She's a Passerby, But Can See the Protagonist's Halo-Chapter 168

The appearance and disappearance of An'an felt like a fleeting dream.

Just last semester, she had been an auditing student at Bin University, but when checking the records again, there was no trace of "Lin Anning" left.

Apart from her parents and her godparents, it seemed no one remembered her anymore.

Even the nannies and housekeepers of the Lin family had no recollection of such a person ever living there.

All that remained for Lin Fan and Lin Lu were a handful of group photos—some taken at the aquarium, others from the day they became godparents, and a few from their trip to Ning City, where they visited an amusement park.

In the rest of the everyday photos, the eldest daughter was nowhere to be found.

This "cousin," who had briefly appeared for just over half a year, was now remembered only by a select few.

When Bin University reopened in September, Yan and Jue Jue had officially become sophomore seniors.

Walking hand in hand across campus, they observed the fresh, youthful faces around them with a peculiar sense of nostalgia.

"This year felt both fast and slow at the same time," Yan mused.

Looking back, the first half of freshman year had flown by, yet so much had happened in that short span.

Passing through the central square, they saw long lines of new students waiting to take photos at the welcome banners.

Parents dragging suitcases, freshmen with their families in tow, alumni volunteers in matching shirts—Yan and Jue Jue spotted familiar faces among them.

But none of that concerned them.

The campus was unusually crowded now, far noisier than during the summer semester.

For the next month, the main cafeteria would be packed during mealtimes, forcing them to either eat at the smaller college canteens or venture off-campus.

They didn’t linger outside for long. After a quick stroll and failing to spot any particularly dazzling newcomers, they headed back to their dorm.

"So many freshmen," Yan remarked, stretching as she entered the room. Seeing Yi Zhi tending to the last few potted plants on the balcony, she couldn’t help but chuckle, recalling how things had been during their own orientation.

"Any standout freshmen this year?" Bing Bing asked while organizing her belongings.

"Not that I noticed," Yan replied.

Since neither she nor Jue Jue had encountered any new "spotlight" figures, it was safe to assume there weren’t any.

"Time flies," Ding Ling remarked, tilting her head as she glanced at Gu Jiasui. The memory of last year’s dormitory drama was still vivid in her mind.

"By the way, are we eating in or going out tonight?"

"Are the guys joining us?" Yi Zhi asked.

Over the summer, the boys had taken a trip to Ning City, while their dorm had been scattered with individual commitments—only reuniting now for the new semester.

"With all the freshmen around, off-campus restaurants will be packed," He Xing pointed out.

"True," Yan agreed, tapping her chin.

"Then let’s… exploit Chu Shen’s cooking skills tomorrow. No classes anyway," Chu Bingbing suggested, her face lighting up at the thought of food.

"I haven’t had his fried rice in ages," Gu Jiasui chimed in, raising her hand.

"Nothing beats his fried rice," Ding Ling nodded emphatically. Though she’d been in Bin City, she’d been too busy to visit Chu’s little eatery.

"Same here," He Xing admitted sheepishly. She’d just returned from abroad and wasn’t particularly close with the boys’ dorm yet.

No matter how good other restaurants were, nothing compared to Boss Chu’s fried rice.

"Then it’s settled," Yan declared cheerfully. Though they hadn’t even informed Chu Shen yet, the decision was made.

Soon after, a message from Yan popped up in the group chat, followed by a chorus of tags directed at Chu Shen.

[Yan]: @Chu Shen, (︿ω︿) Since classes haven’t started, let’s have a gathering at your place tomorrow.

[Chu Bingbing]: Craving your fried rice.

[Yi Zhi]: Hehe.

[Ding Ling]: Heehee.

[Gu Jiasui]: Smirk.

[He Xing]: Ditto.

Meanwhile, Chu Shen, who had been lounging in his dorm fantasizing about a leisurely semester ahead:

"…"

"The group chat says we’re having a gathering tomorrow before classes start. Sounds good—it’s been a while since we all ate together," Ye Ping'an said.

"Honestly, I’ve been craving Boss Chu’s fried rice too," Yuan Ye admitted. His summer had been just as hectic.

Chu Shen sat up in bed, only to meet the expectant gazes of Zhu Jue and Xiao Qingnang.

Chu Shen: "…"

What choice did he have? Would his refusal even matter?!

[Chu Shen]: Fine, you tyrants.

Absolute tyrants, every single one of them!

With the chef’s reluctant agreement, Dorm 320 erupted into laughter. Since they weren’t going out tonight, they split into groups to grab food from different cafeterias.

[Yan]: We’ll all help out tomorrow!

[Chu Shen]: No, absolutely not. If you all show up, customers will follow.

[Chu Bingbing]: Then how about my place? The Chinese kitchen’s huge, there’s an entertainment room for movies, and it’s been gathering dust anyway.

Though it was a last-minute plan, everyone agreed that Chu Bingbing’s house was the better option. Chu’s eatery had unpredictable foot traffic, and with twelve people (plus the Lin family’s little one), arriving together or separately would draw too much attention.

As for cleanup, they weren’t freeloaders—with so many hands, it’d be easy. And if not, the luxury property’s 24/7 cleaning service could handle the rest.

The next day, Chu Bingbing, Yi Zhi, and Chu Shen were the first to leave.

Yi Zhi pretended to collect farm-fresh produce, while Chu Shen claimed he needed specialty eggs. Chu Bingbing headed home early to prepare, having already registered the day’s guests.

The two dorms then split up. The boys of Dorm 414 were summoned via WeChat by Chu Shen, who demanded they arrive early to assist as sous-chefs, prep cooks, and dishwashers.

Meanwhile, Yan, Ding Ling, Gu Jiasui, and He Xing took their time getting ready. Thanks to Gu Jiasui’s chauffeur-driven car, they avoided the hassle of public transit.

"Sweetie, don’t touch that."

"It’s fine!"

When Yan’s group arrived at Chu Bingbing’s place, they were greeted by the sight of Little An An gleefully exploring every corner.

Spotting Yan from afar, the little girl sprinted over like a tiny cannonball.

"Godmother!"

"Right here," Yan replied warmly, catching her in a hug.

For the first time, the sprawling 500-square-meter apartment felt alive to Chu Bingbing.

She rarely stayed here precisely because it felt too vast for one person. But with friends around, every room buzzed with laughter and curiosity.

In the expansive kitchen, the boys bustled under Chu Shen’s command, chopping, washing, and stirring as he wielded his wok with triumphant flair.

Yan and Gu Jiasui peeked in before quietly retreating.

Surprisingly, Chu Bingbing and Lin Lu hit it off, discussing lakeside property prices and potential investments.

He Xing admired the home gym and music room.

Meanwhile, Yi Zhi and Ding Ling had taken charge of Little An An—both staring wide-eyed as the child led them on an adventure.

Yan watched as Little An An dashed around the room, with Yi Zhi always guiding her from the front while Ding Ling followed closely behind, the two of them taking care of the little human child in tandem.

Little An An showed no fear of the unfamiliar surroundings—perhaps because the place carried many familiar scents. Filled with curiosity, her tiny feet pattered forward. Yi Zhi, worried the little one might fall, crouched down and stretched out her arms, ready to catch her.

In an instant, Little An An threw herself into Yi Zhi’s embrace.

Yan and Suisui watched as Yi Zhi seemed to freeze in place, stiff and unmoving.

“Pfft.” Gu Jiasui couldn’t help but laugh.

Little An An poked Yi Zhi’s face with her tiny fingers, but the tall young woman didn’t dare move a muscle, afraid that even the slightest shift might hurt the soft, delicate child.

In this post-apocalyptic world, human children were precious lives, each new birth cherished.

Yet those with formidable powers and unpredictable temperaments—like ability users—were often avoided by parents and families with young children.

Yi Zhi couldn’t remember the last time she had been this close to a child.

A sweet, soft little girl, pressing her face against hers.

Not afraid of her at all.

Yi Zhi stretched out her arms, and Little An An thought she wanted to hold her.

The chubby little arms reached out. “Up, up.”

Yi Zhi was instantly at a loss. She had never held a child before. Helplessly, she looked at Yan and Suisui for guidance.

But instead of helping, the two of them watched with amused eyes, teasing, “She’s asking you to hold her, Zhi Zhi.”

Yi Zhi’s arms slowly wrapped around the child, but she still looked at them pleadingly, full of uncertainty.

“I’m afraid I’ll hold her wrong.”

Human children were so small, so fragile, so light.

Yan had never seen Yi Zhi wear such an expression before.

“It’s fine. Just pick her up, and I’ll help you adjust,” she said, walking over.

Yan and Suisui positioned themselves on either side to guide her. Yi Zhi could easily lift Little An An with one arm, but now, cradling her carefully with both hands, she treated the child like a priceless treasure, letting Little An An tug at her dark green hair.

Ding Ling stood nearby, watching intently: Stare.jpg

With so many people gathered for the meal, it was no surprise that the menu went beyond just fried rice. There was more than one chef at work, too.

Yan noticed He Xing, her senior, frowning as she used a phone app to calculate her daily dietary intake. After a while, she gave up, turning off her screen—out of sight, out of mind.

Yan pretended not to see, stifling a laugh as she turned away, only to find Yi Zhi now carrying Little An An with ease. In fact, she seemed to glow with delight, wandering past them one moment and then drifting into the kitchen the next—like a child proudly showing off a newly acquired skill.

“Zhi Zhi, you’ve picked up childcare so quickly. Little An An really likes you,” Yan praised.

Gu Jiasui, standing beside Yan, nodded in agreement, making Yi Zhi suddenly shy.

“Really? I was afraid I’d be too rough.” She wondered if it was because her wood-based abilities had a gentle, soothing nature.

In this world, her powers were only the mild, nurturing kind—unlike in her past life, where even a single flower conjured from her killing aura would send children wailing and fleeing.

Considering classes started tomorrow—with nearly everyone having early lectures—today’s gathering was a lunch affair.

Compared to stir-fried dishes, the real challenge was the fried rice, mainly because Chu Bingbing’s household didn’t have any leftover cooked rice on hand. They had to steam fresh rice and let it cool before frying it.

Add to that the sheer number of people—especially with two bottomless pits like Yi Zhi and Lin Fan present—Chu Shen’s wok never stopped moving.

Dishes were brought to the table one after another. The rotating round table in the Chinese-style dining room could comfortably seat thirteen adults, and Chu Bingbing had even called the property management to borrow a temporary high chair for Little An An.

Over the summer, Chu’s Little Eatery had added several new dishes to its menu.

Sister Song’s Fish Soup and Mapo Tofu—both dishes Chu Shen had mastered after delving into the culinary arts—now graced the table.

Since Little An An was present, her baby food was prepared separately—small portions but packed with nutrition and variety.

The fish soup was individually served in small porcelain bowls. Once the dishes, rice, and utensils were all set, Chu Shen removed his apron and hat and took his seat, only to find everyone staring at him—as if waiting for the chef to sit and speak before they could start eating.

He cleared his throat. “Well… let’s eat.”

With no formal speeches or leaders to delay them—and cooking being hard work—the guys were already hungry. Fruit might be tasty, but it wasn’t filling.

The clinking of chopsticks and bowls filled the air. Yan stirred the fish soup in her white porcelain bowl with a ceramic spoon. The first sip was smooth and rich, carrying a natural sweetness that soothed her throat and warmed her stomach.

The bold aroma of Mapo Tofu exploded on her taste buds—the tofu scaldingly hot yet tender, the numbing spice making her tongue tingle even as she swallowed eagerly. The complex layers of heat and spice had her nose sweating, yet she couldn’t get enough. A bite of tofu followed by a mouthful of fried rice was the perfect pairing—so satisfying!

If her throat started feeling tight, she’d reach for a bite of the boiled summer squash and green beans.

The dish, simply boiled in water without oil or salt, was served with a chili dipping sauce. Since Yi Zhi had brought fresh pumpkin and green beans from her farm, Chu Shen had opted for this minimalist yet delicious preparation.

After the intense flavors of the Mapo Tofu, the unadorned vegetables offered pure, refreshing sweetness—the natural taste of the ingredients themselves, cleansing the palate perfectly.

Sixteen dishes in total, excluding the soup—each served in generous portions. Aside from the occasional exclamations of “So good!” “This is amazing!” “Fried rice is forever the best!” and “Chef Chu is a legend!”—everyone was too busy eating to talk much. Yi Zhi, with her impressive appetite, lasted until the very end.

“I can’t imagine life after graduation without this fried rice,” Chu Bingbing groaned, slumping in her seat.

The sentiment was met with unanimous nods.

“You’re really not tired of eating it for four years straight?” Chu Shen chuckled.

“The thing is, right now, we’re all getting in through the back door. Who knows how crowded Chu’s Little Eatery will be in three years? I don’t even want to think about it,” Yuan Ye said, waving a hand.

“I snuck into the restaurant’s group chat and saw someone say they wanted to kidnap Chu Shen and lock him in a room to cook for them until they got sick of it,” Chu Bingbing added.

Chu Shen’s expression turned serious. “You all have to protect me, then.”

With so many unhinged people online, who knew if it was just a joke or a real threat?

“Actually, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea. Just take Chef Chu with us and lock him up together—whip in hand, forcing him to cook,” Ye Ping’an joked lightly. ƒreewebɳovel.com

He glanced at the couple. “When are you two getting married? We’ll rent an island for the honeymoon and have Chef Chu man the wok the whole time.”

“Damn it!” Chu Shen couldn’t help but exclaim.

“You go on your romantic getaway, and I’m stuck cooking? That’s cruel!”

Yan’s eyes curved into crescents. “I like this idea.”

She counted on her fingers. “That’d be in about two years—right after you all graduate. Jue Jue and I will be old enough to get our marriage license and hold the wedding. Perfect timing—everyone will probably still be around.”

“Chef Chu, count yourself lucky. At least we’re not making you cater a whole banquet,” Yuan Ye said, clapping Chu Shen on the shoulder.

"That's too much! Even the landlords' hired laborers weren't treated like this!" Chu Shen pretended to roar, making everyone burst into laughter.

"Wouldn't renting an island for the wedding be a bit troublesome?" Zhu Jue was already seriously considering the idea.

"If nothing goes wrong, I should have a yacht delivered soon. Finding a private island shouldn’t be too hard." Chu Bingbing raised her hand, knowing the couple’s families would prefer something low-key.

She had won the yacht as a reward for completing her summer spending challenge and was still figuring out how to use it.

By the time she graduated, she might even have a private island to her name.

"A yacht trip to an island wedding with so few people? Sounds like a horror movie," Yuan Ye couldn’t help but tease.

"No problem. If we hold it domestically, Yan and Zhu Jue’s families are in Ning City. We could also use my courtyard house—I’ve got the venue," Chu Bingbing said excitedly.

"How about one traditional ceremony and one modern one?" Gu Jiasui joined the discussion.

She rested one hand against her cheek while the other was tightly interlaced with someone else’s beneath the table.

"Their families don’t need separate ceremonies for the bride’s and groom’s sides. We could split it into an elders' event and a friends' event," Xiao Qingnang, who was holding her hand, suggested gently.

"Hey, hey, hey—what? Chu Shen, are you guys already planning my sister’s wedding two years in advance? Wait for us! Is no one taking minutes here?" A young boy’s face popped up from Chu Shen’s phone.

Ding Ling sat at the table, cupping her cheeks, lost in thought.

Even though there were still over two years left, she’d better start saving up for the wedding gift now.

Come on, Little Ding Ling!

Yan and Jue Jue lounged comfortably in their chairs, listening to their friends’ lively chatter.

Hmm… even though it was still more than two years away, hearing everyone’s plans made it feel much closer.

"Do we really need to start planning this early?" Yan asked.

"On Xiaohongshu, wedding prep takes years—at least ten months minimum," Xiao Bao chimed in from the video call.

Yan was shocked. "What?"

"Venues, dresses, good locations—you have to book them way in advance," Lin Lu added.

"A lot of things require reservations," Lin Fan nodded, mentioning that even military marriage applications had a process.

The discussion grew even more enthusiastic, while Yan and Jue Jue quietly got up to clear the table and load the dishwasher.

When they returned, they found a new group chat had been created on their phones.

At that very moment, the members of the group were multiplying rapidly.

Chu Shen added Xiao Bao and Da Bao, Xiao Bao invited Xu Jiaojiao, who then brought in Da He, Brother Bao, and others.

Yan ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍and Jue Jue: "…"

The group name was also glaringly obvious.

[Yan Qingwen & Zhu Jue Wedding Planning Group]