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Chapter 41: Making Friends

“Good Flavor…”

Lu Li looked up at the spotless, gleaming signboard and entered together with Shao Linlin.

The restaurant was small, with only 8 tables; although a bit cramped, the tables and floor were spotless, without grease, and the air was free of smoke, making it very comfortable.

It was clear the owner cared a great deal about hygiene.

Only 2 tables were occupied; at one sat 2 young men in flowered shirts, their arms tattooed with unknown patterns, and they did not look like decent people.

They spoke loudly, lacing their words with constant curses and dirty topics.

At the other table sat an old man in a janitor’s uniform; his skin looked withered, yet his arms were thick, probably from years of work.

The old man kept a stiff face, and beside him sat a large water bottle in a brown sleeve, its lid filthy.

“Auntie Zhao, I’m back again!” The moment she walked in, Shao Linlin waved her arm and greeted warmly.

Her sweet shout left the janitor unmoved, but it drew the 2 delinquents, who leaned together and whispered.

“Linlin?” Auntie Zhao, sitting at the counter, looked up with a warm smile. “You haven’t come in ages.”

Auntie Zhao rose to greet them; when she turned and saw Lu Li, she froze, then winked at Shao Linlin and said, “Linlin, is this handsome boy your boyfriend?”

Shao Linlin’s back snapped straight. “N-no, he’s my classmate!”

Seeing the blush spread from her ears to her neck, Auntie Zhao chuckled softly. “Looks like it’ll be official soon.”

“What will be official soon?”

“Nothing.” Auntie Zhao laughed softly, led them to the nearest table, and asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Shao Linlin said, “Everything Uncle Zhao cooks is delicious, but the tastiest is the specialty eggplant!”

Auntie Zhao apologized, “Sorry, my old man threw out his back and is in the hospital, so he isn’t cooking today.”

“Then who is cooking, you, Auntie Zhao?” Shao Linlin asked.

“I can’t cook at all, haha. My husband says me cooking only wastes food and never lets me near the stove,” Auntie Zhao said.

“He took in a little apprentice, and she’s doing the cooking. She isn’t really an apprentice. 3 years ago that kid came here looking for work; after my husband learned her family had it tough, he hired her for odd jobs. She’s diligent; whenever she drops by, she cleans this place until it shines. When my husband has free time, he teaches her some dishes; she isn’t superb, but she does have a few specialties. But she can make only a handful of homestyle dishes. If that bothers you, eat somewhere else and come back after his injury heals.”

“I see…” Shao Linlin sounded a bit disappointed. “So we can’t have Uncle Zhao’s food… Lu Li, should we try another place?”

She couldn’t guarantee the food would be good and worried Lu Li might not enjoy it.

Lu Li shook his head. “It’s fine. The place is so clean that the apprentice must be conscientious, and people like that don’t cook badly.”

Shao Linlin nodded in agreement. “Auntie Zhao, then we’ll stay.”

After a short discussion they ordered one specialty eggplant, one braised pork ribs, and one vegetarian stir-fried medley.

They were all simple homestyle dishes.

“Alright, the dishes may take a bit, please wait,” Auntie Zhao said after writing the order, then hurried to the kitchen.

At the next table the 2 delinquents kept sizing up Shao Linlin, wearing lecherous grins.

“That chick’s hot; so, what do you think, interested?”

“Interested, of course. It’s rare to see such a beauty. But her boyfriend’s beside her… how will you do it?”

“Tch, that pale skinny kid? What can he do? He looks like a high-schooler, easy to bully. With 5 fingers I’ll squeeze him till he begs.”

“You going first?”

“If you won’t, I will.”

“We’ll both go.”

Oblivious to their discussion, Shao Linlin took out her phone. “Lu Li, Dad just messaged me that after we eat you can go straight home; no need to return to the Martial Arts Club until tomorrow, he has something to discuss with you.”

Lu Li considered and asked, “After today’s fight with Xu Feng, won’t that put Coach Shao in a tough spot?”

Shao Linlin waved. “No, no. Xu Feng always shows off and everyone at the club is sick of him.”

He got the lesson he deserved; it has nothing to do with you, and lots of people at the club are probably laughing.

“Good.” Lu Li nodded.

“Hey, gorgeous, add me on social media.” The 2 delinquents suddenly leaned over, staring at Shao Linlin.

Shao Linlin frowned slightly and said bluntly, “We don’t know each other, so no.”

The tall, skinny delinquent chuckled. “Heh, beauty, once we add each other we’ll know each other… just making friends.”

Shao Linlin answered seriously, “But I don’t want to be friends with you.”

“Come on, add me.” The lanky delinquent reached to snatch the phone from her hand.

The instant he stretched out, pain shot through the back of his hand; he yanked it back and saw Lu Li tapping it with his chopsticks.

He rubbed the tattooed hand and glared at Lu Li. “Kid, looking for trouble?”

The other delinquent slapped his hand heavily onto Lu Li’s right shoulder.

Lu Li glanced sideways at the arm on his shoulder and chuckled. “She doesn’t want to be your friend, so don’t force her. I can be your friend.”

The tall skinny delinquent sneered and extended his hand. “You want to be buddies with me? Fine. You’ve got guts, kid. Shake.”

“You really want to shake?” Lu Li raised an eyebrow.

The other delinquent squeezed Lu Li’s shoulder. “We told you to shake, so shake. Stop yapping. If you’re scared, get lost and stop interrupting us.”

“Since that’s the case, let’s shake.” Lu Li sighed and, without hesitation, reached out his hand.

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