Overnight at the Internet Cafe, a Soul-Searching Q&A with Little Fufu

Following this routine, Lin Yu quickly distributed the cake.

During this process, he didn't forget Maomao, who was acting as the host.

It was her idea, after all, so naturally, she couldn't be left out.

At the very least, she had to be treated equally like everyone else.

Finally, at long, long last...

After the cake segment, there were no more pranks targeting Lin Yu.

Everyone sat down happily and enjoyed a super meaningful dinner together.

Since they planned to pull an all-nighter, the amount of alcohol consumed during dinner was much less than usual.

The point-deduction element from the earlier games took effect at the dinner table.

Those who lost points had to share a personal anecdote—one for every point lost—that would make everyone laugh.

One point, one story, taking turns down the line.

Aside from Ye Mengfu, basically everyone else had lost points.

The atmosphere was incredibly lively; everyone chatted and laughed until nearly midnight before reluctantly wrapping things up.

...

After finishing the cleanup together, the group headed to the internet cafe that Shen Buyao had booked out.

The internet cafe was over 900 meters from the apartment; taking a taxi for that distance would be a waste.

Thus, the apartment's old tradition was revived.

A group of over a dozen people walked toward the internet cafe.

This time, Lin Yu strolled leisurely at the very back, not actively seeking anyone to walk with.

He had too many things to attend to today, and showing favoritism... leaning toward anyone wouldn't be good.

After the dinner party, he was mentally exhausted.

Maomao, the guest host, simply had too many tricks up her sleeve!

He really didn't know why Aunt Ruxue chose her as the host for the final test.

Who was actually being tested here?

After the whole night, why did Lin Yu feel like he was the one being tested?

On the contrary, Maomao herself handled everything calmly without making any mistakes.

What showed even more "sense of responsibility" was that...

Right now, Maomao could clearly clock off!

She could end her day's work and ask Aunt Ruxue for the final result of the test.

Yet, she refused to do so.

It was as if she was addicted to hosting; she even asked Shen Buyao about the computer layout at the internet cafe.

Although she didn't say it explicitly, Lin Yu could guess what she was planning.

What was there to "host" about going online?

Did who sat next to whom at the internet cafe need to be pre-arranged too?

Sometimes, he really wanted to call the police.

Was there no humanity left?

"Master, Master, look after Little Fufu for me, okay?"

"I'm going to run ahead to catch up with Sister Yao Yao and Sister Rongrong to ask what games they want to play later!"

Mo Shangying pulled Ye Mengfu along, slowing down to join Lin Yu.

At the mention of playing games—especially computer games with so many people—Mo Shangying's heart had already flown to the internet cafe ahead of time.

They hadn't discussed games much at the dinner table.

As a result, Ying'er still didn't know what everyone was planning to play.

Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, she wanted to run over and ask clearly so she could be mentally prepared.

Ying'er also knew that Little Fufu wasn't very interested in games.

Dragging her along to talk about it would be like torture for her.

So, Ying'er came up with the idea of "entrusting" her to him.

Hearing this, Ye Mengfu hurriedly pulled at Ying'er's hand and said:

"No, no need... I won't get lost."

"Really... no need."

After saying that, Ye Mengfu stole a shy glance at Lin Yu.

How could Lin Yu refuse something like this?

That clever little ghost Ying'er had finally done a good deed today.

She knew to return Little Fufu to his side.

Lin Yu pulled Ye Mengfu over, bringing her to walk side-by-side with him.

Ye Mengfu timidly tucked her hands into her kangaroo pocket.

Since she had been brought over, she couldn't just leave.

She wasn't someone who knew how to refuse.

"Go on, go on."

"You gaming maniacs, go discuss it amongst yourselves."

"No matter what game we play, I'll beat you all until you're looking for your teeth on the floor."

"By the way, tell Sister Yao Yao and Sister Rongrong to prepare themselves for their demise."

Lin Yu waved his hand, signaling that Ying'er was free to go.

Ying'er flashed an "OK" sign and skipped off toward the front.

During the time the three were talking, Lin Yu and Ye Mengfu at the very back had fallen further behind the group.

Lin Yu wasn't in a hurry to catch up; instead, he walked forward at a leisurely, steady pace.

Beside him, Ye Mengfu certainly wouldn't rush Lin Yu.

She simply matched his speed quietly; if he walked fast, she walked fast; if he walked slow, she followed suit.

This was their first time walking side-by-side on the road late at night.

Lin Yu suddenly spoke up:

"Little Fufu."

Ye Mengfu looked ahead, first checking the distance from the crowd.

Speaking from this position, the people in front shouldn't be able to hear.

Only after confirming this did she respond:

"I... I'm here."

Her timid, almost NPC-like response filled Lin Yu's heart with waves of tenderness.

"When you were answering questions during the game this afternoon, what were you actually thinking? Can you tell me?"

"You know, that question..."

"Where is the place you want to go most?"

The question itself was very simple, with no traps.

It was just a purely random, nice, simple question.

Little Fufu's answer at the time had left a deep impression on Lin Yu.

Typically, when people see that question, they name a place they want to travel to.

Who doesn't have the desire to go out and see the world?

It's just that life gets in the way, tying one's hands.

Often, going out to see the world becomes nothing more than a luxury.

Naturally, Lin Yu also assumed Little Fufu would name a tourist attraction.

He had even been curious about where Little Fufu would want to travel.

As it turned out, Little Fufu's answer exceeded everyone's expectations...

Now, hearing Lin Yu bring it up again, Little Fufu said earnestly:

"I actually... really, just want to be at home."

"Staying at home is very safe..."

Lin Yu: "Haha, very safe, is it?"

Ye Mengfu lowered her head, looking at her bulging kangaroo pocket, her hands fidgeting inside:

"Very peaceful."

A wave of warmth instantly filled Lin Yu's heart.

If one were to describe Little Fufu as gentle as water, she would definitely be warm water at 45 degrees Celsius.

Not cold, not scalding; just warm and comforting when you drink it.

The truth was exactly as she said.

Not everyone wants to go out and see the world.

There are people in this world who just want to stay at home and enjoy the feeling of peace and security.

No matter how exciting the outside world is, it has nothing to do with them.

Lin Yu deliberately decided to be mischievous, tossing out a "Maomao-style host" question:

"Little Fufu, if one day I was really conflicted about whether to go out and see the world, what would you say to me?"

"For example, if I was debating whether to go to the South, the very, very distant South!"

"Think about it and answer me seriously."

Ye Mengfu hesitated for barely a second. Her eyes reddening, she looked at Lin Yu.

With a firmness she absolutely never displayed in daily life, she said:

"Stay... or, I'll go with you."

...