Why bother with dating when you already have a cat?

"It's not your fault." Ai Qing patted Xiao Yu's head and smiled helplessly. "If you know, you know. It doesn't matter anymore."

In fact, Ai Qing knew back in high school that she was not a main character at all, and that no great thing could happen that had to revolve around her.

The cartoons and movies I watched as a child featured protagonists who saved the world and became heroes. As a child, I would fantasize about becoming such a hero, but as I grew up, I realized that I was just a passerby in those stories.

Even when writing novels, this remains true.

He could only watch the dazzling stars in the sky, one after another, while he could only look up at the achievements of others on the ground and earn a little enough to support himself.

The novel's title has been advertised?

What does that matter?

In reality, over time you'll realize that very few people will actually remember your book title, and nobody really cares who wrote it.

What one perceives as social death is ultimately just a form of introverted inferiority complex stemming from self-centeredness.

Actually, other people don't care about you that much.

Ai Qing had actually had this feeling long before Xiao Youqian learned about his book title.

Even his best friend, who lived right across the street, would only tease him occasionally when they bumped into each other.

At other times, it has absolutely no impact.

Not to mention his elders and relatives, who just liked his mother's posts on WeChat Moments. Most people might glance at them and find them interesting, but then quickly forget about them.

All I can remember is, oh, Yao Qiang's son, a novelist, who seems to have made a lot of money, quite a capable young man.

As for what was written, well, it's just something young people write, I don't really understand it either, but it must be pretty impressive.

After figuring all this out, Ai Qing was actually able to accept it a little better.

Little did he know that his grandmother would give him another heavy punch... Now he'll have to digest this for quite a while.

Rubbing her forehead, Ai Qing put her arm around Xiao Yu's slender waist: "Let's go, things are already like this, just don't worry about it."

"Fine, let's go! Why did you take Xiaoyu away? Aren't you two already being all lovey-dovey at home?" Xiao Youqian walked to the side, arms crossed, and criticized, "It's not easy to have another girl. Come on, Xiaoyu, come to me."

"Sister Qian, you haven't found a boyfriend yet after all these months?" Ai Qing rolled her eyes at her and then asked.

"Who said I didn't date anyone?" Xiao Youqian looked at him in surprise, then said, "I was indeed busy when I first came here, but I dated someone in June, but we broke up after only a week."

Ai Qing: "...When did this happen? I don't even know."

"There's a lot you don't know." Xiao Youqian rolled her eyes. "I've been having Xiaoyu around lately, so I haven't been really in the mood for dating."

"Why did Sister Youxi break up after only a week?" Xiaoyu couldn't help but ask curiously. "Since you found someone you liked, why didn't you try to hold on a little longer?"

"Don't ask." Ai Qing hugged Xiao Yu, tightening her grip a little more. "Don't let her lead you astray."

"Don't worry," Xiao Youqian said with a grin. "I don't usually talk about these things with Xiaoyu. She's so innocent, it makes me feel embarrassed."

"Huh?" Little Fish tilted her head, completely confused.

"In short, Xiaoyu, you should cherish your Aiqing." Xiao Youqian waved her hand and said, "As for me, I no longer have the chance like you."

After the three people left the residential area, they turned left and headed towards a small restaurant near the area.

This restaurant isn't fancy, but it serves delicious home-style dishes at reasonable prices. There are also nicely decorated private rooms on the second floor.

Since Wu Yong was treating everyone to this celebration, Kong Fugui didn't choose any expensive places.

This restaurant is quite famous in this neighborhood and is a good place for small gatherings.

Wu Yong and Kong Fugui had already arrived at the restaurant and were waiting in a private room on the second floor.

As soon as Ai Qing and her two companions went upstairs, they saw two people sitting inside.

"Hey! Our great writer has arrived!" Kong Fugui chuckled and teased Ai Qing when he saw her.

“You’re just like Sister Qian, Lao Wu is better.” Ai Qing rolled her eyes at him and pulled Xiao Yu to sit down.

"I've finished reading your book," Wu Yong said abruptly. "It's quite good."

Ai Qing: "...You didn't need to tell me that."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Xiao Youqian, who was next to her, laughed and banged on the table: "I didn't even finish watching it. I stopped watching when I saw the two of them together. Old Wu, you actually managed to watch the whole thing."

"I only read the beginning, and it had a strong virgin vibe." Kong Fugui waved his hand in front of his nose and clicked his tongue twice. "That vibe was too pure. Anyway, I couldn't watch it. I just can't get that feeling of boys and girls being so careful when they're dating."

"Isn't it good?" Xiaoyu blinked and stared at Kong Fugui. "I think it's very good. Brother wrote it so well."

"Ahem... Xiaoyu, don't stare at me like that." Kong Fugui waved his hands repeatedly, a little overwhelmed. "I didn't say anything bad about him, I was just expressing my true feelings."

"Don't take him seriously." Ai Qing smiled and tugged at Xiao Yu's little hand. "It would be strange if he could even understand it. I'd suspect he's been possessed."

"Great writers are really good at insulting people," Kong Fugui chuckled, then called out towards the door, "Waiter! Everyone's here, hurry up and serve the food! Bring the wine first!"

Chapter 182 What is a good friend?

It has been almost half a year since the little fish turned into a human.

In Ai Qing's memory, she seemed to have never drunk alcohol.

"Brother, is this delicious?"

Xiao Yu stared at the wine bottle in Ai Qing's hand and asked with a curious expression.

"Hmm?" Kong Fugui raised an eyebrow, then asked, "Little Fish probably doesn't drink, right? Want me to get you a bottle?"

"No need, no need." Ai Qing waved her hand, refusing on behalf of Xiao Yu, and then said, "If you're interested, I can pour you a little bit so you can taste it. To be honest, it's not as good as soda."

Drinking is mainly about the atmosphere; as for the actual taste, Ai Qing has always found it quite unpleasant...

Unless he's out socializing with friends, he basically doesn't drink alcohol.

The little fish naturally didn't get a chance to come across the wine.

Even if you go to Ai Qing's house, only Ai Lisong and Ai Zhongguo will drink some wine.

Moreover, they both preferred to drink baijiu (Chinese liquor), which Ai Qing avoided at all costs.

He only drinks beer and red wine at most.

"Is it really not good?" Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, but finally handed her cup to Aiqing. She gestured with her thumb and forefinger at the bottom of the cup and said softly, "Well, just this little bit, okay? I'll just try it."

Xiao Youqian, who was standing next to her, couldn't stand it anymore: "Xiaoyu, tone it down a bit, you're too cute!"

Ai Qing glanced at her, then said with a smile, "People always dislike seeing what they don't have, which is understandable."

"Get lost." Xiao Youqian snorted. "I just think you're incredibly lucky to have found a girl like Xiaoyu."

"Today isn't to celebrate their relationship, why talk so much? Hurry up and pour the drinks." After pouring himself a glass of wine, Kong Fugui raised his glass and said, "Come on, let's celebrate our protagonist today, Wu Yong! He's finally got his teacher's certificate!"

"From now on, you'll be a great people's teacher!" Xiao Youqian raised her glass and said with a grin, "I think it's elementary or middle school?"

“Junior high school.” Wu Yong raised his glass and said, “I teach the first year of junior high school, a total of sixteen classes, and I teach about three classes a day.”

"That's pretty easy, isn't it?" Ai Qing poured a little beer for Xiao Yu, then filled her own glass, and then pulled Xiao Yu up to raise her glass with her.

After the five people clinked glasses, four of them drank their drinks in one gulp. Then Wu Yong shook his head and said, "It's not as easy as you make it out to be."

"In addition to the three classes every day, there is a half-hour running exercise after the third class in the morning and the second class in the afternoon, which is also under the responsibility of the physical education teacher."

"In addition, we also organize the school's annual sports meet."

"In addition, there are student athletes in the school. I am responsible for their daily training and also travel to participate in competitions."

"In addition to the lesson plans and reports that teachers have to do every day, there's quite a lot to do."

Of course, to be honest, physical education teachers definitely have an easier job than those who teach academic subjects.

However, it's definitely not as simple as just attending three classes a day.

While Wu Yong was talking about these topics, Xiao Yu had already taken a small sip of beer.

Then her little face scrunched up, she stuck out her tongue, and whispered to Ai Qing, "This tastes awful, brother, can you drink it for me? I'll just drink cola instead."

Hearing Xiaoyu's words, Ai Qing laughed heartily: "I told you before, just don't drink anymore. It's a good thing not to drink alcohol."

As he spoke, he picked up Xiaoyu's glass, helped her finish the remaining half of her beer, and then poured her a glass of cola.

The other three guys had gradually gotten used to it and ignored the couple's affectionate gestures, continuing their idle chatter.

Xiao Youqian winked at Wu Yong and said with a smile, "When you get to school, remember to see if there are any girls you like. The PE teacher has such a great figure, he's very attractive to girls."

"Hey, hey!" Kong Fugui immediately reminded him upon hearing this, "Aren't middle school students too young?"

"What kind of bullshit is in your head?" Xiao Youqian couldn't help but curse. "I was talking about the female teacher, okay?"

"Ahem." Kong Fugui raised his hands in surrender and punished himself with a cup. "My fault, I didn't think straight. But the teacher is in big trouble. These days, female teachers don't look down on male teachers."

Hearing the two of them chatting so enthusiastically, Wu Yong said helplessly, "I don't even have that many plans, what are you two arguing about?"

"So what are your plans?" Ai Qing asked abruptly. "You're not going to have your mom set you up on blind dates again, are you? Last time it caused quite a misunderstanding."

"Huh?" Xiao Youqian was taken aback for a moment, then her eyebrows furrowed and she said, "You guys are hiding something from me? How come I didn't know about Lao Wu's blind date?"

"Sigh, let's not talk about it." Kong Fugui waved his hand and said simply, "The girl his mother arranged for him to meet was one of my cousins. She was quite promiscuous in college, so I had Lao Wu reject her."

"Okay, okay." Xiao Youqian nodded repeatedly. "I'll be rejected like this every time I go on a blind date in the future."

"Hilarious, I wonder who ran away here to avoid blind dates." Kong Fugui rolled his eyes at her. "Let's not even think about getting married for the rest of our lives."

"Get lost. Maybe some blind prince charming will fall for me?"

"There are no blind princes on white horses, but there are plenty of toads with eyes wide open."

"This constitutes a collective attack; be careful you don't get criticized and denounced."

The five people ate, chatted, and drank together.

Xiaoyu sat obediently next to Aiqing, only occasionally chiming in with a few words when the conversation turned to her.

At other times, she listened quietly, especially watching Ai Qing.

To be honest, Ai Qing at home and Ai Qing in front of her friends seem to be completely different people.

At home, Ai Qing is always very calm and doesn't get easily startled. No matter what happens, she can always calm down quickly.

Moreover, he doesn't like to talk. He will only respond when Xiaoyu initiates a conversation with him; otherwise, he will only talk to Xiaoyu when there is something important to discuss.

But when he's with the little fish, he'll occasionally reveal his true lustful nature, showing his desire to devour the little fish whole.