Phi-Fic Chapter 724 Windy Bistro
Chapter 724 Windy Bistro
"Spray...spray it back?" Da Mai was stunned; clearly, Lin Bufan's simple and direct answer was beyond her ability to handle the situation.
Nana, who has experience as a live streamer, shares similar concerns and sighed, "Yeah, those people hide behind the screen and can say all sorts of nasty things. Plus, there are so many of them, how can you possibly handle them all by yourself?"
"Tch!" Lin Bufan scoffed disdainfully, patting his chest forcefully with an air of "I'm the best in the world!" "They're good? How good can they be? They're just a bunch of trash! Trying to out-insult me? I'm not bragging, but their vocabulary combined wouldn't even fill a gap between my teeth! I'll insult one if they come, and two if they come!"
Of course, what Lin Bufan didn't say was that if he couldn't win the argument, he would go and confront him offline!
Seeing Lin Bufan's overconfident demeanor, Chen Nanxing couldn't help but pour cold water on him, teasing him with a smile: "Yes, yes, you have a rich vocabulary, you're so great! But you can't compete with the sheer volume of comments. Thousands upon thousands of negative reviews are flooding in. No matter how fast you type with your ten fingers, can you outpace them?"
"More people?" Lin Bufan chuckled, revealing a sly expression. "Can others outnumber me?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Youyu became interested: "Oh? Brother Lin, from what you're saying... you even called for backup?"
"Absolutely!" Lin Bufan leaned back smugly, crossed his legs, and began reminiscing about his glorious past: "Back when I was still in school, I got into a fight with some clueless guy online. That guy was incredibly foul-mouthed, and I fought him for three hundred rounds, almost driving him crazy. But guess what? He realized he couldn't out-argue me, so he started calling in reinforcements! That really pissed me off!"
Lin Bufan paused, looked around at the attentive crowd, and gave a special look at Da Mai, whose eyes were wide open, before continuing, "In a fit of anger, I called on everyone in our school, whether they were students, teachers, shopkeepers, or on the basketball team—anyone who could access the internet and type! Goodness, the scene was like a battle, with the keyboards clattering away! Our whole group chased after that guy and his henchmen, yelling and cursing at them. We were incredibly imposing!"
Hu Youyu listened with great interest and quickly asked, "And then? And then? Did you just verbally abuse the other person until they deleted their account and quit the internet?"
"Sigh..." Lin Bufan's smugness instantly vanished, and he sighed heavily, his expression turning somewhat depressed: "No, not at all."
"Huh?" Nana exclaimed in surprise, "Your whole school has mobilized, and you haven't even started criticizing them? How many people did they hire? Did they bring in all the trolls on the internet?"
Lin Bufan shook his head.
Chen Nanxing guessed, "Could it be that the other side has some secret weapon? Like... using some kind of insulting software?"
Lin Bufan continued to shake his head.
Ma Qiushan had been listening quietly, but now he couldn't help but flick his prayer beads and guess, "But is it because the other side is eloquent and persuasive, making you feel ashamed of yourselves?"
"No, not exactly." Lin Bufan shook his head again, his expression even more frustrated.
After several incorrect guesses, everyone's curiosity was piqued. Chen Nanxing scratched his head, "Stop keeping me in suspense! What happened? There are so many people in your school, how come no one has said anything... From what you're saying, the other side doesn't seem to have many people either?"
Lin Bufan sighed again, picked up the water glass next to him and took a big gulp, then slowly said with a pained expression, "At first, we really had the upper hand, and it looked like we were about to win a great victory. But later, things gradually went wrong... Our firepower got weaker and weaker, while the other side, I don't know what happened, suddenly increased their firepower, it was like they had a cheat code! In the end... in the end, they actually pushed us back!"
Amidst the even more bewildered gazes of the crowd, Lin Bufan revealed the truth, his tone filled with indignation at the "decline of morality and injustice": "Because we actually have a traitor on our side! All the people I recruited have turned against us at the last minute, becoming traitors. They even took the opportunity to smear me, what a bunch of ingrates! I even thanked them when I asked for their help, they've lost all their conscience!"
Upon hearing Lin Bufan's "grief and indignation" accusation, the people in the courtyard first looked at each other in bewilderment, and then someone couldn't help but burst out laughing. Immediately afterwards, everyone burst into an uncontrollable chuckle.
As night deepened, the laughter and chatter eventually subsided amidst satisfaction and exhaustion. Everyone returned to their rooms to rest, and the courtyard returned to tranquility.
……
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin mist and filled the courtyard, while birds chirped sweetly in the branches. Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing, already ready, arrived at the door of Lin Bufan's room number 5.
"Lin Bufan, get up!" Xu Hongdou knocked on the door, her voice clear and crisp.
There was no sound from inside.
Chen Nanxing increased the force and pounded on the door a few more times: "Lin Bufan! Get up! Didn't we agree to go to the ancient town today?"
A rustling sound of turning over came from the room, followed by Lin Bufan's indistinct, sleepy mumbling: "Ugh...don't make a sound...it's not even dawn yet...let your brother sleep for five more minutes...just five minutes..."
Chen Nanxing and Xu Hongdou exchanged a helpless glance. Chen Nanxing leaned closer to the crack in the door and raised his voice: "What? It's not dawn yet! The sun's already high in the sky! Get up, we're waiting for you to have breakfast!"
"Breakfast..." The voice inside seemed to wake up a little, but then quickly fell back into bedtime mode: "Breakfast... no rush... once I've mastered my divine skills, I can live on air and dew... phew..."
Xu Hongdou sighed, took out her phone, and started playing the alarm she had prepared in advance—a highly penetrating and rhythmic square dance anthem instantly resounded throughout the corridor.
This trick really worked!
A muffled thud was heard from inside the room, as if someone had rolled off the bed. This was followed by Lin Bufan's exasperated, fully awake shout: "Get up! Get up! Turn it off! Xu Hongdou! You're ruthless! I'll get up, okay?!"
Outside the door, Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing exchanged a triumphant smile.
After a while, the door to room number 5 finally creaked open. Lin Bufan, with a head of messy hair that looked like a bird's nest, appeared in the doorway, still half asleep. His pajamas were askew, and he had a blank expression on his face, like a koala that had been forcibly turned on and was running out of memory.
"Good morning, ladies..." Lin Bufan yawned widely, his voice hoarse, "Do you know that disturbing someone's sleep is like cutting off their livelihood..."
Chen Nanxing pushed Lin Bufan into the house: "Stop joking around, hurry up and wash up and change your clothes, we'll wait for you downstairs. If you dawdle any longer, it'll be almost noon!"
Lin Bufan was completely exasperated by Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing's relentless wake-up calls, and had no choice but to resign himself to washing up. The icy water splashed on his face, finally waking him up a bit. He hastily threw on a T-shirt and casual pants, and with his short hair barely smoothed out with his hands, he followed the two energetic ladies out the door, looking dejected.
The ancient town's stone-paved streets were warmed by the morning sun, and the air was filled with the fragrance of unknown flowers and the aroma of food. Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing walked ahead with great interest, like birds released from their cages. They were fascinated by the unique shops along the street, the quaint buildings, and even a cluster of bougainvillea blooming in a corner. They stopped from time to time to take pictures, chatted quietly, and laughed crisply.
Lin Bufan, who was entrusted with the "important task of carrying bags and taking photos," followed behind like a wandering soul, his eyes half-closed and his steps unsteady, yawning one after another, as if he could fall asleep standing up at any moment.
Chen Nanxing turned around and looked at him, unable to resist laughing and teasing, "Hey, Lin, the great photographer and chief bag carrier, in your current state, your eyes can't even focus, how can you take any good photos for us? Who was it yesterday who patted their chest and guaranteed to provide excellent service?"
Xu Hongdou turned around, a knowing smile playing on her lips, and deliberately drawled, "Yes—someone patted their chest and guaranteed it yesterday—"
Lin Bufan struggled to open his heavy eyelids, weakly waving his hand, his voice hoarse from just waking up and utterly resigned: "Okay... I admit... my voice yesterday... was a bit loud. My two beautiful ladies, please allow me a moment to catch up, just a little while... Once my soul catches up with my body, I'll definitely complete the mission with top quality..."
Seeing Lin Bufan's pitiful yet stubborn appearance, Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing exchanged a glance, both seeing the same helplessness and amusement in each other's eyes. They shrugged in tacit agreement and decided to let this "half-on" guy go for the time being.
The turning point came after a breakfast featuring local specialties. After a bowl of hot, flavorful braised pork rice noodles, Lin Bufan seemed to be injected with energy. His eyes finally regained their usual brightness, and he seemed to come alive again.
"Fully recharged!" Lin Bufan stretched, deftly picked up the camera hanging around his neck, and snapped a series of photos of Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing, who were picking out handmade tie-dyed fabrics at a stall. He directed them, "Hey, that's right! Hongdou's profile is beautiful! Nanxing, take a look at that blue one, yes, hold it up, smile! Perfect!"
As promised, Lin Bufan, after his resurrection, became a dutiful "travel companion." With his amazing arm strength, he quickly filled his hands with all sorts of trinkets the two had bought—exquisite ceramic cat figurines, colorful tie-dyed handkerchiefs, handmade soaps exuding a woody fragrance… At the same time, the shutter of his camera was almost constantly clicking, sometimes capturing the two women's natural interactions, sometimes instructing them on how to pose nicely, and even actively seeking out distinctive backgrounds. His professional demeanor and clever composition impressed Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing.
Of course, Lin Bufan honed his superb photography skills little by little while taking photos of his good friends!
The morning passed in a relaxed and enjoyable way, with people strolling around, eating, and taking photos. As noon approached, the sun became quite intense, and the three of them were feeling thirsty and tired. As agreed beforehand, they arrived at "The Breeze Bistro," where Nana worked.
The small restaurant is decorated warmly and tastefully, with wooden tables and chairs, green plants, and the aroma of coffee and desserts filling the air. It's lunchtime, a slightly busier time, and Nana, wearing an apron, is deftly taking orders and serving drinks to customers. Behind the bar, a woman who looks to be in her thirties, wearing a smart shirt and with sharp eyes, is checking the accounts. She is Xie Xiaochun, the manager of the restaurant and also the administrator of the courtyard.
"Nana!" Chen Nanxing waved with a smile.
Nana looked up at the sound, saw them, and immediately smiled, quickly walking over: "Hongdou, Nanxing, Lin Bufan, you're here! You must be tired after shopping all morning, right? Quickly find a place to sit down, what would you like to drink? It's on me today!"
"Then we won't stand on ceremony!" Chen Nanxing said with a grin, and he and Xu Hongdou found a table by the window and sat down.
Lin Bufan placed the various shopping bags he was carrying on the empty chair next to him, let out a long sigh, and sat down. He then naturally asked, "Nana, do you have any recommendations for something that's thirst-quenching and refreshing?"
"Our freshly squeezed tamarind juice is very good, sweet and sour and appetizing. Or you can try our local specialty Pu'er tea, which is also great for cutting through the richness," Nana enthusiastically introduced.
At this moment, Xie Xiaochun, who was behind the bar, also looked up, her gaze sweeping over precisely. When she saw Lin Bufan's unfamiliar face, her eyes held a hint of scrutiny and understanding. She put down what she was holding and walked over, a professional and cheerful smile on her face: "Hongdou, Nanxing, this must be Mr. Lin, who has just moved into room number 5? I am Xie Xiaochun, the manager of Youfeng Courtyard, and also the person in charge of this restaurant." Her speech was slightly faster, revealing her shrewdness and competence.
"Xiaochun." Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing both greeted her with smiles.
Lin Bufan stood up, returned the greeting with a hearty smile, and extended his hand: "Hello Manager Xiaochun, I am Lin Bufan. I just moved in. Please take care of me in the future."
Xie Xiaochun shook hands with him, her smile unchanged: "Welcome, welcome! Are you settling in well? Feel free to ask me if you need anything, or Nana if I'm not around." Her gaze quickly swept between Lin Bufan, Xu Hongdou, and Chen Nanxing, with a hint of barely perceptible inquiry, but she didn't ask any further questions. She simply said, "Then you all have a seat. Nana, take good care of them. I have some things to attend to." With that, she hurried back to the bar.
Nana breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took out the menu: "Come on, let's see what we'd like to drink, and try our desserts. Today we have freshly made tiramisu and jasmine tea mousse..."
Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, illuminating the wooden table covered with a checkered tablecloth. The three ordered drinks and desserts, then leaned back in their chairs, leisurely enjoying the pleasant midday hour. Lin Bufan glanced at the sparse crowd outside the window, then at Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing across from him, chatting and laughing quietly with serene expressions. A slight smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
This trip to fight for love is time-sensitive and demanding, so it seems we need to work even harder!
Awesome!!!