Chapter 4: Farewell Dinner, See You in the Northeast

Today, Wang Yi was in a very good mood. After eating, she dressed up nicely to meet Wei Xue and Ding Lina.

They were dormmates, four in total, the other being Bai Miaomiao.

The four of them all stayed in Beijing, and whenever they had time, they would get together.

It had been almost a month since their last meal together. This time, Wang Yi messaged the two of them privately on WeChat instead of posting in their group chat, so only the three of them were meeting.

If they asked, she would tell them the truth. If they didn’t, then she wouldn’t bring it up.

She didn’t want her mood to be affected by irrelevant people.

Since there were still three hours before the dinner, she borrowed a small pushcart from the auntie downstairs to take the things she wanted to send home to the courier station.

Today, Wang Yi was packing clothes she wasn’t wearing for now to send home. The rest she would just store in her space when it was time to leave.

It took her two trips to carry all the clothes down. At the courier station, after weighing, packing, and paying, she didn’t need to worry anymore.

She had to admit, it was really convenient now.

When she got back upstairs, she remembered the vegetables she planted yesterday and wondered how they were doing.

She slipped into her space and—oh my god! It was shocking!

The cilantro, Chinese cabbage, eggplants, and peppers she planted yesterday had already sprouted. The cilantro was ready to eat, the cabbages were big enough to make wraps with, and even the eggplants and peppers were hanging full of fruits—it was such a pleasant surprise.

Wang Yi immediately picked a purple eggplant and took a bite right there. The taste was sweet and crisp.

Back home, she used to eat raw eggplants too, but those started sweet then turned astringent after a while. These were completely different.

She could eat until she was full just with eggplants.

She picked some of every vegetable to give Wei Xue, Ding Lina, and the auntie downstairs each a portion.

As she picked, she felt proud: this was all her hard work paying off.

When it was almost time, she came out carrying the vegetables.

She gave the auntie a whole set of Northeast dipping vegetables: cabbage, cilantro, shepherd’s purse, radishes, and quma (wild greens).

The auntie was so delighted she couldn’t stop saying how much she had craved this taste. She thanked Wang Yi over and over.

Wang Yi hurriedly said, “Auntie, I already made plans with my classmates for dinner, I can’t be late.”

Only then did the auntie let her go—she was just too warm-hearted.

When Wang Yi arrived at the restaurant, the other two hadn’t come yet. She ordered all their favorite dishes in advance, waiting for them to arrive.

By the time the food was mostly served, Wei Xue and Ding Lina came.

“Wow, you already ordered everything. Did you get my favorite sauerkraut?” Wei Xue asked loudly.

“Of course! Your sauerkraut, and Lina’s beef tripe.” Wang Yi replied proudly.

“Haha, it’s been so long since we had dinner together. No matter what, we should drink today.” Ding Lina suggested.

“Give it a rest! With your drinking capacity, one glass and you’re done. I wouldn’t even be warmed up yet, and you’d already be knocked out.” Wang Yi exposed her mercilessly.

The three laughed and teased each other, then started grilling meat and dipping vegetables. Since Ding Lina really couldn’t handle alcohol, they toasted with soft drinks instead.

Although they all looked slim, their appetites were surprisingly big. They slowed down only after they were about 70% full, chatting as they ate.

Wei Xue was a straightforward person—sometimes even more open than Wang Yi, who was from the Northeast.

Seeing her hesitate to speak, Wang Yi already guessed what she wanted to ask.

“Just say it. Don’t act like that,” Wang Yi cut straight to the point.

“Yiyi… are you still with Li Jibai?” Wei Xue asked cautiously.

“We broke up.” Wang Yi told her honestly.

“You already know who he’s with, don’t you?” Wei Xue was worried about hurting her.

“At first, we didn’t know how to tell you. But today, since it’s just us three, we thought it was the right time.” Ding Lina said angrily.

Wang Yi looked at them and said seriously: “Honestly, when I first agreed to date Li Jibai, it was only because he seemed decent. And at that time, my mom kept seeing relatives my age either dating or getting married, while I was still single. She kept asking me if I had a boyfriend.

Later, when Li Jibai confessed, I just went along with it. But to say there was deep feeling? Not really. Of course I was angry about being betrayed by friends, but…

Think about it: isn’t it better to find out before marriage what kind of person he really is? At least now I see them clearly. Isn’t that a good thing?”

What is truly yours, no one can take away. What isn’t, you can’t force.

Hearing how open-minded she was, her two friends happily raised their glasses. “Right, trash belongs in the trash station—we don’t want it. Hahaha.”

“Exactly, let them be stuck together. Just don’t come out and harm others.” Wang Yi laughed.

“Ah, the meat’s ready—eat it before it gets tough!” The three girls definitely got their money’s worth at this buffet.

In the end, they ate so much their backs ached from fullness. Looking at each other’s bloated state, they burst into laughter.

That’s when Wang Yi dropped the bombshell: “I’m going back to the Northeast. You two should come visit me if you have time.”

The other two looked at her in disbelief.

“Don’t overthink—it’s not because of anyone. I just really want to go back. I’ve had enough of being away all these years. I just want to farm, raise pigs, feed chickens… just thinking about it makes me happy.” Wang Yi said with a blissful smile.

“If you’ve decided, then go. Be the landlord in the Northeast. Build up your empire so we can come and play.” Ding Lina joked.

“No problem, you’re welcome anytime. I’ll show you what a true landlord’s wife can do.” Wang Yi said, earning a playful swat from Wei Xue.

“Listen to you, sounding like some bandit queen ruling the mountains.” Wei Xue rolled her eyes.

Time flew by as they laughed and joked, and soon they had to say goodbye at the door.

All three had red eyes, but none of them cried, not wanting the others to worry.

“When are you leaving? We’ll see you off.” Ding Lina asked.

“My ticket’s for 2 p.m. tomorrow. No need to send me off—I don’t have much. Everything that needed to be mailed, I already mailed. I’m a grown woman, I won’t get lost.” Wang Yi teased.

“We’re more worried you’ll abduct some poor man.” Wei Xue retorted.

Hahaha—the three of them laughed so loudly, like three little maniacs.

Their laughter drew many looks.

“Boss, youth really is the best. Laugh whenever you want.” Assistant Li said with a smile.

“So what, you think you can’t laugh whenever you want now? Am I oppressing you here?” Lu Yan gave him a sidelong glance.

Just as Assistant Li was about to explain, Lu Yan cut him off: “No need. I already know—you’re just too idle. Starting today, you’re working overtime.”

“Boss, spare me!”

“Shut up.” Lu Yan snapped, and Assistant Li immediately shut his mouth.

Because of Wang Yi and her friends’ laughter, an unlucky soul had just been sentenced to overtime.

After they parted, Wang Yi did feel some reluctance. She had worked so hard to gain a foothold in this city. Thinking about going home wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t unbearable either.

Everyone who appears in my life must have a meaning.