Chapter 12: First Trip to McDonald’s

Xu Chen snatched his phone back from Ma Xiang’s hand.

Ma Xiang only skimmed through a dozen messages, but that was more than enough.

His already crooked face was half-hidden under his slanted bangs, making him look even more twisted.

Another “big brother” had discovered he’d been played for a fool.

Xu Chen patted Ma Xiang on the shoulder with a sympathetic look.

Now there was one more lonely, clear-eyed wounded man in the world—and one less bootlicking simp for that non-mainstream little green tea.

As for Zhao Linlin’s aftermath, Xu Chen didn’t care in the slightest.

He didn’t think exposing Zhao Linlin’s true colors in front of his “big brother” was excessive.

After all, what Zhao Linlin had done—and what she was about to do—was bound to be far worse.

A little punishment was nothing.

Xie Bingran had already reached the alley entrance. She turned back, her cold, brooding eyes urging Xu Chen on.

“I’m coming!”

Xu Chen called out and hurried to catch up.

……

Walking side by side toward McDonald’s, Xu Chen and “Bing Ge” moved in silence.

Xie Bingran kept her hands in her pockets, a cigarette dangling from her lips, not uttering a word.

Xu Chen didn’t know what to say, so he walked quietly too.

He and the current “Bing Ge” really weren’t close.

In Xu Chen’s memory, Xie Bingran had been that introverted, slight desk mate back in middle school.

Now this “Bing Ge” stood 1.74 meters tall—only half a head shorter than Xu Chen.

……

Since it opened earlier this year, McDonald’s had been booming.

For residents of a small county town in this era, McDonald’s was truly expensive.

Yet this foreign fast food was still novel, and the queue for orders stretched long every day.

Many local middle and high school students prided themselves on having eaten at McDonald’s.

After one meal there, they felt worldly, their very aura seeming more sophisticated.

Some even prepared “ordering strategies” ahead of time, afraid someone would spot their first-time status and scorn them as bumpkins.

Those who knew the menu inside out strutted forward confidently, pointing out combos as if they owned the place.

They were more boastful than the top student in school.

This was Xu Chen’s first time inside that McDonald’s too, yet he looked perfectly at ease.

After all, in his previous life he’d been here many times—and McDonald’s outlets looked almost identical nationwide.

Even after twenty years, the classic Grilled Chicken Burger and Spicy Chicken Burger combos were still staples.

Xu Chen and Xie Bingran headed straight to the second floor.

In a narrow corner they finally found two adjoining seats, and Xu Chen settled Xie Bingran down first.

“Wait here. I’ll queue. What do you want to eat?”

“Whatever you get, I’ll eat.”

Xie Bingran still held that unlit cigarette in her mouth.

Xu Chen reached out and plucked it away.

The sudden move made Xie Bingran flinch as if startled.

She quickly regained her calm “Bing Ge” composure but showed no anger toward Xu Chen.

“Don’t smoke anymore. It’ll hurt your lung capacity.”

Xie Bingran froze, clearly finding Xu Chen’s comment inexplicable.

Why mention lung capacity out of nowhere?

As a big sister figure, how could she not smoke?

A leader who didn’t smoke would lose all her aura.

Yet at Xu Chen’s words, Xie Bingran’s eyes darted away like a child caught doing something wrong.

She didn’t reply, only letting out a quiet “Oh.”

Xu Chen went downstairs alone.

“Bing Ge” sat there impassively, hands in pockets.

The seat beside her was the last one available on the second floor.

Several people tried to sit there but, intimidated by “Bing Ge,” drifted away.

Xie Bingran waited silently.

At one moment she pulled out half a pack of cigarettes from her pocket.

She crushed it in her hand and tossed it into the nearby trash bin.

……

On the first floor, Xu Chen joined the end of the queue.

In this era there was no mobile ordering—everyone waited in line patiently.

After nearly twenty minutes, Xu Chen finally reached the counter.

Without glancing at the menu boards, he ordered two combos: Grilled Chicken Burger and Spicy Chicken Burger, plus two pineapple pies and two orders of McNuggets.

His smooth, practiced ordering impressed the two middle schoolers behind him who were visiting McDonald’s for the first time.

The food was ready quickly.

Without further wait, Xu Chen carried the trays back up to the second floor.

In that cramped corner, Xie Bingran sat quietly, hands still in her pockets, as if frozen.

The seats were so tight Xu Chen’s elbow nearly bumped against hers.

Xie Bingran had nowhere to move—there simply wasn’t the space.

Noticing Xu Chen sit so close, her eyes flickered with restraint.

Xu Chen set down the tray, arranging the burgers, fries, and drinks in front of her.

The scene suddenly felt familiar to him.

Years ago in middle school, when they shared a desk, Xu Chen often bought food and laid it out for the penniless Xie Bingran.

He smiled and said,

“Dig in! It’ll get cold soon.”

Xie Bingran looked at the burger but kept her hands in her pockets, hesitating.

Xu Chen paused, then realized why.

Though “Bing Ge” acted mighty and bold, it was probably her first time eating a Western burger.

He recalled his own first burger—his father, Xu Zhiquan, had brought him here.

Father and son had stood there dumbfounded, even asking the staff for chopsticks…

Xu Chen unwrapped Xie Bingran’s burger for her, folding back the paper to expose half of it.

“Like this… hold it with your hands and eat.”

he whispered.

Xie Bingran let out a small “Oh” and finally withdrew her hands from her pockets.

Her movements were awkward as she reached for the burger.

Her slender fingers brushed against Xu Chen’s hand, and she immediately pulled back.

Xu Chen chuckled,

“It’s just a burger, not a person. Our mighty Bing Ge afraid of this?”

Cold light flickered in Xie Bingran’s eyes as she shot Xu Chen a glare.

Then, in true “Bing Ge” fashion, she grabbed the burger without fuss.

Up close, Xu Chen noticed a few bandages on her hands—and dried bloodstains on her wrist and the back of her hand.

Clearly these were fight wounds.

There was a reason everyone feared “Bing Ge.”

Xu Chen said nothing and took a big bite of his own burger.

Xie Bingran watched him eat, then gingerly took a bite herself.

Xu Chen chewed heartily and stole glances at her, feeling moved.

Bing Ge, the school’s fearsome female warrior who sent countless thugs running—

in his eyes, she was still that shy, timid desk mate from back then.

Well…

you haven’t really changed at your core, have you?

That’s a relief.

……

Xie Bingran ate her burger wordlessly, then dug into the nuggets.

Xu Chen remembered once in middle school he’d given her some wraps and she wolfed down three in one go.

Later he learned she’d been hungry for two days…

Xie Bingran took a few sips of her Coke, then suddenly said,

“You finish eating. I have something to do outside.”