Qi Xiaofang had always been insecure.
The reason for her insecurity was simple: she ate too much.
Even after attending school for over a year, Qi Xiaofang's appetite seemed to have not diminished.
Many times, when going out for meals, Qi Xiaofang dared not eat to her heart's content, or she would eat two steamed buns beforehand to fill herself up before going.
"Xiaofang, I can't guarantee anything else, but when it comes to food, you'll be full. As long as you work diligently, your wages won't be reduced just because you eat a lot."
Su Xiaotian said to Su Xiaofang with a smile, "Besides, there's nothing wrong with eating a lot. What's the point of living in this world if not for a good meal?"
Her roommates were all good to her, so naturally, she had to reciprocate.
Putting aside other things, if it weren't for the careful companionship of her roommates during these days, she would have felt even worse being alone. Su Dan Novel Network
Hearing Su Xiaotian's words, Qi Xiaofang felt much relieved.
As for the other three whose families were better off, they naturally didn't need to consider working during the holidays.
The roommates saw that Su Xiaotian's mood had improved and started talking about how Su Xiaotian had gotten first place in the entire grade despite missing a month of classes, a feat they envied and were jealous of.
Zhao Hongmei pretended to tickle Su Xiaotian.
The girls laughed and played together, and the atmosphere finally became lively again, just like before.
Su Xiaotian brought up the topic of treating everyone to a meal again.
This time, the girls did not refuse.
"Xiaotian can get first place without attending classes, so we should celebrate," Zhao Hongmei said without hesitation.
It was truly unfair. Were they sitting in the classroom every day just wasting their time?
"How could the school agree to let Xiaotian retake the exams? If she couldn't retake them, others would have had a chance to get first place!"
Chu Yue's words made Su Xiaotian want to bite her.
If she couldn't retake the exams, would she really have to wait to repeat a grade?
But Su Xiaotian knew that Chu Yue was just joking.
"Let's get ready, we're leaving!" Su Xiaotian glared at Chu Yue and said.
Qi Xiaofang quickly said, "I'll go to the canteen to buy a few steamed buns first."
With her appetite, eating at Yiming Pavilion, even if it belonged to Xiaotian's family, would cost a lot of money.
After all, whenever Xiaotian treated them to a meal, she insisted on paying her eldest sister-in-law Li Linlin the cost price.
In Su Xiaotian's words, this was the way siblings should interact.
"Xiaofang, you don't have to do that. We've known each other for more than a day, and besides, there are no outsiders today," Su Xiaotian said quickly.
Zhao Hongmei and the others also persuaded her.
"Xiaofang, if you had plans with other classmates, it would be fine to eat a little first to maintain your ladylike image, but it's just us few, it's not worth it!"
Qi Xiaofang gave a wry smile. In the entire school, who didn't know that in the Chinese Language and Literature department, there was a super-eating girl?
Where did she still have any ladylike image?
However, she understood her roommates' intentions.
Li Linlin was overjoyed when she saw Su Xiaotian arriving with her roommates.
She busied herself with inviting Su Xiaotian to a private room.
They had arrived early today, and there was still an empty private room.
"Sister-in-law, I see your belly has gotten a bit bigger!" Su Xiaotian said with a smile, looking at Li Linlin's round belly, "Is my little nephew behaving himself lately!"
Li Linlin smiled gently and stroked her belly, saying, "This child is quite well-behaved, not causing any trouble."
"Sister-in-law, you should find a cook. It's too hard for you to be busy in the kitchen while you're pregnant," Su Xiaotian added.
Sister-in-law's health was still good, but after all, she was pregnant and shouldn't overwork herself.
"I've already hired someone to help, and I can still manage. I've calculated it, and the baby's due date is conveniently during your holiday."
Li Linlin had already calculated that the baby's due date was around January 20th. By then, all universities would be on holiday, and business at the shop would be slow, so her giving birth wouldn't affect business.
Su Xiaotian nodded, "Sister-in-law, please serve us dishes according to the previous standard, and make the portions as generous as possible."
Li Linlin smiled knowingly, "I understand. You're not paying for this meal today; it's my treat to welcome you back!"
This sister-in-law was good in every way, except for one thing: she was too polite.
She always said that siblings should be clear about accounts and not take advantage of her elder brother and sister-in-law.
Even though Li Linlin repeatedly said that their shop wouldn't charge her sister-in-law for meals, she would always secretly leave money behind.
Su Xiaotian did not want a conflict to arise between her and her elder brother and sister-in-law over money one day.
And Li Linlin was troubled by this.
When she first opened a branch of Yiming Pavilion near the university, it was to take care of Xiaotian.
But this girl Xiaotian always insisted on paying for meals, which made things difficult for her.
It was Su Shouwen who advised her to accept the money first and then give Xiaotian a gift later, so everyone would be happy.
Li Linlin didn't insist anymore after that.
But this time, it was her sister-in-law's first time dining at Yiming Pavilion after returning from the south, and as a sister-in-law, she couldn't accept money.
"Then I'll be indebted to my sister-in-law for this meal today," Su Xiaotian said with a smile, accepting her sister-in-law's kind gesture.
A meal or two occasionally wasn't a big deal.
As long as she didn't always act as if it was her right to eat there.
Resentment, when it doesn't exist, leads to good relationships. Once it arises, it's almost impossible to eliminate.
She still wanted to be close siblings with her brothers for a lifetime.
Sitting in the private room, the girls chattered and laughed heartily.
The food at Yiming Pavilion was delicious, but the prices were also expensive, and they couldn't afford it often.
Su Xiaotian still thought of Chi Yiyuan occasionally, but in her heart, she had already accepted the fact that Chi Yiyuan would no longer be by her side.
In these days, she found that the number of boys surrounding her had gradually increased.
Su Xiaotian was troubled by this. How old was she?
In the end, it was Su Ciliang who played the villain and drove away all the mosquitoes, flies, butterflies, and bees around his little sister.
It was a joke. His sister should be kept at home for a few more years; how could she be snatched away by these wolves so early?
It was two months later that Su Xiaotian received Chi Yiyuan's first letter.
The letter said that he was doing well over there, except for some unaccustomedness, there was nothing else wrong. He also said that he had passed the entrance examination and started studying.
He also mentioned that he would strive to complete the four-year curriculum in two and a half years.
There was not a single word of missing her in the entire letter, yet the entire letter was filled with longing.
Su Xiaotian replied to the address Chi Yiyuan had provided, also only mentioning a few interesting things at school and the situation of her family.
She specifically mentioned that Grandpa Chi was doing well, and that she would help take care of Grandpa Chi and not let him be too lonely.
In short, she wanted Chi Yiyuan to study with peace of mind on the other side of the ocean and not be distracted by matters in China.
Su Xiaotian spent a full three days writing this letter, using countless drafts, and finally produced a letter she was satisfied with.