“With so many rooms upstairs, why insist on going to the King’s Villa?” Li Minxi asked.
Guo Xuyang, unable to mention that Xiao Si disliked Ye Zi, could only say, “The air here is different from where she used to be. She’s not quite used to it. The air on the mountain should be better.”
“Why all the trouble? Are you coming back tonight?”
“I’m not coming back. Aren’t Xia Li and Xiao Yun there?”
“Then go, and get yourself exhausted,” Li Minxi said resentfully.
She misunderstood Guo Xuyang’s intentions, thinking he wanted to facilitate something between Xia Li and Xiao Yun.
“Shall I accompany you? I can drive for you,” Yu'er offered.
“Alright. You all go up and rest. I’ll bring Xiao Si and Yu’er back tomorrow morning.”
“Got it. Drive carefully on the way,” Li Minxi said, maintaining appearances despite her annoyance.
Yu'er drove Guo Xuyang and Xiao Si to the King’s Villa.
“Yangzi, I don’t think you ate enough. How about we go to the snack street?”
“Snack street? Okay. Tonight, I’ll take Xiao Si to try our local specialties.”
When Guo Xuyang and his companions arrived at the snack street, the night market was already bustling. Although summer had just begun, many people were dressed lightly, setting up their stalls. Beer and barbecue were essentials for these stalls. Guo Xuyang ordered beef tendon, squid skewers, grilled chili, grilled chicken wings, and three pounds of grilled lamb.
“Boss, hurry! Bring us a keg of draft beer and two small dishes first, so we can start drinking.”
“Please wait, we’ll be right there.”
“Why are there so many people here? Is this your city?” Xiao Si asked, full of curiosity. She had never seen such a lively place.
“Never seen anything like it? This is our local specialty snack street. There’s so much good food. After we eat here, I’ll take you to try other things.”
“It smells so good, I really want to eat. But I already ate a lot at your place just now.”
“It’s fine. After we finish eating, I’ll take you for a walk. These things aren’t too filling. A walk will help digest them.”
As they were chatting, the draft beer arrived.
“Try this, it’s very good,” Guo Xuyang said, pouring a cup for Xiao Si and Yu’er each.
“This stuff, once poured, has to be drunk. It’s especially refreshing to drink it all in one go. It’s just a bit cold.” He then picked up his cup and drank it down. “Refreshing. You should have a cup too.”
“This tastes a bit strange, but it’s quite refreshing,” Xiao Si commented after trying it.
“One gulp and you’ll feel great,” Guo Xuyang encouraged.
“It’s too cold, I can’t drink it.”
“Don’t listen to him. Drink it slowly; drinking it fast can make you drunk easily,” Yu’er advised from the side.
“Oh my! How can you speak? You can understand what I’m saying?” Xiao Si asked, very surprised.
“Yes. Is there anything strange about it?”
“That’s great! I was wondering how I would learn your language. It’s wonderful that you can understand me; you can teach me from now on.” Yu’er also found Xiao Si, a girl who easily made friends, very likable, even though she knew Xiao Si was no longer young. However, their ages couldn’t be compared to people on Earth, especially considering their planet’s depleted resources.
“No problem. Feel free to ask me anything you don’t understand.”
“Do you think Yangzi has intentions towards me? I think he wants to get me drunk.”
“Beautiful lady, I’m still here. Can you whisper your secrets elsewhere?” Guo Xuyang asked, slightly annoyed.
“Xiao Si wants to pursue you,” Yu’er said with a smile.
“What are you saying to him?” Xiao Si asked Yu’er.
“I said you like him,” Yu’er replied.
“I like him, but unfortunately, he doesn’t like me; he dislikes my age,” Xiao Si said, shrugging.
“Did I say that?” Guo Xuyang flatly denied it.
“Of course, you did. You said it to Ye Zi. Don’t think I can’t understand what you’re saying,” Xiao Si retorted.
“Fine, I said it. But it’s the truth.”
“Am I not beautiful?”
“You are beautiful.”
“Am I less beautiful than Xi Youli?”
“You are even more beautiful than her.”
“Then why don’t you like me? You’re with her every day and have never liked me, isn’t it just because you dislike my age?” Xiao Si spoke the truth, and Guo Xuyang was speechless. In his subconscious, he rejected Xiao Si.