Chapter 386: College Is a Small Society

“Yang is here! Quick, have a seat! Today’s buns are stuffed with fresh meat and shepherd’s purse. Have a taste.”

Lin Youfu ushered him to a seat while using tongs to pluck two steaming bamboo steamers of soup dumplings from the main steamer, placing them in front of him.

Yang Xun sat down by the window, took the chopsticks Lin Youfu handed him, and picked up a bun to take a bite. The skin was thin and the filling generous, savory and juicy. The shepherd’s purse carried a lingering hint of refreshing bitterness that transitioned into sweetness, truly giving it more depth than a standard meat bun.

“Delicious. Grandpa Lin, your culinary skills are getting better and better.”

“Eat more if you like it!” Lin Youfu smiled so widely his eyes narrowed into slits, then turned to fetch him a bowl of soy milk.

However, upon placing it on the table, he did not rush away. Instead, he stood by the table and rubbed his hands together, looking as though he wanted to say something but was holding back.

Yang Xun looked up at him and set his chopsticks down. “Grandpa Lin, is there something you want to tell me?”

Prompted by the question, Lin Youfu offered a slightly embarrassed smile and sat down opposite him. He carefully weighed his words before speaking. “Yang, there actually is something I’d like to bother you with.”

“Tell me.”

“Well, Xiaoyue is starting school tomorrow. Other kids have their parents accompanying them for registration. While an old man like me wants to go, I wouldn’t be of any help looking like this, and I’m afraid I’d just embarrass her.” Lin Youfu sighed, his calloused hands resting on his knees. He asked nervously, “I was thinking, if it’s convenient for you, could you take Xiaoyue to school? Just to back her up so she won’t be bullied.”

“When does Xiaoyue start school?”

“Tomorrow.” Lin Youfu looked at him with a face full of hope.

“Alright, I’ll take Xiaoyue to school for registration, but you have to come with us,” Yang Xun said without hesitation. “Grandpa Lin, you are the most important person to Xiaoyue. If you don’t go, she will definitely be disappointed.”

“But I’m worried…”

Before he could finish, the curtain to the inner room was lifted. Lin Xiaoyue leaned halfway out, holding a hair tie she hadn’t yet secured. She had clearly overheard their conversation.

“Grandpa, Yang is right. I don’t find you embarrassing at all. I want you to drop me off.” She walked out quickly, sat down next to Lin Youfu, and wrapped her arms around his. “If you don’t go, I won’t go either,” she declared stubbornly.

“You silly girl…” Lin Youfu was left momentarily speechless by her words, feeling a mix of helplessness and gratification. Finally, he reached out and gently patted the back of her hand. “Alright, alright, Grandpa will go with you.”

Only then did Lin Xiaoyue reveal a satisfied smile. She turned to look at Yang Xun, her eyes sparkling. “Thank you, Yang!”

“You’re welcome.” Yang Xun smiled, picking up another bun and taking a bite. “Grandpa Lin, close the shop for today. I’ll take you and Xiaoyue out in a bit to buy some things for school. Registration is tomorrow, so today is the perfect time to get everything prepared.”

Lin Xiaoyue hurriedly waved her hands. “No need, no need! I’ve already prepared everything. There’s no need to buy anything else.”

“How could those few things of yours be enough?” Yang Xun set down his chopsticks, his tone carrying a gentle indisputability. “Didn’t we agree last time? You just focus on studying, and I’ll worry about everything else.

“Besides, that seed Grandpa Lin gave me before has already sprouted and is growing well. Once it matures, it’ll sell for a lot of money. Since I’m benefiting from you two, spending a little money on you is nothing.”

Lin Youfu had originally wanted to decline, but upon hearing that the seed had sprouted, his eyes visibly lit up. “It really sprouted? What method did you use? I tried everything back in the day and couldn’t get it to grow.”

“I watered it with some nutrient solution and took careful care of it. Maybe it was just a stroke of luck,” Yang Xun replied without changing his expression.

“I knew you’d have a way!” Lin Youfu nodded repeatedly as if a years-long wish had finally been fulfilled. He stopped trying to refuse. “Alright then, I won’t open the shop today. We’ll follow your arrangements!”

After breakfast, Yang Xun drove the Lin Family grandfather and granddaughter to the largest mall in the city center.

At first, Lin Xiaoyue was a bit reserved, declining every time Yang Xun asked her to try on clothes. Ultimately, it took Lin Youfu speaking up before she bashfully accepted the dress handed to her by the salesclerk and entered the fitting room.

When she came out after changing, Yang Xun looked up, his gaze instantly transfixed. The young girl was wearing a pure white knee-length dress with a slightly ruffled hem embroidered with a few small flowers. It made her look somewhat playful and adorable. She stood in front of the fitting mirror, turning slightly sideways, uncomfortably tugging at the edge of the skirt as if unaccustomed to wearing this style of clothing.

“It looks good.” Yang Xun’s appraisal was brief and sincere. “Go try on that light green one too. It should suit you well.”

“Yang, really, there’s no need. I have clothes to wear.” Lin Xiaoyue hurriedly waved her hands, not wanting Yang Xun to spend too much money on her.

“Listen to me. Throw away all those old clothes of yours. Today, we’re getting you a whole new wardrobe, from the inside out.” Yang Xun’s tone brokered no argument.

He had been to school too, so he naturally knew about the social hierarchy among students. Back then, he had dressed shabbily and could barely afford to eat every day, making him an easy target for anyone to step on. College was an even bigger microcosm of society. With a soft-spoken personality like Lin Xiaoyue’s, if she dressed poorly, she would be mocked and targeted by even more people.

“Yang means well. Go on and try it,” Lin Youfu said with a smile. He knew that seed was highly valuable. While he had no desire to covet that money, it allowed him to accept Yang Xun spending on them with peace of mind.

Lin Xiaoyue tried on a few more pieces. In the end, they bought three summer outfits, a light jacket, and a few basic T-shirts and pairs of jeans. Lin Youfu stood to the side, grinning from ear to ear as he watched his granddaughter twirl around in her new clothes.

As the three of them were preparing to leave with their shopping bags, they happened to pass by the cosmetics counter on the first floor. Yang Xun paused his steps.

“Wait a moment.” He turned and walked toward the counter. Lin Xiaoyue followed behind him, looking at him in confusion.

“Get a set of this toner, lotion, cream, and essence. For all the cosmetics, pick out the styles that suit her and bring a full set of everything.” Yang Xun pointed at Lin Xiaoyue, his tone crisp and decisive.

The salesclerk was a young woman in her twenties. Seeing a big spender arrive, her eyes immediately lit up. She swept her gaze between Lin Xiaoyue and Yang Xun, saying in a sweet voice, “Miss, you’re so pretty. No wonder your boyfriend treats you so well.”

Lin Xiaoyue’s cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She frantically waved her hands. “No, no, he’s my brother!”

“Oh, oh, I’m so sorry!” the salesclerk hurriedly apologized, though she couldn’t suppress the smile at the corners of her lips. “You two have a great sibling relationship.”

Blushing, Lin Xiaoyue lowered her head and stole a secret glance at Yang Xun. Yang Xun, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened. He took the shopping bags handed over by the salesclerk and smoothly swiped his card to pay.