Having been friends for so many years, Meng Kefei understood Tang Yuanyuan’s good intentions as Tang Yuanyuan had never looked down on her because of her family background. Tang Yuanyuan had even brought her home, let her wear pretty dresses, have sleepovers on the same bed, watch the sunrise, and even introduce Yishu to her.
For this reason, Meng Kefei knew that Tang Yuanyuan was harmless, and everything that she just said was genuinely out of her concern for Meng Kefei.
Nevertheless, something welled up within Meng Kefei that injured her pride.
She was aggrieved to realize that something that she had been working hard for could easily be replaced by someone’s words. Nothing was fair.
“I’m fine.” Meng Kefei softly rejected Tang Yuanyuan’s suggestion and forced a smile. “I’ll work hard to get the scholarship.”
“But—”
“It’s okay, Yuanyuan.” Meng Kefei held her by her hands. “I understand where you’re coming from and that you’re concerned for me. But I really don’t need this help.”
Her insistence caused Tang Yuanyuan to give up. There was no way Tang Yuanyuan would invite her to the barbecue place tonight again.
After receiving the news that Tang Yuanyuan was about to get some barbecue tonight, Yuan Yuehan and Zhang Xiaolu put on some thick make-up and decided to tag along.
When they arrived at the barbecue place, they only saw Zhong Chufeng. Disappointed, they pulled Tang Yuanyuan aside and whispered to her, “How come Yishu isn’t here?”
“Yishu is busy so he’s not coming tonight.” Of course, Tang Yuanyuan would never tell them the truth. She came up with whatever she could think of and saw the disappointed look on the two.
“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
“She’s right. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
Tang Yuanyuan was stunned. “What do you mean? Aren’t you here to eat barbecue?”
She was nonplussed. I thought they came here to eat barbecue. So, what does that have to do with Yishu?
Although confused and unsure, Tang Yuanyuan felt like she was getting some idea.
When the two realized that their intentions might have been exposed, they quickly saved themselves, adding, “It’s not what you think. We thought that Yishu would be here, but it turned out that he wasn’t, so we’re just feeling a little disappointed because of our expectations. You understand, right?”
“Disappointed?” Tang Yuanyuan was puzzled. “What does that have to do with whether or not Yishu’s here?”
“Of course it does, but it’s not just because of Yishu. If it’s only Yishu alone who showed up tonight without anyone else, we’ll also feel slightly disappointed. Let’s say we were supposed to be eating barbecue, but we found out after we arrived that you wouldn’t be coming; that’s how disappointment comes about. I’m sure you can understand where I’m coming from, can’t you?”
“Oh, okay.” Tang Yuanyuan thought she kind of understood, but not really. Head tilted, she gently asked, “Are you two hoping to see Yishu?”
Tang Yuanyuan remembered her conversation with Chufeng this afternoon about how many girls liked Yishu—these two girls standing right in front of her seemed to be part of that group.
Being slightly naïve and simple, Tang Yuanyuan proceeded to drop the bomb without a second thought.
“Do you guys like Yishu?”
Is Yishu really so popular that even my own classmates are after him?
Surprised by the question, Yuan Yuehan and Zhang Xiaolu came to their senses and explained, “Yuanyuan, why did you ask this question so suddenly? Did someone say something to you?”
“Oh, no.”
Tang Yuanyuan did not feel good about throwing Chufeng under the bus.
“We’re close to you because you’re a pure and adorable person; not because of any other reasons. Please don’t misunderstand us.”
Zhang Xiaolu felt chills in her spine. It must be that girl Meng Kefei’s fault. I thought she had stopped doing that already. Never thought she’s been waiting for this moment.
I gotta settle this with her.
For Yuan Yuehan, she could almost foresee what was going to happen to Meng Kefei.
Tang Yuanyuan asked that question out of curiosity after her conversations with Zhong Chufeng. Little did she know that this would spell disaster for Meng Kefei.
“Yuanyuan.”
In the near distance, Zhong Chufeng was waving at Tang Yuanyuan. “Come over here and pick what you want.”
Hearing his voice, Tang Yuanyuan immediately ran up to him.
Yuan Yuehan and Zhang Xiaolu sniggered as they saw this scene. “This guy has such a unique taste. Can’t believe he likes someone like her.”
“That’s right. To be honest, he looks decent; he’s tall and skinny and looks pretty strong. He should be looking for the prettiest girls of a department or a class. How did he fall for this fatty? Is he blind?”
“That’s men for you. They are strange and unpredictable. Who would know?”
Their conversation did not reflect that of high schoolers.
“You can take whatever you’d like to eat. After dinner, I’ll bring you for a walk before sending you back.”
“Thanks, Chufeng.”
Tang Yuanyuan then began selecting what she wanted while Zhong Chufeng stood in the corner, deciding to pamper her. When she was about to reach for a bottle of iced coke, he immediately stopped her.
“It’s better for girls not to take so many cold drinks. Sir, can we have some room temperature ones?”
Hearing this, Tang Yuanyuan pouted. “I’m not changing it. Iced drinks go well with barbecues.”
“Who taught you to have this unhealthy habit that you have to drink something cold while eating barbecue? You’re not having anything cold. Just the room temperature ones.”
Zhong Chufeng managed to get Tang Yuanyuan’s iced coke exchanged for a room temperature one, which annoyed Tang Yuanyuan. She pouted and stood there.
“Chufeng, you’re horrible. I don’t want the room temperature one. I want the iced one.”
“Little girl, you’re such—” Her stubbornness shocked Zhong Chufeng, who helplessly rubbed the back of his head. “Can you please listen to me just once tonight and not drink something cold?”
Tang Yuanyuan remained silent.
“Fine. You win. Let’s compromise, okay?”
“What do you mean?” Curious, Tang Yuanyuan stared at him.
“We take an iced one and one that’s of room temperature, and each of us can take half a bottle of each of these. How does that sound?”
Tang Yuanyuan felt this was reasonable. So, she nodded right away.
“Sure. I’ll drink the first half and leave the rest for you.”
“You said it.”
It took them a while to finally reach a conclusion on what drinks they should have. When they were back at their table, Zhong Chufeng’s phone rang. He took a look at the caller ID and saw that it was from Yuchi Yishu.
What the f*ck? Why’s Yishu calling me at this time?
Needless to say, Tang Yuanyuan looked up and asked with anticipation, “Chufeng, is that Yishu?”
