Welcome Feast

On the way back.

The three of them were somewhat silent. They really couldn't fairly judge Cai Junhuang's approach.

But they did affirm certain aspects of her attitude.

She felt that pursuing her dream was her own idea, her own matter.

She shouldn't make Fang Jun pay for it.

She also couldn't string Fang Jun along, keeping him waiting for her.

Chu Miaomiao suddenly spoke up at this moment.

"Actually, I think Cai Junhuang is a very determined person."

"Yeah, I know, so let's still not interfere. Two people's suffering always has an end."

Jiang Yunlu leaned more toward letting things take their natural course.

Meanwhile, Xie Yuling remained silent the entire time.

The three of them never had any intention of telling Fang Jun about these things.

After all, Cai Junhuang didn't want Fang Jun to know either—if he knew, Fang Jun would only cling on messily instead.

But Cai Junhuang was very clear: if they kept clinging on, it would be hard to make any further progress.

When they reached the downstairs entrance, Secretary Zhao was already standing there.

In each hand, he carried a large bag, both filled with exquisite food containers.

Seeing Jiang Yunlu approach, he said respectfully, "Miss, Madam sent me to deliver these items."

Jiang Yunlu reached out and took both bags directly.

"Give them to me. No need to trouble Secretary Zhao going upstairs."

Secretary Zhao didn't insist on carrying them up. He knew when to read the atmosphere and read people's expressions.

He also knew that the young lady was no delicate weakling.

Watching Jiang Yunlu casually carry the two large bags upstairs, though he was a bit surprised, he politely turned and left.

He didn't quite understand why the other two young ladies didn't help, but he only focused on his job—that was his survival principle as a secretary.

Those two heavy bags meant nothing to Jiang Yunlu now.

Originally, during the last school sports meet, Jiang Yunlu had wanted to show off her results.

But after she signed up, Xie Yuling stopped her, saying that if Jiang Yunlu's performance revealed too great a gap, it might cause some minor trouble.

Jiang Yunlu quickly understood.

So she kept her original records, and she also stopped playing badminton.

After all, badminton in her eyes had become an extremely simple matter.

With her not participating in the competition, the badminton team had both those who were pleased and those who were disappointed.

During Lin Mo's absence, quite a few people tried to take advantage of the situation.

Aside from anonymous confessions, anyone who expressed any interest was flatly rejected by Jiang Yunlu.

As for Chu Miaomiao and Xie Yuling, they didn't have nearly as many bothersome admirers.

After all, Xie Yuling was generally aloof at school, and Chu Miaomiao barely left her seat except to use the restroom. Even when she went out, she was always with Jiang Yunlu or Xie Yuling.

Before they even reached the floor, they could already smell the aroma wafting through the stairwell.

"My mom knew Lin Mo was coming back today, so she started preparing ingredients and making soup early this morning."

Returning to familiar territory, Xie Yuling became more talkative.

"That's great. The food in Tianjing must have been hard on him."

Actually, Jiang Yunlu had mentioned going to Tianjing, but after everything that happened, she learned from Lin Mo that the waters there ran deep. After careful thought, she dropped the idea.

As the door swung open, a rich scent of food rushed out.

"Oh, perfect timing. Do you want soup first or dinner first?"

Lin Mo was holding a tray with three steaming bowls of soup.

Zheng Yuan poked her head out from the kitchen and said with a smile, "Lin Mo's ears are really sharp. He said you were coming up, and I didn't believe him."

Jiang Yunlu looked at Lin Mo and smiled. "Feels like it's been a long time again."

"One day apart feels like three autumns, doesn't it, Sister Yunlu?" Ning Qingcheng had gotten out of class early. She was currently sitting at a desk, doing her homework.

This desk and chair was also one that Xie Yuling had used as a child.

Jiang Yunlu's face flushed red, and she quickly walked over to Ning Qingcheng's side. "You little rascal, how are your studies going? How did your monthly exam turn out?"

The death question.

But Ning Qingcheng was smart—she was the quintessential "other people's child."

"My grades are great. I won't embarrass my teache... my big brother's reputation."

As she said this, Ning Qingcheng glanced cautiously at Zheng Yuan. Seeing nothing unusual, she sighed in relief.

Xie Yuling also walked over. "Middle school studies aren't difficult. Qing Cheng really is very smart—much better than us."

"Oh, you strong ones, help bring out the dishes."

Saying this, Lin Mo had already brought out some of the dishes.

Jiang Yunlu immediately took the food containers out of her pocket and placed all the dishes on the table.

Lin Mo set the reheated roast goose and boiled shrimp on the table.

"You were talking about something on the way back—everyone had such serious expressions."

Xie Yuling, knowing that Lin Mo had used his spiritual sense to observe them, shook her head. "After Junhuang passed her audition, she and Fang Jun seem to be growing further apart."

Lin Mo casually peeled a shrimp and put it in her mouth.

"That was Cai Junhuang's decision. Bro Fang came to me before—he's actually quite lost too. So it's best if we don't interfere."

Lin Mo had more to say, but he held back. After all, there was definitely something fishy going on with Cai Junhuang.

Who knows if Cai Junhuang will still walk that path in the end.

After being hastily stuffed with a mouthful of shrimp, Xie Yuling quickly glanced at Jiang Yunlu and Chu Miaomiao.

Both of their eyes held a hint of envy.

Seeing this, Lin Mo didn’t play favorites; he peeled more shrimp for each of them and personally fed them into their mouths.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, hmph!” Ning Qingcheng looked at her senior brother like this, her eyes full of disdain.

“You want some too, don’t you? I’ll peel one for you.”

“No way, I don’t want to eat shrimp you peeled, gross!”

Ning Qingcheng headed to the kitchen on her own, ready to wash her hands and eat.

She simply couldn’t bear to watch.

As for the three women, they exchanged glances, sensing an odd atmosphere around them.

But Lin Mo pretended not to notice and walked straight to the kitchen to continue bringing out dishes.

Zheng Yuan came out, saw the food boxes on the table and the exquisite dishes inside, and couldn’t help but say, “This is so much food.”

“It’s fine, Mom. Lin Mo can finish it all—this is a welcome-home meal for him,” someone replied.

With that, the bowls and chopsticks were set, and everyone began to eat.

Zheng Yuan also asked Lin Mo how things were in the capital, whether he’d been bullied by classmates or teachers.

These were questions he’d already been asked when he came back for National Day.

But Lin Mo answered them patiently regardless.

To him, Auntie Zheng was truly a kind person who gave him a warmth that felt like family—something no one else could match.

Lin Mo’s appetite could only be described as bottomless.

But to avoid being too obvious, he deliberately left half the dishes untouched, saying he’d eat them after evening self-study.

Zheng Yuan was still very pleased.

As for Xie Yuling, a mountain of shrimp shells had already piled up in front of her.

Lin Mo had bought shrimp, and Jiang Yunlu had some too.

So Xie Yuling ate her fill.