We ordinary people also need to fall in love.

"Xiaobai, we're a bit busy today, so we won't be taking you to school this afternoon. You'll have to take the bus yourself."

"it is good."

It's a good time to go to the bookstore and browse around.

In the afternoon, Li Mubai set off alone to return to school. The bookstore was in the old town, and he had to take a bus and get off halfway.

Compared to where he lived, the old town had a much larger flow of people. Li Mubai was not used to crowded and noisy places, so he turned into a small alley with shops selling educational materials on both sides. He walked all the way to the end and found a bookstore in front of him - Yexian Bookstore.

This is an old shop that sells both used and new books. He walked into the shop.

"Brother, you're here. What do you want to buy today?"

What doesn't match the old shop is the owner, who is neither an elderly man or woman with gray hair nor a mature and steady middle-aged man, but a young woman who is currently lying in a grand chair looking at Li Mubai.

"Sister Shen, I'm just browsing."

"Oh, then you can see."

After saying that, Shen Nian'an continued reading her book.

Li Mubai skipped the novel section, as he wasn't interested in online novels that had been adapted into physical books, and went straight to the bookshelves in the literature and history section.

Li Mubai is not a refined person. When he chooses a book, he only looks at whether the cover is attractive, whether the title is interesting, and whether the price is reasonable.

He pulled out a secondhand book that looked fairly new, Yu Yingshi's "The Historical World of Zhu Xi", and flipped to the back where it was priced at 78.

"Sister Shen! How much is this one?" Li Mubai held up the book in his hand.

"I'll give you a 299."

"Why is it so expensive?!"

Li Mubai was shocked. Wasn't the price 79?

"Brother, this book was only published in two editions. The one you have is the 11 edition, which is now out of print. You can only find it at secondhand bookstores. It will only be more expensive elsewhere," Shen Nian'an explained.

"All right."

I can't afford it, I'm leaving.

Li Mubai put the book back; he only had 150 coins left to spare.

He wandered around aimlessly, taking out any books that interested him to read.

"Jingxuanzi Poems" seems to be a collection of poems by a modern author?

"Little sister, what would you like to buy?"

"I'm just browsing."

Xie Shu's voice? What a coincidence! Li Mubai instinctively hid.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Li Mubai fled to the deeper bookshelves.

Fortunately, Xie Shu also stopped in the cultural and historical area and did not go deeper, otherwise the story of the King of Qin circling the pillar would have been a classic tale.

Li Mubai felt like he was a conflicted person. He had a crush on Xie Shu but was also afraid of meeting her in person. In their first year of high school, when no one knew each other, he could pretend not to know her and just walk past her.

But their current relationship confused him. He didn't know if he and Xie Shu could be considered friends. He wasn't a generous person, had a slight stutter, and was somewhat introverted...

A few minutes later, Xie Shu bought a book and left the bookstore.

Li Mubai lingered on the bookshelf for a while longer, making sure Xie Shu wouldn't return before heading to the cashier.

"Sister Shen, how much is this one?" He placed "Jing Xuanzi Poems" on the counter.

"25".

He took out 50 yuan in cash from his wallet and handed it to Shen Nian'an.

While looking for change, Shen Nian'an asked, "Was that girl your girlfriend?"

???

"What girlfriend? Sister Shen, don't talk nonsense."

"Then what were you doing lurking around the bookshelf for so long?"

"...I got so engrossed in reading."

Shen Nian'an handed him the change, then turned the computer screen around and pointed at it with a half-smile, saying, "Look at this, what is it?"

Holy crap! It was a security camera; the footage showed him peeking out from behind the bookshelf every now and then to observe.

Li Mubai smiled awkwardly; people often use smiles to cover up their embarrassment.

"I just saw that girl, she's quite pretty, and she's wearing the same school uniform as you. She must be your school beauty queen, right? If you like her, just confess! Don't let your youth be filled with regrets!"

Sister Shen, you look like you're only in your twenties, why do you sound like you're in your forties or fifties?

"Well, I have to go to evening self-study at school, so I'm leaving now, Sister Shen!" Li Mubai picked up the book and left the bookstore.

Watching Li Mubai flee in panic, Shen Nian'an smiled helplessly: "These young people nowadays..."

She sat back in her armchair and continued reading.

My mind is in turmoil the whole way here. What should I do? Is this Xie Shu's first time here? Will she come again? Or should we try a different shop?

Sigh, never mind, I don't want to think about it anymore.

He boarded the bus, and luckily there were still empty seats. After sitting down, he began to browse through the books he had just bought.

This book is indeed a collection of ancient poems written by modern people. Li Mubai recognized it immediately from the first poem – "Galileo".

He began reading with great interest, finding it a way to understand the modern poetry scene.

He arrived at school late; everyone else in the dorm was already there. He was the last one. After settling his luggage, he rushed to top up his meal card, thankfully the door wasn't closed yet.

Back in the classroom, most of the students were already seated, ready to begin another week of grueling studying.

"You're finally here! I've been waiting for you for so long," Chen Qiuhe said excitedly.

"What are you waiting for me for?"

"Have you forgotten? I said I'd bring you something delicious on Friday!"

"Oh, you know, a day apart feels like three autumns, and three years is enough time for me to forget many things," Li Mubai retorted.

"Forget it, a grown man doesn't hold a grudge against a petty person."

Chen Qiuhe took a small, exquisite tin box out of her schoolbag and handed it to Li Mubai: "This is what I promised you."

"What is this?"

Li Mubai didn't accept it immediately, fearing it was too valuable.

"Mung bean pastry".

"Oh, thank you." Li Mubai took it and put it in his desk.

"You're welcome, you're welcome. If you really want to thank me, just lend me your phone next time."

"...ok." So that's what he was going to do.

After a while, Chen Qiuhe asked again, "Don't you want to try some?"

"Why do you want to taste it now? Did you make it?" Li Mubai asked, puzzled.

"That's right! You guessed it."

"You've written your answer all over your face. Do you know why Cao Cao was such a ruthless and cunning man? Because he never showed his emotions. Chen Qiuhe, you should strive to be a ruthless and cunning woman."

"What 'ruthless hero and ruthless heroine' nonsense! You go and try it and give me feedback."

"Okay, as you wish. I hope you won't be so sensitive."

According to the typical novel setting, girls usually make terrible dishes, and only through the male protagonist's gradual experimentation can their cooking skills improve. Li Mubai was mentally prepared for this.

Open the tin box, take out a piece of pastry, place the tin box underneath to prevent the pastry from spilling everywhere, and take a small bite.

"Hey, not bad." Jay Chou channeled his inner voice.

Chen Qiuhe smiled shyly, a rare occurrence for her: "Because I do it often."

"I never knew you had such excellent cooking skills."

"I can also make other things, like egg tarts, mochi, tiramisu..."

"How come you have so many?"

"Haha." Chen Qiuhe did not answer.

It seems the affinity level isn't high enough to unlock it. Friends also have affinity levels.

Li Mubai examined the iron box again and asked, "Chen Qiuhe, why are there no words on this iron box?"

"This is just a regular tin box. What kind of inscription do you want?"

"Shouldn't it have the words 'Yi He Su' (一合酥) in it?"

……