10 The Gathering (1/2)

”Thank you, Ye Lingchen.” Zhang Yunxi could not help saying as she looked at Ye Lingchen calmly on the road.

Had it not been Ye Lingchen's help today, she could not even begin to imagine how the day would turn out in the end.

”Why do you have to be so courteous to me. You've been great to me when we were young by frequently tutoring me,” said Ye Lingchen smilingly.

Zhang Yunxi smiled and said curiously, ”Since when have you gotten to know so many things? That's impressive.”

”There are still many other things that I know. I guess you can say that I know everything in heaven above and the earth underneath,” said Ye Lingchen in a feigned arrogant manner.

Zhang Yunxi covered her mouth to conceal her chuckle. ”Why don't I buy you lunch in appreciation of your help today.”

”Sure.” Ye Lingchen did not have a reason to reject a beautiful woman's lunch treat.

Both of them walked by the roadside quietly comparable a couple with neither of them suggesting to hail a taxi. Ye Lingchen peeked at Zhang Yunxi. Under the radiant sunlight, he could see the fine hair on her face. She was so exquisite it made his heart leap.

They arrived at New City Plaza where there were many good-looking boys and pretty girls dressed in school uniforms strolling about. They chatted and laughed with one another which formed a beautiful scenic spot.

All sorts of restaurants that sold steak, seafood, barbeque and western cuisines could be found in this plaza. However, the price points was not low. Ye Lingchen suddenly remembered about Zhang Yunxi's family background. He could not stop himself from saying, ”Yunxi, it has been a long time since we've last met each other. Why don't I buy you a meal instead.”

”Why, are you underestimating me?” Zhang Yunxi scoffed. ”Don't worry. I do work part-time jobs occasionally. I still have some savings so I can afford to buy you a meal anyhow.”

”Since that is the case, then I'll help myself to your treat.” Ye Lingchen did not insist on treating the meal. Then, he said, ”I know that there's this rather nice noodle house that serves good noodles. Why don't we go and have our meal there.”

Zhang Yunxi appeared to be slightly hesitant.

”Let alone noodles, I bet that even the water tastes sweet for me just because I get to enjoy it with a beautiful woman like you. It's decided then,” said Ye Lingchen hastily before he led the way to the inside of the plaza.

Zhang Yunxi blushed from shyness. She glared at Ye Lingchen for a moment before she followed.

”Hey, Yunxi. You're here.”

A voice that sounded like it belonged to a misfit jolted Ye Lingchen from his recollection back to reality. A modern-looking woman dressed in a red dress stood on the outside of the window. Soon afterward, she walked into the noodle house in long strides.

She had thick makeup on her face and she was fully adorned in fancy jewelry. She walked with her slender waist swaying side to side like a snake woman. She exuded an irresistible temptation from every single part of her body. She was both mature yet sexy.

Zhang Yunxi was like an unripe apple while this woman was already so fully ripened that juice could be squeezed out of her.

The people that were originally eating noodles in the shop became distracted at once, watching her in a daze.

The woman behaved as if she was used to being watched closely and greedily by the people around her. On the contrary, she appeared to be enjoying the attention. She would throw soft glances at somebody occasionally. She was beyond enticing.

”Hey sis, what a coincidence,” Zhang Yunxi greeted. However, she appeared to be reserved.

”Yunxi, I would've bought you a meal if I knew that you're coming over. Noodles aren't that nutritious. There's a seafood place next door that serves air-flown seafood. A meal costs about 500RMB per person. Come, let's go together,” said the woman smilingly after taking a seat next to Zhang Yunxi without being invited.

”It's alright, sister. I'm here for a meal with Lingchen.” Zhang Yunxi shook her head.

”Sister Kong Wei, it's been ages since I last saw you.”

Kong Wei was Zhang Yunxi's cousin. She came from the same village as Ye Lingchen and her facial features looked just a little similar to Zhang Yunxi.

Ye Lingchen could not help acknowledging that Zhang Yunxi's family genes were very powerful. Kong Wei was a beauty as well. It was only that her temperament was much more open than Zhang Yunxi. She had already dated a few boyfriends from wealthy families since she got into college. She was always gorgeously dressed in branded attire. The bag in her hand itself was worth more than 10000RMB.

It was said that she had already begun to delve into the entertainment industry. She had been cast into a few movies and had even played the role of a supporting female #4 before.

Meanwhile, Kong Wei had only just cast her gaze upon Ye Lingchen. She spoke in disdain, ”Oh it's you, Lingchen. No wonder you can only afford to treat Yunxi to a meal like this.”

”Sister, I'm the one treating the meal. He did me a solid favor today,” said Zhang Yunxi in embarrassment.

”What? You treated the meal?” Kong Wei had a drastic change of expression. Her gaze was even filled with scorn as she looked toward Ye Lingchen. ”Yunxi, come with me. I need to talk to you in private.”

Kong Wei pulled Zhang Yunxi towards the washroom without allowing anyone to explain further. Soon afterward, she said in all earnestness, ”Yunxi, I've gone through it all before. I told you many times that you need to choose your friends wisely. Some friends can't offer any help to you. They will even drag you down. This is known as ineffective social interaction. You must pay more attention to this especially when you're dealing with someone from the opposite gender!”

”Sister, Lingchen is a good man. He helped me today!” Zhang Yunxi emphasized once again.

'”Good man? No man is a good person! You're not young anymore. Don't be so naive from now on. A man is only good when he gives you money, understand?” Kong Wei was exasperated because she knew that Zhang Yunxi could do better than that. ”You should be well aware of his family background. I think that his annual family income is not even enough to buy the clothes and jewelry on my body now!”

”In the event of us not growing up in the same village when we were young, a d*ckhead like him is not even worthy of being my shoe servant!” Kong Wei said condescendingly.

Zhang Yunxi's expression dimmed. She spoke with rage, ”Sister, I won't allow you to speak of my friend in that manner.”

”Alright alright alright. I won't talk about him for the time being.” Kong Wei continued to speak, ”Have you considered my proposal earlier? Just by nodding your head, you can be a supporting female role and female lead in your next movie. You'll become an instant hit!”

”Sister, I've decided on taking the college entrance examination first,” said Zhang Yunxi persistently after she hesitated for a moment.

”You! You're so stubborn! Can you get rich by getting into a college? Even the chancellor will try to curry favor with you when you're a celebrity!” Kong Wei paused for a moment. ”So, there's this gathering tonight. Come with me to the gathering! GM Wang doesn't always appreciate someone's presence but he appreciated you. Don't pass this opportunity!”