Chapter 20: Hangout

*yawn* "ahh, What is the time right now?"

Xiao muttered half awake while lazing around his bed not having any intention to move as the warm heat spreads through out the room and a nice breeze flowing through the window which makes any person have a peaceful sleep under this condition.

"Oh right, what did Gu Yue told me about this morning? I can't seem to remember. "

Xiao Ran thought before he began to drowsily fall asleep as he didn't have a chance to sleep these past few days.

Suddenly a loud noise could be heard which frightened Xiao Ran and instantly waking him up while gazing through the door looking warily at the person who entered.

" Gu Yue, how have you been? Oh right what did you mentioned this morning? I didn't quite understand what you we're saying. "

Xiao Ran quickly lay down his bed after knowing it was just Gu Yue that entered but he quickly noticed that she seemed to be a little bit odd.

" Err, why are coming closer while smiling like that!!"

Xiao Ran began to panicked as he knows that Gu Yue was currently mad at him and guessed that it must be the thing that he promised this morning.

" Ne Xiao Ran didn't you say that you'll come this afternoon to watch our match. So why did I find you here sleeping comfortable. "

Gu Yue sweetly smiled at Xiao Ran yet her eyes weren't showing joy but a hint of coldness which scared Xiao Ran as he knows that he messed up big time.

" Er, Didn't you win in the end and I doubt that those class 4 students even have a chance against you all. "

Xiao Ran began explaining and made up excuses which didn't help as Gu Yue keep on getting angry by the second.

"Oh if you didn't have any intention to come at all then why did you even promise me that you would come. "

Gu Yue asked joyfully yet her smile has already vanished.

Xiao Ran couldn't speak at the moment as he knew that if he ever told her that he forgot then he'll be beaten up by her.

Few minutes later a loud cries could be heard inside their dorm which frightened the people outside as they seems to hear the cry of a demon.

"Anyway change your outfit quickly as we are heading out with Tang Wulin and Xie Xie."

Gu Yue spoke while Xiao Ran was kneeling in front of her having bruised in his head and a big bump.

Xiao Ran was about to refuse but he immediately shut up and began to take a shower quickly as he was instantly scared by the ominous gaze of Gu Yue. He knew that if he refuse at this moment then he'll surely get another beating.

Xiao Ran and Gu Yue quickly saw Tang Wulin and Xie Xie nearby after they left in their dormitory.

"Yo, where are we heading?"

Xiao Ran asked after meeting up with the two while Xie Xie didn't speak but looks at Xiao Ran for a moment and didn't comment about his appearance.

Xie Xie answered, "Let's eat first. I know of a food street so let's head there for some nice food."

Tang Wulin affirmed, "You'll be treating, right?"

Xie Xie replied sarcastically, "They're merely street snacks, can they be something this young master can't manage?"

Gu Yue said, "A body exuding the stench of coins." As she spoke, she moved towards Xiao Ran other side on purpose.

Xie Xie was furious. "If you have a problem with that then you don't have to eat."

Gu Yue answered back arrogantly, "I hadn't thought of accepting your treat at all. Xiao Ran will treat me anyway."

Xiao Ran quickly agreed not having any intention to deny Gu Yue while Xie Xie looks at Xiao Ran with sympathy.

Gu Yue, after getting an affirmation from Xiao Ran, looked proudly towards Xie Xie. "Rest assured, miser! I would never take you up on your offer. Your treats reek like…" As she spoke, she did a waving motion before her nose with a contemptuous gesture.

Xie Xie sucked in a deep breath. He wasn't her match in an argument or in a fight. That was the reason why he wasn't keen on bringing Gu Yue out with them.

The food street was some distance from Eastsea Academy, and the three of them walked a full 30 minutes to get there.

It wasn't a wide street, and stores sprouted upwards on both sides. As soon as they reached the mouth of the street, their noses were assaulted with the fragrance of a variety of different snacks and appetizing scents.

"Let's eat that skewered beef first. It's boiled to tenderness. Having it with some rice is simply heavenly." As a landlord of Eastsea City, Xie Xie volunteered the introduction.

"Alright!" Tang Wulin grinned; he was already starting to feel hungry.

The shop was small in size, and the cooking table was situated outside the shop. There were a hundred little flames, and on top of the table were earthen jars filled with the savoury stewed beef. The steam coming out from these jars caused small vibrations upon the lids. Soft humming sounds echoed from the jars as a sweet and pungent fragrance lured passersby on the road.

Inside the shop, there were only five mediocre-sized square tables. With a maximum occupancy of twenty or so customers, half of the shop was already filled at this time.

It was now mid-autumn and the temperature was dropping as the days went by. The entrance welcomed customers with a gush of warmth and the fragrance of stewed beef. This was a comfortable feeling to experience.

Gu Yue showed a shocked expression to Xie Xie. "I'm surprised that a rich young master like you would eat at a roadside shop!"

Xie Xie didn't bother to argue with her this time round. "The stewed beef from this shop used to be my mother's favourite, and I ventured here occasionally." As he spoke, he had already moved into the shop and chose a seat at the table furthest inside the shop.

Xiao Ran and the others quickly followed him, Tang Wulin sits besides Xie Xie while Xiao Ran and Gu Yue sits in the opposite side.

"Oh! Xie Xie has come, and he brought friends with him. The usual dishes?" The boss was a middle-aged man. He had an oil-stained apron tied around his waist and a wide grin on his face.

"En. Uncle Li, thanks." Xie Xie grinned back as he gave his thanks.

Four portions of stewed beef were delivered to them in a short moment, together with three bowls of rice and two vegetable side dishes.

"It's a first to see you've bring friends with you. These side dishes are on the house." Uncle Li grinned as he spoke, stroking Xie Xie's head as if Xie Xie was his own nephew.

Tang Wulin was shocked as he looked at Xie Xie. Xie Xie was obsessed with cleanliness, and his bed was by far the cleanest in the dorm. But at this moment, it didn't seem to matter to him that this roadside shop owner was touching him. Furthermore, he grinned without any signs of cringing. "Thank you Uncle Li"

Both Tang Wulin and Gu Yu's image of Xie Xie was overturned by his current behaviour while Xiao Ran looks at Xie Xie with sympathy as knowing the plot this place has a very important meaning for him.

They quickly ate and was quite shocked by the taste as it was delicious as the strong fragrance from the beef and broth was a beautiful marriage of freshness and saltiness that was perfectly supplemented by the rice. It was a perfect combination and even Gu Yue smile after tasting it.

"Uncle Li, I'd like ten more sets." Xie Xie waved towards Uncle Li as he knew too well the eating abilities of a certain someone.

Tang Wulin scratched his head awkwardly. "Thank you."

"Yes?" Xie Xie lifted his head towards Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin gave a helpless face as he answered, "Your name isn't good at all. I was trying to thank you."

Xie Xie gave a bitter smile, his eyes a little red. "My mother gave me this name. She told me that she picked this name as she'd chanced upon something she was grateful for. The best thing that happened in her life was that chance encounter with father, but…" His face turned a shade paler at this moment, his hand gripping his chopsticks harder.

Xiao Ran had already put down his utensils and began listening while Tang Wulin continued to ask Xie Xie.

In this place, it seemed that Xie Xie had dropped all of that icy arrogance front he'd put up when they first met him. This was also the first time he shared his private thoughts with them and began telling a story about his mother and deep hate towards his father.

At this moment, Uncle Li came to their table with fresh jars of stewed beef. As he placed the jars onto the table, he sighed. "This child is really pitiful. His mother loved bringing him here to my shop. But after his mother left, he came here alone with only the memories of his mother to accompany him. You can't blame him for that! It's rare to see him here with friends. I'm so happy for him. He's such a young child, yet he has such a heavy heart. Please help him if you can. Ay, how horrible!"

Tang Wulin patted Xie Xie's back lightly. Gu Yue, however, sat in the same position, staring ahead at the crying Xie Xie. Her eyes seemingly filling with something.

Gu Yue kickes Xie Xie and began to speaks as if she was making him have the opportunity to treat her which instantly set off Xie Xie and lifted his head while wipping his tears off with his sleeves and began to argue with her.

Gu Yue opened a new earthen jar and lowered her head to consume it. She spoke as she ate, "I won't fight with someone who'd just cried."