Chapter 283

Chapter 283: Sister, Barbecue, and the Socially Bold Girl (Extra Chapter for SilverMeng’s Ming Xiao Classmate 9/10)

Mei Fang returned home after seeing Liu Xiaoyu off. In the afternoon, he first discussed the design plan for the C Station live streaming module with his colleagues at Lin Xi Technology. This discussion lasted for several hours.

Mei Fang recalled the scenes from his previous life where he constantly battled with his boss over requirements.

Although he had become the boss himself and possessed foresight, when he proposed some unheard-of functional requirements, his subordinates still questioned the feasibility of his plans.

After all, knowing what would become popular in the future was entirely different from knowing how to make something as successful as before. Mei Fang was adept at game development, but he found web technology somewhat challenging. Without Lin Xi explaining things clearly to him, he really struggled.

Finally convincing his team to implement his plan, Mei Fang felt exhausted. He lay down on the bed intending to rest, but Mei Ya suddenly knocked on the door and rushed into his room.

“Brother!”

Mei Ya patted Mei Fang’s tired face, “Mom and Dad asked me to ask you, how far did you get with Yuying last night?”

“How could Mom and Dad ask such a question… You’re probably just trying to trick me again…”

“How could I! I’m here on official business to inquire about your progress.”

Mei Ya kneaded Mei Fang’s cheeks, “Do Yuying’s parents support her being with you?”

“More or less.”

“Did they give you their family heirloom?”

“There isn’t anything like that in their family… Alright, stop bothering me, let me sleep.”

Mei Ya sat by her brother Mei Fang’s bedside, quietly watching him close his eyes to rest.

…

Mei Fang opened his eyes slightly to look at Mei Ya, who was lowering her head and swinging her legs, looking despondent.

“Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

“Brother, do you think everyone becomes less caring once they start making money?”

“I don’t lack care!”

“You spend so much time with Yuying and Youxi. I thought you’d have more time for me during holidays, but it’s still all about Yuying and Youxi. Now that I finally caught a moment when Yuying and Youxi didn’t have time, you’re busy with work again.”

“It’s not fair; I’m your sister, yet you don’t spend a single day with me.”

“Forget it… Brother has grown up, and he has his own life. I shouldn’t force you to play with this boring sister.”

“I’ve offended you.”

As Mei Ya was about to get up and leave, Mei Fang grabbed her wrist.

“Enough already… Tell me, what do you want? Are you after another model plane?”

Mei Ya struggled to free herself from Mei Fang’s grip and declared earnestly, “Model planes are just my personal interest! I need your company and your care now, not these things that can be measured by money!”

Mei Fang, hearing her sincerity, realized he hadn’t been in touch with his sister much since high school.

When Mei Ya was born, Mei Fang was genuinely happy. After all, as an only child in his past life, he never experienced the bond between siblings.

But over time, Mei Fang’s affection for Mei Ya turned into frustration and impatience. Mei Ya was quite mischievous, and sometimes Mei Fang would just send her off to play on her own. He wasn’t very attentive to his sister on a daily basis.

“Alright, alright… If you want my care, I’ll give it to you… Want to go out for dinner tonight?”

“I want to eat barbecue at the Cultural Square! Until I can’t eat anymore! And there’s a toy store nearby that sells high-quality model planes!”

“Gotcha!”

“Don’t use idioms I haven’t learned yet!”

Mei Fang took his sister out shopping shortly after resting. Mei Ya clung tightly to Mei Fang in the back seat, happily shouting, “Roooaar! Charge! This is Mei Ya’s No. 6 Spaceship, performing a curvature jump!”

“Why does a fifth-grader sound so middle-schooler-ish?”

The streets were bustling as the New Year approached. After searching for a while, Mei Fang finally found a parking spot. As he got out to lock the car, Mei Ya jumped to a nearby barbecue stall and sat down, waving at her brother.

Mei Fang joined her, and they ordered food. Seeing Mei Ya engrossed in the menu, Mei Fang couldn’t help but pat her head.

“Time flies; you’ve grown so much.”

“Hmm… So you better cherish me now.”

Mei Ya continued flipping through the menu, humming, “Once you go to college, we’ll see each other even less… It makes me a bit sad.”

“Well, I didn’t see you crying when I left before!”

“That’s because Yuying and Youxi were there! I can’t steal their spotlight.”

“You always overthink things…”

“A sister’s thoughts are always on her brother’s side. With a sister like me, you should be cherishing me instead of complaining!”

“That’s not complaining!”

Mei Fang glanced at what Mei Ya ordered, “So much, can we finish it all?”

“We can pack the leftovers for Dad. He’ll be touched!”

“You’re really filial…”

Just as Mei Fang spoke, someone gently placed a hand on his shoulder from behind, “Wow, you’re eating so much! Want me to help share the load?”

Mei Ya looked at the scene, terrified, and blurted out, “Brother, you’re cheating!”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“She’s cute.”

The girl put down her instrument and sat next to Mei Fang, smiling warmly at Mei Ya, then extended her hand, “Hello, beautiful. I’m Peng Xue, a good friend of your brother and Yuying!”

Mei Ya eyed Peng Xue suspiciously, tentatively shaking her hand, which Peng Xue used to pinch Mei Ya’s cheek.

“Eeek… How could your brother have such a cute sister? I wish I knew you sooner!”

“Stop pinching me… Oh, right. You’re the girl who played bass at the Cultural Square last year, aren’t you?”

“Not bass, it’s a double bass! Oh well, whatever.”

Peng Xue patted her double bass case and smiled, “A double bass looks similar to a guitar, but it’s not one.”

“Hmm… Sounds impressive.”

Mei Ya looked at Mei Fang, “Is this girl someone you arranged to meet?”

“No way.”

“Did you tell Yuying?”

“You’re here, so no need to tell her.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m Yuying’s best friend and wouldn’t do anything to betray her. Besides, I contributed a third to getting you two together.”

“Nonsense, I did most of the work!”

As Mei Ya and Peng Xue bickered harmoniously, the shop owner brought a large plate of grilled food to their table.

“Woah… So fragrant… Mei Boss, aren’t you going to let me share some of the burden?”

Peng Xue leaned on her hand and blinked at Mei Fang, who waved dismissively, “Eat if you want, no need to be polite.”

“Just being polite, Mei Boss.”

Peng Xue smiled at Mei Fang and started eating.

Then Mei Fang asked Peng Xue, “Do you perform here every New Year?”

“Of course! It’s the only time I can earn some extra money.”

Peng Xue finished a skewer and asked Mei Fang, “Yuying said you stayed over at her place last night?”

“Yeah.”

“So… did you…?”

Peng Xue twisted a straw around her drink and mumbled, “Did you…?”

“!”

Mei Fang glared at Peng Xue, “What kind of questions are you asking a kid?”

“Please ignore me! I’ll pretend I didn’t hear!”

Mei Ya covered her face, pretending to be embarrassed, but her ears betrayed her obvious eavesdropping.

“So you did?”

“Why do you care about private matters?”

“I’m just thinking, it’s normal for Mei Boss to be unable to resist Yuying’s cuteness.”

Peng Xue smiled, supporting her chin, “After all, you two will be together forever. A little prelude is fine. This is the special edition of 17-year-old Yuying!”

“…”

Peng Xue’s suggestion struck a chord with Mei Fang, but he didn’t respond directly. Instead, he passed a skewer to her.

“Help yourself! But don’t think too much.”

“Are you心动? Mm… Wait, this chicken leg is delicious.”

“Hey, that’s my chicken leg!”

Mei Ya watched in anger as Mei Fang gave away her chicken leg to another girl. Mei Fang later compensated her with another grilled chicken leg, barely calming her down.

“Alright… I’ve eaten enough. I should thank Mei Boss for the meal. I’ll pay you back soon.”

Peng Xue stood up, holding her double bass, and sat on the edge of a flower bed near the barbecue stall. She began playing the instrument without a care.

Peng Xue’s voice and melody had a cool, melancholic folk vibe. Mei Fang had never heard this song before; it seemed to be an original.

Soon, a crowd gathered around Peng Xue, listening intently. Some even took photos, indicating she was quite famous in Bai Mei County.

However, such a small town probably produced a socially bold girl like Peng Xue only once every few years…

For some reason, as Peng Xue played with abandon, Mei Fang felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he might never see her again.

This chapter is an extra update. There are still 4000 words / 2 chapters to be updated today, as usual.