Although Cen Huai’an was only five years old, he had an excellent memory and knew the area well.

He led Chuxia through familiar streets to Bang Ge, who was loading scrap paper onto a tricycle with some kids.

Bang Ge saw them but didn’t pay much attention to Chuxia.

Instead, he turned to Cen Huai’an and asked, “Why are you back again?”

Bang Ge glanced at Chuxia with a look that clearly said, “What are you doing here? Not welcome!”

Cen Huai’an looked at Chuxia and remained silent.

He couldn’t understand why his mother wanted to invite Bang Ge and his friends to a meal.

He felt that while his mother had changed for the better, there was still a possibility she might change back at any moment.

Despite wanting to go to the state-run restaurant, he kept his thoughts to himself.

Cen Huai’an’s silence was his way of telling Bang Ge that it was Chuxia who wanted to see him.

Even though he was young, his experiences with Bang Ge had taught him about loyalty and understanding.

Chuxia smiled, finding the interaction between Cen Huai’an and Bang Ge amusing.

She addressed Bang Ge first with a friendly tone, “I’m not here because of An’an; I’m here for all of you. Are you Bang Ge?”

Bang Ge, who was leaning casually while waiting for the scrap paper to be weighed, responded, “That’s what they call me. My name is Bang Zi.”

“Bang Zi, nice to meet you. I’m An’an’s mother.”

Bang Zi looked at Cen Huai’an and noticed some changes in him, while his own attitude towards Chuxia softened.

He wasn’t entirely comfortable with Chuxia’s presence but appreciated that she treated him with respect as an adult, which made him feel more at ease.

“So, what do you need?” Bang Zi asked, waiting for his payment.

“I’d like to invite you all to the state-run restaurant for a meal. Are you interested?”

Bang Zi was surprised and couldn’t quite figure out Chuxia’s intentions.

He glanced at Cen Huai’an, who nodded, confirming that his mother was serious.

“Alright!” Bang Zi agreed enthusiastically and called his friends, “Let’s go, we’re having a treat today!”

Cen Huai’an relaxed a bit, reaching out to hold Chuxia’s hand, his big eyes looking up at her, asking if they were really going.

Chuxia couldn’t help but smile at his rare excitement.

It was only the promise of good food that could make Cen Huai’an so eager.

She patted his head affectionately and said, “Let’s go!”

They set off for the state-run restaurant, with Chuxia leading the way.

In addition to Cen Huai’an, there were four other children.

The three younger ones followed behind, exchanging excited glances, unsure if this was a trick.

Although Cen Huai’an was younger, his fierce demeanor made them wary.

They could sense that Cen Huai’an was not to be trifled with, and only Bang Zi seemed to handle him differently.

One of the kids, thin and slightly bent, hesitantly asked Bang Zi, “Is she really going to treat us?”

Bang Zi, noticing the eager expression on Cen Huai’an and Chuxia’s hands clasped together, gave the kid a pat on the head, “Do you not know this route?”

The skinny kid grinned and scratched his head, “I do. Just can’t believe it’s happening!”

The restaurant was just a short walk away, and they arrived quickly.

At this time, the state-run restaurant was bustling.

Chu Xia brought the group of children inside, and the place was quite crowded.

An adult with a group of children, who looked like street urchins, attracted a lot of attention when they entered.

People’s gazes ranged from disdainful to pitying.

However, since everyone in the state-run restaurant was a worker from the factory, no one said anything harsh, though their looks were clearly disapproving.

Chu Xia and the children didn’t mind this at all.

Six people crowded around a round table.

The children felt a sense of unreality, as this was their first time in the state-run restaurant, including Bang Ge.

They had only ever looked in enviously from outside before, imagining what it would be like to eat inside.

Now that their imagination had become reality, they were both excited and nervous, unsure where to put their hands and feet.

The skinny, dark boy tugged at Bang Ge’s sleeve. “Bang Ge, am I really sitting in the state-run restaurant? Pinch me!”

Bang Ge gave him a light smack on the head. “Useless!”

But truth be told, Bang Ge was also nervous, though he hid it well.

Chu Xia could see his nervousness from his constantly wandering eyes.

Cen Huai’an was much better off.

The first time he came here, he was too hungry to care about anything else and just focused on eating.

This time, he was calm but still secretly observing the restaurant.

The aroma was so tempting! He was starving!

However, seeing Bang Ge and the others, Cen Huai’an straightened his little face.

Having been here once before, he couldn’t be as unsettled as they were; it wouldn’t look grown-up.

Cen Huai’an could recognize many characters by now, and he could read the words on the small blackboard in the restaurant.

But he kept it to himself, silently reading in his mind.

The more he looked, the hungrier and more craving he became.

He turned his gaze away and looked at Chu Xia.

Chu Xia couldn’t sense Cen Huai’an’s inner thoughts.

After sitting down, she pointed to the small blackboard in the center and asked Bang Ge and the others, “What do you want to eat? Anything is fine, as long as it’s on today’s menu!”

Bang Ge glanced at the blackboard but couldn’t understand it.

He quickly turned back and said loudly, “Meat!”

“Yes, I want meat too, fatty, braised meat!”

The other children also chimed in, saying they wanted meat.

Cen Huai’an licked his lips.

He also wanted to eat meat.

Although the family’s meals were good, meat wasn’t served every day.

He watched Chu Xia closely, waiting for her to say what they would have.

Chu Xia understood that these children usually had little meat, and they didn’t care about anything else but wanted meat, especially big chunks of braised meat.

However, as a doctor, she knew that if these children suddenly ate a lot of meat, their stomachs might not handle it well, leading to potential digestive problems.

She preemptively mentioned this, asking if they still wanted to eat meat.

If so, there was braised meat today, which would definitely satisfy them.

“If you don’t want braised meat, there is also braised carp, which is delicious and less greasy, and easier on your stomach.”

Bang Ge immediately said, “Then let’s have fish!”

Chu Xia thought to herself: Not greedy, able to restrain desires.

Although Bang Ge is small, he will surely grow up to be someone extraordinary.

The conversation at the dinner table was unimportant as everyone was extremely hungry.

As the meal was served, the children began eating voraciously, with little regard for conversation.

Cen Huai’an, true to his nature, ate with gusto, quickly clearing his plate and competing fiercely for food.

Chuxia, observing their enthusiasm, merely reminded Cen Huai’an to watch out for fish bones and let them enjoy their meal.

The spread included six dishes—three meat and three vegetables—along with steamed buns and a bowl of seaweed egg drop soup.

It was all devoured quickly.

Chuxia pulled out a handkerchief to help Cen Huai’an clean his mouth, a gesture that inadvertently made Bang Zi envious, though he didn’t realize it himself.

Cen Huai’an had been taught many hygiene habits by Chuxia recently and now used the handkerchief naturally, without any awareness of his changed behavior.

After the meal, Bang Zi, eager to move on, asked Chuxia directly, “What do you want? Just say it.”

Chuxia had no demands for Bang Zi.

Her main purpose in inviting them was to assess his character.

If he were the kind of child who was fundamentally dishonest or unscrupulous, she would prevent Cen Huai’an from associating with him.

However, Bang Zi, despite his rough exterior and some undesirable traits, showed integrity and a sense of decency.

Chuxia smiled and said, “I don’t have any specific requests. I just wanted to thank you for helping An’an in the past. He had a tough time, and I appreciate your kindness.”

The sincerity of Chuxia’s words brought a wave of emotion to Cen Huai’an.

He struggled to contain his feelings, biting his lip and fighting back tears.

The realization that Chuxia knew about his past hardships and that she wasn’t indifferent to his suffering made him feel even more overwhelmed.

He wanted to shout, to express his pain, but instead, he clung tightly to Chuxia’s hand as if afraid she might disappear.

Noticing Cen Huai’an’s distress, Chuxia stood up, holding his hand, and addressed Bang Zi one last time, “Reading a bit more could help you achieve your goals more easily.”

Chuxia had noticed that Bang Zi couldn’t read, and her comment seemed to linger in his mind.

Although Bang Zi initially dismissed the idea, he later found himself inexplicably holding onto a few textbooks while scavenging.

As Chuxia and Cen Huai’an walked home slowly, she understood his emotional shift.

The experience of seeing the past’s hardships acknowledged and having someone care was deeply impactful for a child.

She comforted him silently, and the barrier between them seemed to lessen in this quiet moment.

However, once they arrived home, Chuxia was preparing to talk to Cen Huai’an, who was standing in a corner with a book on his head, when Sister Li arrived.

“Chuxia, your husband called the convenience store. He wants you to call him back!”