Chapter 127 - 127

Chapter 127 I Don't Like Men Who Don't Uphold Male Virtues"I promise... I won't let you be dissatisfied."Yun Ting slung her canvas bag over her shoulder, her toes grinding a fallen ginkgo leaf on the ground. Suddenly, she looked up at him, her eyes shining like autumn water: " Duan Xingye, from today onwards, you are my boyfriend. Let me make this clear—I don't like men who don't uphold 'male virtues'."Duan Xingye was taken aback. The words "male virtue" came out of her mouth with a playful seriousness, which made him swallow back the "I will definitely be good to you" that he was about to say.He quickly realized what was happening and hurriedly pledged his loyalty, saying, "I understand. I won't let any other femalecomrade get close. In my eyes, all women except my family and you are men. If there are any unwanted suitors, you don't need to lift a finger; I'll nip them in the bud myself. I won't even let them have a chance to bloom! Really! From now on, my eyes will be your personal telescope; I won't be able to focus on anyone but you!"This was the most Yun Ting had ever heard him say in all the time she had known him."Alright... Keep up the good work and try to pass the evaluation.""Yes, I guarantee the mission will be completed."His sudden salute startled Yun Ting. The security guard was watching them curiously, and occasionally, passing students also looked over."What are you doing? Everyone's watching!" Yun Ting gave him a playful glare."Let them see...""Thick-skinned...""Come on, let me take you to eat."Duan Xingye arrived by bicycle, carrying Yun Ting, winding through the alleys before finally stopping in front of a courtyard gate with a faded blue curtain hanging on it."We're here!" He deftly propped up the bike and dusted off the seat. "You'd better remember this place. If you're not a local from Beijing, you'll never find it."Lifting the curtain to enter, Yun Ting saw two square tables in the courtyard and a pomegranate tree in the corner. As Yun Ting curiously looked around, an older woman in a blue cloth shirt peeked out from the inner room. Seeing Duan Xingye, she smiled and said, "Oh,Xiao Ye, you brought your classmate today?"" Aunt Zhang, this is my boyfriend. Give me a bowl of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, braised pork knuckle, and two bowls of noodles with soybean paste!" He greeted her familiarly, then turned to Yun Ting and explained, "This is the restaurant run by my aunt's old friend. The braised pork knuckle is so tender that even the bones are infused with flavor. You'll definitely like it.""Alright, this girl is really pretty!"" Aunt Zhang, hello, my name is Yun Ting.""Alright, please have a seat and help yourselves with your tea!"After Aunt Zhang finished speaking, she turned around and went to the kitchen to prepare.Looking at the morning glories climbing all over the wall in the courtyard and listening to the sound of dough being rolled out from inside the house, Yun Ting suddenly felt a sense of peace and comfort in the warmth of everyday life deep in this alley.He was busy pouring tea for her in an enamel mug, and almost knocked over the vinegar bottle on the table, but he smiled smugly: "Try it later. If you like it, I'll bring you here often."The two sat and chatted while drinking tea, and didn't have to wait long.Aunt Zhang came out of the inner room carrying a tray, placing the enamel plate on the table with a clang. The stir-fried cabbage with vinegar was steaming hot, its sour and garlicky aroma filling the air. The braised pork knuckle was arranged shakily on the plate, the glistening sauce dripping down the meat's texture. There were also two bowls of noodles with fried sauce, the sauce freshly made and topped with cucumber strips and bean sprouts, glistening with oil when picked up with chopsticks.Wow...it looks delicious."Eat more if you like it, I'll give you more if you're still hungry!" Aunt Zhang said with a smile as she turned and went back to her work.Yun Ting picked up her chopsticks and first took a bite of stir-fried cabbage with vinegar. The crisp cabbage, coated in a sweet and sour sauce, sent a burst of refreshing flavor straight to her tongue with each bite. Her eyes lit up, like twostars had fallen from the sky, and she couldn't help but put another big mouthful in her mouth, mumbling, "This tastes...much better than what we have in the cafeteria!""I knew you'd like it." Seeing her eating so heartily, Duan Xingye's own appetite was whetted, and he lowered his head and started eating too.Duan Xingye couldn't help but laugh when he saw the little bit of sauce on the corner of her mouth. He took out a handkerchief and wiped it off for her. "Eat more if you like it. Aunt Zhang's cooking is second to none in this alley." As he spoke, he put a piece of braised pork knuckle into her bowl. "Try this. It's not greasy."Yun Ting took a bite, her eyes lighting up, "Mmm, this is super delicious too."When they left the alley again, Yun Ting was already stuffed.I checked the time, and since I couldn't go back for a nap anyway, I decided to take a walk to digest my food!"Next time I'll bring my second brother and younger brother to try it too, and Beauty Yang, they'll definitely like it.""By the way, did you come back to Capital Cityfor work? Or something else?""I received an opportunity to study at the Military Academy.""Is he in the same school as my second brother?""Yes, but we have different majors."Have you ever met my second brother?"I've seen him."Duan Xingye thought to himself, "Not only have we met, we almost got into a fight. That day, because he confessed to Yun Huai that he liked his sister, that kid punched him."" Duan Xingye, you little wolf cub, I asked you to look after my sister, not to keep an eye on her, and you still became that other man yourself?""Oh dear... Second Brother, calm down. Let's keep the good stuff in the family!""Shut up, who's your brother? Shameless... There's a saying that even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow!" Yun Huai rolled her eyes at Duan Xingye, and seeing him still grinning, she got even angrier."Hehe~ Isn't it inevitable that I'll have to call you 'brother' sooner or later?""Hmph... Don't get too cocky. If my sister thinks you're too old, you can just hide in a corner and cry!""Older people are more caring, and besides, it's only a few years' difference, it's not a problem."Anyway, after being punched and receiving his repeated assurances, Yun Huai reluctantly agreed to let him pursue his younger sister, but he repeatedly emphasized that his younger sister had to agree voluntarily.Yun Ting hesitated for a moment before saying, "Duan Xingye, there's something I'd like you to help me with.""What is it? Why are you being so polite with me?""You're familiar with Capital City, could you help me find out if there are any traditional courtyard residences for sale?"Duan Xingye looked at her in surprise, "You liketraditional courtyard residences?""Yes!""Then I'll give you one. I have a traditional courtyard residence with two courtyards."Yun Ting shook her head. "No, I want to buy it myself.""Alright then! Anyway, what's mine will be yours in the future. I'll have someone ask around for you.""Hmph, who knows what will happen in the future!""Hehe... I'm sure I can pass your probation period.""So confident? Then I'll wait and see."After walking for a while, the two got on their bicycles and headed to school."I'll come find you when I have time. I'll inquire about that matter you mentioned as soon as possible.""good…"Yun Ting glanced at her watch; there was still time, so she wasn't in a hurry and slowly walked towards the classroom."Oh~ You look so lovey-dovey, who's looking for you?"Yang Qingqing spotted her from a short distance away and waited for Yun Ting there."Want to know?" Yun Ting wasn't shy at all, andYang Qingqing's teasing had no effect on her.Yang Qingqing nodded, unusually indulging in some gossip, appearing all ears.A mischievous grin flashed across Yun Ting'sface. "I won't tell you, haha..." With that, she immediately turned and ran."Yun...Ting".