Chapter 328: Grab More of Those Brothers

Mu Youyu was about to speak when she saw the girl's attitude suddenly flip 180 degrees; the dissatisfaction in her eyes faded completely, leaving only bashfulness on her face.

"Feng Cen, didn't you go home for New Year's Eve?"

Feng Cen had a blank expression: "Where I am is none of your business."

Mu Youyu looked at the girl's suddenly changing expression and vaguely understood something.

She took the opportunity, turned sideways, and walked into the restroom to wash her hands.

The conversation outside continued.

"Feng Cen…" the girl's voice held a hint of probing.

Feng Cen frowned, his gaze toward the girl full of stranger: "Who are you? Calling me so intimately."

"You don't remember me?" a flash of light appeared in the girl's eyes, then quickly dimmed.

Seeing no reply, she forced out a strained smile and offered an excuse she thought would likely be accepted: "I, I'm in the same class as Mu-jie, and I used to sit at the same desk as Yu Yu…"

Feng Cen lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, still having no memory of this girl in his mind, his tone unsoftened: "No impression. Move aside, don't make me act."

Just a few simple words made the girl instinctively step back.

Mu Youyu listened, finding it boring, dried the water droplets on her hands, tidied her cuffs, and pushed the door open to leave.

She raised a hand to rub her wrist, tone light: "You guys chat, I'm leaving first."

Though it seemed addressed to Feng Cen, it was actually a subtle reminder that she needn't waste time here.

Feng Cen understood the meaning, curled the corner of his mouth toward her direction, didn't even glance at the still‑stiff girl behind him, and walked straight over to Mu Youyu.

"Eh…"

The girl stood where she was, watching Feng Cen's back, lightly stomped her foot, her eyes full of disappointment, yet she didn't chase after him, merely turning and leaving silently.

Mu Youyu asked: "How did you suddenly come over?"

Feng Cen lifted a hand to smooth the short hair blown messy by the wind at his forehead, tone casual: "Xiao Yu asked me to come over and see what's going on with you guys."

The little sisters didn't even come to blows, so the problem probably isn't serious.

Mu Youyu tilted her head to look at her, eyes twinkling with amusement: "Our Feng Cen is still so popular—just a casual appearance and people's attitudes shift dramatically."

Feng Cen was baffled, frowned before grasping her meaning, then helplessly tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Don't tease me—I really don't know her, this is our first meeting! By the way, didn't she give you a hard time just now?"

She isn't failing to notice that girl's change of expression.

That year at Sheng Luo Middle School, Mu Youyu was the friend she had identified.

Whoever dared to cause trouble for Mu Youyu was considered her enemy—a rule everyone in the school knew by heart.

"Just her? She couldn't possibly make things difficult for me." Mu Youyu gave a light laugh, her tone carrying an innate confidence.

Such a trivial provocation was, to her, nothing more than a breeze brushing a hill—utterly insignificant.

Feng Cen gazed at the faintly sharp look in her eyes and momentarily lost himself.

She came to, reached out and slipped an arm around Mu Youyu's shoulder, and the two walked side by side toward the cafeteria.

They chatted and laughed, completely casting aside the earlier little incident.

At the doorway, Feng Cen lowered his voice to ask: "Song Yan actually didn't come with you?"

Mu Youyu knew she was a little fan of Song Yan, and couldn't resist teasing: "You came along just to see Brother Yan?"

Feng Cen hurriedly waved his hands, tone tinged with disguise: "No, no, I most want to see you—if I could also catch a glimpse of my idol, that'd be perfect."

Mu Youyu was amused by her demeanor and laughed lightly, pulling her to quicken their pace: "Come on, come on—Brother Yan's staying home today to keep company with his elders, so he didn't come. But where should we go next? I'll treat you."

"Mu-jie's paying, so I won't hold back!" Feng Cen named a place, adding, "Over there they shoot great videos! Xiao Yu guarantees she'll make you look gorgeous."

"Sure, I'll tell A Jin later."

Feng Cen couldn't help laughing: "Your childhood buddy actually wanted to tag along too, but he got held up by his older brother Lu Jing."

"I guessed as much."

On the cafeteria side, just as Feng Cen stepped out, Jiang Liangjin received a call from his mother.

He walked a bit farther, answered, "Mom, what's up?"

"Son! I've gotten the elders at home to keep you company longer—feel free to play late, it's fine!" Shen Ningmu's voice was full of excitement, urgent: "By the way, how many of you are there now, and who?"

"Quite a few—Mu Xi and Jiang Liangjin are here, plus several of Youbao's friends." Jiang Liangjin's voice was calm, but it softened a bit when he mentioned Mu Youyu.

"Oh wow, the more the merrier—perfect for livening up the atmosphere!"

Shen Ningmu didn't forget to repeatedly urge: "Seize the chance, talk more with Youbao, and snatch more of those brothers' work!"

Jiang Liangjin replied: "Got it, Mom, I'll do it—don't worry."

Shen Ningmu then gave several more instructions, from telling him to look after Mu Youyu's health to remembering to buy her favorite sweets, leaving no detail unattended.

Only after Jiang Liangjin gave repeated assurances did she reluctantly hang up.

Just as he turned around, he saw Mu Youyu and Feng Cen walking in side by side; the girl's clean, bright smile struck straight into his heart.

Mu Youyu also spotted him at a glance, her gaze lightly landing on him with a natural, unforced closeness.

Jiang Liangjin walked up to Mu Xi, pushed the macaron he had just brought toward her, and said, "Just got this—your favorite flavor."

"Eat!" Mu Youyu picked up a piece of macaron.

The few people at the table took in the whole scene; Feng Cen returned to Yu Yu's side, amusedly watching it unfold.

Yu Ci poked Gu Xingnan's arm and whispered, "Look at them—so sickeningly sweet."

Gu Xingnan's gaze fell on the two smiling at each other, and he said softly, "Nice. Youbao's always been well loved."

Yu Ci didn't retort, popped a piece of fruit into his mouth, his eyes holding a hint of envy.

He turned to look at the quiet boy who had always been by his side, suddenly stepped over, patted Gu Xingnan's shoulder, and declared righteously, "It's fine, A Nan—I love you!"

Jiang Liangjin happened to hear that, glanced faintly at Gu Xingnan.

Gu Xingnan's hand slipped, his fork almost jabbing the tabletop—"Really?"

Yu Ci helped him tidy the bowls and chopsticks, "Don't be too moved."

Jiang Liangjin, expression unchanged, patted Mu Youyu's little hat, "He's full, let's go."

On the other side, Shen Ningmu had just hung up the phone, immediately tossed the phone onto the sofa, her face full of a proud Smile.

She turned to the Jiang Family members beside her, also waiting for news, lifted her chin and boasted, "Look, I told you, A Jin and Youbao are definitely sticking together playing!"

"How could he possibly be stopped by those few brothers of Xiao Xi? My son still has that ability!"

Shen Ningmu became increasingly pleased as she spoke, extremely satisfied with her son.

She secretly chastised herself for having previously underestimated him; his progress was much faster than she had imagined.