A few days later, it was almost the holidays, and Xiao Wu's so-called girlfriend, Wen Wen, arrived.

That evening, we were all called out for dinner. After ordering, I observed them. They seemed to be getting along well. Wen Wen listened to Xiao Wu obediently, a completely different style compared to his previous girlfriends.

Wen Wen called me Brother Lin, just like Xiao Wu. From our conversation, I could tell she was a gentle girl, but lacking in assertiveness. Perhaps this kind of personality was suitable for Xiao Wu.

Because Wen Wen liked spicy food, we ordered several very spicy dishes, especially the fish, which was covered in a thick layer of chilies. I didn't know if Xiao Wu was doing it on purpose, but he, who usually didn't offer food to others, suddenly stood up and placed a piece of fish, mixed with chilies, into my plate.

I looked at him and asked, "Is this necessary?"

"Eating a little spicy food occasionally is good for your health."

Before I could answer, A Cheng, who was sitting opposite me, said, "It's heaty."

Their expressions looked like they were deliberately teasing me, their coordination seamless, or rather, using ridicule to satirize my current situation.

"Oh, I forgot about that. Then Brother Lin can't eat it."

Before Xiao Wu could finish speaking, he reached out to take the plate, but I hit the back of his hand with my chopsticks and said, "Have you been living too comfortably lately?"

"You haven't even given me my travel expenses for the New Year yet, how can I be comfortable?"

"You only worked for a few days and you already want money..."

"Didn't President Li give you a sum of money yesterday? When did you become so shrewd!"

Since Wen Wen was there, I didn't say anything more to him. I took out the prepared red envelopes from my pocket and handed them to them. There wasn't much money, but it was enough for them to spend during the New Year. I knew Xiao Wu too well. If I gave him more, he would spend more; if I gave him less, he would budget and not let his desires grow too much.

Xiao Wu directly took the money out of the red envelope, counted it carefully, and then looked up and said, "Brother Lin, I'm going to Wen Wen's house this year. This money probably won't be enough. Can you give me another five thousand? Consider it a loan, and you can deduct it from my salary after the New Year."

I saw Wen Wen tug at his sleeve and say, "I have some."

This simple sentence suddenly changed my impression of her. I thought this girl was quite sensible and willing to give for the relationship.

People are probably like this: the more they yield, the less they will haggle over things. I lowered my head, unlocked my phone, and transferred another five thousand to him from my Alipay account. I raised my head and didn't say anything, because A Cheng and Xiao Hei were there.

Xiao Wu is sometimes very clever, like now. After receiving the money, he pretended that nothing had happened, which was quite in sync with me.

Halfway through the meal, I asked, "Are you three still living together?"

"Xiao Wu has moved out. He's already rented a place outside."

"Why would I borrow three thousand yuan if I didn't rent a place? We're going to start living our own little lives from now on."

I smiled, pursed my lips, and said, "May you have a son soon."

"That's still early. We're just barely getting by ourselves now. How can we afford to raise a child? We'll work hard for a few more years."

This time, I vowed, "If you really have a child, I'll be responsible for some of the expenses."

"Really?" Xiao Wu looked at me in disbelief.

"I won't be stingy with expenses that are used properly. You should start saving on unnecessary expenses now and save some money to buy a house."

"Didn't you say you'd buy it for me?"

"Even if I bought it for you, would you have the nerve to accept it?" I asked seriously.

Xiao Wu didn't say anything else. He filled his glass with beer. The weather was cold, but we seemed to be used to drinking beer.

After a glass of beer, whether he had thought it through or what, he suddenly changed his tune and said, "Brother Lin, I was just kidding with you. Of course, I have to rely on myself to buy a house. If I can't afford it, I'll go back to my hometown and live there. My dad has built me a new house."

Xiao Wu's hometown is a town in a second-tier city in our province, which is also very good, but his wild personality has already lost its freedom.

Wen Wen picked up her glass, stood up, and said, "Brother Lin, I'd like to toast you. Thank you for taking care of Xiao Wu on weekdays."

This action surprised me. I clinked glasses with her and said, "A virtuous wife and loving mother. I can see that you'll reform Xiao Wu well in the future."

"Why do you have to step on someone while praising them?"

"Did I say something wrong?"

Xiao Hei looked at him and laughed. He had been following President Li these past few days and hadn't had dinner with them in a long time. Tonight's dinner could be considered the last gathering of the year. The construction site would be closed in two days.

When we came out of the restaurant, Xiao Wu, who usually always wanted to go to nightclubs, seemed to be starting to settle down tonight. Holding Wen Wen's hand, he directly hailed a taxi from the side of the road. Before getting into the car, he didn't forget to say goodbye to us, "We're leaving now."

A Cheng stood next to him and helped him close the car door, not forgetting to tease him, "Wedding night, go!"

The rest of us were all single. The three of us smiled awkwardly at each other. Xiao Hei patted me on the shoulder and said, "Brother Lin, we can understand if we singles can't find girlfriends, but you can't waste your youth!"

"Everyone is equal in the face of love. There's no such thing."

"Then we're going back too."

"Okay, go ahead. Take a taxi today, don't take the bus," I instructed.

"Thieves won't look at this little bit of money, don't worry!" A Cheng said and got into the car.

...

After they left, I walked slowly along the road. This place wasn't too far from my house, only a few streets away. This time was also the busiest, especially the clothing stores. The shoe and hat stores had the best business along the way. Everyone was buying new clothes for the New Year.

I stood in front of a fruit store. The cherries piled up at the door became the selling point of the entire storefront, and they were also one of my favorite fruits. The fixed loudspeaker kept repeating the advertisement.

After thinking about it, I finally gave up on buying them. After all, there was still a long way to go, and carrying them would be a burden.

The temperature outside was very low at this time, and the cold wind howled past my ears. Even a thick turtleneck sweater couldn't block it. The cold air penetrated directly through it and into my body. I turned up the collar of my coat to block the wind, lowered my head, and watched my toes move rhythmically.

This kind of lazy walk is sometimes also a kind of enjoyment. If I didn't drink alcohol and just got in the car, I wouldn't be able to experience this kind of taste.

The city's neon lights bloomed with various colors, and the sounds from various stores were chaotically intertwined. Even in such a bustling street, I couldn't shake off my lonely figure. After passing the moat, I stopped and stood on the bridge, looking at the dark water.

I couldn't help but light a cigarette. Although the weather was cold, there were still a few old men stretching their bodies, pressing their legs with their legs separated at a ninety-degree angle. While pressing, their upper bodies weren't idle either. Their hands were crossed and coordinated with their movements, shaking their whole bodies. The whole shape looked a little funny.