Why bother with dating when you already have a cat?

"It is said that this shop has been open here for more than 20 years, and has seen many graduates go. Occasionally, people who graduated many years ago will come back specifically to taste the food here."

Well, the main advantage of school cafeterias is that they're cheap.

In the Finance and Economics College area, there is a canteen in each of the two dormitory areas, and there is also one on the school campus.

The three canteens are all about the same size.

The first floor is all about affordability, making it the best place for students from families with limited means. A meal there costs less than two digits and you can still eat your fill.

But you can't ask for more in terms of taste.

The second floor of the cafeteria usually offers slightly more expensive food, some of which is outsourced entirely, while others are set up with various restaurants.

This flavor is better.

Ai Qing planned to take Xiao Yu to the second floor of the school cafeteria and order braised chicken and roast duck rice.

These two were probably the dishes he ate most often in the school cafeteria.

The taste may have been ordinary, but it is one of his few profound memories of the school.

"Do we go in from here?" Xiaoyu pointed to the school's west gate.

Ai Qing nodded and led her inside, then whispered, "Don't look at the security guards, just follow me normally."

In theory, outsiders are not allowed to enter and leave the school at will.

However, it's fine to bring friends in for a stroll, as long as they don't do anything bad.

It used to be open to the public for a long time, and it wasn't as strictly managed as it is now.

However, after experiencing a global disaster a few years ago, that habit has continued.

"Look what that is?"

After successfully entering the school gate, Ai Qing pointed to the huge building on her left and asked with a smile.

"Wow, it's huge!" Little Fish exclaimed. "And it's not like a normal building; it has a shape I've never seen before."

"The one on the right is a normal indoor gymnasium, while the one on the left is a rare swimming pool built inside a university," Ai Qing explained.

“Our school also has swimming lessons, which are compulsory. If you fail, you can’t graduate.”

"Swimming lesson?" Little Fish asked curiously. "Does it mean swimming in the water? Little Fish has never tried it before."

"Cats should be able to swim too, right?" Ai Qing looked at the little fish, stroked her chin and pondered, "I remember cats can all doggy paddle."

Why don't cats crawl on all fours?

"Well... it's just a common way of saying it. Tigers also swim like this, but it's called the dog crawl."

"How about you take me swimming next time, brother?" Little Fish asked. "But I don't know if I can do it, brother will have to teach me."

"Okay." As soon as she thought of Xiaoyu's adorable appearance in a swimsuit, Ai Qing subconsciously agreed without hesitation.

It was all due to biological instincts; it was definitely not something he wanted to see.

Damn it.

It's time to pick out a swimsuit for the little fish.

Buy one nice-looking item, and then buy another conservative one.

In the future, when going out to soak in private hot springs or similar places, you can wear the former.

Wear the latter when going to a public swimming pool.

Ai Qing nodded, feeling that she had considered things quite thoroughly.

"What is your brother thinking about?" Xiaoyu asked curiously when he suddenly stopped talking.

"Cough... I'm thinking about how to teach you to swim."

Chapter 126 Paid Time to Pick Up Girls

A few minutes later, Ai Qing successfully brought Xiao Yu to the cafeteria.

It was lunchtime, and a huge crowd had already squeezed into the canteen.

This crowd was even more crowded than the subway this morning, giving Xiaoyu a real taste of how terrifying it is to be squeezed by people.

Fortunately, Ai Qing protected her the whole time, and after they successfully got to the second floor, a long queue formed.

"Brother, there are even more people here." Xiaoyu tiptoed and whispered in Ai Qing's ear, "Did you used to queue up like this every day to buy food? It looks so tiring."

“That’s how it was during my freshman year,” Ai Qing chuckled, leaning down to whisper in Xiao Yu’s ear. “After my sophomore year, I basically only ate outside the school or ordered takeout.”

"However, the roast duck rice and braised chicken here are also quite good, no worse than takeout."

"The only problem is queuing. If you can't come early, you'll have to squeeze in with everyone else."

The two were whispering to each other in the queue, one looking down and the other standing on tiptoe. To onlookers, they looked like a young couple deeply in love.

However, neither of the two people in line were aware of this yet.

When it was their turn, Ai Qing ordered a roast duck rice and braised chicken.

Just as she was about to open Alipay on her phone, Xiaoyu next to her stretched out her little hand and handed the waiter a WeChat QR code that she had prepared beforehand.

The waiter didn't think much of it, picked up the machine to scan the code, printed the tickets, and handed them to the two people.

"Alright then." Ai Qing took the meal ticket, chuckled, and shook her head.

"Xiaoyu's money is our living expenses, so it's normal for me to scan the code," Xiaoyu said seriously as she followed Ai Qing to the waiting area.

“I didn’t say no.” Ai Qing patted her head. “Then I’ll give you a task: help us find a two-person table over there and reserve it for now. I’ll come find you when I get the food.”

"Huh? Is Xiaoyu all alone?" Now, Xiaoyu started to panic.

Looking back at the crowded cafeteria and the few remaining seats, a sense of tension immediately overwhelmed me.

“Yes, after all, I have to wait for my food here,” Ai Qing said with a smile. “But if Xiao Yu is too scared, we can go find a seat together later. It’s just that we might not be able to find a suitable one, so it would be more convenient if you went to find one in advance.”

“Since my brother said so…” Xiaoyu pursed her lips, glanced at the crowded people over there, then turned back, lingered in front of Ai Qing, and finally gently hugged him.

"...What are you doing?"

"Absorb some energy."

"You think you can hold out for a long time? A little longer won't make a difference."

"It's not that kind of energy, it's the kind of energy from your novel, brother," Xiaoyu said earnestly. Then she let go of Ai Qing's hand, mustered up her courage, waved, and walked towards the dining area.

Ok.

His novels don't actually contain any cultivation-related energy; it's just that when the female protagonist needs courage, she'll hug the male protagonist and then make up an excuse for herself, saying she needs to absorb energy.

Oh……

It's nothing more than a tug-of-war and ambiguity through the last layer of paper.

But being hugged by Xiaoyu still warmed Ai Qing's heart.

They all subconsciously ignored the gazes of those around them.

When Ai Qing came to her senses, she realized how awkward it was.

Fortunately, there are quite a few couples at school, so everyone is used to it and just glances at them before looking down at their phones again.

Some are queuing, some are waiting for their food.

Even after going to university, everyone's life can be very different.

Some people find a partner as soon as they enroll in school, or they even come with a pre-existing romantic relationship.

Some people are like monks who have just shaved their heads during their four years of university; their hearts are still restless, yet they gain nothing and are completely detached from romance.

Of course, there are also people like Ai Qing who see through the illusions of the world early on.

Love isn't a necessity in life; you can live without it, right?

If you simply remove this option, you could save an unimaginable amount of money over your lifetime.

They spend all their money on themselves, living a life that couldn't be more carefree.

Ai Qing holds this belief and feels that she lives a very easy and comfortable life.

the other side.

Little Fish walked timidly down the aisle of the cafeteria, looking left and right, searching for a suitable spot for two people to sit.

She was initially a little nervous.

But she gradually discovered that most people ignored her.

Some people glanced at her, then continued eating with their heads down.

Occasionally someone might glance at it a few more times, but that's all they do.

No one will come up to bother her.

This made Xiaoyu relax a little.

Soon, she saw two empty seats at a four-person table, quickly sat down in one of them, and then, after thinking for a moment, put her phone on the table next to her.

If someone comes over and sees the fish and the phone, they'll know the spot is taken and won't come over to reserve it.

A short while later, Ai Qing got her meal and walked over from the other side with the tray.

Xiaoyu spotted Ai Qing from afar and quickly got up to wave at him.

Ai Qing spotted her immediately, carried her tray to the seats, sat down with Xiao Yu, and asked, "Which one would you like to eat?"

"Can't we eat both?" Little Fish looked at the braised chicken and then at the roast duck rice, wanting to try both.

“Okay.” Ai Qing nodded, placed the roast duck rice in front of Xiao Yu, then placed the large bowl of braised chicken between the two of them, holding only a bowl of rice in her own hand. “Let’s eat like this.”

to be frank.

After trying barbecue and Japanese food at Yintai City, I realized that this kind of ordinary food is actually quite delicious.

The little fish didn't know how to describe it.

She took a bite of roast duck and then picked up a piece of braised chicken, feeling incredibly happy.

I wish I could make these dishes myself; they look so delicious.