Ren Lan was even faster than him, already out and diligently helping Gu Qiuxue with the dishes and setting the table.
By the time Lin Jichen came out, all he had to do was sit down and start eating.
"Sis, if you keep this up, I'm afraid I'll turn into a chubby guy in no time," Lin Jichen joked.
Gu Qiuxue smiled gently and picked up a piece of braised pork trotter for him. "Even if you do, I won't mind. Now, eat up."
"Alright!" Lin Jichen couldn't wait any longer and dug in.
Lin Jichen and Ren Lan turned into two ravenous wolves, devouring their food with gusto. The aroma filled the air.
Gu Qiuxue watched them eat, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. Her eyes never left Lin Jichen, and her chopsticks kept filling his bowl with more food.
Since arriving here yesterday, Gu Qiuxue still felt like she was dreaming.
She never imagined that one day she would come to the city where Lin Jichen lived, stay with him, live together, and work together.
This was the life she had fantasized about countless times.
And now, it had finally come true.
Gu Qiuxue thought that even if the hospital in the Capital City asked her to return as the director, she wouldn't go.
She just wanted to stay in this little house with Lin Jichen, forever.
"By the way, Little Lin, I'm going back to school the day after tomorrow," Ren Lan said, as if it were a casual remark.
Lin Jichen paused, quickly swallowing the food in his mouth. "So soon?"
"Yeah, vacations always fly by. I'll be staying at school," Ren Lan said, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.
If she could, she wouldn't want to leave either. She would love to stay here forever.
Sometimes she even thought about dropping out like Little Lin and becoming a professional player.
But thinking about her parents, Ren Lan knew that was impossible.
She had to go back to school, or her mom wouldn't be able to cover for her anymore.
Lin Jichen, though reluctant, pretended to be calm. "No worries, come over whenever you have time, weekends or holidays. You can leave your gaming pod here and play whenever you want."
"Of course, I won't be shy about it. After all, you're my good buddy," Ren Lan said with a laugh.
Lin Jichen advised, "Even when you're back at school, don't neglect the game. Try to play a few hours every day."
Ren Lan couldn't help but laugh. "You're really my 'mentor.' Everyone else tells me not to neglect my studies, but you tell me not to neglect the game. You're something else."
Lin Jichen chuckled. "I'm just worried you'll hold me back. I've given you so much good equipment and stuff. If you give up, all my early investments will be wasted."
Ren Lan pouted. "Don't underestimate me. I still have my ring even without the gaming pod. I won't hold you back. Just wait, in Tale of Immortal, you'll need my protection!"
"Let's hope so," Lin Jichen said dismissively, clearly not convinced.
Ren Lan was very dissatisfied with his attitude, which only motivated her to become a top player in Tale of Immortal and surpass Little Lin!
Then, in both reality and the game, she could dominate him!
"By the way, since I'm leaving the day after tomorrow, how about we go watch a movie tonight? Qiuxue and Tang Tang can come too. Let's have a good time before I leave," Ren Lan suddenly suggested.
Lin Jichen had no objections. "I'm fine with it, but you need to ask my sister."
Ren Lan looked at Gu Qiuxue with hopeful eyes. "Qiuxue, is that okay?"
Gu Qiuxue smiled. "Of course, but are you sure you want Tang Tang and me to come? We won't be third wheels, right?"
Ren Lan shook her head vigorously, blushing. "No way, Qiuxue, you're overthinking it. Little Lin and I are just good buddies, nothing more!"
Gu Qiuxue teased, "Alright, then Tang Tang and I will join you."
Ren Lan breathed a sigh of relief, almost giving herself away... no, almost causing a misunderstanding.
After dinner, the four of them left the house, with Lin Jichen carrying the stuffed Niu Naitang at the front.
Behind them, Ren Lan and Gu Qiuxue chatted and laughed as they walked.
"Brother Lin, why are we going to watch a movie? Tang Tang thinks movies are boring. Playing chess is more fun," Niu Naitang complained.
She had just gotten home from school and wanted to play chess in the game, but she was dragged out to watch a movie.
What's so good about movies? Chess is way more fun.
Lin Jichen chuckled. "I don't know either. Your Sister Ren is going back to school the day after tomorrow, so she wanted to invite us to watch a movie together. Can't you give her this little bit of face?"
"Sister Ren is leaving?" Niu Naitang was taken aback.
"Yeah," Lin Jichen nodded.
He thought the little girl might be a bit reluctant to see Ren Lan go, but her next words were, "Does that mean my auntie has a chance now?"
"What?" Lin Jichen didn't understand.
Niu Naitang quickly covered her mouth with her small hand and laughed awkwardly. "Nothing, Tang Tang didn't say anything."
At the cinema, the four of them sat together, watching the newly released movie.
Although Lin Jichen and Niu Naitang had no interest in the movie, they couldn't help but watch it patiently because Ren Lan and Gu Qiuxue were so engrossed.
Halfway through, Lin Jichen felt the urge to use the restroom and excused himself.
As he was about to return, he heard a familiar voice near the ticket counter.
"Smile at the customers. What's with that attitude? And you're always on your phone or making long calls. Can you do this job or not? If not, get out!"
"I'm here to be a ticket seller, not a hostess. For this lousy pay, you're lucky to have me. If I weren't down on my luck, the city's rich kids would be all over me! Bumpkin!"
"Guo Jie, you're fired!"
"Fire me? I don't care! What a fall from grace! I thought there'd be some rich kids here, but it's all losers, including you, the biggest loser of all! Pfft!"
A heated argument ensued.
Lin Jichen quietly watched the scene unfold from a corner.
He saw an angry woman—it was Guo Jie.
He didn't expect to run into her here. What bad luck.
But what surprised him was that Guo Jie had fallen so low as to work as a ticket seller.
Clearly, she wasn't taking the job seriously.
A leopard never changes its spots.
But it also showed that Guo Jie wasn't doing well. It seemed the person targeting her hadn't let up.
To the point where she had to work at a cinema.