Liu Zhi finally nodded.
Meng Yang completely lost hope in Liu Zhi's pursuit of him.
"I was just kidding," Meng Yang pecked Liu Zhi. "Don't take it seriously."
Liu Zhi felt pretty useless and slumped against Meng Yang's shoulder for a while.
"Alright, get up, let's go out for dinner." This time it was Meng Yang's turn to rub Liu Zhi's head.
"Rest a little longer, I'll cook for you," Liu Zhi said.
"I don't feel unwell anywhere." Meng Yang whispered in Liu Zhi's ear, "Take advantage of the free time and buy what you need, so it will be easier to pack your luggage tomorrow."
“I can go by myself,” Liu Zhi said.
"I don't think you can." Meng Yang propped himself up, the blanket slipping down a little.
After they finished their playful antics, they took a shower. Meng Yang returned wrapped in a bathrobe, which exposed her shoulder. Liu Zhi quickly pulled it back up for her.
"Weren't you quite outgoing before?" Meng Yang raised an eyebrow.
Liu Zhi remained silent.
"What are we having for dinner?" Meng Yang stopped teasing her and changed the subject.
"I'll do whatever you say." Liu Zhi and Meng Yang moved slightly apart and went to the other side to pick up their clothes.
"Then let's go have some porridge." Meng Yang untied his bathrobe in front of Liu Zhi.
Liu Zhi took her clothes and went to the washroom.
Meng Yang suppressed his lip and watched her run away.
...
The weather had warmed up considerably, so I took Liu Zhi's hand and headed towards the porridge shop I had been longing for, facing the evening breeze.
Liu Zhi observed Meng Yang for a long time before moving forward with peace of mind, making sure she was alright.
Her steps have become much smaller, completely following Meng Yang's rhythm.
The porridge shop wasn't too far; it took only a short walk to get there.
Meng Yang ordered two identical portions and chatted with Liu Zhi while sipping their drinks.
Liu Zhi took a bite, and her expectations dropped considerably.
Even so, it doesn't smell nearly as good as Meng Yang's.
Seeing that Liu Zhi was distracted, Meng Yang couldn't help but poke her hand.
"What are you thinking about? Are you daydreaming?"
"The porridge isn't as good as yours," Liu Zhi said truthfully.
Didn't you say you weren't good at sweet talk?
"This is it?" Liu Zhi looked bewildered.
“Yes,” Meng Yang said with a smile, “say more of these kinds of things in the future.”
Liu Zhi nodded earnestly.
Meng Yang sipped his porridge with a refined manner, while Liu Zhi ate his porridge very quickly, putting down his spoon in no time.
"This shop's wontons are pretty good too, want to try them?"
I'm full.
"Eating slowly is good for your physical and mental health."
"I know."
After a long and pointless conversation, Meng Yang finally finished his meal.
She led Liu Zhi into a department store and they browsed around.
A string of hats hung on the shelf. Meng Yang touched the fabric and picked out a white one.
She held up the hat and looked at Liu Zhi, "Try this!"
Liu Zhi held the hat with rabbit ears, her expression frozen.
Meng Yang simply stood on tiptoe and put it on her.
Liu Zhi glanced upwards, eager to see what she looked like. Meng Yang quickly snapped a picture of her.
"How is it?" Meng Yang asked with a bright smile. "Isn't it cute?"
"You look even cuter in it." Liu Zhi took off the bunny ear hat and put it on Meng Yang.
Meng Yang, without any shyness, strolled around the department store wearing a hat.
Liu Zhi followed behind her, carrying a basket, serving her the whole time.
"Liu Zhi, take a look at that." Liu Zhi followed Meng Yang's gaze.
"Which one?" Liu Zhi looked carefully and saw various small ornaments.
"Look from a lower angle," Meng Yang said.
Liu Zhi obediently bent down, lowered his head, and carefully examined the row of ornaments.
Meng Yang seized the opportunity and put the hat on Liu Zhi's head again.
Liu Zhi looked up, somewhat bewildered.
"Don't take it off," Meng Yangqiang said firmly. "I'm a little hot, help me wear it for a while."
“You can put it in the basket.” Before Liu Zhi’s outstretched hand could even touch the brim of his hat, Meng Yang slapped it down.
"The rabbit's ears must not be crushed."
"I'm hot too." Liu Zhi thought for a long time and made up an excuse.
"With such severe hair loss, I'm wearing this to keep warm."
Liu Zhi: "..."
"I heard about a folk remedy: rubbing your hair with ginger can promote hair growth." Meng Yang walked behind Liu Zhi, untied her hair, and smoothed it. "Want to try it next time?"
Liu Zhi: "..."
"You look so much better with your hair down, why do you have to tie it up?" Meng Yang started nagging.
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Author's Note:
It is recommended to read this chapter in conjunction with the previous chapter...
Something upsetting happened today, and I haven't been able to focus on writing. Sorry.
Chapter 38 Liu's Mother
The day Liu Zhi went to the airport, Meng Yang had to go to work.
She put Liu Zhi in a taxi and waited until the car's exhaust fumes were no longer visible before leaving.
Liu Zhi also clung to the window, waiting until Meng Yang was completely out of sight before turning around.
After taking a plane and then a taxi, Liu Zhi arrived in Yancheng around 10 a.m.
Yancheng has developed very rapidly in the past two years, with buildings springing up one after another in the main urban area.
Liu Zhi sat in a taxi, weaving through the streets.
The scenery before my eyes and the sounds around me are both familiar and strange, as if time and reality overlap.
The mother called Liu Zhi.
"Little Zhi, where are we?"
The first word Liu Zhi uttered was in Mandarin. After a pause, Liu Zhi switched to his dialect.
"We've arrived..." Liu Zhi looked around for road signs.
"Celebrity Road," the driver said.
"We've arrived at Celebrity Road." Liu Zhi smiled gratefully at the driver.
"Call me when you arrive, and your dad and I will pick you up," Liu's mother said.
"I only have one suitcase." Liu Zhi leaned against the car window looking at the scenery. "I took a taxi, which will take me directly home."
"Then call me from downstairs." Mrs. Liu's voice sounded joyful. "You absolutely must call me!"
Liu Zhi hummed in agreement and hung up the phone.
"Haven't been home in a long time?" the driver asked in his local accent.
“It’s been several years,” Liu Zhi replied.
The driver sighed, "My daughter is the same; she hasn't been home for several years."
The people of Yancheng seem to be naturally warm-hearted. The driver began to talk about his daughter's experiences, his words filled with pride.
Speaking of which, the driver's daughter does look quite a bit like Liu Zhi.
Both of them left Yancheng for the capital after finishing the college entrance examination, and continued to work hard after finishing their studies, without returning home for several years.
"Girl, what do you do for a living?" the master asked.
"Doctor." Liu Zhi pushed up her glasses.
"Doctors are great! It's so good to have a doctor in the family. We don't have to worry about medicine or seeing a doctor anymore!" the man said with a smile. "Doctors and teachers are both popular, they're in high demand!"
Doctors, teachers, and civil servants are considered the most ideal professions by the older generation. Other professions are seen as unstable and risky.
Liu Zhi smiled but didn't reply.
Along the way, the driver asked Liu Zhi many questions about her career, which Liu Zhi answered one by one, but her answers were not in-depth.
As she was leaving, the driver wished her success in her work and that all her wishes would come true. Liu Zhi waved goodbye to her.