Chapter 95: Stop Praising, I’m Embarrassed

Chapter 95 Stop Praising Me, I'm Embarrassed

When they first met, Happy Little Horse's real-life impression of Xu Moxing was similar to the impression he had given online: a sunny and cheerful big guy.

Happy Little Horse was even taller than Xu Moxing had imagined. At six foot three, he wore a dark blue windbreaker, didn't even bring a suitcase, just carried a backpack, had a buzz cut, and looked like a very sunny guy.

When Happy Little Horse was about to arrive, Xu Moxing and Xu Jianqing, who had already arrived, went to the train station together to pick him up.

Happy Little Horse stood at the subway exit they had agreed upon, looking around. When he saw Xu Moxing, he was startled for a moment, then confirmed it was him based on the previous photos, the outfit Xu Moxing had told him about, and the agreed location, and broke into a big smile.

"Xingxing?"

Xu Moxing nodded. "Yeah, that's me. You're Happy Little Horse?"

"Just call me Little Horse, not Happy Little Horse."

Happy Little Horse recognized Xu Moxing and gave him a big hug.

Xu Moxing was still very skinny, and Happy Little Horse, tall and sturdy, engulfed him in a hug.

Happy Little Horse let go of him quickly.

"You're much skinnier than in the photos."

"You're much taller than I imagined."

Happy Little Horse let out a hearty laugh and shook hands with Xu Jianqing, who was watching from the side. "You must be Xingxing's sister—you two look really alike."

"Thanks, I get that a lot."

Xu Jianqing was very happy that someone said she looked like her brother.

"Man, it's hot here—lemme take off my jacket."

Xu Jianqing and Xu Moxing were both wearing short sleeves, but Happy Little Horse was still wearing two layers, so he must have been very hot.

They chatted and laughed on their way to try the local specialties.

Calling it specialty cuisine was just a way to let him experience the local eating habits. The dishes here focus on freshness and natural flavors, so they don't add heavy seasonings unless it's herbal dishes.

The humidity here is also high, so they often add herbs to soups.

Xu Moxing occasionally checked in on Little Horse. "You okay? Getting used to the food?"

"It's delicious, I'm used to it. I just eat what the locals eat."

"That's good."

"How did you two meet?"

Xu Jianqing was curious.

Little Horse was also a chatterbox. Once Xu Jianqing started a topic, the two of them could go on for hours, so Xu Moxing didn't have to worry about awkward silences.

"Your brother used to brag about you all the time, saying you were amazing at everything. Now that I see you today, you really are a very outstanding person."

Xu Jianqing’s expression froze for a moment, but she quickly brushed it off. "Really? My brother is excellent too."

"Of course, your brother and I get along very well; otherwise, we wouldn't have been online friends for so many years."

Xu Moxing was sitting nearby eating, watching the two of them praise each other, and found it somewhat amusing.

Xu Moxing noticed that since the last minor argument with Xu Jianqing, she had become much softer, no longer making snide remarks, nor putting Xu Moxing down.

After the meal, the three headed straight for the tourist attractions. Xu Jianqing had rented a car for convenience, and Little Horse's luggage could be put directly in the car.

"Both of you have driver's licenses, but I don't. You two can take turns driving to avoid getting tired."

Xu Moxing casually sat in the front passenger seat.

"Ha, you never thought about getting a license?"

Little Horse sat in the back and asked Xu Moxing curiously.

Xu Jianqing almost wanted to scold her brother again but stopped herself. She once again deeply realized that she had been putting her brother down all along.

Xu Jianqing didn't say anything, waiting for her brother to express his opinion.

"I don't have any plans to buy a car, so I'll not take the test for now. When I decide to buy a car, I can always take it later."

"That works too, otherwise it's useless. I have a friend who renewed his license once and still hasn't bought a car."

Xu Jianqing chipped in from the driver's seat: "That's true. No rush, you don't have to get it yet. Do what you think is best."

When they arrived at the sightseeing spot, the three wandered around together. Little Horse took photos everywhere with his phone.

After taking pictures of the scenery, he turned the camera to himself. "Would you two be up for a group photo?"

They snapped a group photo and had a blast.

In the evening, they had originally booked another restaurant, but Happy Little Horse's eyes lit up. "How about we go back to your place to cook? We can taste each other's cooking."

"I have no objections, but I can't cook."

Xu Jianqing didn't want to spoil the fun, but she had to mention it.

"No problem, little sister, you can help with the prep work. Your brother and I will handle the cooking."

In the end, they excitedly went shopping at the supermarket. They all squeezed into Xu Moxing's rental apartment, chatting as they prepared dinner.

Xu Moxing hadn't felt this lively atmosphere in a long time. Living alone has its perks—freedom and peace.

But occasionally having family and friends come over to cook a meal together, regardless of whether the food tastes good or not, gives him a different vibe.

At such times, it's less about the food being great and more about having family and friends doing something together.

People still need meaningful connections.

"Bro, this dish is so delicious. You're a real chef, Xu!"

During the meal, Xu Jianqing started praising Xu Moxing.

Xu Jianqing had been buttering him up all day.

"Alright, Qing, if you keep saying that, I'll be embarrassed."

"Oh, okay, then I'll praise you tomorrow."

Little Horse thought the siblings were hilarious.

After dinner, the two of them went to send Xu Jianqing back to the hotel. Xiao Ma didn't go upstairs with Xu Jianqing, but Xu Moxing walked his sister to the door of her hotel room.

"You don't have to do this."

Xu Moxing said when they were finally alone, just the two siblings.

"Like what?"

"Praising me like crazy? That's not like you."

She was silent for a moment. "I'm serious."

Xu Moxing didn't respond.

Just then, a family of four who'd been out came back to the hotel, loud and rowdy.

Two kids were chasing each other, playfully roughhousing, looking like they were really close.

"I was wrong back then."

Xu Jianqing's voice was very soft. In this noisy environment, if Xu Moxing hadn't been walking side by side with her, very close, he definitely wouldn't have heard it.

Xu Moxing remained silent. He wasn't waiting for an apology from Xu Jianqing. After all, they were biological siblings. He just hoped she'd stop belittling him and putting him down. If she changed, they could get along fine. As for an apology, it wasn't really that important.

For someone as strong-willed as Xu Jianqing to apologize to him was already a big deal.

Xu Moxing gently patted his sister on the head.

"Tomorrow we're heading to Yangcheng. Get some sleep early, lock the door, and call me if anything comes up."

"Mm, got it, bro."

After Xu Moxing returned, he gave Xiao Ma the only bed in the room and slept on the couch himself.

"Actually, we could share the bed."

Xiao Ma, ever cheerful, extended an invitation.

"Not a good idea. Since we're both gay, sharing a bed is like a straight guy and girl sleeping together. It just doesn't feel right."

"Then I'll take the couch."

Xiao Ma was a bit embarrassed.

"You're too tall, you won't sleep well. I live alone and crash on the couch sometimes anyway. You really don't need to feel guilty about it."

"Alright, then."

Xiao Ma didn't push it; any more refusals would have been too polite.

Xu Moxing moved all the stuffed animals from his bed to the couch. Out of a cleanliness thing, or some other reason he couldn't explain, he didn't want Xiao Ma sleeping with his plush toys.

The next day, the three of them drove to Yangcheng.

Over the past year, Xu Moxing had been to Yangcheng so often it was second nature; he was even starting to recognize the highway signs.

Last time, he came with Su Lichen to pick up his electronics. Speaking of Su Lichen, it had been a long time since he'd even thought about him.

He wondered how Su Lichen was doing.