Chapter 148: Returning Home

Breakfast shop.

"Sit down."

Xu Fei guided Lin Fang to a chair and waved at Xiao Lan.

"Brother Fei, what brings you here? It’s not exactly mealtime, and who is this?"

Xiao Lan placed a menu on the table, casting an envious glance at Lin Fang. Though they were of a similar age, Lin Fang far surpassed Xiao Lan in both appearance and poise.

"Her name is Lin Fang," Xu Fei introduced her to Xiao Lan.

Xiao Lan nodded toward her. "I'm Xiao Lan."

Given their similar ages, the two girls exchanged smiles, and Lin Fang looked over at Xu Fei. "Are you two friends?"

Xu Fei nodded. "Xiao Lan, bring us each a bowl of porridge. Oh, and do you want a steamed bun? The buns here are excellent—all made by Xiao Lan herself."

Xiao Lan blushed slightly at the praise. "I just throw them together."

Lin Fang thought for a moment and said, "I'll have one, then."

"Xiao Lan, bring one for each of us."

"You got it." Xiao Lan smiled and headed toward the kitchen with the menu.

"Brother Xu, why did you bring me here?" Lin Fang asked curiously. After all, Xu Fei had promised to take her to experience a different kind of life.

"This is the place where I want you to experience it."

"Huh?!" Lin Fang glanced around the small, slightly dirty, and cluttered breakfast shop. "You mean you want me to...?" She gestured to the surroundings.

"Hey, Xu Fei, you haven't been here in days. I heard you went back home, is that right?" Liu Erpang said, emerging from the kitchen carrying two bowls of porridge. He placed them in front of Xu Fei and his companion, then cast a natural, inquisitive look at Lin Fang. "And this is?"

"She’s my friend, Lin Fang," Xu Fei introduced.

Liu Erpang nodded. "I’m Liu Erpang, the owner of this shop." He reached out his hand.

It was intended to be a simple handshake, but when Lin Fang saw his hands, stained with oil, she hesitated and didn't offer her own.

Liu Erpang shook his head, looking a bit embarrassed. "Haha, sorry about that. We working folks, our hands are just like this."

Xu Fei motioned for Liu Erpang to sit down beside him. "Brother Liu, besides bringing Lin Fang here to try your buns, there is something I’d like to ask for your help with."

Before he could continue, Lin Fang pushed the bowl of porridge toward him. "Brother Xu, drink your porridge."

Xu Fei looked at her. "What’s the matter? Are you having second thoughts?"

"No, no, it’s just... could we choose a different place?"

"No." Xu Fei’s tone left no room for negotiation.

Liu Erpang looked at the two of them, puzzled. "Xu Fei, what’s this all about?"

Xu Fei smiled and said, "Brother Liu, I want Lin Fang to work as a helper in your shop for three days."

"What?!" Liu Erpang stared at Xu Fei in shock. After a long pause, he laughed heartily. "Are you kidding me? How could that possibly work?"

Xu Fei looked at Lin Fang.

Lin Fang said indignantly, "Brother Liu, what do you mean by that? Do you think I’m not capable of doing the work in your shop?"

Stunned by her outburst, Liu Erpang suddenly seemed to grasp Xu Fei’s intention. "Tell me, Xu Fei, is this young lady trying to 'experience life'? Are you an actress, miss?"

Lin Fang was taken aback. "I’m not. I study fine arts."

"Fine arts?" Liu Erpang was surprised again. "If you’re a painting student, why on earth do you want to work in my breakfast shop? No, no, Xu Fei, I’d agree to anything else, but I can’t agree to this. Just look at her—does she look like someone who can work in a place like this? She’s like a pampered young lady!"

Hearing this, Lin Fang forgot her earlier disdain for the shop. She looked at Liu Erpang, feeling unyielding. "Brother Liu, you’re looking down on me. If Sister Xiao Lan can do it, why can’t I?"

"Xiao Lan?" Liu Erpang looked at Xu Fei and chuckled. "She wants to compare herself to Xiao Lan? Xiao Lan has been by my side since she was a child; she’s been working out here with me for seven or eight years."

"Regardless, Brother Xu told me to stay, and I will definitely be able to do it," Lin Fang insisted, standing up.

Just then, Xiao Lan walked out with two steamed buns. Lin Fang immediately stepped forward, took the plate from her hands, and placed it in front of Xu Fei. "Brother, please enjoy."

Lin Fang mimicked the movements quite well, making Liu Erpang laugh.

Xiao Lan, confused, looked at Liu Erpang. "Brother Pang, what is going on?"

Lin Fang untied Xiao Lan’s apron and put it on herself. "Sister Xiao Lan, from now on, I am a member of this breakfast shop."

"What?!"

"Yes, yes, Xiao Lan. Starting today, Lin Fang will be helping out in the shop for three days. You don’t need to do the manual labor; just focus on guiding her," Xu Fei explained while picking up a bun and taking a large bite. "Oh, and Xiao Lan, teach her how to make the buns, too. Let her learn."

Xiao Lan was truly bewildered. She looked at Liu Erpang.

Liu Erpang smiled and nodded at her. "You wouldn't disobey Brother Fei, would you?"

Xiao Lan sighed and nodded. "Alright."

Lin Fang turned to her. "Sister Xiao Lan, what should I do now?"

Still feeling awkward, Xiao Lan looked at Xu Fei. He waved his hand at her and said, "Xiao Lan, arrange the work properly. Don’t go easy on her. From now on, Lin Fang is part of the staff."

Lin Fang pushed Xiao Lan into the seat she had just vacated. "You sit down. Just tell me what to do."

"Well..." Xiao Lan thought for a moment and pointed to the tables in the room. "Why don't you clear the plates and bowls from these tables? And then take them to the back and wash them clean."

Lin Fang turned to look at the neighboring tables, a slight frown creasing her brow. Since the breakfast rush had just ended, the tables were cluttered with used dishes. Beyond the issue of cleanliness, the sight of leftover vegetable broth and scraps made her stomach turn.

"What's wrong?" Seeing her standing there in a daze, Xiao Lan thought she hadn't heard clearly. "Just take them to the back kitchen and wash them."

"These? All by myself?" Lin Fang turned back to Xiao Lan, her face filled with visible distaste.

"That's right."

"It's so dirty, I..."

"It’s because it’s dirty that we need to wash it," Xu Fei interjected from the side, smiling. "If you don't want to, you can give up on this experience now."

Lin Fang glared at him. "No way. Since I said I would do this, I will definitely see it through."

With those words, she gritted her teeth and walked toward the tables.