"What are you two doing now?" Shen Wenhui asked as they ate.
"Unemployed drifters," Liu Nanfeng and Zhan Dundun said in unison, then burst into laughter as they looked at each other.
As time went by, Zhan Zhongxiao, whether he had come to terms with things or for other reasons, seemed to have relaxed and become more natural, chatting and laughing with everyone.
It was clear Shen Wenhui didn't believe them.
"I studied computer science, worked for a while after graduation, and then realized I earned more working from home. So I quit my job. Now I mainly take on outsourcing projects and develop small programs myself, barely making a living."
"Nonsense, your cost of living is too high! I saw that cabinet full of your figurines worth hundreds of thousands, not to mention your electronic equipment, at least close to a million."
Although Liu Nanfeng wasn't deeply versed in anime culture, he had learned some for his writing and had a general idea of the prices of some figurines.
"Wow, I didn't expect Dundun to be so amazing," Shen Wenhui exclaimed.
"Not at all, I can't save money. I spend as much as I earn, so of course, I'm just making a living," Zhan Dundun said sheepishly.
He hadn't expected this person with thick eyebrows and big eyes to be so calculating. What he meant by "I can't save money" was that he wanted someone else to help him save.
Liu Nanfeng understood his subtext and wondered if Shen Wenhui did.
"What about you? What do you do?" Shen Wenhui asked Liu Nanfeng again.
"I deliver food," Liu Nanfeng replied.
"You're lying," Shen Wenhui immediately denied.
"It's true. If you don't believe me, ask Dundun. I actually got his delivery order, which is how I found out he was back in Jiangcheng."
"That's true, and it was quite a coincidence. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to contact you," Zhan Zhongxiao said.
"I don't believe you. With the clothes Sister Su is wearing, how much food would you have to deliver to afford them?" Shen Wenhui looked at Su Huamei sitting opposite them.
"Delivering food is my primary profession, and my secondary profession is living off my partner," Liu Nanfeng said, putting his arm around Su Huamei's waist.
Su Huamei smiled and placed a piece of meat into Liu Nanfeng's bowl, supporting him by saying, "As long as you're obedient, Sister will support you."
"Thank you, Sister. You're so kind," Liu Nanfeng said, playing along.
Zhan Zhongxiao opposite them rolled his eyes.
Shen Wenhui's mouth was slightly agape, looking surprised, as if she actually believed it.
"But... my dad said you got into Jiangnan University?" Shen Wenhui stammered.
"Yes, does that prevent me from delivering food? Or from living off my partner?"
"But... but..."
Shen Wenhui didn't know what else to say. She never expected Liu Nanfeng to live off his partner, let alone admit it so openly.
Zhan Zhongxiao, for reasons unknown, didn't offer any explanation.
"Alright, Nanfeng is just kidding. He and I are truly in love. Do spouses need to be so clear-cut about things? What's mine is his, isn't it?" Su Huamei said with a smile.
Shen Wenhui felt her mind reeling, darting her gaze between Su Huamei and Liu Nanfeng.
After a moment, she suddenly said, "Sister Su is so beautiful and elegant. If I were a man, I'd want to live off my partner too."
"If you wish, even if you're a woman, I wouldn't mind," Su Huamei said with a playful smile.
"How can that be? You already have me. No more wandering eyes," Liu Nanfeng feigned jealousy.
At this, they all laughed.
"What does Sister Su do?"
"She's a lawyer."
Shen Wenhui suddenly looked enlightened. A lawyer, no wonder she was so wealthy.
"Then Sister Su must be a very formidable lawyer, right?"
"I suppose so."
...
As the meal was nearing its end, Liu Nanfeng glanced at the time and said, "Huamei, the movie is about to start, shall we..."
"Really?"
Su Huamei pretended to check her wristwatch. It was already close to two o'clock.
"It really is. You guys eat slowly. Nanfeng and I will be going now, otherwise, we'll miss the movie." Su Huamei said apologetically.
This was actually a tactic Liu Nanfeng had discussed with her beforehand.
Before Shen Wenhui could speak, Zhan Zhongxiao said, "Alright then, you go ahead. Don't be late. We'll catch up next time. Wenhui is in Jiangcheng for a few more days, so we have plenty of time."
Shen Wenhui, who had been about to say something, didn't feel it was appropriate to say more after hearing this.
Liu Nanfeng immediately got up and went to the counter to settle the bill.
"I'll get it. You guys go ahead," Zhan Zhongxiao turned back and said.
"This time I'm treating, I'll treat. Next time it's your turn."
Liu Nanfeng paid the bill, then pulled Su Huamei out the door. Before leaving, he quietly gestured a "thumbs up" to Zhan Zhongxiao.
"Sister Su must love him a lot."
Through the glass wall, Shen Wenhui watched the two of them walk away from the shop and murmured softly.
"Yes... perhaps." Zhan Zhongxiao stammered.
After Liu Nanfeng left, leaving him alone, Zhan Zhongxiao, who had been feeling at ease, started to get nervous again.
"She's very good," Shen Wenhui said, turning her gaze back to Zhan Zhongxiao, making him even more nervous.
"Didn't you notice? Before the food was served, every time Liu Shutiao drank water, Sister Su would refill it for him. It was the same during the meal. Although Liu Shutiao also picked food for Sister Su, Sister Su picked food for him more times. Even the shells of these garlic shrimp, Sister Su peeled them and put them in his bowl..."
Zhan Zhongxiao fell silent. He was truly impressed by Liu Nanfeng and incredibly curious about how he managed to make the Su sisters so devoted to him.
"Is he really just a food delivery person?" Shen Wenhui asked again, her brow furrowed.
"No."
Shen Wenhui's face immediately lit up with understanding. "I knew it," she thought. "Liu Shutiao couldn't possibly be just a delivery person."
"He also writes novels."
"Novels? What kind of novels? What are they called?"
"They're web novels."
Shen Wenhui's face showed surprise, and then she murmured, "In that case, it's better to just deliver food."
"Who... who said it isn't."
"You seem afraid of me?" Shen Wenhui suddenly said.
"No... no, that's not it," Zhan Zhongxiao replied, sounding surprised.
"Are you full?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go for a walk too."
"Okay... okay." Zhan Zhongxiao stood up with a delighted expression.
...
"Where are we going now?" Su Huamei asked after they left the restaurant.
Saying they were going to see a movie was just an excuse; they weren't actually going.
"You decide. I'll do whatever you want this afternoon."
"Really?" Su Huamei's face lit up.
"Of course, it's true. I'm here with you, how could I lie?"
"Let's go shopping," Su Huamei said, linking her arm through his and pulling him along.
"Shopping? Buying clothes? I remember you bought quite a few clothes a few days ago?"
"I'm out of socks. I want to buy some ballet socks."
"What, no socks? That won't do. You can go without clothes, but you can't go without stockings. Come on, let's buy a few pairs to wear."
Su Huamei lightly hit his shoulder with a smile.