I have few friends, but many childhood sweethearts.

Chapter 237. Xiao Ruanwen's Father
When the two returned to the Lotus Courtyard, it was already completely dark.

Xu Qingfan's phone rang in his pocket. He guessed it was his mother or Xia Xiaoxiao calling to ask them to come home for dinner. Since they were almost there, he didn't answer.

After parking the car, Xu Qingfan subconsciously glanced at the cement ground under the banyan tree, where Dahuang usually slept, hence its darker color compared to the surrounding area.

There are also small plum blossoms left after the cement has hardened; those are the paths leading home.

The departure of Dahuang seems to be announcing the quiet end of an era. Where have those old people who used to enjoy the cool shade under the banyan tree gone?

The human face does not know where to go, Peach Blossom still laughs spring breeze.

Xu Qingfan looked away, but felt as if a piece of his heart was empty.

But when he looked at the girl in front of him, the missing part was immediately made up for.

He took Wu Lingyu's hand: "Hurry up, everyone's waiting for us to eat."

"Mmm." Seeing the smile on Xu Qingfan's face, she smiled too.

When they got home, the dining table was indeed full of delicious food. Xu Aiguo, Yao Jinping, Lin Jing and Xia Xiaoxiao were sitting in the living room waiting for the two of them to come back. The aroma of the food wafted over them.

"We're back."

"Happy New Year, Auntie," Wu Lingyu greeted Lin Jing.

"Where did you run off to with Yu'er? You're not even answering the phone! Go wash your hands right now!"

"Hehe." Xu Qingfan didn't argue, and pulled Wu Lingyu to the toilet to wash her hands.

When they came out, the four of them were already sitting down eating dinner. He quickly sat down and snatched the flower crab that Xia Xiaoxiao was about to pick up with his bare hands.

After Wu Lingyu sat down, she told Yao Jinping what had just happened: "Then I went with Fan Ge to a few kilometers away to help bury Da Huang."

"Huh?" Xia Xiaoxiao stopped eating. She hadn't expected that so many things would happen in the short time she had been helping with the cooking.

The girl's feelings for Dahuang were no less than those for Xu Qingfan. Dahuang was also her childhood playmate, and she could never forget the scenes of going on adventures with Xu Qingfan while walking the dog when they were young.

“It’s normal. Da Huang is four years older than you. He’s almost nineteen this year. It’s amazing that he’s lived this long.” Lin Jing patted her daughter’s head to comfort her.

"Hmm." Xia Xiaoxiao pursed her lips in disappointment and said, "Next time, let's go see Dahuang together."

"Damn it, Xu Qingfan, that's the chicken leg Auntie left for me!" After only a moment of dazedness, the girl discovered that the chicken leg she was about to pick up was being eaten by Xu Qingfan when she tried to pick up food again.

"Isn't there one left? The chicken leg doesn't have your name on it, so why didn't you hurry up and grab it?" Xu Qingfan said without any politeness, his mouth full of oil.

"The other one is Xiaoyu's!" Xia Xiaoxiao glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, and had no choice but to change to chicken wings.

“It’s okay, I don’t like chicken legs, you can have them, little one.” Wu Lingyu’s words immediately revealed her superiority.

"Did you hear that? You should learn from Xiaoyu. You've wasted your time learning the story of Kong Rong sharing pears," Xu Qingfan said smugly.

"Hmph~ Xiaoyu, you eat, I'll just have the chicken wings." Xia Xiaoxiao glared at Xu Qingfan and took a vicious bite of the chicken wing.

"That's more like it. Xiaoyu, if you don't like it, I'll eat it for you." Xu Qingfan's left hand was still free, so he shamelessly picked up another chicken leg.

"Damn it! Xu Qingfan, have you no shame?!"

"What is this? Is it as good as chicken legs?" He ate the chicken legs one after another without caring at all.

"Hahaha"

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Wanning and Zhang Yiyi had arranged to visit Xiao Ruanwen's home. Early in the morning, they took a car to the Lotus Courtyard, and the five of them set off together. "Brother Qingfan, is this all we're taking?" Lin Wanning asked, lifting the chili sauce in her hand.

"Be careful with it, don't break it." Xu Qingfan was worried about the clumsy girl carrying the things, so he carried them himself.

"Ugh~" Lin Wanning pouted, looking aggrieved.

“That’s definitely enough. Ruan Wen’s family has plenty of fruit and snacks. And Xiao Yu’s mom’s chili sauce is super delicious. Her dad will definitely love it,” Xu Qingfan explained, patting Lin Wanning’s head.

"I see!" The girl nodded, indicating that she understood.

"Then I'll ask Mom to do it again next time." Wu Lingyu was very happy that her mother's hard work was recognized.

"School starts tomorrow, Xu Qingfan, have you finished your homework?" Xia Xiaoxiao recalled that she had hardly seen this stinky dog ​​touch a pen during the entire winter vacation.

To be more confident, it's perfectly fine to cross out "almost".

Xu Qingfan stiffened for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's not a big problem."

"Brother Qingfan, I've finished writing. Yiyi and I will help you write it tonight!"

"Don't help him, make this lazy dog ​​do it himself!"

"I'll help, I'll help!" These words were not spoken by Lin Wanning, who was not that bold; rather, they were spoken by Xu Qingfan imitating the girl's voice.

"Hahaha!" The group burst into laughter at his exaggerated vocalizations.

The five of them quickly arrived at Xiao Ruanwen's door. After ringing the doorbell, someone opened the door from inside within a few seconds.

"You're here!" It was Xiao Ruanwen herself who opened the door, and she exclaimed with delight when she saw that it was her friends.

Happy New Year, Ruan Wen!

"Hehe~ Happy New Year everyone, please come in and have a seat." The girl squatted down and took out five pairs of new slippers from the shoe cabinet.

Upon hearing the commotion, Xiao Ruanwen's grandparents arrived, along with a tall, burly stranger standing behind them.

"This is my father."

"Hello, Uncle! Hello, Grandpa and Grandma!"

"Dad, this is Xia Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao is the girl with the best grades among us that I mentioned. This is Wu Lingyu. Xiaoyu is a great cook and also does well in her studies. This is Lin Wanning. Wanning is super cute. And this is Zhang Yiyi. Wanning, Yiyi, and Fan Ge's comics together have sold over ten million copies!" Xiao Ruanwen introduced her friends to her father one by one. As for Xu Qingfan, the only boy, there was no need to introduce him.

"Hmm." Xiao Jianbiao nodded, his gaze fixed on Xu Qingfan.

"Hello, Uncle, I'm Xu Qingfan." He felt a little uneasy under Xiao Ruanwen's gaze. Seeing that Xiao Ruanwen didn't introduce herself, he scratched the back of his head and introduced himself.

"Don't stand there, come in and sit down," Xiao Ruanwen's grandmother said with a smile, inviting everyone to sit down.

"Okay!" The girls nodded in agreement.

Xu Qingfan stole another glance at Xiao Ruanwen's father and saw that he was still looking at him. For some reason, he suddenly felt a little nervous and followed the five girls into the house.

"Xiao Fan, come here quickly! Grandpa wrote a few more words today. Come and take a look." Xiao Lijian was the happiest when Xu Qingfan arrived. He waved for Xu Qingfan to come over.

"Okay, okay!" He glanced at Xiao Jianbiao again, and seeing that Xiao's gaze was still on him, he quickly agreed and slipped away.

(End of this chapter)