Chapter 6: You’re Overthinking It

Lu Yiqi: "..."

No wonder the name Xie Xu sounded so familiar to her.

Now she remembered.

This morning, on her way to school, her mother had repeatedly reminded her, “Yiqi, last night I went to visit the neighbors. The young man next door is not only handsome but has a wonderful personality. I even made sure—he’s also a second-year at No. 1 High School, and in your class no less. You must get along well with him. After all, you’re classmates and neighbors; how close is that?”

And now...

Alas.

She’d utterly lost face because of her own mother.

Lu Yiqi felt so embarrassed she wished she could disappear. Head down, she hurried forward, not daring to imagine what Xie Xu must think of her now.

...

Chen Wan was already waiting at the door for her daughter. She checked the time, figuring Lu Yiqi should be back any moment.

After several more minutes, Chen Wan finally spotted Lu Yiqi. But behind her daughter was a tall boy.

Looking closer—wasn’t that young Xie from next door?

Chen Wan greeted them with a warm smile, immediately saying, “Xie, thank you for walking Yiqi home.”

“No need to thank me, Auntie. It’s only proper for neighbors to look out for each other.”

Lu Yiqi: “???”

Sure, that’s true, but Mom, shouldn’t your first words be some concern for your daughter? How did you switch to chatting with Xie Xu in the blink of an eye?

The two of them chatted away merrily, leaving Lu Yiqi feeling like nothing but a background prop.

“Xie, Auntie’s making something delicious tonight. Why not honor us with your presence for dinner?”

Lu Yiqi: “???”

Were they already getting along so well? Inviting him over for dinner already?

Upon hearing Chen Wan’s invitation, Xie Xu glanced at Lu Yiqi, clearly seeking her opinion.

Lu Yiqi quickly shook her head at him.

She prayed in her heart: Please don’t come, please don’t come. Mom rarely cooks something delicious—let me enjoy it all by myself.

The next second, she heard Xie Xu’s voice in her ear.

“Thank you for the invitation, Auntie, but I’ll have to pass tonight. I have something to take care of this evening.”

“I see... Well, that’s fine. If you ever want to come eat at Auntie’s place, just drop by. You’re always welcome.”

“All right, thank you, Auntie.”

Then Xie Xu found an excuse to go home, thinking that if he didn’t slip away now, Chen Wan would chat with him until nightfall.

After Lu Yiqi and Chen Wan entered the house—

“Mom, you’re finally going to show off your culinary skills?! I’m so moved, I haven’t eaten your cooking in ages! I miss that taste so much!”

Chen Wan’s cooking was superb. Her dishes were simply extraordinary. But she only cooked on a whim or when she was in an exceptionally good mood; most of the time, she couldn’t be bothered. Lu Yiqi didn’t know why her mother would go to the trouble of cooking for a neighbor she’d only known for less than two days, yet never put in the same effort for her own beloved daughter. But it didn’t matter—since Xie Xu wasn’t coming, all the delicious food would be hers alone.

Yet the very next moment, Chen Wan coldly shattered Lu Yiqi’s daydream: “You’re overthinking it.”

Lu Yiqi: “?”

Chen Wan said, “I was planning to make something nice tonight, but it was for young Xie, not you. Since he’s not coming, I won’t bother. Tonight, just have instant noodles or order takeout. The housekeeper won’t be back to cook until tomorrow.”

“???”