322. Daily Life
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Let’s be honest, internet cafes are pretty great places.
If only they had a non-smoking area, it would be even better! It’s the ultimate gaming hangout, even more laid-back than the dorms, right?
Lin Nan trailed behind Wu Guodong and Liu Xuefei, gloomily daydreaming about the next chance to go to the internet cafe for some all-nighter gaming with her roommates.
Back in the dorm, they used to game together, but the vibe just wasn’t the same. After a few rounds, they’d get bored, but in an internet cafe, Lin Nan could play for half a day without stopping. In her prime, she even pulled several all-nighters playing duo with Chen Yao at the cafe!
As they stepped into a hot pot restaurant, Lin Nan noticed that Wu Guodong and Liu Xuefei seemed to be easing their awkwardness, walking side by side and whispering to each other now and then.
But her uncle, the couch potato, still couldn’t handle girls! Even with Liu Xuefei making a move, Wu Guodong was as tense as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
They found a four-person sofa, and Lin Nan claimed two seats for herself. But looking at the two across from her, joking and laughing, she couldn’t feel happy at all.
She should’ve called Chen Yao!
“Lin Nan, what do you want to eat?” Wu Guodong handed her a menu.
“Just get me some meat, you decide,” Lin Nan replied, propping her chin up, lost in thought, just waiting for the food to arrive.
I wonder what delicious lunch Chen Yao is munching on in that rental apartment.
He’s probably saying he can only eat bland stuff, and as soon as I’m gone he’s gorging on steaks and grilled meats!
Lin Nan had been eating bland porridge for days while hanging out with Chen Yao, and it’s too light on the meat! She was feeling a bit out of energy.
While waiting for their food, Wu Guodong seemed to be struggling to handle Liu Xuefei. He stood up and announced, “I’m going to check for a game console to buy you one.”
“Uncle, you don’t need to go through all that trouble, just give me yours!” Lin Nan politely suggested, “If you give me the console, your game cards are useless to you, just toss those to me too.”
“Thinking about ‘peach’!”
As soon as Wu Guodong left, Liu Xuefei plopped down next to Lin Nan, her face full of gossip: “How did you and Chen Yao end up together? What do you see in him?”
“Actually, I wanted to ask you what you see in my uncle,” Lin Nan turned her head, trying to ignore her.
Liu Xuefei thought seriously for a moment and replied, “He’s rich!”
“Women!”
“And even though he doesn’t know how to dress up, he’s got a handsome base! Once I get some time to give him a makeover, he’ll definitely be a big hunk!”
After pondering for a moment, she frowned and added, “The problem is he’s a bit clueless and can’t even sweet-talk.”
“That just means my uncle isn’t a player,” Lin Nan defended Wu Guodong, “Couch potatoes are more likely to cheat on a cardboard cutout anyway! I’d say you’re pretty easy!”
“I’m not that kind of person!” She scooted a little closer, teasingly adding, “So what about Chen Yao? What do you like about him?”
Since Liu Xuefei brought it up, Lin Nan had to think hard to come up with a positive trait for Chen Yao.
But after ruminating for ages, all she could hesitantly say was, “He’s good at gaming?”
“Is that code for something else?”
Wow, this girl is just like a little sister, isn’t she?
Lin Nan could only give her a look of disdain. Ever since meeting Liu Xuefei, she’s been a bit out of line.
What girl gets all excited about giving guys makeovers and putting them in dresses?
“Hey, Nan Nan, how long should a couple wait before doing it?”
“Uh?” Lin Nan was completely thrown off by the question.
“If you’re too aggressive, it seems too desperate, but if you reject him too hard, won’t he get mad?” Liu Xuefei calmly continued her car talk.
Lin Nan had no idea that girl talk could be so…adult. After a long moment of realization, she finally said, “I don’t know.”
She used to think it was perfectly normal for guys to get together and talk about girls, but after getting to know more girls, she realized there’s not much difference between the genders at all.
“You’re not still a virgin, are you?” Liu Xuefei asked with disdain.
Lin Nan felt her face flush as she shot her a glare.
“Okay, okay, I’m too,” Liu Xuefei sighed dramatically. “It’s just me and Li Na in the dorm; the other two keep bragging about how great it is…”
Are you guys seriously that twisted?
They couldn’t chat about private topics for long before the waiter brought the food. After waiting a moment longer, Wu Guodong returned, carrying a game console.
He lovingly stroked the box, placing it on the table and rolling his eyes at Lin Nan: “Here’s the game console you wanted. A Switch, and I even threw in a Zelda game.”
“Sounds good, sounds good!” Lin Nan grinned from ear to ear, “You’re the best, Uncle!”
She quickly shoved Liu Xuefei off the couch, eager to show off: “Why aren’t you sitting with your boyfriend? Come back and sit with me!”
Lin Nan snuggled the game console close: “Once we’re done eating, I’ll head back! Carrying such a big item around isn’t convenient.”
“Are you just going to grab the gift and run?” Wu Guodong was at a loss with his niece.
But even he found that his interactions with Liu Xuefei were getting less awkward. He picked up some lamb with his chopsticks and asked Liu Xuefei where they were planning to go next.
“Up to you, I’m easy,” Liu Xuefei replied with a smile, taking a sip of cola.
Immediately, Lin Nan jumped in with enthusiasm: “After we eat, drop me off at home around one, then you guys can watch a movie until three or four, then hit the shops, grab a meal, and pull an all-nighter gaming! Perfect!”
Wu Guodong nodded vigorously: “Xuefei just said she also plays PUBG, just in time for some duo fun! Once Nan Nan goes back, why don’t you join us too? Grab your boyfriend and make it a full squad?”
Liu Xuefei just rolled her eyes, feeling helpless with both of them.
Just a few days ago they had hot pot, and that time Lin Nan treated her roommates. This time, her uncle was covering the bill, so it felt great to dig in without spending a dime!
After about an hour, Lin Nan was stuffed to the brim.
Apart from the meals at Chen Yao’s, she hadn’t eaten this much in a while.
“Guess I’ll head back now?” She picked up the game console box and let out a big burp.
“Why not just order a ride? It’ll take me an hour to drop you off and come back,” Wu Guodong hesitated.
Lin Nan readily agreed, spreading her hands confidently: “You can just send me the fare, a thousand or so will do.”
“You’re not flying back, are you?” Liu Xuefei couldn’t help but quip, “You think he’s an ATM?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Nan felt her phone buzz, and she looked down to find Wu Guodong had sent her a hundred.
A little short, but it should be enough for a ride back.
She smiled sweetly, slipped the phone into her pocket, and grabbed her game console as she dashed off: “I’m off! Next time remember to call me for the good stuff!”
“There won’t be a next time!” Liu Xuefei threatened, shaking her fist at Lin Nan.
