Chapter 198 - 197: May Lightning Strike Us Down
Bai Zhongyuan also knew he was being a bit unreasonable; everyone has their own thoughts, and Shanghai is actually a city full of opportunities.
"Oh, forget what I said. I just came back, and you’re not even making an effort to welcome me, just sitting there."
Bai Zhongyuan glanced sideways at Gu Xiaoqing, whose family is famously known for the Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot. He’s been craving it for quite some time, and not extorting Gu Xiaoqing for a meal this time would mean his pricey plane ticket was wasted.
Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t help but laugh at this guy.
"Let’s go, I’ll treat you to a meal."
Since Bai Zhongyuan was so blatantly expressing this, Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t be stingy.
Bai Zhongyuan promptly signaled the waiter to bring the bill.
The two walked towards the exit.
As the glass door opened, they bumped into five or six people.
"Hey, Gu Xiaoqing, you’re here. We had a hard time finding you."
As soon as the voice fell, a body rushed in front of Gu Xiaoqing and clung onto his arm.
Gu Xiaoqing sighed; no matter where he goes, he always runs into this guy. Is this fate, or is it misfortune?
Wei Ziyun innocently clung to Gu Xiaoqing, excitedly saying, "Our admission notices have all arrived, and we originally planned to have a meal together at the dormitory. Who knew Guo Donghua said your family’s phone couldn’t be reached, and we thought we lost you.
Now that we’ve bumped into each other, let’s go eat together."
Guo Donghua awkwardly nodded and said, "Yeah, I called your house several times, but no one answered. Luckily, we ran into you."
Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t believe Guo Donghua would be in such a good mood to call him.
He noticed someone was missing, He Min.
So he asked, "Where’s He Min?"
Wei Ziyun replied with a smile, "He Min had something to do, so she’ll meet us at the Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot Street store later."
Then, the eyes of several girls focused on Bai Zhongyuan.
Wei Ziyun teased, "Gu Xiaoqing, who is this handsome guy to you?"
Bai Zhongyuan kindly extended his hand for a self-introduction, "I’m Bai Zhongyuan, and technically, I’m your senior. I graduated from City No. 1 High too."
Wei Ziyun and the others shook hands with Bai Zhongyuan one by one, especially He Yan and the others who recognized him as the popular guy back then.
Even now, he still looked like a successful character.
They hadn’t forgotten that Bai Zhongyuan and Fang Shaonan were famous figures back in City No. 1 High School.
Gu Xiaoqing was in a bit of a bind; it was the last dorm gathering, and it wouldn’t be nice to refuse, but he had already promised Bai Zhongyuan a meal.
Flaking out wouldn’t be good.
"Um, I actually promised Bai Zhongyuan we’d have dinner today; he just returned from abroad. How about I treat you another day?"
This was directed at Bai Zhongyuan; a guy dining with so many girls feels a bit awkward.
Bai Zhongyuan felt frustrated hearing that.
Wei Ziyun spoke up, "No need. Bai Zhongyuan is also a senior, so let’s eat together. We’re all from the same school."
Several girls agreed.
Gu Xiaoqing had no choice but to comply.
Bai Zhongyuan certainly didn’t mind.
Thus, a group of people prepared to head to the Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot.
They went in Bai Zhongyuan’s SUV; this guy drove a cross-country vehicle. Luckily, the girls weren’t plump, and squeezing in fit just right.
Gu Xiaoqing sat in the front passenger seat.
The car drove to the Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot.
The queue at the entrance had already extended outside the store.
He Min was there, fanning herself with a magazine. The weather was truly hot, and the temperature outside the main door wasn’t low at all.
She desperately wanted to go inside.
Because the Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot had air conditioning, it was refreshingly cool in there.
Seeing Gu Xiaoqing and the group get off the car and walk over, He Min quickly waved.
"Over here."
Bai Zhongyuan went to park on the side.
The group hurried over.
Before Gu Xiaoqing could speak, Wei Ziyun asked first, "Why is it taking so long to get in? It’s so crowded today."
Looking at the long queue, all eight people were speechless.
Is it easy to get a meal?
Guo Donghua glared at Gu Xiaoqing, "It’s all because of you. If we hadn’t waited for you, we’d have started queuing earlier. Now see, there’s so many people, who knows how long we’ll have to wait."
The implication was that it was Gu Xiaoqing’s fault.
Gu Xiaoqing chuckled angrily; how is this person still the same even after three years, with no growth?
"What’s it got to do with Gu Xiaoqing? Did Gu Xiaoqing make there be so many people? Stop being unreasonable. Let’s queue patiently and wait."
Wei Ziyun was reasonable and immediately defended.
He Yan whispered, "Wei Ziyun, doesn’t your grandpa have a VIP card? Didn’t you take it out?"
Wei Ziyun was flustered and had been scolded harshly today when he tried to get the VIP card from Mr. Wei; he had to come empty-handed.
"No, my grandpa isn’t home lately."
A reasonable explanation.
Gu Xiaoqing opened his mouth again, trying to speak, "Um, I’ll try to get us inside."
On the other side, Guo Donghua immediately shot a sharp glance over.
"Do you think the Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot is run by your family? That you can just waltz in like that? Stop being ridiculous; the Gu family has nothing to do with you. And look at your status; you’re practically a country bumpkin trying to get ahead. Stop embarrassing yourself."
Except for Wei Ziyun and He Min, the other girls stealthily covered their mouths smiling; even after three years, their innate city-dweller superiority made them look down on Gu Xiaoqing.
The main reason was Gu Xiaoqing’s modesty over the past three years.
She wore ordinary clothes—not brands, ate regularly at simple eateries, and lacked any special electronic gadgets; she was as mundane as an ordinary working-class daughter.
Who would take such a Gu Xiaoqing seriously?
Gu Xiaoqing felt helpless; she was only trying to help, but they weren’t appreciative.
"Ignore her; still with that foul mouth."
He Min glared at Guo Donghua, who had frequently tried to trip up Gu Xiaoqing in the past three years.
Insolent remarks were part of everyday life.
Gu Xiaoqing chose not to mind as long as there was no major conflict; picking a fight over words felt unnecessarily impulsive.
This only fueled Guo Donghua’s arrogance.
Bai Zhongyuan walked over with his car keys in hand and asked Gu Xiaoqing in amazement, "Why aren’t we going in yet? Nowadays, even you, the young boss, have to follow the queuing rules? Your family’s being a bit too unfriendly."
Everyone was petrified.
They all turned to look at Gu Xiaoqing.
Mouths agape.
Young boss?
Are their ears playing tricks on them?
Gu Xiaoqing is the young boss of Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot.
That means the owner of Gu Family Spicy Hot Pot is Gu Xiaoqing’s father!
Oh my, let lightning strike us down. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com)