A Humble Treat

“So… couldn’t you rent a better place?”

As Mo Bai walked alongside Bai Xia through the cramped alleyways of the urban village, his leather shoes meticulously picked their way across the sewage-strewn flagstones, avoiding every treacherous puddle. The drainage ditch, shimmering with an oily sheen, reflected the blinding sunlight, and piles of miscellaneous clutter choked the narrow passage, barely leaving room to walk.

The squalid surroundings, however, were secondary. Far more intolerable to Mo Bai was the pervasive, suffocating stench that hung heavy in the air. It was utterly revolting, and not until they emerged onto the main street with Bai Xia did the waves of nausea finally begin to recede.

“Ah, Mo Ge,” Bai Xia sighed, a hint of weariness in her voice, “it’s clear you don’t know the true cost of living until you’re responsible for your own household.”

As she guided Mo Bai towards the village entrance, her response was laced with a profound sense of helplessness. She vividly remembered the extensive haggling she’d endured with her landlord just to secure this tiny dwelling, and in the end, it was only the landlord’s pity that had prompted a meager discount.

“I barely make ends meet each month,” she explained. “Hundreds go to rent, hundreds to living expenses, not to mention utilities and various sundry costs. And on top of that, I have to save for my tuition fees. The pressure is truly overwhelming.”

“…” Despite Bai Xia’s detailed explanation, Mo Bai found himself struggling to fully comprehend her plight. His gaze fell upon Bai Xia’s lace-trimmed white socks, now marred by several unsightly mud splatters, and his brow furrowed in an inexplicable frown, a gesture whose origin he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

This, he mused, was likely a stark snapshot of life at the very bottom of society – a daily struggle for survival, particularly for someone like Bai Xia, burdened with the dual demands of earning money and pursuing an education. Witnessing it firsthand today, he found it genuinely difficult to fathom how Bai Xia had persevered through such circumstances.

“Perhaps… I could offer you some financial assistance?” Mo Bai suggested, his voice gentle. “This situation isn’t sustainable.” He turned his gaze to the white-haired girl beside him, his expression one of genuine concern. He was keenly aware that at school, Bai Xia’s studies frequently suffered due to her after-school jobs. Invariably, she would approach him just days before exams, practically begging him to help her catch up on the coursework she had fallen behind on. ‘If I could just provide Bai Xia with some financial aid, surely the burden on my little deskmate would be significantly lessened?’ he mused.

A sum of a few thousand yuan, while representing almost an entire month’s expenses for Bai Xia, was barely a trifle to him. His own monthly allowance, after all, began in the five figures.

Yet, the young woman possessed a stubborn resolve of her own, a trait particularly pronounced in Bai Xia, who had once lived as a boy. Bai Xia harbored a profound aversion to the notion of being a kept person or relying on others’ largesse. ‘To eat another’s food is to shorten one’s mouth; to take another’s hand is to shorten one’s arm,’ she believed. She had learned this painful lesson intimately during her time living with her aunt and uncle. Consequently, when confronted with Mo Bai’s offer of financial aid, Bai Xia deliberately slowed her steps and gently turned to face him.

“Let’s not, Mo Ge,” she replied, a firm resolve in her tone. “I’m not helpless; I have my own hands and feet. I won’t inconvenience you.”

“While the pressure is undeniably significant, I am determined to stand on my own two feet.”

“Is that how you feel… Very well then.”

For her meal out with Mo Bai, Bai Xia had made a rare effort, donning a school uniform-style outfit she usually treasured too much to wear. While the purchase had been an impulsive splurge, a moment of weakness for something so undeniably beautiful that had cost her nearly half a month’s wages, the sight of her deskmate’s subtly brightened gaze was enough to bring an irrepressible, faint smile to Bai Xia’s lips.

‘It seems buying it wasn’t entirely useless after all,’ she thought.

Owing to her unique circumstances, Bai Xia rarely dared to venture out alone in a dress. Yet, with Mo Bai accompanying her today, she felt a rare surge of confidence, allowing herself to be uncharacteristically bold. The young woman’s snow-white hair cascaded down to her waist. Its tips swayed gracefully with her delicate movements, shimmering with a radiant, silvery sheen under the sun. This ethereal cascade formed a striking contrast against the dark, academic uniform she wore.

The uniform, a classic sailor-style, was exquisitely detailed with delicate lace trim adorning both collar and cuffs. A vibrant red necktie at her chest, perfectly complemented by golden ribbons woven into the black pleated skirt, imbued the ensemble with a lively, spirited charm. Coupled with the young woman’s breathtaking beauty, Bai Xia, as she glanced back at Mo Bai in that moment, had utterly transformed, embodying the very essence of a noble young lady.

“How do I look in this outfit, Mo Ge?” Bai Xia’s cheeks were delicately flushed with excitement, and her eyes shimmered with eager anticipation.

‘This is actually the first time I’ve shown my deskmate my girl clothes,’ she mused. ‘Well… nightgowns and backless shirts don’t count.’

“You look very beautiful.” Mo Bai affirmed with a nod.

‘??? Seriously? That’s your only reaction when I’ve gone to such trouble to dress up?’

A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed her features at Mo Bai’s rather subdued response. The girl, her cheeks now suffused with a deeper flush, rose onto her tiptoes and executed a graceful pirouette before him. Her pleated skirt unfurled like the wings of a black butterfly, revealing the meticulously stitched lace trim of her underskirt. “Is it truly *just* beautiful?” she challenged, a playful pout on her lips. “This dress cost me a pretty penny, you know, and this is even the very first time I’m wearing it out!”

The white-haired girl puffed out her cheeks in a charming, petulant huff. This sudden display instantly drew a soft, amused chuckle from Mo Bai.

‘So, my little deskmate is trying to charm me, isn’t she?’ he realized.

Mo Bai suddenly reached out, his fingers deftly adjusting the knot of her necktie. His long, slender digits grazed the faintly warm skin of her neck, sending an unexpected tremor through the young woman’s delicate frame. “Do you want to hear the unvarnished truth?” he murmured.

The atmosphere instantly became charged with a subtle, ambiguous tension. Regrettably, this was not the privacy of Bai Xia’s rented room, but the bustling main street of Xicheng Village. Amidst the constant flow of passersby, idle chatter and whispers were inevitable. This realization caused Bai Xia’s body to stiffen instantaneously. With a hurried push against Mo Bai’s chest, her face flaming crimson, she swiftly darted away, putting a considerable distance between them.

‘Damn it… what in the world is wrong with me today?’ With one hand pressed firmly against her chest, she could feel the frantic drumming of her small heart. Her mind, save for an overwhelming wave of mortification, was utterly blank. ‘I’m usually perfectly normal,’ she fumed internally, ‘so why does my composure utterly abandon me the moment Mo Bai starts teasing? Who teases someone in public like that…? Mo Bai definitely has ulterior motives for me!’

Despite her indignant thoughts, her body, with a will of its own, obediently returned to Mo Bai’s side. She took his hand and began to lead him forward. A faint, petulant grumble escaped her lips: “Let’s eat.”

Bai Xia had declared this meal her treat. Yet, when Mo Bai found himself actually being pulled by her towards a humble roadside barbecue stall, the corner of his mouth, which had moments ago held a gentle smile, twitched almost imperceptibly.

“Mo Ge,” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm, “I’m telling you, the grilled eggplant and beef skewers here are absolutely scrumptious!”

Bai Xia, practically vibrating with excitement, tugged Mo Bai down onto a seat. She remained utterly oblivious to the subtle signs of Mo Bai’s rapidly deteriorating composure.

‘…’ ‘Alright,’ he conceded inwardly, ‘I clearly overestimated my little deskmate.’

The wooden stool groaned a protest as he settled. Mo Bai cast a look of undisguised distaste at the tabletop, scarred with mottled grease stains. Bai Xia, meanwhile, was happily chattering beside him, launching into an enthusiastic introduction: “I always crave the food from this place, Mo Ge! Today, I finally have enough money to treat us to a proper meal. Trust me, this place is incredibly delicious!”

Having completed her fervent recommendation to her deskmate, Bai Xia promptly hailed the nearby vendor to place their order. “Boss! Twenty beef skewers, two portions of grilled eggplant, and four chive skewers…”

The young woman’s gentle voice, remarkably clear, cut through the smoky haze of the stall. Bai Xia was perched intimately close to Mo Bai. As she turned, her snow-white hair brushed lightly against the back of his hand. The tips of her ears, peeking shyly from beneath her locks, were flushed with an endearing pink. His planned retort, already forming on his lips, ultimately softened into a quiet sigh.

‘Forget it… let her be. As long as she’s happy.’

The total cost of this meal, for him, was probably less than a trifle. Yet, for Bai Xia, it represented the utmost sincerity and generosity she could possibly offer.

“Here you go, you two, your skewers are ready.” Soon, the boss brought the freshly grilled skewers to their table, sizzling fat carrying the enticing aroma of cumin. But when he saw the handsome young man and the white-haired girl sitting there, he couldn’t help but take a few extra glances. “You two make a truly beautiful couple. Enjoy your meal.”

With a table laden with barbecue before her, Bai Xia paid no mind to the boss’s teasing. She eagerly snatched up a beef skewer and began to devour it, simultaneously offering one to Mo Bai. “Mo Ge, quickly, try some!”

Seeing the young woman so genuinely happy, Mo Bai smiled, a sense of quiet contentment washing over him, and accepted the skewer Bai Xia offered. Sometimes, it seemed, a bit of ordinary living wasn’t so bad after all.