The city of Jiangcheng remained exceptionally quiet for a period, likely due to the "commotion" caused by the Su sisters.
Time quietly slipped into the second Sunday, the day Liu Nanfeng had arranged to meet Shen Wenhui and the others.
"Why the rush so early in the morning? We're meeting at noon, there's still plenty of time."
Liu Nanfeng felt utterly speechless when Zhan Zhongxiao called him right after breakfast.
"You want me to come over to your place? Sure, I'll be there soon."
"Got it, I'll try to be there as early as possible." Liu Nanfeng hung up the phone, a sense of helplessness washing over him.
He then turned to Su Jinxiu, who was sitting at the dining table, and asked, "Do you want to come with me?"
"It's your childhood friends gathering, why would I go join the fun? I'm not going."
"Brother-in-law, I'll go! I'll go with you," Su Huamei, sitting on the sofa, jumped up and exclaimed, raising her arm high.
"Go where? You're going with me to help at the coffee shop."
"I don't want to," Su Huamei directly stepped forward and hooked her arm through Liu Nanfeng's.
"Let her go. Du ndun seems interested in Shen Wenhui, so it's good for Huamei to be there. I can find an excuse to leave halfway through."
Su Jinxiu frowned slightly, but eventually nodded.
"Sister is the best," Su Huamei cheered upon hearing this.
"How old are you, acting like a child," Su Jinxiu said, but the corners of her mouth curved upward.
Since Zhan Zhongxiao lived not far away, Liu Nanfeng didn't drive, opting instead to ride an electric scooter.
Of course, the electric scooter was new, and he had been teased by everyone a couple of days ago when he was delivering food.
They laughed at his lazy delivery style, saying the little money he earned wasn't even enough to buy a scooter.
Su Huamei wrapped her arms around Liu Nanfeng's waist, pressing against his back. As they passed Su Jinxiu, who was walking towards the coffee shop, she raised her eyebrows triumphantly.
Su Jinxiu was so annoyed she felt like yanking her down on the spot.
"Do you need me to bring anything up?"
Upon reaching the entrance of the residential complex, Liu Nanfeng called Zhan Dun dun.
"No need, you can come up first."
Although Zhan Dun dun said so, Liu Nanfeng still bought some fruit from a nearby store to take up with him.
"Look at how I'm dressed today..."
Zhan Zhongxiao opened the door for Liu Nanfeng and immediately began to show off his attire, but then his voice caught in his throat as he noticed Su Huamei trailing behind Liu Nanfeng.
"This is Su Huamei, Jinxiu's sister," Liu Nanfeng introduced her.
"Hello, Su Huamei, nice to meet you," Su Huamei extended her hand.
"Hello, I'm Zhan Zhongxiao, Liu Nanfeng's childhood friend," Zhan Dun dun shook Su Huamei's hand lightly, a little nervously.
"Aren't you going to invite us in?" Liu Nanfeng said with a smile, seeing them blocking the doorway.
"Look at me, hurry and come in," Zhan Zhongxiao quickly stepped aside, making way.
He alone was completely blocking the entrance; even if he turned sideways, others couldn't get past.
Su Huamei had already learned about Zhan Zhongxiao's identity from Liu Nanfeng, and seeing him now, she still found him novel. Pandas were rarely seen, and panda people were even rarer.
As for Zhan Zhongxiao, he also realized at a glance that Su Huamei was not human.
He then thought of Zhang Xinwu, the barbecue restaurant owner he had met earlier, and couldn't help but grumble inwardly, "Why does Liu Nanfeng hang out with these strange beings all day?"
Then he corrected himself, "No, he seems to be one of them too."
"Sit, I'll get you some water."
Zhan Zhongxiao hurriedly ushered them in, only to realize there didn't seem to be enough cups at home, which made him a little awkward.
"How about I get you some bottled drinks and cups?" Zhan Zhongxiao said innocently.
"No need to be so formal," Liu Nanfeng placed the fruit on the table.
"Didn't I tell you not to buy anything?" Zhan Zhongxiao complained a little when he saw this.
"Just bought a little something," Liu Nanfeng replied casually.
He then looked at Zhan Zhongxiao and teased with a smile, "You're dressed quite well today, very handsome."
Zhan Zhongxiao's cheeks immediately flushed.
Because he was fat, he knew that formal wear wouldn't suit him, so he was dressed in a hip-hop style today, with loose clothing to help conceal some of his plumpness.
However, his T-shirt was interesting, with a panda eating bamboo on the chest, which seemed quite meaningful.
"So pure, you're blushing," Liu Nanfeng teased with a smile.
"Don't talk nonsense, I usually dress like this," Zhan Zhongxiao defended himself.
But it was clear he lacked conviction.
"He is indeed very handsome,"
Su Huamei said with a smile from the side, which made Zhan Zhongxiao's face turn even redder.
"This won't do, when you meet Wenhui later..."
"Don't say that, come with me."
Zhan Zhongxiao was flustered at first, then grabbed Liu Nanfeng's arm and dragged him into the room.
Su Huamei watched with a smile, then curiously looked around.
Why didn't she see any bamboo or bamboo shoots?
Zhan Zhongxiao pulled Liu Nanfeng into the room and shut the door with a bang.
"Brother, what do you want? I have a wife, you know."
Liu Nanfeng clasped his arms protectively across his chest in mock terror.
Zhan Zhongxiao's eyes widened, panting like an ox.
"Alright, alright, just kidding, don't be angry."
Liu Nanfeng reached out and patted his chest a couple of times, trying to calm him down, then fell silent.
"What's wrong?" Zhan Zhongxiao asked curiously when he remained still and silent.
"Yours is bigger than a woman's."
In an instant, Zhan Zhongxiao's cheeks turned crimson, and he clenched his fists, saying, "Can I beat you to death?"
"Just a joke, a joke, no need for that. Think about Wenhui, you'll see her soon, aren't you happy?" Liu Nanfeng said with a sheepish grin.
"Right, I wanted to ask you too. We three are having dinner, why did you bring your sister-in-law?" Zhan Zhongxiao asked.
"Don't say I didn't help you, brother. After you meet Wenhui, I'll find an excuse to leave. Then it's up to you."
"What? You're leaving me alone?" Zhan Zhongxiao's eyes widened in surprise, not showing the happiness Liu Nanfeng expected.
"What else? And what's with that reaction? Don't you want to be alone with Wenhui?"
Zhan Zhongxiao quickly nodded. To be honest, he had returned to Jiangcheng specifically for Shen Wenhui; he had been infatuated with her for years.
"But... but..."
"No more 'buts.' I can only create some opportunities for you, I can't do anything else."
"Alright," Zhan Zhongxiao slumped onto the sofa as if he had lost all his strength.
His face showed nervousness, a hint of joy, but mostly unease and apprehension.
"You've never been in a relationship your whole life?" Liu Nanfeng asked with some curiosity.
They were the same age, and he had been married for several years. By rights, Zhan Zhongxiao should have dated a few times.
"Of course I have, I dated several girls back in school," Zhan Zhongxiao said immediately.
"As long as you're happy," Liu Nanfeng replied.
Zhan Zhongxiao: ...
"Sigh, isn't it embarrassing? I'm naturally unlikable to women," Zhan Zhongxiao said with disappointment.
"You're wrong. When you're in a cage, not only do women like you, everyone likes you."
Zhan Zhongxiao: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a
"You know about that?"
"What do you think?"
ps: That's all for today. The previous chapter was blocked, so I'll have to find the editor tomorrow.