Desk mate, your persona has crumbled.

The streetlights cast circles of light on the road, and the noise of school leaving was gradually left behind.

Xu Mo and Song Shuyan walked side by side on the road.

The girl's nervousness was slowly dissipating.

Xu Mo suddenly spoke up: "This road feels different at night and during the day."

Song Shuyan looked at Xu Mo with a puzzled expression.

Xu Mo smiled and explained, "Didn't I tell you before? At night, a lot of food stalls will come out."

As soon as Xu Mo finished speaking, Song Shuyan smelled an unusual odor in the air.

"You probably take this route home too, but I don't think you'd pay attention to the roadside."

Song Shuyan nodded gently as he listened to Xu Mo's words.

She might look at the scenery from the car, but she wouldn't pay it any mind.

Although the two turned a corner, the view in front of them suddenly opened up!

On both sides of the road, there were rows of tricycles parked.

These tricycles have been converted into unique food stalls, each illuminated with warm yellow string lights or bright LED signs.

Students who had just finished their evening self-study stood by a food stall, chatting with their classmates while waiting for their late-night snack.

The lights intertwined, the voices of people were bustling, and the aroma of food wafted through the air.

Song Shuyan opened her eyes slightly. The scene before her, full of life, was something she had never noticed before.

This was completely different from the quiet way home she knew.

"The same view looks different when viewed from different angles, doesn't it?"

Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Xu Mo smiled and asked, "Are you hungry? Would you like some more?"

Song Shuyan's gaze lingered on the steaming food stalls.

Although she had just eaten dinner, the aroma in the air subtly whetted the girl's appetite.

The aroma was so strong it wafted into her nose, tempting this newbie who had just experienced the joys of junk food.

(Too conflicted!)

Just as Xu Mo was about to ask Song Shuyan which one she was going to eat, the girl's rationality prevailed.

Song Shuyan pursed her lips slightly: "I can't eat too much."

Xu Mo was slightly surprised, but didn't say anything more.

He naturally accepted her decision.

"Okay, let's go then."

The two continued walking side by side, close to the sidewalk behind the stall.

This location is perfect; it avoids being jostled by the waiting crowds while still allowing you to observe the operation of each stall.

Song Shuyan slowed down, observing each stall that passed by.

She watched the owner of the stir-fried noodles stall toss the wok with one hand, steam rising from the oden compartments, and stinky tofu swelling in the boiling oil...

Every scene was new and exciting to her.

These are details you can't appreciate while sitting in a car.

Her eyes sparkled, like a child visiting a temple fair for the first time.

That pure curiosity, through her cool and aloof appearance, was conveyed unreservedly to Xu Mo beside her.

Xu Mo didn't disturb her, only occasionally glancing at her in the direction of her gaze.

They walked slowly along the noisy road home from school until they left the bustling lights behind.

Song Shuyan subconsciously glanced back.

She had just rationally declined the offer to have another serving, and now she was a little regretful.

(Disappointed.)

This subtle emotion was perceived by Xu Mo.

He turned his head to look at the girl beside him.

The streetlights outlined her delicate profile, her slightly pursed lips, and her lingering gaze.

Xu Mo couldn't help but smile.

"Song Shuyan, stop looking. It's not like we've missed our chance."

Upon hearing the sound, Song Shuyan turned her head, her clear eyes looking at him with a questioning gaze.

Xu Mo gestured with his chin towards the area of ​​late-night food stalls:

"Since we'll be walking together from now on, there will be plenty of opportunities. Let's eat at every restaurant we want to eat at! From one end to the other, how about that?"

This suggestion immediately dispelled the slight disappointment in Song Shuyan's heart.

The girl's eyes immediately lit up.

"real?"

"Really! I'll come eat tomorrow!"

"Um!"

Song Shuyan nodded vigorously, her cool and aloof expression softening at that moment.

That echo was filled with the girl's anticipation of trying every late-night snack stall.

"Then think about what you want to eat tomorrow. There are so many things to choose from; it will take a long time to decide."

Song Shuyan's gaze swept over the stalls, and finally he softly uttered three words:

"I want to eat them all."

Xu Mo was amused by this frank desire: "Just pick one and eat them one by one."

The girl shook her head: "I don't know."

After saying that, Song Shuyan suddenly turned to Xu Mo: "You choose."

"My choice?"

Xu Mo raised an eyebrow: "What if I pick something you don't like?"

Don't you like it?

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyan frowned slightly.

Such a conflicted look is rarely seen on a young girl's face.

Looking at Song Shuyan's appearance, Xu Mo suddenly felt an impulse.

I really want to poke her forehead.

If you poke it, Song Shuyan will definitely stare at him blankly.

That look must be very cute.

Xu Mo couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Song Shuyan's dazed expression.

No, no, I can't think about it anymore.

Xu Mo looked at the girl beside him.

"Song Shuyan, I can't always be the one making decisions for you, can I?"

Song Shuyan was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Xu Mo.

The boy's face showed a serious expression.

Xu Mo looked at her and continued, "This is an important step in overcoming social anxiety. Learn to express what you really want, and then say it out loud or do it."

"You've already made many decisions, why not try making them one more time?"

Song Shuyan remained silent for a while, seemingly processing Xu Mo's words.

During the brief silence, she thought about many things...

Yes, she has made many decisions.

Whatever dish you want to eat in the cafeteria, leave school early with Xu Mo, go home early with him, and then do your homework at his house.

Each of her small attempts brought different experiences and a little progress.

Xu Mo is right.

She needs to take that step herself, to make a choice, and to bear the consequences of that choice, whether it leads to a delicious meal or a disastrous experience.

The girl shifted her gaze from Xu Mo's face to the hazy shadows of trees under the streetlights in the distance, as if she were thinking or encouraging herself.

A few seconds later, she turned her head and looked at Xu Mo again.

Meeting Xu Mo's encouraging gaze, Song Shuyan nodded vigorously.

"Okay, I understand."

The girl looked at Xu Mo and said earnestly, "I want to eat fried noodles."

"See, isn't it simple?"

Xu Mo smiled and looked at Song Shuyan: "Then it's decided! We'll have fried noodles together after school tomorrow night!"

"Um!"

Song Shuyan nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly, clearly smiling.

"Let's go, let's go. We've already wasted a lot of time. Your dad will be getting impatient."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyan realized that they were on their way home.

At the entrance of the residential compound, Song Jianghuai looked down at his phone screen again.

The elderly father's fingertips unconsciously tapped the side of his phone.

When he looked at the intersection across the street from the residential area again, a familiar figure finally appeared in the dim light.

My daughter was walking side by side with that guy named Xu Mo.

Song Jianghuai immediately turned off his phone screen.

Xu Mo was the first to catch Song Jianghuai's voice.

The boy looked at the figure standing at the door and waved.

Seeing Xu Mo's waving arm, Song Jianghuai was at a loss for words.

"This kid..."

"Uncle, we're back."

When the two finally arrived at the entrance of the residential area, the boy spoke first, his voice clear and bright.

Song Shuyan walked up to his father and looked up:

"Dad, I'm home."

Song Jianghuai's gaze swept over his daughter and Xu Mo's faces, and he nodded slightly.

Song Shuyan's first day going to and from school (without parental accompaniment) was a success!