Chapter 190

Chen Ping’an stared at Mu Xiaocao for half a day but still failed to remember her. “Who are you?”

Imitating Chen Ping’an’s tone, Mu Xiaocao said with a righteous face, “Bold thief! In broad daylight, under the clear sky, how dare you?”

“Stop!” Chen Ping’an blushed.

Mu Xiaocao’s appearance had changed too much. If she hadn’t mentioned that phrase he blurted out in desperation, which he had read in a martial arts novel, Chen Ping’an wouldn’t have remembered where he had seen her.

Mu Xiaocao closed her mouth and blinked her big, dark, innocent eyes, looking at Chen Ping’an expectantly.

Chen Ping’an recalled her name and said helplessly, “Classmate Mu Xiaocao.” Her full name was too unique; Chen Ping’an wouldn’t have a hard time remembering it.

Mu Xiaocao nodded vigorously, resembling a chick pecking at grains. “Yes, yes, yes! It’s me, Mu Xiaocao!”

Su Xiaoxiao exclaimed in surprise, “You guys know each other?”

Two completely different voices responded simultaneously:

Mu Xiaocao: “We do!”

Chen Ping’an: “Just a chance encounter.”

Su Xiaoxiao looked at each of them, then smiled and said, “Well, that’s quite a coincidence. Xiaocao is my classmate. Ping’an, please ask Uncle Yang to serve her a bowl of vegetarian noodles without any meat or fish; remember, no traces of meat or fish.”

Chen Ping’an nodded. “Understood.”

Mu Xiaocao’s gaze followed Ping’an, and Su Xiaoxiao nudged her arm. “Ping’an is quite handsome, isn’t he?”

Lost in thought, Mu Xiaocao didn’t catch Su Xiaoxiao’s teasing and nodded. “Yes, he’s quite fair. So… his name is Ping’an; it’s such a nice name.”

Most guys on the grasslands were rough; even the cleaner ones couldn’t compare to Chen Ping’an in terms of fairness. There were many male classmates in the class, but none were as fair as him. It was enough to overturn her aesthetic perception of men. Even she, a female, looked much rougher compared to Chen Ping’an. Is Big Brother Han’s face she considers handsome or Chen Ping’an’s? Ah, I don’t know.

Su Xiaoxiao led her to the children’s table and said, “You sit here first; the meal will be ready soon.”

Mu Xiaocao finally had time to admire the children’s paintings. Other than being awe-inspiring, she couldn’t find another word to describe them. Just then, a lump of fluff identical to the clouds in the painting rushed over. Mu Xiaocao looked at the painting and then at the real thing, unable to believe it. “Is this fluff a dog?”

“It’s a doggie, Sister Xiaocao. Its name is Cotton Candy, not White Cloud,” Xiao Tangyuan said as he stroked Cotton Candy’s head. Cotton Candy obediently nuzzled Xiao Tangyuan’s palm, making her smile with joy, her eyes squinting like Su Xiaoxiao’s, with similar dimples.

“I know it’s not called White Cloud. I just feel it looks like a lump of white cloud, but it does indeed resemble cotton candy. However, it doesn’t look anything like the dogs on our grassland.”

Mu Xiaocao stared at Cotton Candy intently. Not only were her sister Xiaoxiao’s children cute, but even the dog they raised was adorable too. And the blushing waiter who brought the dishes over was also cute!

Mu Xiaocao stood up. “Let me do it. How can I let my benefactor serve me food?”

Chen Ping’an was at a loss, the red flush on his ears spreading down to his neck. All he could manage to say was, “You sit first; it’s really hot.”

Su Xiaoxiao came over with three big cubs carrying food and said, “Xiaocao, don’t mess around; make space for Ping’an to put his stuff.”

Mu Xiaocao had no choice but to move aside. Chen Ping’an set down the pot in his hand and said, “Stop calling me like that.” With that, he turned and left, looking like he was running away from someone.

Today’s menu in the shop was braised pork rice, filling the room with the aroma of pork. According to tradition, Mu Xiaocao shouldn’t even share a meal with those who eat pork, but being away from home, she kept the rules in mind, but was not too particular about it.

Su Xiaoxiao sat beside Mu Xiaocao and asked, “How did you meet Ping’an?”

Mu Xiaocao slurped the hot noodles, giving a thumbs-up before answering Su Xiaoxiao’s question, “Just got off the train and got robbed. A good Samaritan happened to be picking someone up at the station, caught the thief, handed him over to the police, and left without even leaving his name. I don’t even know how to thank him.”

Su Xiaoxiao remarked, “That’s quite a coincidence.”

Mu Xiaocao nodded. “I didn’t expect to meet him here. Xiaoxiao, is he your hired helper?”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “No, this shop is a partnership between Ping’an’s mother and me.”

Mu Xiaocao understood and said, rolling her eyes, “Xiaoxiao, I’ve figured out how to repay the kindness. When I don’t have classes, I’ll come help you guys. I don’t want wages, just a bowl of vegetarian noodles like this.”

Su Xiaoxiao replied, “I can’t decide on that. Ask Ping’an yourself. But I don’t think he’ll agree. He’s a good person. When he helped you, he wasn’t expecting something in return.”

Mu Xiaocao said, “I know. Anyway, regardless of whether he agrees or not, I’ll come help you when I’m free and on weekends.”

Fantuan suddenly interjected mischievously, “Sister Cao, are you here to see Brother Ping’an?”

Mu Xiaocao blinked and said, “What am I looking at him for? We, female comrades on horseback don’t like owing any favors. Can I repay him by looking at him?”

Fantuan: “…”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled but didn’t comment.

In the midst of the conversation, Xiao Roubao had already finished a bowl of braised pork rice. He carried the pot and went to Uncle Yang to ask for more rice, then returned with half a pot of rice.

Mu Xiaocao exclaimed, “Xiao Roubao, do you eat this much rice?”

Xiao Roubao shook his head. “I had a big breakfast today; I’m not feeling very hungry right now. I only ate a little bit.”

Mu Xiaocao: “!!!??” What? A child your age eating ‘a little bit’ had already finished eating one and a half times my portion?! How much would you eat when you’re not full?

“Sister Xiaoxiao, do your kids all have such big appetites? It must cost a lot to raise them, right?” she asked.

Su Xiaoxiao said, “As long as they eat enough, that’s all that matters. I opened this restaurant to support my kids.”

Xiao Roubao felt a bit unhappy. Did he eat too much today? He actually only ate half a pot of rice, less than usual.

Fantuan said, “Sister Cao, you don’t need to worry about my mom not being able to support us. The royalties we earn are enough to support ten Xiao Roubao. Eat without worries; brother can afford it.”

Mu Xiaocao remembered the serials in the newspaper and apologized, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry, Xiao Roubao. I didn’t mean that. It’s just… your eating habits are really something. Next time you come to our school cafeteria, I’ll treat you to a full meal, anything you want.”

Xiao Roubao was easily pleased as long as there was food. “Really? Sister, you made a promise.”

Mu Xiaocao breathed a sigh of relief, afraid that her unintentional mistake would hurt the child’s self-esteem: “I promise, I promise. You all come, and I’ll treat you all.”

After the meal, Mu Xiaocao quickly helped to tidy up the table. Su Xiaoxiao didn’t take her money for the meal; if she wanted to work, then she would let her do it.

The cubs finished their homework and held hands to go home for a lunch break.

Mu Xiaocao hesitantly approached Chen Ping’an, “Um… Ping, Ping’an?” Seeing his ears turning red again, she quickly corrected herself, “Classmate Ping’an, let me help you!”

Chen Ping’an, being somewhat shy around girls due to little interaction with them, said, “No need, I can do it myself,” as he lowered his head to collect the dishes.

Mu Xiaocao found him increasingly adorable, quite different from his boldness when helping her catch the thief.

“I really want to thank you. You left in a hurry that day, but I didn’t expect you to be so close to Xiaoxiao. I told her that I’d come by the shop to help out as a way to thank you.” 

Chen Ping’an replied, “You don’t have to do that. In that situation, anyone would have helped. No need for thanks.”

Mu Xiaocao blinked. “Then I can’t take advantage of your kindness. That’s precisely why I want to thank you even more. Regardless of whether you agree or not, I’ve decided to do this.”

After saying this, Mu Xiaocao went to grab the cloth from Bai Lan’s hand and vigorously wiped the tables.

When she went to the kitchen to take over Auntie Zhao’s dishwashing duties, Su Xiaoxiao lowered her voice and said to Chen Ping’an, “Ping’an, you don’t need to feel pressured. Xiaocao grew up on the grassland, and girls who grew up in the grassland have a straightforward personality. She has a good character and pure intentions. She doesn’t have many hidden motives. Just think of her as helping me out, and I’ll take care of her meals.”

Chen Ping’an blushed again. “That’s not what I meant.”

Su Xiaoxiao just smiled without saying anything. If Mu Xiaocao didn’t intend to return to the grasslands in the future, her personality would suit Chen Ping’an quite well. But there were still a few years to go, and Su Xiaoxiao didn’t plan to intervene. Just let things happen naturally.

That week, Mu Xiaocao earnestly fulfilled her promise to help out whenever she could. She worked efficiently and had a good temperament, not at all like a child from a pampered bureaucratic family.

Bai Lan particularly likes this girl who loves to laugh and is an easy-going girl, and she couldn’t help asking Su Xiaoxiao if she had any intentions towards Ping’an.

Su Xiaoxiao honestly told her that Mu Xiaocao didn’t want to stay in the capital.

Bai Lan felt it was a pity and did not mention this matter again.

The days on the right track always pass very quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already March, when the grass grew and the birds sang.

The weather in the capital remained cold. The purchase of Zhuzi’s courtyard finally showed some progress. Located in a nearby alley behind Su Xiaoxiao’s house, their situation was somewhat similar to Bailan’s family. They had just been rehabilitated and reclaimed their house, but with lingering fears of it being taken away again, they decided to sell it hastily.

The property rights of this courtyard were clear, but there was a catch. Initially, several households were allocated dormitories when they moved in, but two of them had already moved to accommodations provided by their workplaces. However, one household happened to lose their job and had no place to go. They knew that once the house was sold to someone else, they would stubbornly refuse to leave.

The owner couldn’t do anything about them, and the agency made it clear when bringing prospective buyers to view the house. The transfer of ownership was not an issue, the procedures were clear, and the price of the courtyard was significantly lower than the market price. However, the person who received the property would have to deal with the people living inside.

Xiao Wu took Zhuzi to see the courtyard. The structure is almost the same as Su Xiaoxiao’s current courtyard; even its orientation is the same. Zhuzi was very satisfied.

Xiao Wu hesitated because of the people living inside: “Typical squatters, not paying any rent. Personally, I suggest we wait a bit longer. Maybe there will be a more suitable courtyard for sale.”

Zhuzi shook his head and said, “I have seen all the houses around Fantuan’s house. Aunt Lan and Tian Tian’s house cannot be sold, right? Most of the other property rights issues cannot be traded. This is the closest to Fantuan’s house that we can negotiate. You just handle the formalities for me, and as for the people inside, I’ll figure something out.”

Zhuzi was not yet fifteen, but his maturity and composure made Xiao Wu follow his words without question, almost never doubting what he said.

“The boss said you can do as you please, as long as you think it’s good, so I’ll contact them to handle the transfer procedures. Maybe we can further negotiate the price,” Xiaowu said.

Zhuzi shook his head and said, “No need; this is already much cheaper than Fantuan’s house. We can give as much as he says, and there’s no need to lower the price anymore.” Auntie Su said that in the future, the prices of houses in this area may increase tenfold or a hundredfold, so Zhuzi doesn’t want to take advantage of them anymore.

This scene made him think of how the old Zhang family produced an outstanding successor. Xiao Wu patted him on the shoulder with relief and didn’t say anything more.