are just friends."
"A friend?" Han's mother chuckled. "Do you think I'm stupid? This young lady is from Kyoto. Would she really come with you to a place you don't know if she's just a friend? She told me a little about her family situation; she's a very nice girl, just a bit unlucky."
"Mom, you can't force matters of the heart," Han Feng said softly.
Han's mother sighed, her tone softening: "Xiaofeng, I'm not trying to interfere. It's just... a girl like Wanwan, once missed, is gone forever."
"Okay, Mom," Han Feng suddenly raised his voice, then lowered it again, "I...I don't want to talk about this right now."
Han's mother hesitated, then simply shook her head and turned to continue washing the vegetables. Only the sound of running water and the thud of the cleaver hitting the cutting board remained in the kitchen.
After dinner, Han Feng stood on the balcony, gazing at the lights in the distance.
System Zero suddenly spoke up: "Host, your heart rate was abnormal for 30 seconds after you left the kitchen."
"...Could you please stop monitoring this useless data?"
"This system is simply reminding you that the longer you delay dealing with relationship problems, the higher the cost of handling them later."
Han Feng was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I know." He knew Su Wanwan's thoughts and his mother's intentions.
Two days passed in a flash. Mr. and Mrs. Han stood outside the security checkpoint, their eyes filled with reluctance. Mrs. Han held Su Wanwan's hand, naggingly reminding her, "Wanwan, remember to call often when you get to Kyoto. And remember to put the pickles Auntie brought you in the fridge..."
Su Wanwan nodded with a grin: "Okay, Auntie! I promise to make sure Han Feng eats on time!"
Han's mother patted her hand with satisfaction, then glared at Han Feng: "Did you hear me? Don't be so busy that you forget to eat! And don't you dare bully Wanwan!"
Han Feng: "When have I ever bullied her?"
"You'll listen when I say it!"
Wang Hao was trying so hard not to laugh that his face turned red. He only lowered his head and pretended to tie his shoelaces after Han Feng gave him a cold glare.
Han's father patted his son on the shoulder and said in a low voice, "Your mother really likes that girl. You should think about it more."
Han Feng had no choice but to nod: "Alright, Dad, I understand. You don't need to get involved anymore."
---
As soon as the three of them entered the waiting hall, Su Wanwan plopped down next to Han Feng, waving her boarding pass: "Auntie just gave me a royal decree! If you dare to yell at me again, I'll tell on you!"
Han Feng glanced at her and said, "You might as well change your name to Su San Sui (Three-Year-Old)."
"Hehehe~" Su Wanwan made a face and turned to bother Wang Hao, "Haozi! Let's go back and play games! I just bought a PS5!"
Wang Hao's eyes lit up: "Really? Oh right, can you teach me some hacking techniques? I want to try and see if I can hack into our school's system and change my grades."
Han Feng stared at Su Wanwan and said, "If you dare to teach me, I'll throw you both off the plane later."
The two fell silent instantly.
System Zero: "Host, your expression right now looks just like that of a worried old father."
Han Feng: "...Shut up."
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