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Join the ServerAfter adding a few plates of lamb rolls and vegetables, Jiang Yu handed the menu to Li Xiao.
Li Xiao took it without a glance, and directly told the waiter:
“Add another portion of hand-cut fresh lamb, one portion of snowflake fatty beef, shrimp paste, tripe, and…”
“That’s enough meat.”
Jiang Yu interrupted him.
Li Xiao looked up at him:
“You’re too skinny. Eat more meat.”
“I have a normal appetite.”
“Then consider me as having a big appetite.”
Li Xiao smiled at the waiter:
“That’s all, serve it first.”
The waiter left, and the private room fell silent.
The broth arrived quickly; the clear soup boiled and steamed.
Li Xiao naturally took the public chopsticks, first cooked a few slices of meat for Jiang Qing and placed them in her bowl, then did the same for Jiang Yu.
“I’ll do it myself,” Jiang Yu said.
“It’s hot. Let me.”
Li Xiao didn’t stop, placing the cooked lamb into Jiang Yu’s bowl:
“Dip it in this sesame sauce. Their special blend. It’s delicious.”
Jiang Yu looked at the meat in his bowl, then at Li Xiao.
Li Xiao was focused on cooking the tripe, his profile sharp in the steam, a few tiny water droplets clinging to his eyelashes.
Jiang Yu silently picked up his chopsticks and ate the meat.
Throughout the meal, Li Xiao barely ate himself; he spent the whole time taking care of Jiang Yu and Jiang Qing—refilling water, adding ingredients, skimming foam—every movement smooth and natural.
Jiang Qing gradually relaxed, occasionally chatting with Li Xiao about school.
“What time does your school’s evening study session end?” Li Xiao asked.
“Nine thirty.”
“That late. Does someone pick you up?”
“I take the bus back myself,” Jiang Qing said. “It’s only a few stops, pretty safe.”
Li Xiao nodded, said nothing more, but glanced at Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu was eating, not noticing his gaze.
When they were almost done, Jiang Yu stood up:
“I’m going to the restroom.”
He left the private room and walked straight to the cashier.
“Private room 7. Check, please.”
The cashier tapped at the computer, then looked up with a smile:
“Sir, it’s already been settled.”
Jiang Yu froze:
“When?”
“Just now. A gentleman came out and paid.”
Jiang Yu: “…”
He turned and went back to the private room, pushing the door open.
Li Xiao looked up and saw Jiang Yu’s expression. He smiled:
“What’s wrong?”
“You paid?” Jiang Yu asked, his tone stiff.
“Yeah,” Li Xiao admitted frankly. “I paid when I went to the restroom.”
“I said I was treating.”
“Next time.”
Li Xiao stood up, grabbing his coat:
“I’m treating my sister to a meal. How could I let you pay?”
Jiang Qing blinked, wisely staying silent.
Jiang Yu glared at Li Xiao for a few seconds, then finally gave in.
The three of them walked out of the hotpot restaurant. It was already completely dark outside, the wind biting cold.
On the way back, Jiang Qing, probably warm and full, talked more, telling Li Xiao funny stories about school.
Li Xiao listened seriously, occasionally responding with a smile.
Jiang Yu sat in the passenger seat, listening silently, the complex emotions welling up inside him again.
When they arrived at the apartment building, Jiang Qing got out first:
“Bro, I’ll head up first.”
She grabbed her bag and ran into the complex.
Only two of them remained in the car.
The heater was still blowing, low jazz music playing.
“Today… thanks,” Jiang Yu said. “I should have paid.”
“Really want to thank me?”
Li Xiao turned, his hand resting on the back of the seat, looking at him.
Jiang Yu grew wary:
“…What do you want?”
Li Xiao laughed, reached into the back seat, and pulled out several large paper bags, handing them over:
“Take these.”
Jiang Yu looked at the bags with luxury brand logos, not accepting them:
“What is this?”
“Clothes,” Li Xiao said. “It’s cold. Your clothes aren’t warm enough.”
“I have clothes.”
“Yours are yours.”
Li Xiao pushed the bags into his arms:
“I bought these.”
Jiang Yu leaned back:
“I don’t want them.”
Li Xiao’s tone turned a bit cheeky:
“They’re not for you.”
Jiang Yu frowned:
“Then who are they for?”
“For myself.”
Li Xiao looked at him, his eyes bright in the dim car light:
“I bought them so you would wear them for me. Seeing you dressed warmly makes me happy. So essentially, these clothes are happiness I bought for myself.”
Jiang Yu was momentarily speechless at this twisted logic.
“Take them.”
Li Xiao seized the moment to shove the bags into his arms:
“Otherwise, I’ll bring them to the bar tomorrow and give them to you in front of your colleagues.”
Jiang Yu held the heavy bags, feeling like he was holding a ball of fire.
Hot, but… he couldn’t bear to throw them away.
“Li Xiao…”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t be like this.”
Jiang Yu’s voice dropped:
“I’m not used to it.”
“You’ll get used to it gradually.”
Li Xiao reached out, gently touched his cheek:
“Jiang Yu, when I’m good to you, just accept it. No pressure, no need to think about returning. I’m happy to do it.”
His fingertips were warm against the cold skin, carrying an electric touch.
Jiang Yu’s eyelashes trembled.
They looked at each other in the dim car for a few seconds.
Then Li Xiao withdrew his hand and smiled:
“Go on up. Remember to try on the clothes. If they don’t fit, I’ll take you to exchange.”
Jiang Yu got out of the car with the bags, walked to the entrance of the complex, and looked back.
Li Xiao was still in the car, window halfway down, waving at him.
Jiang Yu turned and walked inside.
At home, Jiang Qing had already changed into her pajamas and was boiling water in the kitchen.
When she saw Jiang Yu come in carrying several large bags, she blinked:
“Brother Li gave those?”
“…Yeah.”
“Can I look?”
Jiang Qing came over.
Jiang Yu put the bags on the sofa and opened them.
A cashmere coat, a down jacket, and a sweater.
The quality was obviously high, soft and warm to the touch.
Jiang Qing picked up the off-white turtleneck and held it up to herself:
“Wow, so soft. Bro, this suits you.”
Jiang Yu looked at the clothes, his heart heavy.
“He also gave me a tablet,” Jiang Qing said quietly, pulling an unopened box out of her backpack. “He said it’s for studying… Bro, this is too expensive. I didn’t dare take it, but he insisted.”
Jiang Yu stared at the tablet box, his temples throbbing.
‘This guy…’
He took out his phone and sent Li Xiao a message:
– What’s with the tablet?
Li Xiao replied quickly:
– A study tool for your sister. Didn’t you want her to get into Beijing University? This is convenient for looking up information and taking notes.
Jiang Yu typed:
– Too expensive.
Li Xiao:
– Compared to your sister’s future, it’s nothing. Keep it, or I’ll bring something else tomorrow.
Jiang Yu: “…”
He knew Li Xiao would do it.
In the end, he sighed and said to Jiang Qing:
“Use it for now. I’ll pay him back when I get my salary.”
Jiang Qing looked at her brother’s complicated expression, nodded, and didn’t ask further.
That night, after Jiang Yu showered, he found himself inexplicably taking out the off-white sweater.
It was soft and warm against his skin, very comfortable.
He hesitated for a few seconds, then put it on.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, the sweater’s cut was excellent, making his neck look slender and his complexion clean.
It fit perfectly.
As if… Li Xiao had personally measured his size.
The thought made Jiang Yu’s ears burn.
He quickly took off the sweater, carefully folded it, and put it back in the bag.
He lay down on the sofa, and his phone buzzed.
You think this chapter was thrilling? Wait until you read The Moon Reflected In The Water! Click here to discover the next big twist!
Read : The Moon Reflected In The Water
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