Chapter Twenty-Four

  The weather is getting warmer, Yucai took out last year's single clothes and found that they were a whole size bigger. She was overjoyed and rushed to the street to weigh herself, and indeed she had lost a significant amount of weight, meeting the standard for a good figure. It seems that losing weight during puberty is the fastest, and this year she didn't deliberately try to lose weight, but changed her bad habit of eating snacks in high school, occasionally forgetting to eat while studying.

  In excitement, Yu Zai bought two sets of clothes and went straight to the internet cafe. She opened QQ and saw that Qi Shu Fan's avatar was online, so she sent him a message: "I found out today that last year's clothes are one size bigger on me. Although I'm forced to re-purchase all my clothes, at least it proves I've escaped the danger of being a little fatty pig. Uncle, have you escaped the danger of ashtrays?"

  I originally thought that Ji Shu Fan was a busy person, even if his avatar was lit up, he should be online but not in front of the computer. I didn't expect that after a while, Ji Shu Fan actually replied with a sentence, "Should I congratulate you?"

  "Absolutely, definitely and certainly!"

  "Okay, congratulations, Little Yu teacher."

  Yu Cai smiled at the screen and ignored him, continuing to check her email. As soon as she opened it, QQ rang again, Ji Shu Fan sent over a message, "Are you in an internet cafe?"

  Yes.

  "That place seems quite messy."

  "As long as I don't look for trouble, I believe trouble won't look for me."

  "What's the meaning of it?"

  "Uh, I don't know, why don't you ask him?"

  "You think he will ignore me?"

  Yu Cai was taken aback and thought for a moment before sending over a sentence, "Why don't you try first, anyway he's already ignored you more than once or twice".

  "Alright."

  After a while, Yu Cai saw that Qi Shu Fan was still motionless and asked, "Has he responded to you?"

  "No, his portrait is not bright."

  It doesn't matter if it's not bright, Yu Cai muttered a sentence and decided to give up, "That's it, then forget it, you're busy".

  Just as Yu Cai was busy polishing her own manuscript, Qi Shu Fan's avatar flashed again, "Are you still there?"

  "In the"

  "It's getting late."

  "I still have some unfinished business, I'll leave after I'm done."

  "Next time you want to go online, come home with Xi together."

  Yu Cai rolled her eyes, Uncle, are you kidding me?

  Qī shū fán zhe zhèng zhe píng mù shàng yù cǎi fā guò lái de jīng sǒu de guǐ liǎn wú shēng xiào le qǐlai, yuán lái zhè wǎng shàng liáo tiān yě mǎn yǒu yì si de.

  "Try it: Uncle, double click on this website, it's very interesting."

  Whenever I open the website and see the anime characters jumping up and down inside, I burst out laughing again. After watching it, I sent a message saying "it's really interesting".

  Yucai quickly replied, "I've been learning to make animations recently, but I'm really stupid and learning slower than that snail classmate up there."

  "Can you also make that yourself?"

  "Of course, nothing is made by humans, as long as you're sure you're not non-human."

  Qishu Fan shook her head, "Is Little Yu teacher free now?"

  "It's okay, I've always liked a slower pace of life, too much pressure and my fragile heart can't take it."

  "Does little Yu teacher's fragile heart need a rest?"

  "Uncle, are you intimidating me? Heart at rest? I don't want to die young yet."

  What is the prayer book? Is it a Buddhist scripture? Does it have anything to do with the Buddha's teachings?

  "So, one must be careful with their words, or else it could cost someone's life! By the way, are you at home now?"

  "Shall we invite Teacher Xiao Yu over to play at home for a bit?"

  Yu Cai Fa's face contorted into an exaggerated smile, "Dear Uncle, speaking of which, I think I must express my infinite admiration and adoration for you! Last time, I took a group of high school students to play, and the only four words that could describe my mood were 'exhausted, exhausted, mentally and physically drained!' I'd like to ask how someone of your age manages to keep going?"

  "Oh, is it that exaggerated?"

  "You know, respecting facts is the most basic quality requirement for this writer."

  "Hmm, maybe it's because I've been eating a lot of calcium-rich foods lately, so I don't have osteoporosis."

  Yu Cai flashed a row of smiling faces and added, "Is it the kind where your waist doesn't ache, your head doesn't hurt, your legs don't cramp, and even the irregular heartbeat that has plagued you for years finally rests in peace?"

  "Another life lost, is it trendy now?"

  "Uh, I'm done for, died laughing, uncle, why is it always so pleasant chatting with you?"

  "Why don't you come over, Teacher Yu? Wouldn't it be more pleasant for us to chat face-to-face?"

  "It's true, Uncle, your humorous language paired with your handsome appearance and elegant demeanor will indeed make people even happier. I think this is also why He Qi Xia Yunyun and others like you."

  "Where is Teacher Xiao Yu?"

  "Light is not enough to express my admiration for you, I think it should be raised to the power of n".

  "Teacher Xiao Yu is being overly kind to me, so does that mean Teacher Xiao Yu has accepted my invitation?"

  "In fact, your brilliance makes me feel increasingly insignificant like dust whenever I approach you. So, for the sake of my fragile heart, I think I have no choice but to decline your invitation that has already made my heartbeat irregular."

  "Are you done?" Qi Shu Fan suddenly changed the subject.

  "Just a little bit more, very soon, so, dear uncle, you don't have to worry about my safety at all. In fact, my ordinary appearance has always kept me safe."

  Yu Cai waited for a while, but Qi Shu Fan still didn't respond. It was quite frustrating that such an interesting sentence didn't get any reaction from the other party. However, thinking about it, he might have had something to attend to, so she let it go and made some final touches on the manuscript before sending it over.

  Yu Cai had just finished settling the account and was about to leave when she saw Qi Shu Fan leaning against a pillar at the entrance, who smiled and called out "Xiao Cai".

  Yu Cai's face smiled, but her eyes didn't as she walked up to him. "Dear uncle, your stubbornness sometimes really makes people want to hit you."

  "Xiao Cai, if you were left alone in a 200-square-meter room for an entire day, you would also have my stubbornness."

  "But I think it's all your own fault. If you were a bit poorer, you wouldn't be abandoned in that '200 square meter' room!"

  "Xiao Cai, despising someone who is not rich is not a noble behavior."

  Yu Cai nodded in agreement, "So I just despise you".

  Qishu Fan cried and laughed, "So the one who was despised by Xiao Yu teacher is even more pitiful, and has more qualifications to invite Xiao Yu teacher?"

  Yu Cai could only nod.

  When Deng Yuzhong arrived at the Qi residence, Qi Shi had already returned home, accompanied by He Mu and He Qi.

  Xuanshu immediately called He Qi after learning that Yu Cai would not be leaving the internet cafe for a while, and then asked him if he knew which internet cafe Yu Cai usually went to.

  He Qi replied that the internet cafes in the county town were generally on that street, and Yu Cai, like them, only went to the one with the best environment. He also told Qi Shu Fan the name of the internet cafe, and then appeared the scene where Qi Shu Fan intercepted Yu Cai.

  Because his father arrived home yesterday, Qi Xie went out early this morning to find He Qi. He's mother also returned home yesterday by hitching a ride with Qi Shu Fan, and when she saw the gifts her son had bought for her, although they were not expensive and she may not necessarily use them, but after all, it was his thought that counted, and it was such a considerate little gift. She was overjoyed at the time and thought about taking He Qi out to have some fun. The next morning when Qi Xie arrived, he brought it up, but unexpectedly Qi Xie said he didn't want to go out, so He's mother could only accompany the two of them staying at home.

  When Qishu made a phone call, Qixie and He Qi were playing games in the room. After hanging up the phone, He Qi said to Qixie, "Your dad went to pick up your cousin at home, do you want to go back?"

  Before Jiexie could respond, Mrs. He heard the commotion and asked, "Is that a call from Uncle Jie?"

  "Hmm, he went to pick up Yucai and took him home."

  "Shall we head back now?"

  Yu Zai naturally understood his father's frequent invitations, and was hesitant to encourage his father's arrogance. After hearing this, he could only nod in agreement.

  "It's just about time for dinner, why don't we go to your house and have dinner together?" He Mu naturally heard that the gift was bought at Yu Cai's suggestion, and felt that this girl was steady and sensible. Her own son had a somewhat flighty temperament, and being with her might make him more stable. Besides, her son usually liked to hang out with pretty girls, but it was better for him to be with Yu Cai, who wouldn't have a bad influence on his studies or lead him into an early romance.

  When the three of them arrived at Qi's home, Qi Shu Fan Yucai hadn't arrived yet. He Qi saw that the computer in the room was turned on and said, "Shi, your dad also plays with computers?"

  Qizhi nodded and curiously went to take a look. He found Qishu Fan's QQ window open, so he asked, "Who is this?"

  Yu Cai

  He Qi heard that Yu Cai was going to watch it and thought it wouldn't be a big deal, so he moved the mouse to take a look. Before he had even read a few sentences, he burst out laughing and called out to Qi Shi to come and take a look. Although Qi Shi wasn't too keen on watching, He Qi still dragged him over.

  After reading the last sentence "In fact, my ordinary appearance has kept me safe all along", He Qi burst out laughing. His mother, who was chatting with Auntie, heard and asked, "He Qi, what are you laughing at?"

  He didn't want his mom to find out that he was sneaking a peek at Qi Shuofeng's chat records, so he said loudly, "Nothing, just playing games," and then lowered his voice to say to Qi Shuo, "Your dad is really funny when talking to your cousin!"

  He nodded in agreement, but actually he also quite enjoyed listening to their banter.

  "I think your cousin is quite strange, she talks and acts differently from other girls, what's her relationship with Fei Yuanfan?"

  "You're overthinking it."

  "Are you sure?"

  Nod of relief.

  "How did you know?"

  "I can be sure"

  Although he was suspicious of what was said in the letter, he also knew that Ji Shi was a straightforward person who never lied, so he had no choice but to give up.

  Two people were talking when they heard the sound of a key turning outside and hurried out, afraid of being caught by Qi Shu Fan.

  After the two of them arrived, they exchanged a few pleasantries. He Mu suggested going out to eat with several people and Qi Shu Fan didn't decline. Several people tidied up and went downstairs.

  This time, the place to eat was no longer a thousand times more interesting, but instead changed to a restaurant that looked quite upscale. Yu Cai thought that this was the difference between Qi Shu Fan and He Mu, one always thinking about children's tastes, and the other believing in her own judgment.

  After dinner, several people went to the game hall under He Qi's strong suggestion. Yu Cai had never known that there was such a place in the county town before, although it couldn't be compared with many years later when she entered, but the equipment was also quite complete.

  Yucai was basically only interested in Whac-A-Mole, so when she went to play games with Qi Shuofeng, she dragged him along to play Whac-A-Mole together.

  Generally speaking, Yu Cai is the kind of person who can lie down but not sit up, and can sit but not move. In a good light, she's gentle; in a bad light, she lacks energy. Even when playing basketball, she's vastly different from others' vigor and vitality - all that can be seen is her languor. However, there's one exception: when it comes to talking nonsense or playing video games, she's always full of energy and vitality. So, Qi Shu Fan was very fortunate to have seen Yu Cai's other side, where she was jumping up and down, laughing with an exceptionally radiant smile.

  After playing for a while, he saw that his mother was alone and immediately went forward to give Yucai a childish contempt, then pulled his mother to dance.

  At this time, Yu Cai's hands were sour and her throat was hoarse. While drinking mineral water, she watched He's mother and son move elegantly on the dance mat, their coordination was quite tacit, apparently not for the first time. The smile on Mrs. He's face also had a few more genuine flavors.

  One jump down, He Mu began to move her joints and shouted that she was old and couldn't do it anymore, letting Yu Cai accompany He Qi to jump for a while since he didn't seem to have had enough.

  This kind of thing would also be possible for Yucai ten years later, but when others jump up, there is a kind of elegant beauty. When she jumps, her limbs are stiff, and although she can step on the right foot, it really doesn't look good.

  "No, let Qiji accompany him instead."

  "How embarrassing! 'A Shi is accompanying me, two big men dancing like what?'"

  Yu Cai blurted out, "You little brat, believe me, you're still far from being a real man!"

  Qishu Fan suddenly burst out laughing, He Qi was so annoyed that he became angry, but didn't care whether Yu Caiyuan was willing or not, and pulled her onto the blanket by her sleeve. As soon as he pressed the start button, Yu Caiyuan had no choice but to follow the music and move along with it.

  He's quite skilled, jumping while talking to her at the same time, "You're pretty good at this, have you played before?"

  Yu Cai was already unable to continue, her eyes fixed tightly on the screen, and her limbs felt stiff to death. She had no time to respond, but after a moment, she replied, "I've played it a few times, but I'm not very good at it."

  "Ah, you're from the countryside, how would you know about these things?"

  Yu Cai saw him putting on a Holmes-like expression again, and secretly cursed him. She quickly put on an air of wounded self-respect, "What, you look down on country folk?"

  "It's not that it's not, it's just that people in rural areas probably don't know much about these things, so don't think too much."

  Yu Cai continued to make a humiliated expression, "You play by yourself," and jumped back beside Qi Shu Fan.

  What a grievance, feeling that Yu Jian was even more difficult to serve than Xia Yunyun, and he jumped down in anger.

  "Tired, why don't you play anymore?"

  Yu Cai nodded slightly.

  "Is it your fragile heart again?"

  Yu Cai continued to nod, her eyes innocent to the extreme.

  "Your fragile heart needs to be strengthened, go and let Xi accompany you for a while."

  "Why don't you play a tune with Aunt He?"

  "Just stop bothering me, Xi Zhe, go play with Xiao Cai, this lazy girl is too idle."

  Jixi looked at Yucai and Yucai had no choice but to step forward. He said, "A Xie, can you change to a faster tune that we can follow?"

  Yu Cai hastily declined, but He Qi fundamentally ignored her, Yu Cai again rushed forward like a driven duck.

  Yu Zai was once obsessed with Dance Dance Revolution for a period of time and even bought one, so although the rhythm of this song is much faster, Yu Zai still managed to follow along, although her movements were inevitably stiff.

  Yu Xuan was watching with her son, dancing together. She wore a light gray long-sleeved T-shirt with a hat on top, the sleeves reaching her fingertips, which were tightly clenched in her fists at this time. The hem was slightly short, just below her waist, revealing the wide white belt of her jeans shorts. On her feet were a pair of high-heeled white sports shoes, and a pair of gray and white striped long socks that reached just above her knees, exposing a section of plump thighs. Her long hair was simply combed into two bundles on her chest, now bouncing happily with her movements. The colorful glass-like hair tie hung from the bundled place all the way to the end of her hair, which was the only bright color on her entire body.

  Qishu Fan couldn't help but laugh as he looked at her. Yucai, as she herself said, wasn't particularly good-looking, although she claimed to have escaped the danger of being a "little fatty". Her face was still round and plump, her eyes weren't big, and the corners of her eyes drooped slightly, forming a reassuring arc. Qishu Fan had seen her expression when teaching Qishu Shi, and those warm eyes had a magical power that made people feel at ease. Her nose wasn't particularly straight, but rather flat, which made her whole face even softer. Her small mouth was just right, not too big or too small. This combination formed what Yucai called an "ordinary appearance", yet this ordinary face always made him like her from the bottom of his heart whenever he saw her. Every time Yucai stood with Yunyun, she didn't lose to her, but instead had more characteristics that drew people's attention. Although until now, he still hadn't discovered what these characteristics were or where they came from...

  He Mu saw Xi Shu's warm smile and walked up to say, "Xiao Cai is really not bad, not only is she good at studying, but she also doesn't lose to others when playing."

  "It's just that I'm a bit too sensitive, I just had a couple of words with He Qi, don't mind it."

  He Mu smiled, "He Qi is such a reckless and impulsive child, often speaking without thinking. No wonder Xiao Cai misunderstood just now. I was also thinking that in the future, they would be together more often, which would be a good way to temper He Qi's personality."

  "He's still so young, it's better if he's more lively. Like Shì, who doesn't speak all day and won't say anything wrong. I'm worried sick."

  "Since he was young, his personality has been laid-back. Now that you've arranged everything for him and don't need him to say much, he naturally likes to be lazy. When he grows up and you can't take care of him anymore, he will naturally learn how to interact with people."

  "I hope so," Qí Shūfán sighed.

  On this side, Hei Fung asked, "How did you do it?" On the other side, Chui Kut Yat finished playing a tune and said, "I didn't expect you to be so quick without making any mistakes!"

  Yu Cai was panting heavily while supporting the machine at this time and had no spare energy to care about He Qi.

  "Ai ya, let me help you pick a faster one, and then jump again."

  Yu Cai was greatly shocked and hastily waved his hand, saying "Spare me, I can't jump anymore, you guys play".

  Qī shì zhī yě diǎn tóu, hé qí wú nài zhuǎn shēn qù jiào mǔ qīn, "māma, wǒmen zài tiào yī gè ba?"

  Translation:

  Jiexi nodded and then turned around to call out to his mother, "Mom, let's jump one more time!"