Yan Cheng went to collect the examination report, and then accompanied his grandmother into the consultation room, handing the report to the doctor.
"The elderly person just has slightly high blood pressure, continue taking the medication," the doctor said to Yan Cheng. "Aren't your parents coming?"
Yan Cheng felt as though he seemed too young. "They don't have time, and I've grown up," he said, preparing to leave. It was good that there were no major issues.
The examination was over, and it was long past mealtime. Wang Mujin was looking at his phone for recommendations of good restaurants, occasionally asking Wang Muman for her opinion. Finally, they settled on a small eatery. After all, with an elder present, food that young people enjoyed might not suit her palate.
"Xiao Jin, thank you so much for the trouble, and for treating us to a meal," Yan Cheng's grandmother said to Wang Mujin from the front passenger seat.
"You really don't have to say that. You take care of Manman so often, I feel embarrassed. It's only right, please don't worry about it."
Wang Muman listened to their conversation, her hands still adorned with the red string. She recalled her stay at Yan Cheng's grandmother's house, where she was always treated even better than Yan Cheng, just like her own grandmother. The care she received made her feel it clearly. Perhaps this was what it felt like to have female relatives.
Yan Cheng saw Wang Muman lost in thought, gazing at the red string, and didn't disturb her. He still had several unread messages on his phone from parents of children in his relatives' families, asking if their children's mock exam scores were good enough for Sucheng High School. Yan Cheng thought about the score line for the high school entrance exam at the time, but still didn't give a direct answer, as this year's policies seemed to have changed, with the total sports score increased.
"We're here, let's get out of the car," Wang Mujin said after parking, opening the door for Yan Cheng's grandmother.
Inside the restaurant, there weren't many people, only a few tables of burly men still drinking. They sat down and looked at the menu. It was all home-style dishes. Wang Mujin handed the menu to Yan Cheng's grandmother, letting her order first.
After ordering, Wang Mujin spoke to Yan Cheng beside her.
"That day was an accident, I'm not usually like that," Wang Mujin stated her purpose directly.
Yan Cheng hadn't reacted yet and was about to ask when.
"Today isn't a good time to prove it, I have to drive. Once Manman learns to drive, I will definitely prove it to you!"
Only then did Yan Cheng understand, a twitch pulling at the corner of his mouth. In fact, there was no need to prove anything to him; his true nature had already been revealed.
"That will be a few more years, and by then I'll have forgotten about it," Yan Cheng said, trying to alleviate his eagerness.
"I won't forget. If I want to remember something, I won't forget it for years. Look at my Manman, her grades are so good, my brain must be good too."
As he said this, Wang Muman frowned. She knew her brother's intelligence quite well.
Seeing Wang Muman's expression, Yan Cheng knew Wang Mujin's words were born of confidence.
"Let's eat. Aren't you three young people hungry?" The dishes had already been served, and Yan Cheng's grandmother called out.
The meal was quiet. If Zhou Mingyu and He Lele were present, the dining table would have been chaotic. Several uncles nearby were chatting, sometimes about their wives and children, sometimes about how they were doing lately. In any case, they spoke loudly, with a slight smell of alcohol, their words punctuated.
Halfway through the meal, there was only one piece of chicken left on a plate, which was a bit awkward. No one touched it.
Fortunately, Yan Cheng's grandmother picked up the chicken piece and placed it in Wang Muman's bowl. "Manman, eat more, get a little fatter, you'll look prettier."
Wang Muman was about to refuse, but her brother then said, "Exactly, eat more. I thought we couldn't afford to feed you, always being so skinny you look like a chicken frame."
Hearing this comparison, Wang Muman's heart was suddenly filled with a surge of anger that rushed straight to her brain.