We ordinary people also need to fall in love.

"Li Mubai, have you done your winter break homework?" Chen Qiuhe asked.

"No, I haven't written a single word yet."

"Aren't you going to do it yet? We're collecting winter break homework soon."

What? It's due soon!

……

Li Mubai opened his eyes and took out his phone to check the time: 7 a.m. on January 17th.

It was just a dream. I knew I did my winter break homework, how could I not have written a single word?

Qinghe: "Get out of here quickly."

Qinghe: "[Location] Qianyuan Mall".

Li Bubai: "Have you arrived yet?"

Qinghe: Not yet.

Li Bubai: "What time will you arrive?"

Qinghe: "Sixteen o'clock, I guess."

Li Bubai: "Why rush out? I thought we were leaving this morning."

Qinghe: "You should scout out the area as soon as possible so I can avoid any potential problems."

What's going on here? And avoiding lightning? Li Mubai was puzzled.

Li Bubai: "Let's talk about it when we get there this afternoon."

Qinghe: "Okay, then remember to prepare a birthday present."

Sending a birthday gift is like presenting a tribute to the emperor in person.

At 4 PM, Li Mubai arrived at the mall entrance ten minutes early and took a picture of the mall's front to send to Chen Qiuhe.

Qinghe: "You're here so early?"

Li Bubai: "It's getting late, come on over, it's quite cold outside."

Qinghe: "Okay, I'll be there soon."

As everyone knows, it would take some time for them to arrive, so Li Mubai stood at the gate and waited for nearly ten minutes.

"Hey!" Chen Qiuhe patted him on the shoulder.

She continued, "Why are you carrying a schoolbag? Anyone who didn't know better would think you're going to school."

Li Mubai remained silent and took out his birthday present from his schoolbag.

"Your birthday present, happy birthday!"

"Oh?"

Chen Qiuhe took it and looked through it. It was a photo of her and Li Mubai from the sports meet. Li Mubai had printed the photo and framed it.

He originally wanted to write a short poem on the back of the photo, but considering that his handwriting was not yet good enough and that writing a poem would easily expose him, he did not do so and only wrote the date and signed his name.

Chen Qiuhe smiled and said, "Thank you, Li Mubai."

"It's okay, I'm just embarrassed because I ate so many desserts you made."

Li Mubai paused for a moment and then said, "Um—then I'll go back?"

"What's the rush? Why don't we grab a bite to eat and then go shopping?"

"No, I'll go back and continue doing my winter break homework," he said, waving his hand.

"Hmph, Li Mubai, today is my birthday, you don't want the birthday person to spend their birthday alone, do you?"

……

"Alright."

Li Mubai hesitated for a while, but finally accepted. Although he didn't celebrate his birthday, he felt it would be too miserable to celebrate it alone.

"So what are you planning to eat?" Li Mubai asked.

"Hmm—I haven't decided yet. Let's wait for the other person to arrive before making a decision."

"There's another person? Didn't you say it was just you?"

If someone else were to come, Li Mubai would have to leave; he would feel even more uncomfortable being with someone he didn't know well.

"I just suddenly remembered that I invited a friend over today," Chen Qiuhe muttered.

Why did you suddenly remember? It was clearly a deliberate concealment.

"You've already agreed, you can't go back on your word and leave," Chen Qiuhe said.

Li Mubai sighed, then asked, "Do I know this person?"

"Get to know them, don't worry, how could I let you be with people you don't know well?" Chen Qiuhe said with a smile, but she felt there was something fishy about it.

Alright... I'll have to make do for today.

"Oh, right, put the photos in your bag first. I didn't bring a bag with me, so give them back to me when you leave." Chen Qiuhe handed him the photos.

"Don't forget when you leave," Li Mubai reminded him.

"Okay~"

Chen Qiuhe suddenly looked in one direction and said, "They're here."

Following her direction, Li Mubai saw a figure in dark blue approaching from afar.

……

"Class monitor."

"Yes, Li Mubai."

"Thank you, Shu~" Chen Qiuhe called out.

Xie Shu was wearing a navy blue hooded cashmere wool coat and a beige scarf around her neck.

"Happy birthday, Qiuhe." She handed the gift bag to Chen Qiuhe.

"Thank you, Shubao," Chen Qiuhe said with a smile.

Li Mubai felt a little embarrassed. He should have bought a gift box for the photo as well, mainly because he had no experience in giving birthday gifts.

"By the way, Xie Shu, we were just discussing what to eat. Do you have any suggestions?" Chen Qiuhe asked.

"Anything that isn't too spicy is fine."

"Then Li Mubai, you choose one."

"You guys should eat here." He eats whatever he wants when he's out, so he doesn't know what to choose.

"Is this okay? It's in this mall." Xie Shu took out his phone to show them.

Li Mubai glanced at the Xiyue Impression Hot Pot restaurant; the price was acceptable, and he nodded.

Chen Qiuhe also said it was possible: "It still has to be Shu Bao; if you ask Li Mubai, he won't know anything."

"I haven't been out much," Li Mubai defended himself.

Chen Qiuhe didn't tell him in advance that Xie Shu was coming, so he could bring his math winter break homework and ask Xie Shu about it.

You can ask questions on WeChat, but it's not as convenient as asking questions offline.

The three arrived at the sixth floor of the mall. This was Li Mubai's second time at the mall; the first time was with...

Previously, he had no need to go shopping alone; he would usually just pass by in a hurry. But a semester has passed, and it really has changed a lot.

Hot pot comes in both spicy and clear broths. Considering that Xie Shu can't handle spicy food, Chen Qiuhe chose a half-and-half pot.

"Chen Qiuhe, how much is this? I'll transfer it to you," Li Mubai said.

"No need, it's my birthday today, consider it a treat."

"I have plenty of New Year's money, so don't worry," Chen Qiuhe continued.

"Hmm—" Li Mubai looked at Xie Shu.

"Thank you," Xie Shu said.

Since Xie Shu had said so, Li Mubai would not disagree.

Xie Shu took off her scarf, revealing a section of her neck, underneath which was a white turtleneck sweater.

"By the way, why haven't you guys gone home?"

Chen Qiuhe asked, "The 17th is close to the Spring Festival, and the streets and shopping malls are decorated with Spring Festival decorations."

Li Mubai glanced at Xie Shu.

"I still have some things to take care of at home," Xie Shu said.

"And what about you, Li Mubai?"

"Same here."

Mr. and Mrs. Li wanted to keep their restaurant open for a few more days before the Spring Festival, since most restaurants would be closed and the remaining restaurants would see an increase in customers.

However, for Li Mubai, it didn't matter whether he went back to his hometown or not. In Pingyang City, his life consisted of reading, studying, and doing homework, and the same thing happened after he returned to his hometown.

You might even be dragged in to identify someone: "Do you know this relative?" and then face the awkward situation of stammering and not being able to answer.

"Then Qiuhe, why don't you go home?" Xie Shu asked.

"I'll stay and invite you to my birthday party."

"Is it really that good?" Li Mubai was the first to disbelieve it; there must be other reasons.

"Excuse me, could you please move aside?"

Just as Li Mubai was about to question them, the waiter brought over the pot; the red soup was very red, and the clear soup was very clear.

Xie Shu and Chen Qiuhe both took off their coats and put on aprons, while Li Mubai did as he pleased.

Chen Qiuhe raised a glass of plum juice and said, "Xie Shu, Li Mubai, I wish you a happy new year and that you live forever."

……