Chapter 140: Just Family.

Afterward, Xu Lin returned to the restaurant parking lot, got on his bicycle, and rode towards Bai Xiaoxiao's house.

Along the way, his mood was fluctuating, feeling a bit joyful and a bit anxious.

The joy came from saving money, accomplishing tasks, and being able to buy equipment to become a content creator, while the anxiety stemmed from not knowing if he could manage the shop well.

Although the novel side is still okay, earning 20,000 to 30,000 yuan a month, it can temporarily stabilize the operation of the shop.

However, this book itself is not long. After the Chinese New Year, it may be coming to an end. So, he still needs to revitalize the shop in these few months.

Riding his bicycle through almost half of Linshui City, Xu Lin arrived at the familiar shabby alley, and then got lost again.

Xu Lin could only turn to Senior Sister Bai for help.

After making a phone call, he leaned his bicycle against a tree and smelled the aroma of the heavy restaurant stir-fry.

He forgot to bring something, but perhaps the job opportunity would make her family happier than buying gifts.

At that moment, not far away, a chubby little girl and a boy at a nearby small shop started arguing.

"That's my money!"

"It's mine!"

"You little rascals, don't fight!" The boss, an elderly lady, hurriedly stepped in and pulled the two children apart.

Suddenly, Xu Lin remembered something. It was the only time he went on a long-distance trip during his primary school summer vacation.

His mom was tired, so his dad and he went mountain climbing. When they reached a place to buy things on the mountain, a coin fell from his pocket onto the ground.

He wanted to pick it up, but a little boy nearby claimed it was his. He knew it was his, so he got angry. He felt like the boy was deliberately accusing him.

I'm an honest person, I can tolerate many things, but I can't stand being falsely accused like this!

From a young age, he never had any conflicts with others, but this time he initiated an argument!

The other person wasn't one to back down either, so they exchanged words.

Then the two kids started quarreling. At that moment, Old Xu and his uncle were chatting, and the other child's parent wasn't around either, so there was no one to intervene.

As the argument escalated, the other party couldn't out-talk him, so they resorted to physical violence and threw a punch at him! But before he could be hit, he retaliated.

But then a fairy sister in a daoist robe intercepted the other party, then pointed to a coin on the nearby stone path.

Then this sister asked the other party for an apology, then walked away with small steps, singing a strange nursery rhyme, disappearing at the end of the steps.

This scene stayed with him for a long time. In junior high school, he had thought about becoming a Taoist, but his parents taught him a good lesson.

However, the memory is too distant. At that time, he was too short and didn't pay attention to the other person's appearance.

Now, he only remembers that the voice was ethereal and pleasant.

Speaking of which, he was quite mischievous at that time. He knew that it would be unreasonable for him to strike first, so he waited for the other party to make a move before planning to punch.

However, in the end, because of this incident, his dad didn't take him climbing again, so he never saw that girl again.

"Next time, why don't we all go climb that mountain together? It could be a way to fulfill my dream of climb the top of the mountain that I couldn't achieve back then."

"What dream?"

"Senior Sister Bai?"

Xu Lin turned around and saw Bai Xiaoxiao standing behind him, still wearing her worn-out grayish-yellow cotton jacket, with her hair still messy.

"Didn't Ji Yun help you tidy up last time? Why do you look like this again? Did your mom tell you not to wear those clothes?"

"No, I put the clothes away. I'll wear them when I go out."

"It's not something particularly valuable. And why are you lowering your head again? Both Ji Yun and I told you, you must hold your head high and be confident!"

"Okay..."

Bai Xiaoxiao, startled by Xu Lin's sudden remark, quickly raised her head, but upon seeing his face and his direct gaze, she lowered her head again.

"Hey~ Forget it, take your time. But remember, you are excellent, good at studying, and beautiful, so you have to be confident."

"I will."

As she said this, her voice was slightly louder, and Xu Lin smiled and nodded, thinking that it was somewhat effective.

"Speaking of which, how's Uncle's health?"

"He still can't get out of bed, but his spirits are not bad."

"Wasn't he supposed to stay in the hospital for half a month? How come he's discharged after just over a week?"

"My dad said resting at home is the same as in the hospital, so he came back."

"Make sure he rests well at home. Do you still have enough money?"

"Sure. But don't spend money recklessly on buying things... The ten thousand you lent us, we..." Bai Xiaoxiao hurriedly waved her hand.

"Alright, let's talk about it when you guys are more financially stable. For now, let's get Auntie to see a doctor first."

Xu Lin didn't say not to return it either.

Sometimes, when someone borrows money from you, it's not very nice to refuse their repayment, especially for those who genuinely want to pay back.

They insist on returning the money, so just accept it and maybe treat yourself with some extra perks from your salary later.

"Xu Lin, why are you so kind to us?"

"I just said that I'm just being kind-hearted. There are so many people in the world who need saving, and I'm just helping those I see."

"Is it just this?" Bai Xiaoxiao secretly clenched her fists, and Xu Lin also realized that something was wrong.

What did this girl mean?

"What do you want me to say? That I helped you because I'm attracted to your beauty?"

"The first time I saw you, you didn't look good..."

Bai Xiaoxiao felt Xu Lin's suddenly intense gaze, and like a little rabbit, she subtly dodged it.

She didn't know why, but just now she acted foolishly again, saying, 'Is it just like this?'

What answer was she really expecting?

Turning her head quickly, she hurriedly changed the subject, "Um, what were you saying about dreams just now?"

"It's not a big dream. It's just when I was a child, my parents and I went to Sichuan Province for a trip. It was the only time we traveled out of the province, and it wasn't to a major tourist attraction."

"My uncle worked in a small county town nearby, and there was a mountain around it, not too short nor too tall, with a large Taoist temple on top."

"Back then, I wanted to climb to the top of the mountain, but due to some circumstances, I didn't make it. My dad pulled me back halfway."

"It's just a little regret of mine, actually I had long forgotten about it. Just thought that when things settle down, I'll take my family on a trip."

"Ah, I see." She nodded, but hearing about 'family' still made her feel a bit down, knowing she couldn't join.

But she also felt strange about herself. Why did she feel left out when he had a regret? If he were to bring someone along, it should be her junior sister, Ji Yun...

"By the way, you have to get your parents' approval first, and also dress up nicely for me!"

"Huh? What do you mean by getting my parents' approval?" Bai Xiaoxiao was puzzled.

What does that have to do with me?

"It's about taking you guys mountain climbing. Aren't you a Sichuan girl? I'll count on you for communication then!"

"Oh? But didn't you say, only family..."

Xu Lin looked into her eyes, raised an eyebrow, and said in a somewhat awkward Sichuan dialect,

"We're also family, you know~!"

But just this sentence made Bai Xiaoxiao suddenly pause, her heartbeat slowing for half a beat, then quickly speeding up again.

"Family..."