Chapter 23: Those Who Are Good to You Are Good to Me

Before, Uncle's shop had many customers; though it was small, no one dared cause trouble, as everyone knew Uncle used to be a soldier—any petty thug who came looking for trouble was just asking for suffering.

But after that, she wasn't just laughed at—Uncle chased those people off for her, and some of them stopped coming.

Business wasn't as good as before, but Uncle didn't care; if some people didn't want to come, they just didn't—yet Liuli always felt guilty.

All her guilt turned into action; she wanted to help Uncle more.

"Xiao Li, how did you come here?"

Uncle was overjoyed to see Cheng Li arrive—it had been ages since the shop was this lively.

"Liuli is already helping out, so I want to come too."

Cheng Li laughed.

"Liuli, look who's come!"

Hearing Uncle's shout, Liuli came out to see.

"Cheng Li, how did you come here?"

"You came and didn't even call out to me?"

"Young Master Cheng Li, will you help out?"

"What, I can't come help?"

"Sure, go wipe the tables—there's plenty to do!"

Liuli said it jokingly, but Cheng Li took it seriously and hurried straight to the tables.

"Liuli!" Uncle laughed, shaking his head and pointing at her; Liuli burst out laughing—she hadn't felt this happy in a long time.

"Xiao Li, go sit and play for a while; Liuli was just joking with you."

Uncle went to take the rag from Cheng Li's hand, but Cheng Li wouldn't give it up.

"If she can help, why can't I?"

"Fine, then you both help me—I'm going to rest!"

Uncle rubbed his belly and laughed loudly.

"Then go rest—I'll leave this to me and Liuli."

"All right! I'll wash my hands of it today!"

"Uncle, your task today is just to rest."

Liuli laughed.

"Good!"

Seeing the two of them busy, Uncle's eyes welled up again—such small children, now grown so big; time really flies, and he's getting old too.

He didn't know how much longer he'd get to see them smiling like that.

Soon, lunchtime arrived; Liuli skillfully did the grilling, Cheng Li lent a hand, only a few scattered customers came, but the two of them managed to stay busy.

Uncle stood aside, leisurely smoking, and smiled with satisfaction.

Cheng Li had never done so much since childhood; he was already frantic, sweat pouring down his face.

"Go rest."

Liuli looked at his state and really didn't want him to keep working, after all he'd been pampered since childhood.

"I'm fine."

Sweat covered Cheng Li's forehead; seeing this, Liuli hurriedly grabbed a tissue to wipe his sweat.

"How did you get here? You're not welcome."

Uncle's impatient voice rang out—no one had ever seen him impatient with anyone before.

Cheng Li and Liuli went to look, and saw only Gu Die's figure.

Liuli hastily pulled her hand back, otherwise she'd be misunderstood again.

"I came to find Liuli."

Gu Die's eyes sank, his gray-black hair shading his eyes.

Liuli hurried out, afraid Uncle and he would start an argument.

"What are you here for?"

"You left too fast this morning—I didn't have time to give it to you."

Gu Die only handed her a phone, then turned and left.

He knew he shouldn't have come to this place.

"You know when to quit," Uncle still added.

Liuli didn't have time to look at the phone, just tossed it aside and got back to work.

Although the shop had few customers, she and Cheng Li were both newcomers.

Uncle wasn't in a rush either; he just watched from the side, not caring whether they did well or poorly, treating it as play.

After a busy morning, everyone who was going to eat had eaten, and with hardly anyone else coming, Cheng Li and Liuli began cleaning up, preparing the evening's ingredients.

"Is this the place?" a tall, thin young man with blond hair muttered to himself as he looked at the barbecue stall.

"What on earth is Gu Die thinking about every day?!"

Liuli also found it strange that someone would show up at this time; meanwhile Uncle was already napping.

"Sister-in-law, hello!"

The young man shouted as soon as he saw Liuli.

"How did you get here?" Liuli rushed forward and covered his mouth, then glanced at Uncle sleeping in the rocking chair—Uncle merely shifted position and didn't wake.

"Isn't he your husband?"

"Her husband?" She thought for a moment before realizing who he meant by 'husband'; she had never felt married.

What's wrong with him?

He told me to come over and help you, so I had no choice but to come!

Bai Xu said unhappily.

Then you can just come over to play.

That won't do! He knows he will definitely tear me apart! Is there anything you need to do?

Now there's no one around; if there's work, it's at night, so you can rest a while first.

Then that's fine.

Bai Xu sat on the stool and started playing games.

This is Gu Die's friend.

Seeing Cheng Li come out, Liuli introduced him.

This is Cheng Li.

Hello, I'm Bai Xu.

Bai Xu put down his phone and looked at Cheng Li.

Hello.

The two casually shook hands, Bai Xu continued playing his game, and Cheng Li chatted with Liuli by the table.

Liuli, how's your mood?

Yu Ke just called her.

I'm still okay.

Liuli, I'm dying! I haven't dared to call you for so many days! I really can't hold it in!!

Thank you for your concern.

We're friends! Concern is appropriate, right? Are you at the Gu Family now?

I'm outside.

Where? Did you go out to play? Why didn't you call me??

The other end of the phone was a series of rhetorical questions.

I'm at...

Send me your location, I'll come find you!

With a beep, the phone hung up.

How come? Su Yu Ke also wants to come?

Cheng Li asked coldly.

She thought I was out playing and didn't call her...

Chu Liuli, you didn't even call me, yet you called her?

Cheng Li.

You're someone who likes the new and tires of the old!

I don't have that!

Liuli grabbed his ear.

Hey hey hey, you two, men and women shouldn't be so intimate!!

Bai Xu, seeing this, stopped playing with his phone; if Gu Die saw them being this intimate, he wouldn't even bother to manage it, he might die a miserable death.

What's it to you?!

Liuli and Cheng Li said in unison, Bai Xu immediately fell silent.

Cheng Li, I never noticed before, why are you so jealous?

Liuli had no intention of letting go at all.

Ouch!

Sister-in-law, let go quickly, or his ear will fall off!

You talk too much.

Liuli glared at Bai Xu, thinking she still needed to send her location to Yu Ke, so she let go.

Cheng Li quickly rubbed his ear, looking at Liuli with resentment.

Bai Xu saw her let go, then continued playing his game.

Cheng Li lay down on the table and fell asleep.

Looking at Uncle, at Cheng Li, at Bai Xu, thinking of Yu Ke who hadn't come, her Chu Liuli's former world hadn't had so many people.

Before, her world only had Grandma, Cheng Li, and Uncle.

Grandma passed away, but she wants to live well, happily, joyfully.

Grandma just went to stay in heaven for a while because she missed Grandpa.

She knows what Grandma most wanted was for her to be happy.

She will.

Not long after, Yu Ke came.

Liuli, this place is a bit hard to find!

As soon as Yu Ke sat down, she gulped down the water on the table.

Still drinking?

Liuli asked.

No thanks.

"How come this guy is also here?"

Yu Ke saw Cheng Li asleep.

He came to help.

What help?

The uncle at the barbecue place treats me well, so I thought I'd have nothing to do, and since the uncle is alone, I happened to come over to help.

Like that! Then why didn't you call me?! Those who are good to you are good to me!

Liuli heard and laughed happily.

She was fortunate to have a friend like Yu Ke; although she was a young lady from a wealthy family, she had none of the airs of a miss.

Most importantly, Yu Ke sincerely regarded her as a friend.

Is there anything to do? Just tell me!

Yu Ke looked ready to get to work.

Nothing for now, it'll get busy in the evening.

Is that so? By the way, why does this person look a bit familiar?

Yu Ke noticed Bai Xu playing a game.

Him? You've certainly met him before!

Liuli's words had meaning; Yu Ke had indeed been drinking himself stupid at Bai Xu's bar back then.

Really? I'll go check him out!

Just as Bai Xu finished his game and wanted to stretch, he was stared at by Yu Ke, who frightened him into quickly pulling his hand back.

As soon as Yu Ke recognized him, she ran to Liuli's side, wanting to find a crack in the ground to hide in.

She hasn't forgotten how embarrassing that was last time.

Liuli, why didn't you tell me he's the owner of that bar?

Yu Ke asked quietly.

You didn't ask either? What's the big deal?

Liuli teased.

What's the big deal?! I got drunk like that last time, and it's all your fault!!

Liuli thought of Yu Ke drunk, hugging Bai Xu's leg and vomiting, and wanted to laugh.

You're still laughing?! Are we friends or not?!

Sister-in-law, she's the one who was crying and calling your name last time, right?

Bai Xu sat beside them and asked.

Yu Ke's light brown short hair is still easy to recognize.

Really?

Liuli looked at Yu Ke.

I mean, sister-in-law, what did you do to her to make her drink like that?

How did she end up? You've mistaken the person!

Yu Ke retorted.

"It's you." Bai Xu said calmly, "Last time you even vomited all over me."

Everyone says you've mistaken the person!

Yu Ke was somewhat flustered; that embarrassing thing is something she really doesn't want to mention again.

Are you here to eat? If not, get lost!

I'm here to help, right, sister-in-law?

Hearing him repeatedly call Liuli "sister-in-law," she looked at Liuli with doubt.

She is Gu Die's good brother, and Gu Die asked him to come help.

Liuli explained.

Oh, then that incident from last time is not to be mentioned again.

Yu Ke suggested.

I was just curious earlier, so please don't take offense.

Upon hearing his words, Yu Ke felt a bit embarrassed; even though she had vomited all over him last time and caused a scene at the bar, he didn't mind and instead told her not to take offense.

Last time I was in a bad mood, so I'll just blame her!" Yu Ke glared fiercely at Liuli, "Sorry!"

It's fine.

Bai Xu laughed, his blond hair and brown eyes making him look ever more like a mixed-race person, and his smile was quite handsome.