How come you're also my ex-girlfriend?

Xu Yan took Shen Yourong to a restaurant that specializes in steamed pork with rice flour.

It tastes good and isn't expensive. However, you can't eat steamed pork with rice flour every day, especially for girls who are concerned about their figure.

The term "carbohydrate bomb" isn't just a random saying.

Xu Yan took the initiative to bring out chopsticks and bowls from the sterilizer and placed them in front of the two of them.

"What are you spacing out for?"

After putting her things away, she saw Shen Yourong sitting blankly opposite her, not looking at her phone, her head slightly lowered as if she was pondering something.

The girl, startled by the voice, shook her head timidly. "N-nothing... Do you like this?"

"It's alright, I'm hungry now anyway, I can eat anything."

"Aww."

The girl nodded obediently, her hands clasped together in front of her, presumably on her thighs.

Since Shen Yourong usually wears thick pants, Xu Yan didn't know the shape of her legs. But generally speaking, someone with such a large chest is most likely a pear-shaped figure, which is quite striking on a high school student.

Of course, the possibility of smaller branches bearing fruit cannot be completely ruled out.

However, from any perspective, this girl in front of me seems to be a treasure worth exploring... but why do I feel guilty about having such thoughts?

"By the way, has that couple contacted you again recently?"

Xu Yan brought up the matter of Chang Yu and that boy from before, not because she was really concerned about it, but because it seemed that the two of them had no other topics to talk about.

You can't exactly ask: Is your animal character an ostrich or a Takamatsu Takamori dressed as a penguin?

Upon hearing Xu Yan's question, Shen Yourong quickly shook her head, "No... I've been eating alone lately."

Huh? Who asked you that?

Why does this sound like a hint? Maybe I'm overthinking it. A girl like Shen Yourong is unlikely to give such a hint on her own initiative. She can't possibly be a scheming woman, right?

Reading too many comics is a factor.

"That's very peaceful."

Xu Yan gave this brief reply and then began to eat.

As the outside light gradually dimmed, the restaurant lights became increasingly dazzling.

Xu Yan thought the meal would continue in this atmosphere, with little to say because the huge differences in their personalities meant they had nothing in common.

Unexpectedly, when they were almost finished eating, it was Shen Yourong who took the initiative to speak. Her expression was still timid and hesitant, but it was probably a rare step for this girl.

Have you... ever encountered something similar?

Xu Yan was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Similar things... you mean your situation?"

The girl nodded somewhat awkwardly.

Xu Yan shook his head and replied, "I still haven't encountered one. Why would I bother with a girl who has a boyfriend?"

In the past, some girls who had boyfriends would take the initiative to talk to her and make contact... Although Xu Yan kept a clear boundary and didn't respond much, it still attracted a lot of girls' whispers behind her back and hostility to her face.

This is probably why I had such poor interpersonal relationships before.

"oh..."

"However, I've also had some embarrassing experiences, such as being treated as a public enemy because I got too close to popular people."

"Ah...why is this happening?"

"I didn't understand it before. I thought it was just that I didn't get along well with boys, so people thought it was strange that I got along well with girls. Now I think it's probably not like that."

"What is that...?"

"Because I did what they couldn't do, I got close to people they wanted to get close to but couldn't."

Xu Yan smiled lazily and said, "So, sometimes when you feel that you are not accepted by most people, it's not necessarily because you are such an unpleasant person, but because you have too many things that people envy."

Hearing Xu Yan's words, Shen Yourong blushed slightly, her cheeks almost buried in her chest.

"I understand, thank you..."

When she lowers her voice, it becomes very soft and sweet, like steamed pork with rice flour that she has just finished eating.

[Use your own experiences to persuade the young woman with convincing words.]

[Achievement unlocked: Speak fluently without hesitation.]

[Reward: 10 achievement points and 2000 RMB cash!]

I've reached 30 achievement points in the second stage, and my savings are almost 30,000. This meal wasn't a waste of money, was it?

So, in a great mood, Xu Yan got up to go to the restroom and paid the bill.

Shen Yourong, who was about to pay the bill, was a little flustered. "Why did you pay...? I said it was my treat."

She looked somewhat aggrieved; her expression didn't seem like Xu Yan had paid the bill, but rather like Xu Yan had rejected her as a person.

The boy said with a grin, "It's okay, then you still owe me a meal. I'll treat you next time."

"...All right."

Xu Yan was worried that this behavior might upset the other person, but he didn't see the girl following closely behind him, her eyes and mouth involuntarily turning up.

However, her thick, long hair and bangs completely concealed her expression, just as the deep sea perfectly hides a whale.

The next few days were relatively uneventful. Although the days passed one by one, my mood was like being in prison. It was hard to count down the days, but when you actually got through them, it felt like the blink of an eye. Friends who have been in prison often know this saying.

September 30th, a special day. After all, there was only one day left before the wonderful National Day holiday. When Xu Yan woke up in bed, he couldn't help but start making plans.

I should take advantage of this holiday to use the cashback card. It's only a 10,000 yuan limit anyway, so I might as well use it.

But where should the money be spent?

After washing up, Xu Yan saw that her parents were already up and eating breakfast at home, but she didn't eat with them.

Lately, I've become a bit picky about food. Although I like most of the meals my mother makes, breakfast just doesn't taste like the ones you get outside. I don't know what to say about it.

Before leaving, Xu Yan glanced at the two of them and asked, "Is there anything you two have been particularly looking for lately?"

Wang Hui was stunned for a moment, seemingly still trying to figure out Xu Yan's purpose in saying that.

Old Xu, on the other hand, immediately said, "Your mother and I have wanted a grandson for a long time..."

"What are you saying to the child?!"

Wang Hui kicked Lao Xu in annoyance, saying it was convenient to sit on the same side.

She then looked at Xu Yan with a puzzled expression, "What do you mean by this?"

Xu Yan shrugged. "I've made some money from playing games lately... I was thinking that since the holidays are coming up soon, if you guys want anything or want to go out, I can provide some financial support."

Of course, it's best to buy things; if you're paying for a trip... you probably won't get a cashback.

It doesn't matter whether he spends the 10,000 yuan on himself or his parents; as a high school student, he doesn't really need to spend money.

Wang Hui quickly said, "Oh, you can keep the money you earn for yourself and spend it in college, as long as you're doing well..."

"Your mom's really fake," Old Xu said, pulling his chair back a little. Then he looked at Xu Yan, "Your dad's Camry has been around for years, look at it..."

"Old Deng, are you a vampire? I haven't even started sponging off my parents yet, and you're already sponging off your kids. I can't possibly earn that much!"

Old Xu chuckled, and Wang Hui glared at her husband, then shook her head and said, "Really, there's no need. We've been living like this for so many years, we're used to it. You can spend the money on yourself, but if you spend it on your dad, he'll be overjoyed!"

For parents who lived through those times, even enjoying life was a luxury, or even something to live in constant fear.

While constantly planning ahead, it's as if we've lost the ability to enjoy the present.

This problem isn't unsolvable; you just need to earn enough.

Xu Yan nodded, "Then you guys eat first, I'll wait until I earn more."

"Oh, that's not what Mom and Dad meant. Your studies should be your priority right now!"

"Isn't the purpose of learning to make money?"

Wang Hui opened her mouth but didn't know what to say, and subconsciously looked at the main beam of the house.

Old Xu frowned. "You're showing a lack of awareness. Learning is for improving your character and broadening your horizons. If you only care about immediate gains and making a quick buck because of momentary greed, what will become of your future?"

Xu Yan said irritably, "You didn't make any quick money, but where's your money?"

"Smack."

Xu Jia'an's face flushed red as he slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting, "Who are you?! You're not my son! What is your purpose in coming to Earth?!"

"Alright, I know what I'm doing when it comes to studying. I'm going to class now."

Xu Yan was too lazy to argue with Lao Xu. He always felt that in some situations, he was far less abstract than Lao Xu.

More importantly, new tasks have emerged.

[Back in your senior year of high school, you think of your past self before your rebirth, whose physical condition was deteriorating due to age. You know clearly that the best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, or now.]

[Task: Choose a boxing gym to take classes and improve your physical fitness and sparring skills.]

[Reward: A lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth.]

Xu Yan's lips twitched.

Now that's great, there's finally a place to use the cashback card!

……