After saying goodbye to Zhao Yarong, Lu Bei left her home with Xiao Wanting.
"The neighborhood here has a really nice environment. If I plan to buy a house in the future, maybe we could end up being neighbors." Lu Bei looked around, a satisfied expression on his face.
The landscaping in this residential area was exceptionally well-done. Taking a stroll in such a place was truly a refreshing and pleasant experience.
"Yeah, if possible, I'd love to be neighbors with Senior too," Xiao Wanting nodded.
However, her reply was noticeably absent-minded. Right at this moment... the girl had focused all her attention entirely on Lu Bei's hands.
*Xiao Wanting, oh Xiao Wanting, you need to be braver and take the initiative to hold Senior's hand.* Xiao Wanting secretly cheered herself on in her heart.
Holding hands, for members of the opposite sex, was undoubtedly a relationship that went beyond ordinary friendship. Naturally, such an action was also imbued with an extraordinary meaning.
Senior's hand was a size larger than her own. If they were to hold hands like that, it would definitely be very warm, right?
The more she thought about it, the more obsessed Xiao Wanting became with Lu Bei's hand. She couldn't wait to experience that feeling with him.
Yet, because of her gentle nature and her fear of being rejected, Xiao Wanting simply didn't dare to do it without a valid reason. This made her start to feel anxious.
If she didn't act now, it really would be too late.
Walking Senior out of the residential complex was somewhat justifiable, but walking him all the way to his home... there was simply no way to make sense of that.
harboring these mixed feelings, Xiao Wanting and Lu Bei quickly walked through the relatively small residential area.
Once outside, the air carried not only the fresh scent of grass and leaves, but also several appetizing aromas that made one's mouth water.
The reason for all this was undoubtedly the various eateries selling all kinds of delicious food right outside the neighborhood.
"Come to think of it, I'm actually a bit hungry." Lu Bei took out his phone to check the time.
It was... getting pretty late now. Although he had arrived quite early for the interview, the tutoring session and the delays in between had taken up quite a bit of time. By the time the teaching work was completely finished, it was almost dinnertime.
"Senior, would you like to try the noodles made by Auntie Liu?" Seeing Lu Bei check his phone, Xiao Wanting hurriedly stepped in front of him, blocking his way forward.
Lu Bei naturally stopped in his tracks and looked over at the noodle shop Xiao Wanting was pointing to.
It seemed to be a business that was doing quite well. The storefront was fairly large, there were plenty of customers, and it looked very clean and hygienic.
"Those are... extremely, extremely, extremely delicious!" Right in front of Lu Bei, Xiao Wanting exaggeratedly gestured with her hands.
Compared to the advertisers on TV who were adept at coaxing people into buying all sorts of products, this display wasn't quite enough to bewitch someone's heart. However... this cuteness was already enough to make the person being introduced open his wallet.
"We can give it a try. I happen to be a bit hungry anyway." Lu Bei nodded. If he went back now, it would be too late to cook. Compared to going home and hunting for dinner somewhere else, settling it right here was much more convenient.
"Great! Then I'll treat Senior to them."After receiving Lu Bei's reply, Xiao Wanting immediately lit up with a happy expression.
Right after, her small hand reached straight into a pocket sewn onto her clothes.
"Treating guests is something adults do."
Lu Bei pressed down on Xiao Wanting's little hand as she was about to pull out money from her pocket.
"But I just turned eighteen a month ago, and since Senior went to all the trouble of coming to my house, I want to take care of Senior too."
Xiao Wanting puffed out her cheeks with a hint of reluctance. She seemed not to want Lu Bei to view her as an immature child.
However... given this girl's short stature and relatively petite build, even if one day she really were to become a mother who gave birth to a little Xiaoxiao, perhaps when she went out with her daughter, people would mistake them for sisters rather than mother and daughter.
"I'm your tutor, so it should be me. Besides... in my experience, the guy is supposed to pay when going out." Lu Bei said this while thinking some rather rude thoughts.
He stopped mid-sentence. His past with Xu Qingshuang had truly left him with a bad habit. Since when was there a rule that men had to pay whenever men and women went out? Such a habit was hardly a good one. Assuming the man should always pay and letting the other party enjoy a special privilege was hardly a respectful way to treat gender equality.
"But I'm the host, and since Senior is the guest, you should follow the host's arrangements. Since Senior has never experienced this, let me be your first." Xiao Wanting stuck out her tongue.
Without even waiting for Lu Bei to refuse, she stealthily grabbed his hand and ran into the shop. As their hands touched, a triumphant expression appeared on Xiao Wanting's delicate face.
"Auntie Liu, table for two. Two bowls of the signature mutton noodles."
"One with extra spice, one without. Add a braised egg to the spicy one."
Xiao Wanting's steps were light and breezy. Having achieved what she wanted, she looked thoroughly excited. After ordering dinner to match both her and Lu Bei's tastes, she led Lu Bei to a relatively secluded table where nearby people wouldn't disturb them. Resting her chin in her hands, she earnestly gazed at Lu Bei's face.
"Is it really okay for you not to go home for dinner? I saw that your mom probably prepared a lot of good food for you at home."
After sitting down, Lu Bei looked at the eager girl in front of him and asked out of curiosity. He couldn't help feeling that... this girl was much more lively when her parents weren't around, far less shy and much less the obedient good girl. Perhaps this side of her could only be seen when they were alone.
"I just want to taste good food outside once in a while."
"And at home, it's not like Mom cooks every single time. I cook for myself occasionally too... Senior can try my cooking next time." Xiao Wanting dangled her legs clad in white stockings and lowered her head, trying her best to keep Lu Bei from noticing the expression currently on her face.
This was a lie! Normally, Xiao Wanting only went out to eat when her parents weren't home. What she was doing right now had an ulterior motive.
"My, oh my, Xiaoxiao, is this your boyfriend?"