Heart-to-Heart
"How about we go for stewed beef today?" Xie Xie suggested after a moment's contemplation. "We just finished a fight; beef is good for recovery. Besides, I know a little place here that does it incredibly well—tender, flavorful, the real deal."
"Alright."
Yao Xuan, Gu Yue, and Tang Wulin agreed in unison. With Xie Xie's enthusiastic recommendation, there was no reason to refuse.
Xie Xie led them to a small, unassuming storefront. Outside, a rectangular brick stove held dozens of small fire pits, each crowned with a brownish-yellow clay pot. From these pots emanated the rich, deeply savory aroma of braising beef—a signature snack of Donghai City, made with genuine meat and a secret blend of dozens of spices.
As they drew near, the mouthwatering scent grew overwhelming. Tang Wulin's eyes went wide, fixed on the rows of steaming pots as if under a spell.
Following Xie Xie inside, they settled around a simple square table.
"Didn't expect a young master like you to eat at a place like this," Tang Wulin teased, giving Xie Xie a friendly nudge.
"My mother... she loved the braised beef here," Xie Xie replied, his tone softening, a faint shadow crossing his features. "I come here sometimes because of that."
Just then, a middle-aged man in his fifties, wearing a slightly stained apron over a warm smile, approached. "Xie Xie! You're here! And you've brought friends this time, that's wonderful! The usual?"
"Yes, thank you, Uncle Li." Xie Xie's expression brightened again, the momentary gloom receding as he responded with genuine warmth.
"Coming right up!"
Soon, four clay pots of braised beef were placed before them, along with bowls of white rice and three small side dishes.
"Enjoy, everyone! Since it's Xie Xie's first time bringing friends, these side dishes are on the house." Uncle Li reached out and ruffled Xie Xie's hair with a familiarity that spoke of many such visits, his touch paternal and kind.
"Thank you, Uncle Li. Everyone, dig in while it's hot," Xie Xie urged, his gratitude evident.
Tang Wulin observed this with mild surprise. He knew Xie Xie had a fastidious streak, yet the boy showed no discomfort at the affectionate, greasy-fingered contact. Shrugging off the thought, Tang Wulin lifted the lid of his clay pot. A cloud of fragrant steam burst forth, carrying the promise of deep, savory delight. Inside, the beef chunks glistened a dark, inviting gold, nestled in a thick, aromatic broth.
"I'm starting!" Tang Wulin declared, spearing a piece with his chopsticks and popping it into his mouth. His face instantly melted into an expression of pure bliss. "Wow! This is amazing! Brother Xuan, you have to try this!"
"Of course." Yao Xuan sampled a piece himself. The beef was impossibly tender, the spices a complex melody on his tongue—far surpassing the utilitarian fare of the academy cafeteria. "It's truly excellent. Gu Yue, you should have some too."
"Alright, I'll try." Gu Yue took a delicate bite. A faint, appreciative smile touched her lips. "It is quite good."
"Uncle Li, twenty more servings, please."
The four pots were emptied with startling speed. Xie Xie, well-acquainted with his roommates' capacities, called out for more.
"Twenty more? Can you finish all that?" Uncle Li asked, his eyebrows rising in amused disbelief.
"Haha, don't worry, Uncle Li. We've got two champion eaters here!" Xie Xie laughed.
"Alright, alright, I'll get them ready for you."
As Uncle Li bustled off, Tang Wulin turned to Xie Xie. "Thank you."
"Why?" Xie Xie looked up, momentarily confused.
"No, I meant 'thank you.' Your name… it's easy to misunderstand." Tang Wulin clarified with an apologetic grin.
"Yeah, it is," Xie Xie admitted, his gaze drifting slightly. "But there's a meaning behind it. My mother gave me this name. When I was little, other kids made fun of it. I got angry and asked her why she chose it. She said… she was grateful for that encounter."
He paused, his voice growing softer. "She said the happiest thing in her life was meeting my father back then. But…"
His face paled. A sheen of unshed tears glistened in his eyes. Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin fell silent, their earlier mirth vanishing.
"Could it be… your mother…?" Tang Wulin asked gently, his hand reaching over to cover Xie Xie's on the table.
"Yeah. She's gone." Xie Xie's voice was a thin whisper. "I remember that night… she was on her deathbed, but my father was still out, working. Her last wish was just to see him one more time."
A single tear traced a path down his cheek. "But… he didn't come back that night. In the end, she left… with that regret. Every time I think about it, I hate him. I hate him so much."
He took a shaky breath. "Actually, I used to hate my name a little, too. 'Entering a wealthy family is like entering a deep sea.' If not for that encounter, maybe she… But this name is one of the few things she left me."
Having said this, Xie Xie seemed to collapse inward, the weight of his confession bowing his shoulders. He slumped forward, resting his forehead on his arms, his body trembling slightly with silent sobs. The three months of grueling training, of shared struggles and unspoken trust, had eroded his defensive arrogance. Here, in this humble shop filled with his mother's memory, he had finally unveiled his wounded heart to his friends—to Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin, his brothers in arms, and even to Gu Yue, the formidable teammate he sparred with but had come to rely upon.
"This poor child," Uncle Li sighed quietly as he returned with a fresh pot of beef, his kind eyes filled with sympathy. "But sometimes, letting it out is the only way to lighten the load. You're his friends, right? Look after him. Help him forward."
"Don't cry. It'll be alright." Yao Xuan's voice was low and steady as he placed a firm, comforting hand on Xie Xie's back. Tang Wulin squeezed Xie Xie's shoulder, wordless solidarity in his grip.
Gu Yue watched silently, her amethyst eyes holding a depth of quiet contemplation. In Xie Xie's raw grief and fragile love for his mother, she saw a reflection of the profound, complex bonds that could tie beings together—a humanity that was, in its own painful way, beautiful. Her gaze drifted to Yao Xuan, observing the gentle, protective firmness of his gesture. A new, subtle understanding of the emotional world she was navigating began to crystallize within her.