Rebirth in the 80s: The Scholar Wife is Cute

"Sure."

Ruan Yiqian didn't refuse either.

After leaving the mall, both headed straight to a nearby restaurant for a meal. As they entered, Li Shiping noticed a little child at the entrance, around seven or eight years old, looking very pitiful, filthy, continuously holding a bowl, staring into the restaurant. It seemed likely that the child was begging.

Li Shiping didn't say anything. After ordering their dishes, she made a special request for an employee to pack a large bowl of noodles to go. Ruan Yiqian guessed what she was up to, but did not stop her.

When the employee saw Li Shiping taking food outside, he advised, "That's for the kid outside, isn't it? Don't be fooled. That child is a scammer. He comes here every few days to mooch meals. Who targets one restaurant to beg from every day? He specifically chooses our restaurant because it's a bit more upscale, just to beg here."

Li Shiping just smiled and did not respond, carrying the food and walking out. Ruan Yiqian, however, told the owner, "We paid for the food, and what it's used for is none of your concern."

Clearly, he thought the employee was being too nosy.

Employee: "Fine, no good deed goes unpunished. It serves them right to be deceived by such people."

Li Shiping walked out with the noodles and handed them directly to the child, "Are you hungry? This is for you."

"Thank you, sister."

The little boy's eyes lit up, and he bent over to kowtow to Li Shiping, but she quickly pulled him back.

"Where is your family?"

"My mom is sick and lying at home," said the little boy.

"Sick?" Li Shiping was puzzled. "Then where's your dad?"

"My dad is out working to make money," the boy blinked, seeming a little afraid. He often begged here and sometimes people gave him their leftovers, and sometimes they didn't, but no one had ever asked him about this.

"If your dad can work and earn money, why do you need to beg for food?" Li Shiping was even more curious now. The boy was about the same age as her daughter, and perhaps her maternal instincts were kicking in, so she couldn't help but inquire further.

The little boy bit his lip, "I want to get something nice for my mom to eat."

From his gaze, Li Shiping saw the innocence and kindness typical of young children, "Can you take me to see your home?"

Considering the boy had made it to this place, his home must not be far away.

The little boy hesitated for a moment, seeming to feel she wasn't a bad person, and then nodded.

Hearing this, Ruan Yiqian, who was standing at the entrance, immediately came out, "Shiping, you want to go to his house?"

"Is that okay?" Only then did Li Shiping remember Ruan Yiqian was there. She thought about it and said, "Our food will take a while to be ready. We can take a quick look and come back."

Ruan Yiqian nodded, "It's alright, but when you're alone in the future, don't just follow someone in such situations. Safety first."

Although Beijing is generally safe, there are still incidents of abduction and trickery reported each year. He feared Li Shiping, being too naive, might encounter bad people.

Li Shiping hadn't expected Ruan Yiqian to say that and nodded in agreement, "I will."

Hearing this, Ruan Yiqian then looked down and asked the little boy, "Where is your home?"

The little boy provided an address, causing Ruan Yiqian to frown. Li Shiping noticed something was amiss and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ruan Yiqian shook his head, "Let's drive there. It might take about forty minutes on foot."

After that, he added, "Let's ask the chef to start cooking when we get back!"

Otherwise, by the time they returned, the food would be cold.