Tang Wulin surveyed the simple little shop, raising an eyebrow slightly in surprise. "I never thought Young Master Xie would frequent a roadside shop like this."
Xie Xie's steps paused slightly, and his voice softened unconsciously. "My mother… she used to love the stewed beef here."
His fingers lightly brushed the slightly worn wooden table. "Every now and then, I come here to sit."
After speaking, he walked directly to the innermost table by the window and sat down skillfully.
Tang Wulin was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed, sitting beside Xie Xie.
Fang Yang, holding Gu Yue's slender hand, followed closely and sat opposite the two.
Gu Yue keenly noticed that the spot Xie Xie chose allowed him to see the passersby on the street through the window, yet maintained a perfect sense of distance.
"Oh, little Xie is here! And he brought so many friends. The usual?"
A middle-aged owner wearing a greasy apron hurried over, wiping his rough hands on his apron, his face full of friendly smiles.
"Yes, thank you, Uncle Li."
Xie Xie looked up, revealing a gentle smile that Fang Yang and the others had never seen before.
Before long, four steaming portions of stewed beef, glistening white rice, and two side dishes were placed on the table.
The rich aroma of beef immediately filled the small space.
"Little Xie, this is your first time bringing friends."
Uncle Li's rough hand gently ruffled Xie Xie's head, his eyes full of affection. "These two side dishes are on me."
"Thank you, Uncle Li!"
Xie Xie nodded to Uncle Li again, and to Fang Yang and Tang Wulin's surprise, Xie Xie, who was usually so neat and even had a touch of洁癖, did not shy away from Uncle Li's slightly greasy hand.
Xie Xie's demeanor completely overturned Fang Yang and the others' understanding of him.
"This…"
Tang Wulin was too surprised to speak.
After Uncle Li turned to leave, Xie Xie quickly said, "What are you waiting for? Eat quickly."
As he spoke, he had already lifted the lid of the earthenware pot in front of him, and a rich aroma of beef immediately emanated from within. The broth was dark gold, and small chunks of beef were visible.
Xie Xie touched a piece with his chopsticks, and the beef instantly fell apart, tender and soft.
He picked up a piece of beef coated in broth and placed it on the white rice, his movements as skilled as if he had repeated them a thousand times.
Tang Wulin eagerly imitated Xie Xie, taking a bite, and his eyes immediately lit up.
Fang Yang couldn't help but exclaim after eating a piece of beef, "This is too delicious!"
The rich aroma of the beef and the savory taste of the broth perfectly combined, and after being mellowed by the white rice, they bloomed into an intoxicating flavor on the tip of his tongue.
Gu Yue tasted it in small bites, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Seeing this, Fang Yang immediately picked up a piece of beef from his own bowl and placed it in hers.
"Aren't you eating?" Gu Yue tilted her head slightly, a strand of black hair slipping from her shoulder.
Fang Yang smiled gently, "Eat more if you like it."
No sooner had he spoken than Xie Xie, who was beside them, suddenly felt that the delicious food in his bowl had inexplicably lost some of its flavor.
Gu Yue's fair cheeks flushed a faint red.
She picked up a piece of beef and offered it to Fang Yang's mouth. "You… you eat too."
Fang Yang was startled at first, then unhesitatingly opened his mouth to take it, his lips accidentally brushing the tip of the chopsticks.
This subtle contact instantly made Gu Yue's earlobes turn crimson.
She withdrew her chopsticks, feigning composure, and picked up another piece of beef to put into her own mouth.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin watched, dumbfounded.
Tang Wulin thought to himself, "I've learned it. I need to remember this move and try it on Senior Sister later."
Xie Xie really couldn't stand it anymore; if he kept watching Fang Yang and Gu Yue show affection, he would be full of dog food.
He raised his voice and said, "Uncle Li, four more portions please!"
"Coming right up!" Uncle Li's voice came from the kitchen.
It was just such a small shop, with dim yellow lights, worn tables and chairs, and four people gathered around a table.
Although the environment was simple, it offered surprisingly delicious food.
Beef, rich soup, side dishes, and white rice, eating it was heartwarming, making this ordinary night feel especially precious.
Three months of special training had already forged a deep friendship among these four people.
"Thank you."
Fang Yang suddenly said softly.
Xie Xie looked up, his fringe of hair swaying gently with the movement, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Fang Yang, what are you doing?"
"I didn't call your name. I'm thanking you for bringing us to such a special place," Fang Yang shook his head helplessly, explaining.
Xie Xie suddenly smiled bitterly, his eyes slightly red, and his voice became low. "My name was given to me by my mother… She said she named me 'Xie' to commemorate her encounter with my father. That was the happiest moment of her life…"
"But…"
At this point, his voice abruptly stopped.
Xie Xie's face suddenly turned a bit pale, and the hand holding the chopsticks was visibly clenched.
"Your mother, she…" Fang Yang's heart tightened, but the words caught in his throat, unsure how to continue.
Xie Xie pursed his lips. "Father was always busy with various things. Even when my mother was seriously ill, he was still traveling for work."
His voice grew softer and softer. "Before my mother passed away, her last wish was to see him one last time, but he… still came back too late."
A tear fell on the tabletop, and Xie Xie's voice was choked with suppressed sobs. "I'll never forget that night… My mother, with tears in her eyes, full of regret, let go of my hand."
His shoulders began to shake uncontrollably. "I hate him! And I hate my own name! If it weren't for that encounter, Mother might not have…"
At this point, Xie Xie suddenly collapsed onto the table and cried.
This usually aloof young man, after coming here, for the first time shed all his pretense and poured out his heart to his friends.
Just then, Uncle Li walked over, carrying steaming hot stewed beef.
Uncle Li looked at the sobbing Xie Xie and sighed, "This child is so pitiful… His mother used to love bringing him here."
He gently put down the stewed beef, his voice full of heartache. "Ever since his mother passed away, he always comes alone. Every time he comes, he remembers his mother… Don't blame him!"
Uncle Li wiped his hands on his apron, his eyes shining with kindness. "Today, seeing him bring friends, I'm happy from the bottom of my heart. This child isn't old, but he carries too much… You all help him more. Alas, what a tragedy!"
"Don't cry, everything will be alright."
Fang Yang and Tang Wulin patted Xie Xie's shoulders, one on each side, comforting him.
Gu Yue stood quietly by, a complex emotion flashing in her usually clear and cold eyes.
"Is this… human emotion?"
After a moment of silence, Gu Yue pulled out a tissue and handed it to Xie Xie.
"Xie Xie, don't cry. I'll let Fang Yang treat."
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