northernbook Chapter 199 Relieve the Heart
Chapter 199 Relieve the Heart
A few people chatted in the room. Azan brought up Young Master Wu again. The other two simply said they would wait and see what would happen. Bingo curiously asked if it was the story about the young master of the Wu family and the prostitute that had been circulating in town a while ago.
The three of them looked stern. Bingo didn't blame him for being unaware, but he hadn't expected the story to spread throughout the town. Given the character of ordinary people, they probably wouldn't have said anything nice. No wonder Young Master Wu had resolutely refused Hu Ling entry.
Azan winked at Bingo. Bingo realized he had made a mistake and said that he still supported the two of them. They loved each other and should not be afraid of worldly opinions.
Ranmo nodded and said that Bingo's point of view was worthy of approval. However, in reality, especially when parental consent was required, it was often difficult.
Bingo rolled his eyes and said that marriages are often determined in past lives. He suggested that they go to the temple someday and draw a lot to see how their marriage fortunes would turn out.
The three of them brightened up. Aside from the prediction factor, this was certainly a kind of spiritual sustenance. Qingsheng quietly nudged Ranmo with his arm and glanced at her, suggesting that they go get tested some other time.
Ranmo remained calm and ignored him. Azan then inquired with interest about Bingo's past life in the temple. Bingo, a bit shy, replied that such places, filled with ancient Buddhas and green lanterns, were uninteresting. He preferred to return to the secular world, where life was more comfortable.
The two of them watched the two across from them chatting like close friends. Azan even watched Bingo more than he watched them. He couldn't help but sigh, the wonders of friendship in this world.
Not to mention relationships between men and women, even relationships between friends are subject to considerable scrutiny. You might be good with someone today, but tomorrow you might meet someone more compatible. You never know if this relationship is unreliable, or if it simply needs to be updated and adjusted.
Just then, Azan's mother brought two large plates from the kitchen: Qingsheng and Bingguo's favorites: scrambled eggs with green onions and stir-fried pork with potato chips. The aroma filled the air, and everyone's mouths watered.
Ranmo followed Azan Niang into the kitchen, where she brought out several other dishes. Only the sugar cakes were still warm in the pan. They would be served as a birthday dessert after dinner.
Azan's mother greeted him and said, "You're welcome." After a few people thanked him, they first offered tea instead of wine and wished Azan a happy birthday. Azan happily thanked everyone and said that this was the happiest birthday he had ever had in his life.
Then everyone started to eat with relish. Eating is good for growth, and Azan Niang is a great cook, so everyone was so engrossed in the food that they didn't even have time to talk.
Azan's mother didn't eat much, but sat beside them, watching the children devour their food with great delight. She also reminded them not to eat too fast and that they could order more dishes if they wanted.
Several people nodded and hummed with food in their mouths. Azan's mother looked at Bingo and asked, "Guo'er, when is your birthday? Auntie will make you a few dishes for your birthday later."
Bingo swallowed a mouthful of food and said, "I've never celebrated my birthday, and I don't even know when I was born."
Everyone's heart sank slightly when these words came out. Azan's mother felt a little regretful for asking this question, so she said, "It's okay, Guo'er, then you can celebrate your birthday with Azan from now on. If Azan has something delicious, you can have a share too."
Bingo nodded happily, thanked her repeatedly, and said that he felt the warmth of home here with his aunt. Everyone felt a little sad when they heard this.
Azan quickly said with a smile, "Mom, doesn't that mean Bingo and I were born on the same day and year?" Azan's mother also smiled and said, "Yes, yes, you two are good brothers born on the same day and year. Zan'er, you must pay more attention to Bingo'er in the future."
Azan said, "Don't worry, Mom," and then went back to eating. Bingo also thanked Azan's mother for her concern and said that he would treat his aunt as well as Azan did in the future.
Azan's mother was even more delighted. How could she not be happy now that she had two good sons? Ranmo and Qingsheng were also pleased with their good relationship and harmony.
When everyone was quite full, Azan Niang brought the sugar cakes. It looked like a golden hill, and the color and taste were very tempting.
Everyone praised Azan Niang's craftsmanship. Azan Niang said that it was thanks to Ranmo's suggestion that this ordinary sugar cake could be made into something fancy.
Azan, the birthday man, used a sharp knife to cut the sugar cake into several pieces, and everyone took a piece to taste. It was fragrant, soft, sweet, and overflowing with syrup, with a unique flavor. Everyone said it was the best dessert they had ever tasted. Ranmo also thought it was better than cream cake.
There was one piece left over. Qingsheng, the biggest eater, finished it off. He said he could have eaten two more. Everyone laughed.
Azan's mother said that it's not just for birthdays, if you want to eat, just tell her and she can make it for you anytime. Several people sighed that they could really regard Azan's house as a place to eat delicious food.
After the feast, Ranmo wanted to help Azan Niang clean up and wash up. Azan Niang told them to rest or walk around the courtyard to digest the food. She could do it alone.
Ranmo didn't insist. Then, they took a walk outside the courtyard. In front of Azan's house was a field, and looking out at it suddenly broadened his horizons and his mood.
Ran Mo seemed to have thought of something. She gestured to Qing Sheng, asking him and Azan to take a walk over there. She intended to walk with Bingo.
Qingsheng guessed she might have something to say to Bingguo alone, so he dragged Azan for a stroll by the fields. Ranmo stopped Bingguo and said he wanted to chat with him.
Bingo looked at her, waiting for her to speak. Ranmo asked him, "It feels very warm staying at Azan's house, right?" Bingo nodded, his face showing a look of longing and a hint of melancholy.
Ranmo didn't want to beat around the bush, so he told Bingo that Azan was a good boy and their good friend, but he had been bullied by others in the past and had suffered a lot. Now he has finally matured, which is gratifying.
Bingo said it was natural. He got along best with Azan and Ranmo in this class. Ranmo thanked him for his trust. Then he changed the subject and said:
"Bingo, to be honest, I hope you and Azan can maintain a friendly and healthy relationship for now. This may be a little hard to understand, but I believe you are a person who values friendship and reason.
Our current task, including Azan's, is to focus on academics so that we can have a promising future and a good career path. When that time comes, we can each make our own decisions about how we want to interact with each other. What do you think?"
Ranmo was a little nervous after saying this. She had been rather cryptic, but she had to at least make her true intentions and reference clear.
Bingo was silent for a moment. He understood Ranmo's words and the underlying meaning. He thanked Ranmo for caring about his relationship with Azan and for not saying anything embarrassing.
He said quietly, "Ran Mo, I understand your good intentions. To be honest, due to some of my childhood experiences, I may be a little eccentric in the way I deal with things and make friends.
But through the interactions we have had during this period, especially the care and concern shown to me by my aunt and Azan, I have been deeply touched. If I did something to let them down, I would be a non-human being.
So you can rest assured. I've already decided to be a good friend of Azan and to take care of Auntie as if she were my own mother. We'll talk about the future later."
Ran Mo was moved after hearing his sensible and reasonable explanation, and kept saying that he was right in his judgment and that Bingo was really great.
Bingo smiled, and suddenly a hint of cunning and teasing appeared in his eyes. He said, "What I mean is, I want to learn how you and your partner, ah, Qingsheng, get along with each other. Is that okay with you two?"
Ran Mo nearly fainted. This kid still has a trick up his sleeve. He thought, "Don't try to imitate us. You'll be in trouble if you do." But he couldn't bring himself to say it. He felt a little awkward for a moment.
Bingo noticed her slightly embarrassed look and quickly said, "I'm just teasing you. Everyone has different ways of interacting with each other. Azan and I will definitely have a more suitable way of interacting. We won't imitate others."
Ran Molian said, "Yes, yes, yes, yes. The most important thing is that everyone is happy and comfortable together. Besides, you don't only have Azan as a friend. Qingsheng and I are both your good friends."
The two of them laughed heartily, and even a magpie in a tree beside the field was startled and flew up, flapping its wings and soaring into the wider world.