Cai Zhengyan spoke, and without waiting for Mu Jinyu's response, she hurriedly took out her phone and made calls to a few people.

Mu Jinyu saw this and felt a bit helpless, but it was too late to try and stop her.

Then he thought, oh well, meeting up with them won't hurt.

Although, he wasn't really keen on meeting these people...

After all, judging by what Cai Zhengyan just said, these people were probably the same boys who bullied him as a child.

"Never mind, it's been so long. There's no need to hold grudges. Meeting them won't hurt."

Mu Jinyu told himself and didn't interrupt Cai Zhengyan after she finished contacting each person.

Soon, Cai Zhengyan had finished making several calls. She put down her phone and said somewhat regretfully, "Oh, what a pity, Little Zhao just left Rong City for Li City yesterday..."

After sighing, she smiled and said, "But Little Guo, Little He, and Little Yang are still in Rong City. I've contacted them, and we'll meet up for lunch together, my treat!"

She declared the last sentence with pride, slapping her chest with an air of boldness.

But Mu Jinyu noticed a barely detectable twinge of pain in her eyes as she spoke.

Then Mu Jinyu remembered that Cai Zhengyan mentioned she graduated from a nursing school and is now working at a nearby hospital. Her salary must not be high.

He assumed she rarely dined out.

Let alone treating several people to a meal.

Especially since it was Children's Day a few days ago, given her personality, she would have bought a lot of gifts and toys for the children at the welfare institute.

Right now, she must be even more strapped for cash.

If that's the case, why is she so insistent on gathering him and those people together?

Mu Jinyu thought for a moment and guessed that Cai Zhengyan was probably afraid he might still hold a grudge. That's why she wanted to bring together those who once bullied him. Now that they've all grown up and were raised in the welfare institute, they should turn hostility into friendship and support each other in the future...

Her efforts are truly commendable!

Mu Jinyu sighed softly to himself and quickly smiled, saying, "How can I let Sister Cai bear the expense? I should be treating, to atone for my past ignorance that nearly made you overeat!"

"Oh, saying that is just pointless. Those few buns were nothing!"

When Cai Zhengyan heard Mu Jinyu's words, warmth flashed in her eyes. Then she gave him a sidelong glance, displeased, "Little Mu, you've only returned after more than ten years, while I've always been at the welfare institute. You're a guest now, and I'm the host. Of course, the big sister should fulfill the host's duties."

Mu Jinyu wanted to say more, but Cai Zhengyan glared and said, "Don't you dare say you're treating, or I'll assume you look down on me."

Seeing this, Mu Jinyu didn't press further.

He knew Cai Zhengyan had her pride. Although she knew he was now relatively well off, she didn't want him to pay for a gathering she initiated.

If they'd kept in touch all these years, or if they were closer, it wouldn't have been like this.

He could have straightforwardly told Cai Zhengyan that they both knew each other's situations, and there was no need for her to act tough. He could pay, and she should save her money for the children. Besides, it's she who is going to help him resolve the old minor conflicts with them, so it's even more wrong for her to spend money...

But reuniting after more than ten years, when they're not that familiar, saying this to Cai Zhengyan would be inappropriate and could embarrass her.

After some thought, Mu Jinyu decided against suggesting they split the bill, nor did he think it necessary to sneakily pay it after they've eaten.

That would also be hurtful.

He could find a way to help Cai Zhengyan secure a better-paying job with more flexible hours afterward.

"Alright, I won't compete with you over this, Sister Cai." Mu Jinyu smiled shyly and said no more.

After that, he spent the rest of the time at the welfare institute, playing with the children, while Cai Zhengyan, not having as much free time, chatted with him briefly and then got busy with other things.

By eleven-thirty in the afternoon.

After making sure the children in the institute had finished lunch, Cai Zhengyan instructed other staff to watch over them for a bit, changed out of her work clothes, and said to Mu Jinyu, "Come on, let's go eat."

"Alright." Mu Jinyu nodded, waved goodbye to the children, and left the welfare institute with Cai Zhengyan.

After leaving the welfare institute, Cai Zhengyan brought a small scooter over and slightly tilted her head, signaling for Mu Jinyu to hop on.

Mu Jinyu didn't know where she was taking them for lunch, so he obediently got on.

"Hold on, we're setting off."

After Mu Jinyu was settled, Cai Zhengyan immediately started the scooter.

Half an hour later.

They stopped in front of a restaurant.

Seeing Cai Zhengyan stop the scooter, Mu Jinyu jumped off and looked up at the restaurant's sign.

Fragrant Pavilion.

Cai Zhengyan parked the scooter, took off her helmet, and smiled, "What do you think, the name sounds a lot like Little Xiang, right? We're eating here. The food is delicious and authentic, and Little He and the others are already here."

"Mm." Mu Jinyu murmured, nodding lightly.

Then the two of them entered the restaurant together.

"Hey, big sister, you're finally here. It's almost noon, and we're starving."

As they reached the entrance, two men dressed like migrant workers who had been squatting by the door jumped up and waved at Cai Zhengyan cheerfully, their expressions not matching their words of complaint.

"If you're so hungry, why didn't you go in and eat? What are you doing squatting out here..."

Cai Zhengyan chuckled at them then turned to introduce them to Mu Jinyu, "The one with all the gray hair is Yang Chao, and the scruffy one is He Jingting..."

She then introduced Mu Jinyu to them, "This is Mu Jinyu, the boy you bullied so badly as a child and who's back now to settle the score with you."

"Hehehe..."

"Sorry, brother, we were young and foolish back then, please forgive us..."

Yang Chao and He Jingting had already heard about Mu Jinyu from Cai Zhengyan and recalled their past encounters. Hearing Cai Zhengyan bring it up again made them smile awkwardly, sheepishly greeting Mu Jinyu.

They're now 24 or 25, have been working various jobs early on, and have been harshly shaped by society, losing that arrogant edge.

Mu Jinyu gazed at their weathered faces, sighed inwardly, and smiled, saying softly, "It's alright. Who didn't brawl and squabble as kids? Those days are behind us..."

He paused then smiled again, "Of course, if it bothers you, how about three self-imposed drinks later, and we'll forget past squabbles."

"Alright." Upon hearing this, Yang Chao and He Jingting exchanged a glance and breathed a sigh of relief, their smiles more sincere, nodding happily.

They're not without perception. Since Mu Jinyu got off and walked over with Cai Zhengyan, they've been observing him.

Mu Jinyu was impeccably clean, and while his clothes didn't have a recognizable brand, their material didn't look cheap, likely tailored.

In stark contrast to their cement-stained, dirty attire.

Their self-consciousness made them fear Mu Jinyu might seek revenge, fearing more hardships.

Seeing Mu Jinyu brush off past affairs, they felt relief and a sense of gratitude toward him.

"That's right, we're all from the welfare institute and practically family. Past minor conflicts don't count for anything. Come on, let's eat inside."

Cai Zhengyan, listening to their conversation, also smiled gently and invited them in.

"Hold on, let me finish this last puff."

Yang Chao said, taking a deep drag from his cigarette, nearly burnt to the butt, exhaling deeply before tossing the stub away with satisfaction etched on his weathered features.

After stomping the cigarette out with a few quick steps, Yang Chao turned to Mu Jinyu, "Let's go inside."

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