Affection System: I have everything the goddess wants.

After lunch, everyone tidied up the table and rested for a while.

Not long after work started in the afternoon, Chen Jie took the initiative to suggest, "Today marks the official start of our junior's team. Tonight, I'll treat everyone to dinner to welcome him!"

Cheng Yang immediately perked up and replied, "Sure, sure! I'll arrange a place! I know a hidden gem of a Northeastern restaurant outside the school, the food is absolutely amazing!"

"Okay." Chen Jie nodded. "Then you reserve the seats, and I'll call the teacher to ask if he's free to come over tonight."

After some discussion, everyone decided on a place for dinner.

As evening approached, Cao Xu followed a group of senior students and walked for ten minutes to reach a Northeastern Chinese restaurant outside the school.

This old shop has a simple and unpretentious appearance, but the taste is authentic, the ingredients are high-quality, and the portions are generous. Classic Northeastern dishes such as Guo Bao Rou (sweet and sour pork), Sha Zhu Cai (pig stew), and Di San Xian (three delicacies from the ground) are all delicious and visually appealing, and the price is extremely reasonable.

Unfortunately, Professor Zhang sent a message saying that he had an off-campus academic exchange meeting that evening and couldn't make it to the event.

Furthermore, Professor Zhang specifically posted in the group chat: "Enjoy your meal and have a good time. Tonight's bill is on me; you don't need to pay."

Another female master's student, Pei Yutong, also came to the gathering. She had something to do during the day and didn't go to the lab, so she came to visit her junior colleague. There were six people in total.

Senior student Wang Qing and another master's student who was away on an internship were not present.

Since everyone was around the same age, the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. We ate and drank in moderation, without any pressure to drink, and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

After a sumptuous dinner, the bill came to a shocking sum: a table full of dishes plus beer cost only a little over three hundred yuan – a real bargain!

As they left the restaurant, a refreshing evening breeze blew. Cao Xu smiled and said, "Today was supposed to be Brother Jie's welcome banquet, and Teacher even wanted to pay the bill. I won't compete with everyone else for it."

Tomorrow night I'll treat you all to a meal as a token of my appreciation for officially getting to know you all and joining the group. Please do me the honor of attending.

Everyone smiled and agreed, full of anticipation.

After saying goodbye to his senior classmates, Cao Xu walked alone to the parking lot and called a designated driver to return to Jin Daheyuan.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Qin Shuyao and Tao Jiayi sitting at the dining table, leisurely eating dinner.

When Tao Jiayi saw Cao Xu return, she immediately put down her chopsticks and asked sweetly, "Brother Xu, have you eaten dinner? Would you like to have some with me?"

"We've already eaten. I just finished a dinner with my classmates today. You guys can eat." Cao Xu casually changed his shoes, loosened his collar, and asked with a smile, "Have you two recovered?"

Upon hearing this, Tao Jiayi's cheeks instantly flushed red. She lowered her head shyly and replied softly, "Yes, much better..."

Qin Shuyao, standing to the side, looked up at Cao Xu, her eyes crinkling with a sweet smile, and asked, "Ninth Brother, should I still do my live stream tonight?"

Cao Xu casually asked, "Did you bring the school supplies I bought for you last time?"

Qin Shuyao immediately explained with a wronged expression, "I always carry it with me, afraid that Ninth Brother might check my study progress at any time. But last night I left in a hurry and didn't carry my bag, so I accidentally forgot to bring it."

"Then forget it, there's no need to broadcast tonight," Cao Xu said calmly. "I was originally planning to check on your study progress up close."

Qin Shuyao gave a coquettish laugh, "I'll definitely bring it with me at all times next time, and be ready at any moment!"

Tao Jiayi's eyes lit up, and she immediately chimed in, her initiative at its peak: "That's easy! I'll order a new one right now, and it'll arrive tomorrow. Then Yao Yao can go live as usual tomorrow night!"

As she spoke, she picked up her phone, skillfully opened the shopping app, searched and placed an order. She chose the same item that Cao Xu had bought for Wen Ya yesterday, showing her thoughtfulness and consideration.

......