Fear of food

Chapter 41 Gather together

"Given that Zhuifeng's training for you was too superficial, I've decided to send you a copy of the materials I've compiled. You can take your time to read and learn from them, and you can ask questions in the group if you have any questions."

Coffee added Chen Qi as a friend and then sent him a file.

The file name is "The Survival Guide for Food Fear".

On the way back, Chen Qi sat in the back seat of the Mercedes-Benz, looking through the information that Coffee had sent him.

It must be said that it is much more detailed than what Zhui Feng explained.

There was even a map of Jinghai City inside, marking which areas had parasites.

Chen Qi glanced at the list and saw that the butcher they had encountered, as well as Dr. Zhao whom he had mentioned, were both marked.

Their neighborhood was also marked as a dangerous area... obviously because his mother lives there.

The document was quite extensive and lengthy. After a quick glance, Chen Qi asked, "Can I send this document to someone else?"

Coffee laughed and said, "Is it meant to be sent to that pica person you met at the hospital? I feel like she'll be a future member of our group. You should send it to her; consider it early training."

Chen Qi said frankly, "I'm not sure if she'll join the group."

"That's alright. If this information can reduce the danger for her, then give it to her. There are too few people like us who eat other things, and life is too difficult for us. If we can help, then we will."

"By the way, could you ask her if she's free tonight and invite her over so we can all discuss how to get your cream cake?"

Chen Qi immediately forwarded "The Survival Guide for Food Fear" to Xu An'an.

This saves him the trouble of explaining everything about food phobia to Xu An'an in detail again.

Chen Qi: I joined a group today and met a few friends, all of whom are like us.
Chen Qi: This material comes from the group. It's quite long. Take a look at the first few pages; they're very important!

Xu An'an: OK emoji
About half an hour later...

Xu An'an: I've seen it.

Chen Qi: How does it feel?
Xu An'an: The feeling of being on the verge of death

The girls' dormitory at Jinghai Medical College.

Xu An'an looked utterly dejected, let out a soft sigh, and appeared even more dejected.

It's the weekend, and she came home early from the hospital, finally able to relax and unwind, when devastating news came from the food community...

She just wants to live a simple life. She's already having a hard time, so why put her under so much more pressure?
She wasn't without doubts about the authenticity of "The Survival Guide to Food Fear," but all the phenomena, patterns, and details... matched perfectly!

Hospitals and schools are the most terrifying places. She runs back and forth between these two places all day long, and the thought of it makes her feel like she's sitting on pins and needles.

Xu An'an thought for a moment, then picked up her phone and messaged Chen Qifa: How can I survive?
Chen Qi: If you can run, run; if you can't run, stay and fight!
Xu An'an: Let me think about it
Chen Qi: You haven't eaten any fancy food. As long as you're careful to hide yourself, you should be safe for the time being, but you should make a decision as soon as possible.
Xu An'an: What about you? What's your choice?
Chen Qi: I had no choice.

Xu An'an: Why?
Chen Qi: My mother has become a parasite, I want to save her.

Upon seeing Chen Qifa's message, Xu An'an suddenly paused, her gaze fixed on the phone screen, a strange emotional fluctuation emerging in her dejected eyes.

Chen Qi's experience also stirred up some memories deep in her mind, and she unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes with one hand.

After regaining her senses, she typed "Are you alright?" with both hands, then deleted it, and typed "Are you okay?", "How are you?"...

Delete them all in the end.

She wanted to say something comforting, but found that she seemed to have no idea how to comfort people at all.

Moreover, having experienced the loss of loved ones herself, she knew that no amount of comfort would help at this time.

Just then, Chen Qi sent another message. Chen Qi: Dr. Xu, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with.
Xu An'an: Okay

Chen Qi: I haven't even said what it is yet.

Xu An'an: Go ahead and say it.
Chen Qi: Do you remember that cream cake in the hospital...?

After Chen Qi explained the whole story, Xu An'an agreed to help without hesitation.

Xu An'an: But what exactly do you need my help with?
Chen Qi: Are you free tonight? Would it be convenient for us to meet and chat?

Xu An'an: Where to?
Chen Qi: Come to my friend's house. She's also a member of the "Jinghai Food Hunting Group," and several other group members are there too. We'll discuss it together.
Xu An'an: Send me the time and location.
Chen Qi was somewhat surprised: You're willing to come?
He thought that Xu An'an might be more resistant in an unfamiliar place with several strangers around.

Xu An'an: Didn't you invite me?

Chen Qi: I thought you were the kind of person who hated socializing.
Xu An'an: I really am
Chen Qi: Then why...?

Xu An'an: Don't overthink it, it's not for you.
Xu An'an: I just dislike socializing, not that I'm afraid of it. I won't avoid valuable social interactions either.
Xu An'an: Judging from the information you gave me, even if I don't cause trouble, trouble will find me sooner or later, so I should at least make some preparations.
Xu An'an: For example, integrating into new circles and finding allies who can help me.

Chen Qi realized that his understanding of Xu An'an was still too one-sided.

I used to think she was just a cold-faced but warm-hearted female college student with a rather aloof personality, but how could the complexity of a person be summarized in just a few words?

Chen Qi: Do you want to join the group?

Xu An'an: No rush, let's talk about it after we meet them tonight.
So Chen Qi asked Coffee for the address and sent it to Xu An'an.

Xu An'an: OK emoji
Chen Qi: See you tonight then. Oh, and don't forget to bring me the baguette.
Coffee said happily as he drove, "Looks like there are new people joining. Zhuifeng, let me know in the group that Dabing and the others can come to my house for a get-together tonight."

Zhui Feng picked up his phone and asked hesitantly, "Should we order broad beans?"

Coffee paused for a moment, then said, "He should be leaving in the next couple of days, so let's invite him too, as a farewell dinner. But remember to let him bring his own food."
-
At 7 p.m., Chen Qi and his group gathered at the coffee shop's large villa.

Only broad beans and Xu An'an are still on the road.

Coffee asked, "Where are our soon-to-be-married couple?"

Chen Qi took out his phone: "Let me ask her."

He sent a message to Xu An'an.

Chen Qi: Have we arrived yet?

Xu An'an: Soon, how about you?
Chen Qi: I've arrived.
Xu An'an: Wait for me a moment, I'll be right there.

Xu An'an: The bus is too slow.
A few minutes later……

Chen Qi was slightly taken aback when he saw Xu An'an walking in so gracefully.

Every time I saw Xu An'an before, she was wearing a white coat, as if she were wearing a seal.

Although she wasn't dressed up much today, her youthful and energetic aura was undeniable and refreshing.

Coffee laughed and said, "How come all the newcomers these days are so young? Looks like we're all getting old. What's your name, little sister?"

Chen Qi replied on her behalf, "Just call her dry... cough, call her bread."

Chen Qi's attention was quickly drawn to the paper bag that Xu An'an was carrying, which contained a long baguette.

Because the baguette was too long, it couldn't fit in the paper bag at all, and most of it was sticking out.

(End of this chapter)