It's already the end of November, and the chill of the late night is growing heavier.

Ma Family's Barbecue is always bustling because of their fresh ingredients and great taste.

The charcoal fire leaps, reflecting Sister Ma's busy figure, while the skewers sizzle on the iron rack, emitting a very enticing aroma.

Outside, at the outdoor tables, three or five friends gather, their laughter and conversations mingling with the smoke and spice of the barbecue, creating Yuzhou's unique barbecue atmosphere.

Pei Yujing, with an icy face and a tall figure, weaves between the tables and chairs, delivering cooked skewers or beers and drinks.

Many young men cast admiring glances.

Deng Xiang looked at that figure, secretly smacking his lips, pitying himself since she wouldn't give him any notice.

It's no longer middle school; back then, chasing little girls was just a matter of effort, but now he doesn't have anything to make her look up to him.

Deng Xiang can only drown his sorrows in alcohol. Today, Duan Shigang is treating, and he's holding a lamb skewer, bragging with several brothers.

The atmosphere wasn't at all affected by the presence of the stranger Zhang Chi, as long as you give Zhang Chi a bite to eat, he smiles at anyone.

Duan Shigang, caught up in the conversation, saw a little yellow dog at his feet wagging its tail and scurrying around.

He became interested, placed a lamb skewer by his feet, and said with a laugh, "You've never had something this good, have you?"

The little yellow dog finished it in two bites.

Zhang Chi gave a thumbs up: "Brother Gang, you're so generous!"

Ge Hao: "Amazing, amazing, you're really willing!"

Encouraged by the praise from his brothers, Duan Shigang fed two more skewers to the little yellow dog.

He felt an indescribable joy in his heart, finding happiness in giving.

The little yellow dog finished them all.

Pei Yujing, carrying peanuts and fava beans, passed by and saw this scene; she hesitated for a moment and called out, "Benben, stop eating!"

She then told Duan Shigang, "No need to feed Benben, it's the restaurant's dog."

After saying this, she continued to serve the guests.

The people at Duan Shigang's table exchanged glances.

At the next table, Wang Longlong laughed, "It feels like a poor lad trying to spend money on a rich family's thousand-jin flower."

...

Today, Hu Jun is treating and has called over seven or eight people, the entire back row came.

A bit further away, Chai Wei sits alone, one person at a table.

Normally, Chai Wei wouldn't come, but today he found one hundred and fifty yuan, which was ill-gotten money and had to be spent quickly.

So he very lavishly came to the barbecue stall, ordering nothing but chicken wings, squid, and beef tendons, all expensive skewers.

Duan Shigang felt a bit awkward, while Shen Xu suddenly received a phone call, seemingly about paying back money or something, he responded a few times and immediately transferred the money via WeChat.

After listening to this, Duan Shigang took a sip of beer and said, "Xuzi, you owed money just now, right?"

Shen Xu said, "Oh, last time I took 100 from Shi Qianjin; it's been a while since I paid it back. Today he said he was out of phone credit, so I paid a bit back, and I just transferred it back to him."

Ge Hao said, "Brother Xu, you've got power; 100 yuan just like that!"

Though he seems carefree every day, he knows his own situation very well. Not to mention 100 yuan, even taking out 20 yuan is tough for Ge Hao.

His family life is ordinary; the pocket money from his parents goes straight to the school cafeteria, leaving only a little. In his free time, smoking, playing games, buying drinks, the money is never enough, sometimes he doesn't even have money to buy a data pack.

So now Ge Hao goes to the mobile service hall every day to sign in, hoping to exchange for some data each month.

A bitter life, who can understand?

Even those once commanding figures in Iron Middle School sometimes become unreachable because their phones are often out of service due to unpaid bills.

Deng Xiang said, "A starved camel is still bigger than a horse."

Although Shen Xu's mobile empire collapsed, he has many connections and income sources, always managing to scrape together a little.

After listening, Duan Shigang advised, "Actually, it's best not to say you forgot, because if you say you forgot, people will just think you have money but don't want to repay."

"It's better to say you don't have money on hand right now, and that you'll quickly gather and give it to them, then wait until tomorrow to hand it over personally; this way, they might even compliment you."

Duan Shigang lit up a common cigarette, and the smoke enveloped his face, making him appear both weathered and profound.

Shen Xu thought carefully and agreed, "Brother Gang, brilliant! That's how it is."

He began to see Duan Shigang in a new light. Indeed, a starved camel is larger than a horse; worthy of the man who sits firmly in the number one chair of Iron Middle School, he truly has some wisdom.

Deng Xiang and Ge Hao also understood the reasoning and praised, "Brother Gang, amazing, you really know what you're talking about. I really learned something this time."

Duan Shigang exhaled a puff of smoke, "I simply have a slight study of human nature."

Outwardly calm, he felt an immense pleasure internally, for this wisdom was learned while working at a factory in the past, hearing elders speak of handling people and matters, which he secretly remembered.

Today it indeed surprised his little companions.

But that wasn't enough; there was still one person at the entire dinner table without a reaction.

Duan Shigang looked at Zhang Chi who was devouring skewers and asked, "Chi Zi, what do you think?"

Zhang Chi swallowed the roasted lamb, "Hey, I don't need this; I never repay borrowed money anyway!"

...

River dam, bungalow.

The light spilled over, the bedroom exhibiting a simple and elegant style, Xue Chuchu in a white nightgown, sitting at the study desk, writing test papers.

It's just that her mood isn't as peaceful as usual, perfectly immersed in her studies.

Tonight, any slight disturbance outside would catch her attention.

Suddenly, accompanied by a familiar car sound, Xue Chuchu knew, Tongtong was back.

She picked up the bag beside her and walked towards the doorway. Just then, her steps halted; it was already early winter, and the weather was starting to get a bit cold outside.

Xue Chuchu went back, opened the wardrobe, casually picked a jacket, put it on, and then went to look for Tongtong with the bag.

Despite knowing that as soon as Xue Yuantong came home, she would play games at Jiang Ning's house, Xue Chuchu still decided to visit Tongtong's house first.

Only after Aunt Gu confirmed it did she head to Jiang Ning's place.

Xue Chuchu appeared at the doorway, her first words: "I asked Aunt Gu just now, and you ran over here to play."

Jiang Ning's Divine Sense swept over, noticing that Xue Chuchu seemed to dress casually tonight; she wore a soft nightgown beneath a bright red jacket, creating a striking contrast with the white nightgown.

It showcased her youthful figure while reducing her cold demeanor, gracefully standing in the moonlight, quite captivating.

"Chuchu, what delicious stuff do you have in your hands?" Xue Yuantong asked.

Xue Chuchu opened the bag, with a faint smile on her face: "I bought star fruit after school today, you haven't tried it, have you?"

Xue Yuantong had tried hairy peaches and nectarines, but star fruit, she truly hadn't.

"Is it delicious?" Xue Yuantong was curious.

Xue Chuchu: "I'm not sure either, but I heard from the vendor that it's really tasty."

She regularly receives gifts from Jiang Ning, and being independent in nature, Chuchu always felt guilty about it, so she definitely needed to give back.

She took out the star fruit and placed it on the computer desk.

The star fruit's unique appearance was eye-catching, unlike the spherical shape of the peaches and nectarines she normally ate. Its exterior was shaped like a five-pointed star, with sharp corners.

Xue Yuantong picked it up and felt it, discovering that its skin was smooth and delicate, light green in color, with a faint sheen under the light.

"Seems like it's going to be tasty." Xue Yuantong muttered to herself.

Xue Chuchu: "Yeah, so I thought to try some today."

"Alright then, let's switch flavors today." Xue Yuantong said, "Too bad our village doesn't grow these, otherwise I'd definitely have tried them."

Back when someone in the village planted peach trees, summer was a paradise for kids, picking and eating all sorts of peaches.

Xue Yuantong loved nectarines most, because their smooth skin didn't require peeling like the hairy peaches.

Xue Yuantong prepared a knife to cut the star fruit.

Just as the three were about to taste it, Aunt Hua next door called for Chuchu.

Xue Chuchu had to return home first.

Now, there were only two people left in the room; Xue Yuantong thought her mom definitely hadn't tried star fruit either, so she took two pieces home for her mom.

Finally, Jiang Ning was left alone in the room.

Jiang Ning stared at the star fruit, waved his hand, and a piece moved to his mouth.

Clearly, the clever Chuchu had slipped this time; the star fruits were unripe, and upon tasting them, they were too sour and astringent to swallow comfortably.

Jiang Ning swiped his fingers, tossing the uneaten star fruit into the trash bin outside the door.

Thinking further, he directed a piece of paper to fly into the trash, wrapping the star fruit tightly.

Yes, the devil is in the details.

At least not letting Chuchu see; otherwise, sensitive Chuchu might secretly feel hurt.

There was once an incident where Tongtong bought some unfamiliar food from outside and brought it home for Aunt Gu and Jiang Ning.

After tasting it, Jiang Ning secretly tossed it into the trash; it was so unpalatable.

Later, Xue Yuantong raged, questioning who threw the food in the trash. Jiang Ning was about to admit it, but Aunt Gu beat him to it.

At that moment, Jiang Ning felt touched, not expecting Aunt Gu to take care of him so much.

Afterwards, Jiang Ning used his Divine Sense to inspect the trash, discovering Aunt Gu's portion was lying inside it too.

Following this, Jiang Ning fetched a Jade Scroll and continued contemplating his array.

Three minutes later, Xue Yuantong came running back, seeing the star fruit on the computer desk, she pouted, having always loved to eat, she did not mention the star fruit at all.

Two minutes later, Xue Chuchu returned, seeing that there were still many cut star fruits on the desk, only missing two or three pieces.

Xue Chuchu felt somewhat comforted, thinking they were waiting for her to eat together.

"Chuchu, they're really tasty, you should try them." Xue Yuantong said earnestly.

Xue Chuchu asked in surprise: "Really tasty?"

Xue Yuantong: "Of course!"

Xue Chuchu picked up a piece, took a bite, and then fell silent.

"Tasty, right?" Xue Yuantong asked her.

Xue Chuchu said nothing, quietly taking away all the star fruit.

After Chuchu vanished, Xue Yuantong felt a bit guilty: "Jiang Ning, did we do something wrong?"

Jiang Ning: "Then why didn't you seize the chance and eat all the star fruit?"

Xue Yuantong: "You're asking for my life here!"

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