Chapter 17.2｜Swallows return to the nest

Xu Zhiyi briefed Meng Yin on the latest situation of Li Yong. Following background checks and evaluation, Yong is set to become one of the recipients of support from the Xu's Group Fund starting from the following spring, covering expenses from compulsory education to completion of undergraduate studies, with a stipend of 2000 yuan per period. In addition, there will be a monthly living allowance of 300 yuan provided to Granny Yu and Li Yong. While the funds are nominally provided by the Xu family, the actual sponsor is the "Foodie Group."

At the back door of the classroom of Class 3 Grade 12, the non-regular staff Xing Xiuze leaned against the door frame, holding an imaginary cigarette, looking listless as he brought it to his mouth. The "Foodie Group" was immune to Xing Xiuze's seemingly disillusioned morning routine; if he failed to perform this act before meals, they would find it odd.

Zhiyii handed the bag to Xiuze and moved towards his seat. With the fragrant breakfast in hand, Xiuze's morning mood also improved significantly. 

Ever since Xu Zhiyi brought breakfast for the "Foodie Group" for the first time, a few of them gained confidence and occasionally urged Meng Yin to show some love, diversify their tastes. Zhiyii sometimes complied with their requests, but the breakfast she brought was not purchased outside, but made by Nanny Dong.

After several instances, as the weather turned cold, the "Foodie Group" noticed that Bro Yi's recent mood was exceptionally good, making him very agreeable. Thus, led by Xing Xiuze and assisted by Meng Yin, the group members decided to put pressure on Zhiyi to provide breakfast for the last two months, with costs calculated per person according to the standard breakfast at the FHS cafeteria. 

Zhiyi glanced at the group, "You think quite highly of yourselves, don't you?" Despite Bro Yi lingering "everything in the dream" tone, he still accepted the unreasonable request from the group. After all, they were all their own children. What else could be done but to indulge them?

This is Nanny Dong's first time seeing Xu Zhiyi agreeing to be a long-term meal ticket and errand-runner for friends, paying special attention to breakfast preparations. 

She came to the Xu family to take care of Xu Zhiyi when he was one year old. Although the Xu family is wealthy and influential, they still provided Xu Zhiyi with the necessary companionship and education. At the age of eight, Xu Zhiyi requested independence from his parents; at eleven, he discussed future plans with them; at thirteen, the Xu family expanded their business overseas, with Mr Xu spending almost half a year abroad each year; at fifteen, Mrs Xu decided to pursue further education, thus continuing to pursue her own path. From that time onwards, Xu Zhiyi's alone time increased, and unexpectedly, he enjoyed this time alone. 

Nanny Dong has taken care of Xu Zhiyi for so many years, and besides his childhood friend Xing Xiuze, he rarely brought classmates home to play. His life and upbringing shaped his character - calm, gentle, and internally passionate. This personality trait made him not very talkative among his peers and appeared somewhat aloof. She always felt that this child matured early. However, since entering his final year of high school, she noticed that Xu Zhiyi became more talkative and often had a smile on his face. It was when he asked her to prepare extra breakfast for his classmates and Xing Xiuze that Nanny Dong thought - this child finally has the appearance of a teenager. 

Today, Nanny Dong prepared glutinous rice cake with fried dough sticks wrapped in eggs and soy milk for them. This is a breakfast combination from the old alleys, representing the traditional taste of A City. 

"Xu Zhiyi," Xing Xiuze said while chewing on the breakfast, holding a container of soy milk in his other hand, "Today is also a day to love Nanny Dong." glutinous rice cake with fried dough sticks wrapped in eggs is not just a traditional flavour; it was also a favourite snack for him and Xu Zhiyi when they were young. Unlike the current whole pieces of cornmeal with fried dough sticks, Nanny Dong used to cut them into small pieces for them to enjoy in limited quantities. Sometimes, unable to resist, they would secretly sneak into the kitchen to eat. Who wouldn't love crispy dough sticks wrapped in fragrant lard-fried eggs and sticky rice cakes just fried?

Lin Xipei and Nie Hai were obviously having this for the first time. When they received it, they were stunned for a while, unable to figure out what it was. After taking the first bite, they were immediately conquered by the delicious taste, causing their eyes to sparkle.

Xing Xiuze had just finished expressing his love to Xu Zhiyi when he finally managed to catch a sudden but not very large parabolic drop with his two small arms. 

"Meng Yin, at least give me a heads up before you lose something!" 

"Did you notify me before stealing my tiger skin egg?" Meng Yin laughed confidently, "It's a new product from Nan Zhao Ji, I want you to try it." Xing Xiuze thought to himself, "Do you have to bring up those old matters?" 

He retorted in a less imposing manner than Meng Yin, "Are you trying to feed me powder with that parabolic drop of pastries?" 

"No wonder." 

Xing Xiuze remained speechless.

Watching Xing Xiuze being defeated was quite entertaining for Xipei and Hai, who couldn't help but applaud. 

Xing Xiuze carried his breakfast and snacks in one hand, with his grouchy morning demeanour, strutting back to the classroom with his head held high.

Yin distributed the packaged Nan Zhao Ji to the other members of the "foodie group." 

Xipei held her breakfast in one hand and the pastries given by Yin in the other, while sipping on soy milk. She was indeed a loyal fan!

During the morning reading session before the class, the premium thread was updated with only three exclamation marks and a picture - a half-eaten rice cake with egg wrapped in fried dough sticks, a cup of soy milk, and the paper bag of Nan Zhao Ji.