Chapter 332: 325: Found Ten Dollars

Tang Yuxin ordered a few dishes, along with three bowls of rice.

“Eat up,” Tang Yuxin passed the chopsticks to them. It’s my treat.

“We can’t possibly impose like this?” The two girls sat there looking rather awkward.

“It’s fine, go ahead,” Tang Yuxin had already picked up her chopsticks and started eating. Seeing this, they too took their chopsticks and started eating slowly, but with great manners.

In actual fact, Tang Yuxin felt they were probably lively individuals, certainly not the demure types.

Perhaps it was just because they weren’t familiar with one another, so their reserved behavior was understandable.

Tang Yuxin put down her bowl, which was almost empty, she turned around, and there he was, the man standing at the food counter who kept sneaking glances. He was in his twenties, definitely a man now.

And that man was none other than Zhang Yong’an. Despite his parents being working professionals, their company’s benefits were not impressive. Zhang Yong’an had quite a privileged upbringing, to the extent of looking down on people from the countryside. However, as the company’s profits gradually declined, their living standards followed suit.

Even so, there were aspects of his life that others envied. Although Zhang Yong’an was plain-looking with a below-average height, he excelled academically and managed to get into a decent university —becoming the pride and joy of his parents.

At first, he was studying at Xiyou University, but in his second year, Zhang Yong’an got accepted at Qing University. This esteemed institution was not one that you’d give up easily. Tang Yuxin had also hoped to get into Qing University’s School of Medicine, but her grades weren’t up to the mark. It had always been her lifelong regret, not making the cut.

Therefore, seeing Zhang Yong’an at the university campus was not surprising in the least. At this point, he had just started studying Computer Engineering and Information Systems at Qing University. Later, he would go on to complete his post-graduation there as well and study abroad, eventually landing a job with an annual salary in the hundreds of thousands.

Zhang Yong’an’s family was always tight on finances. His parents had to do everything they could to put him through university. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, they could only provide him with the love but not the luxury.

During his time in school, Zhang Yong’an had a very limited living allowance. He had to save on clothes, as well as on food, always choosing the cheapest options. No matter what, he would never let anyone know the cheapest that he was eating, hence he either went early or late and always chose to eat in the least crowded area.

Later on, when Tang Yuxin met him, most of their meals were financed by the money she earned through her part-time job. Zhang Yong’an had no qualms about living off a woman, and this continued for over ten years.

Tang Yuxin, on the other hand, truly had no clue how he had the audacity or how she was bold enough to get involved with him.

At this moment, Zhang Yong’an felt that the cost of food at Qing University was far too expensive —so much so, it felt unaffordable. Finally, he gritted his teeth and ordered one vegetarian and one meat dish. Considering the crowd at the place, he was afraid of being ridiculed if he chose not to eat. His reputation meant more than his appetite.

Gathering his food tray, Zhang Yong’an spotted Tang Yuxin. She was sitting there with two female students, relishing a spread of various dishes. Among the dishes, he could spot what seemed to be a fish and perhaps chicken too.

How wasteful! Zhang Yong’an frowned. Two dishes would have sufficed for three; why did they have to order so many? Moreover, they had ordered luxury dishes like fish and chicken. How much would this spread cost? Wouldn’t stir-fry potatoes and bok choy have been enough?

He walked over, intending to say something, but in the end, he held his tongue.

He began eating his food feeling quite pleased, as the meal seemed rather gourmet to him. There was meat, vegetables, and even soup – a complimentary feature of the cafeteria. The meat was double-cooked pork, the smallest portion, and the vegetable dish was stir-fried bok choy.

Such a meal was satisfying. Consuming too much meat isn’t healthy, so he had ordered just one meat dish. Not too much, not too little —just right.

As he was eating his bok choy, he occasionally glanced at the fish and chicken on Tang Yuxin’s table. His mouth involuntarily turned sour. It had been a long time since he had fish or chicken. When was the last time he had eaten those?

Tang Yuxin put down her chopsticks, seemingly unaware of the envy in Zhang Yong’an’s gaze. It was truly a pity for him, as he could only watch the food but not taste it.

She put her hand into her pocket and left a ten-dollar note under the table.

Zhang Yong’an was slowly savouring his meal as if he was relishing his double-cooked pork. If he could, he would have liked to make this one dish last for two meals. He wondered if it could be packed up to save for dinner.

Suddenly, he looked down and spotted a ten-dollar note lying not far from his feet. After glancing around, he discretely placed his foot on top of it.

“My money’s missing,” Tang Yuxin casually pat her pocket, seeming not too worried.

“Oh sister, how much did you lose?” Ma Tiantian immediately asked.

“Not much, ten dollars. I’ll look for it. If I can’t find it, let it be,” Tang Yuxin stood up, prepared to look for her money. All this while, Zhang Yong’an’s emotions were in turmoil. He wanted to say the money was right there, but in the end, he didn’t open his mouth. He left his seat and bent down, pretending to tie his shoelaces.

Tang Yuxin walked over. How could she not have noticed Zhang Yong’an’s actions?

She gave a faint smile, her eyes full of sarcasm.

This was so typical of him, and it wasn’t the first time either.

Every time he saw money on the ground, regardless of whether someone was looking for it, he would step on it, and later claim it as his own.

Tang Yuxin extended her hand and placed it on top of Zhang Yong’an’s plate of food. Unseen to the naked eye, she sprinkled some powder from her fingertips onto the dish.

“Did you find it?” When Tang Yuxin returned, Ma Tiantian and Cheng Xue asked her. They had also looked around at their spots, but there was no sign of money.

“If I can’t find it, let it be. Let’s go,” Tang Yuxin picked up her bag, seemingly not bothered about packing the leftover food. In this life, her family’s financial condition was pretty good. At the very least, she didn’t have to worry about what to eat for three days. And her part-time job was merely to fill her time, not her bank account.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After watching them leave, Zhang Yong’an finally stood up, firmly clutching the ten-dollar bill in his sweaty palm.