Hai Xiaotang left the hospital, suddenly craving some chatter.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Qiao Ning, âHey, Qiao Ning, are you free? I want to treat you to a meal.â
âIâm free, but this time Iâll treat you! Otherwise, I wonât go.â Qiao Ning said with an intentional tease over the phone.
A smile gleamed on Hai Xiaotangâs face: âAlright, itâs on you then.â
Once they agreed on a meeting location, they hung up the phone.
Hai Xiaotang arrived at the restaurant first, with Qiao Ning trailing a few minutes behind.
âQiao Ning, I am over⦠here!â Hai Xiaotang waved at her happily as she spotted her friend.
Qiao Ning hurried over, sat down opposite her, and with a grin she asked: âXiaotang, what made you want to have a meal with me today? I thought you would at the library studying.â
âStudying all the time is such a bore. Plus, we havenât had a meal together in a while, so I thought we should catch up now that I have some free time.â Hai Xiaotang handed her the menu, âOrder whatever you want, Iâve already placed my order.â
âAlright.â
After they had ordered their meals, they started chatting.
A few sentences into their conversation, Hai Xiaotangâs phone buzzed with a message.
It was from Dongfang Yu.
[Where are you? Have you gone home?]
Thinking of giving him a chance, Hai Xiaotang replied as normally as she could.
[Iâm having a meal with Qiao Ning.]
[Where are you dining?] Dongfang Yu quickly asked.
Hai Xiaotang replied honestly with the name of the Western restaurant.
No more messages came from Dongfang Yu after that.
âWho are you chatting with?â Qiao Ning casually asked, chuckling, âYou donât seem yourself.â
Hai Xiaotang looked up, displaying a puzzled grin, âWhere am I off?â
âWell, this isnât a casual chat with friends, itâs a guy who is smitten with you, isnât it?â
Qiao Ning was spot on with her intuition; she could sense it all.
Hai Xiaotang lied on purpose, âNo, you guessed it wrong.â
Qiao Ning was naive; she took those words at face value, âReally? I thought it was a male classmate pursing you.â
âAbsolutely not.â Hai Xiaotang cleverly diverted the attention towards her, âI donât have any male classmates pursuing me. Itâs you whoâs constantly been chased by a bunch of boys.â
After all, Qiao Ning was cute and charming, with a tender and kind nature.
Of course, boys would be lining up for her!
Mentioning this, Qiao Ning was troubled, âDonât mention it, itâs driving me crazy.â
âWhatâs wrong? Who is it? Someone from your class, or another class?â Hai Xiaotang immediately turned into a gossipmonger.
Qiao Ning was even more distressed, âIf he was a fellow student, it would be easier to turn him down. But heâs not, and to make it worse, he is someone I really canât stand.â
âWho could it be?â Hai Xiaotang was more intrigued, âSpeak up, whatâs his occupation, whatâs he look like? Is he a good catch?â
Brimming with excitement, Qiao Ning couldnât help but laugh, âWhy do 1 feel like youâre enjoying this? Didnât you hear me say Iâm distressed to death?â
Hai Xiaotang replied with a laugh, âIâm not gloating over your misery. If the guy loves you truly, and heâs a good catch, then naturally 1 would be happy for you. Qiao Ning, if he really is a good guy, you should give him a chance.â
Qiao Ning shot back, âWhat kind of friend are you to suggest I accept someone I absolutely loathe?â
Hai Xiaotang snickered, âIâm just afraid youâd miss out on a man who truly loves you.â
This was, of course, a better choice than being hopelessly devoted to Chai Xiyang.
Triggered with some thought, Qiao Ning was faced with utter frustration, almost like eating a bitter gourd, âForget it, letâs drop it. Thereâs no way Iâd ever accept such a man. Xiaotang, letâs discuss something else..â