Final exams were about to begin. He Lele walked towards the examination hall with a resolve to die, and seeing He Lele's steps, Wang Muman felt as if she were going to war.
Three days passed quickly. After the exams, Wang Muman returned home and suddenly felt a sense of emptiness. The break without homework was quite unaccustomed. Her brother was also cooking, and he had specifically said he wanted to show off his skills for her to taste.
Indeed, when Wang Muman went downstairs, she smelled the aroma of cola chicken wings. On the table were also curry chicken, shredded pork with garlic sauce, pickled fish, and shredded pork with cabbage, a rather rich spread.
"Brother, the two of us can't possibly finish all this!" Wang Muman said to Wang Mujin, looking at the dishes with a troubled expression.
"It's okay, if we can't finish it, I'll do my best to eat it all. I'm a big eater!" Wang Mujin had a large appetite and would always get his money's worth at buffets, so he was confident in himself.
Wang Muman sat down to eat and suddenly thought of how lively the school cafeteria was, forming a stark contrast. Watching He Lele wolf down his food in the cafeteria made her instantly feel like she could eat two bowls of rice. She observed that although her brother had a large quantity of food, his eating posture was quiet and not so messy, which didn't increase her appetite.
"I'm going to Yan Cheng's grandmother's house to practice with him tomorrow!" Wang Muman suddenly remembered to tell Wang Mujin.
"Oh, I know. Isn't it a week until it's on TV? I remember it's that day!"
Wang Muman nodded, thinking it had come so quickly.
The next day, Wang Mujin drove Wang Muman to Yan Cheng's grandmother's house. Upon arrival, Wang Muman saw Yan Cheng's message saying he would be a little late. He had returned to his city home yesterday and was now taking a bus over.
Yan Cheng's grandmother came out to greet them. "Xiao Cheng just called and said Manman was coming over, so he asked me to greet you. I was just wondering when you'd arrive, and here you are." She nodded at Wang Mujin.
"Hello, Grandma. Sorry to bother you again!" Wang Muman was still a bit reserved.
"You're not bothering me at all. I think about you every day, Manman!" Yan Cheng's grandmother smiled and took her hand, patting it.
Wang Mujin left to go back to work as usual, and would pick up Wang Muman later in the evening.
Yan Cheng's grandmother led Wang Muman into the living room, letting her warm up. She poured her milk and placed a bowl of nuts and candies on the table for her to eat.
"Manman, I heard Xiao Cheng say you sit behind him in class!"
"Yes, Grandma." She answered her grandmother's question after taking a sip of milk. She didn't know how to chat with elders. She had no grandfathers or grandmothers, nor maternal grandfathers or grandmothers at home. She tightened her grip on her pants.
Grandma continued, "Then you and Xiao Cheng have been getting along for several months now, no wonder he takes such good care of you." Grandma had noticed Yan Cheng looking at Wang Muman from time to time during meals, which was rare.
"Yes, he's very helpful and always helps me," Wang Muman replied, recalling several memorable instances.
Yan Cheng's grandmother glanced at Wang Muman, thinking about her grandson. How could she not know he was helpful? Had he changed his ways? In her eyes, her grandson had a somewhat cold personality and didn't often chat with people he wasn't familiar with, let alone help them. However, he was a considerate child.
Seeing that Grandma had fallen silent, Wang Muman didn't know how to initiate another topic.
However, the conversation didn't become awkward because Yan Cheng arrived soon after. He entered out of breath, took off his jacket, and slowly sat on the sofa, catching his breath.