Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts-Chapter 485 - 349. Brother Fan is Hong Shixian!

The single-story living room of the new house covered over eighty square meters, and lunch was served on three round tables in the living room, with each table seating over a dozen people, which didn't feel crowded at all.

For people from the south, there is not much fuss over banquet rituals, and gift money is entirely up to the giver. It's common for a whole family to attend and yet give only a one hundred yuan red envelope.

However, if someone does just give a one hundred yuan red envelope, they will inevitably be criticized behind their back by the host's mom, only to see her smiling like nothing happened when they run into each other on the street the next day.

Since it was combined with a graduation celebration, Xu Qingfan collected all the red envelopes. Judging only by thickness, not one seemed to contain less than a thousand yuan. Though Qingfan no longer cared about the money, it was still everyone's kind intention.

During the meal, seating was quite casual. Xu Qingfan, the five girls, and their moms sat together, forming the non-drinking table.

To facilitate cooperation later on, he deliberately chose to sit next to Zhang Chunxue, with Lin Wanning quickly claiming the seat on his other side.

Xu Qingfan originally hoped Aunt Zhang would take on the villain's role, suggesting that staying in the same class isn't conducive to growth, so the class should be rearranged.

However, upon hearing this, Zhang Chunxue simply gave him a look, crossing her arms and stated in an unquestionable tone, "Oh no, it's none of my business, what if Wanning and Yiyi end up not liking me? No, no!"

Even though the initial suggestion was hers, getting Zhang Chunxue to play the villain was absolutely impossible; she just wanted to quietly watch the drama unfold.

Xu Qingfan later thought about giving up because, after all, it wasn't necessary to separate in high school!

But as his 16th birthday arrived, he truly became an adult and was increasingly motivated to be a good man. He feared that if things continued this way, they might become irreparable.

Reality is not about making jokes; you can't just say "no initiative, no rejection, no responsibility" and expect it to work.

Moreover, even the revered old masters have said, "Do not let down a good girl," and Xu Qingfan was more hopeful of disengaging in time before matters became beyond salvation.

No matter whom he ultimately chose, at least he could maintain the original friendship with the other four girls.

So, they really had to be split up in high school, not splitting was simply not an option!

...

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As the dinner was nearly over, Zhang Chunxue was leisurely sipping her soup, making Xu Qingfan increasingly anxious.

"Cough~ This year's longan is very sweet, Auntie, try some." Xu Qingfan put a small plate of peeled longan in front of Zhang Chunxue, while his leg frantically nudged her under the table.

Zhang Chunxue patted his leg, signaling him to be patient, and delicately picked up a longan with a toothpick.

"It is very sweet indeed, the longan Xiao Fan peels is always especially sweet, just like when you were little." Aunt Zhang elegantly spit the pit into a napkin and picked up another longan.

However, Zhang Chunxue's action seemed to have stirred up a hornet's nest.

"When he was little, Xiao Fan used to call me 'sister,' and whenever he peeled lychees for me, he would leave that thin white layer, saying it would keep the flavor fresh even if they're left out long, I was so touched." Wen Wanqing reminisced, shaking her head as if recalling a beautiful memory from long ago.

"Xiao Fan knew I didn't like lychees, when we were kids he'd often cut mangoes for me, knew I couldn't eat a whole one because I had to grade papers, so he'd thoughtfully cut out the flesh for me to eat with a toothpick, look how grown up we are now~" Lin Jing was the second to chime in, also filled with nostalgia.

Zhao Qiuyue looked at her daughter, who was still juggling a chicken leg in one hand and chopsticks in the other, then helplessly turned back and joined in: "Hahaha~ you didn't mention, I would've almost forgotten, when he was little Xiao Fan used to bring cut fruits to Gualv Square to keep me company, pretending his family had too much, I knew they were from a premium fruit shop with one bite, roadside fruit isn't that sweet!"

Xu Qingfan blinked rapidly, not understanding how the topic had drifted so far off course.

Before he could cough to interrupt, Li Mei Juan also laughed and spoke up: "See? That's why they say Xiao Fan is a sensible and obedient child. Back then, I was working in a convenience store selling fried skewers; Xiao Fan was worried about me getting heatstroke, so every summer he'd make sour plum drink for me, lying that it was bought from outside. I've had those too – none tasted as good as his!"

All five mothers were smiling lightly, except Yao Jinping, whose smile did not reach her eyes.

Although Xu Qingfan had also been extremely filial to her as a child, suddenly realizing that this filial piety wasn't reserved just for her alone somewhat made her feel jealously uneasy.

"Alright, alright, enough reminiscing. I'll peel, I'll peel, I'll peel for all of you!" Xu Qingfan grabbed a handful of longan and resignedly declared.

"Hahaha!"

The five mothers were at the most charming stage of their lives, each smile radiating a mature charm unmatched by any other.

Watching them, Xu Qingfan couldn't help but wonder what it would be like when the five girls reached their age.

He needed to stop thinking about it, the more he thought, the more he wanted them all. Who wouldn't want to witness firsthand, in every way, the entirety of the five girls' youth?

"Brother Fan, I want some too!" Lin Wanning set down her chopsticks, which still had the last bits of crayfish Xu Qingfan peeled for her, and clung to Brother Fan's arm coquettishly.

The mothers were clearly used to the girl's clinginess; even Wen Wanqing didn't say much. If the two kids really paired off, she would be more than happy.

"Alright~ after I peel for the aunties... and my mom, then I'll peel for you." A sudden chill down his spine saved Xu Qingfan's life, as he pretended to look up unintentionally and sure enough saw his mom watching him thoughtfully.