Chapter 54

Zhang Tan was making cold noodles, which would be tonight's dinner.

The golden sunset fell into Xiaohongmao Academy, reaching his window, just within arm's reach.

He turned off the air conditioner and opened the window. The evening temperature had dropped significantly, and the mulberry tree in front of the window swayed in the wind, the palm-sized mulberry leaves rustling together, making the evening breeze refreshingly cool.

Standing at the kitchen window, he could see Xiaobai and a few others standing under the sycamore tree. Although he couldn't hear their chatter, he could guess what they were talking about from their animated gestures.

The children, just 3 or 4 years old, were full of curiosity about the outside world, especially the bustling West Chang'an Street, where there were so many people and things to see.

A husky passing by could make them shout and scream. If it weren't for the husky being on a leash, they might have chatted with it through the iron fence during this beautiful evening.

A shiny yellow Lamborghini slowly drove by, and they would comment and criticize it, saying how ugly it was.

If Zhang Tan could hear their conversation, he could turn off the TV in the living room; the evening news was nowhere near as interesting as their innocent and bubbly chatter.

Zhang Tan bought two packs of cold noodles. Last time, he and Xiaobai ate an entire pack, and the amount was just right.

He took a pack of cold noodles out of the fridge, opened it, and poured it into cold water to soak.

Last time, when Xiaobai was invited to his place, she ate the cold noodles, was very happy, and even sang a song.

Zhang Tan soaked the entire pack of cold noodles in water, preparing Xiaobai's portion and calling her over.

Thinking of Shen Liuliu and the others, he decided to invite Shen Liuliu, Meng Chengcheng, and Xiaomi as well, not wanting to show favoritism.

So, Zhang Tan opened the fridge again, took out the other pre-stored pack of cold noodles, and soaked it in the water as well.

Even if the children couldn't finish it, it could be stored in the fridge, and cold noodles that had been frozen for a while tasted even better.

Cold noodles need to soak in cold water for about ten minutes. During this time, Zhang Tan prepared the cold noodle soup.

The cold noodle soup was made the same way as last time, mixing white sugar, rice vinegar, crystal white pears, and beef broth.

After that, he prepared the toppings.

Last time, he and Xiaobai had seafood, and this time, he also prepared seafood, but of different varieties.

While he was busy, he glanced at the sycamore tree and saw a few elementary school students with backpacks talking to Xiaobai and the others outside the fence.

Suddenly, Xiaobai turned and ran, and the elementary school students outside the fence laughed and pointed at her.

Seeing this, Shen Liuliu followed Xiaobai, and Xiaomi and Chengcheng, who were a bit slower, also caught up.

The elementary school students, seeing this, gradually walked away along the fence. Then, Xiaobai ran out of the building to the gate, shouting something through the iron gate. Old Li from the guard booth came out, talked to the elementary school students, and chased them away. Then, he returned to the academy and led the agitated Xiaobai away.

Zhang Tan felt something was wrong. Why was Xiaobai so agitated, and it seemed like she was wiping away tears?

He washed his hands, quickly went out, went downstairs, and rushed to the academy gate. Xiaobai was crying, and Old Li was comforting her, with Chengcheng, Liuliu, and Xiaomi around her.

"What happened?" Zhang Tan asked, puzzled. "Did those elementary school students bully Xiaobai? I'll go find them and settle the score."

The elementary school students hadn't gone far. Seeing Zhang Tan about to chase after them, Old Li quickly said, "No, no, Mr. Zhang, it's not for that reason, it's something else."

Zhang Tan stopped and asked, "What reason?"

Xiaobai wiped her tears with her hand but didn't make a sound.

Old Li said, "Come, let's go to the guard booth and sit down."

He led Xiaobai to the guard booth, and the other three children naturally followed.

Seeing Xiaobai's tear-streaked face, Zhang Tan took out a tissue to wipe her face.

The child took the tissue and wiped her face haphazardly, stopped crying, but her expression was still serious.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Tan deliberately asked in Sichuan dialect, successfully drawing Xiaobai's attention, but she pursed her lips and didn't speak.

What a stubborn little girl.

Old Li called Zhang Tan aside and explained what had happened.

The elementary school students who passed by the fence saw the jersey Xiaobai was wearing, and one of them recognized it as his younger brother's.

"Could they have mistaken it? This jersey was bought for Xiaobai by her aunt."

Zhang Tan glanced at the children watching TV, and Xiaobai happened to look over. He smiled at her, successfully earning a cute eye roll.

Old Li whispered, "I also think it was a mistake, but that's what the child said..."

The jersey Xiaobai was wearing was clearly old and a boy's. He had asked the elementary school student, and they had bought it for Messi's jersey. This jersey had "Messi" written on it, but after buying it, they found out it wasn't the Messi from La Liga, but the Messi from the Premier League, the one from the factory.

Zhang Tan laughed, "There's no Messi in the factory."

He then paused, realizing there actually was one.

He took out his phone and searched, and indeed, there was a Messi, the number 3 goalkeeper, with the jersey number 33.

Speechless, unscrupulous merchants really know how to do business.

This jersey, which had been a rip-off, was unique and always made people laugh when worn, so the other child recognized it immediately.

Since the jersey belonged to someone else, how did Xiaobai get it?

Zhang Tan asked, "What does the child want? To get the jersey back from Xiaobai?"

Old Li shook his head, "Not that. The jersey was donated to a donation box."

Zhang Tan immediately understood. The old clothes that the other child had donated to the donation box were likely taken by Xiaobai's aunt.

Seeing that Zhang Tan understood, Old Li didn't say more, glancing at Xiaobai, who looked even smaller in the oversized jersey, feeling a bit complex.

Zhang Tan calmed down and asked, "What was Xiaobai trying to do just now?"

Old Li: "Maybe she was trying to argue, but I didn't ask."

Zhang Tan said, "Don't ask. Let's just let it go."

"Understood."

Zhang Tan rubbed his face, put on a smile, and walked over to Xiaobai and the others, asking, "Is the TV show good?"

Xiaobai ignored him, her eyes fixed on the TV.

Shen Liuliu glanced at him, then at Xiaobai, and chose to follow the trend, not speaking and even huffing, looking a bit silly.

The other children did the same.

Zhang Tan: (；＿)

What a lack of leadership. I'm at least the leader of a five-person scriptwriting team; can you give me a little face?

Not discouraged, Zhang Tan said, "I invite you to my place for a visit, okay?"

"Okay~~" Shen Liuliu responded first, her little feet swinging.

She had been to Zhang Tan's place before and was very bold. Xiaomi and Chengcheng had also been there but were very reserved and timid.

After Shen Liuliu agreed, seeing that Xiaobai and the others were silent, she quickly added, "Hehehe, the little baby is afraid to go alone."

Zhang Tan knew that if Xiaobai didn't speak, the other three children wouldn't agree. She was a domineering and cute leader.

"Xiaobai." Zhang Tan called her name.

Xiaobai finally looked at him, her face tight, "What for?"

"Come to my place for a visit."

"What for?"

"I made some money today and made some cold noodles that you like. Do you want to try them?"

"Okay."