Free Web NovelChapter 133: Chapter 133: Running into Xia Jiajiao at the Hot Pot Restaurant
The comments under the post were all over the place.
Yun Zijin scrolled down and read a few; they were basically all slanderous remarks.
"Zijin, don’t pay any attention to these people. They have no idea what’s going on. They’re just the type to follow the crowd and believe any rumor. You don’t have to pay them any mind."
Qin Sitong was afraid Yun Zijin would see the comments and get upset, so she quickly spoke up to console her.
Yun Zijin truly wasn’t very concerned. The photos in the post were real; there was nothing to hide.
’Perfect. Mei Lin still hasn’t found the person who made the last post. If they dare to post today, they’d better be prepared for Mei Lin to find them.’
"Don’t worry. This little thing isn’t worth getting worked up over. You should stop looking, too. It’s all false information, and I reserve the right to pursue legal action against them."
As soon as the poster was found, Yun Zijin would, within legal bounds, defend her rights to the fullest extent.
Hearing Yun Zijin say this, Qin Sitong finally relaxed a little.
"As long as it doesn’t ruin your mood! But I bet a lot of people at school have seen the post. Why don’t we go out for lunch?"
If they went to the cafeteria, they would probably be gawked at. Even though Qin Sitong trusted Yun Zijin, she admitted she couldn’t handle so many people pointing and staring.
"Sounds good to me. I heard that Food Street near our school has a few new restaurants. Why don’t we go check it out?"
Yun Zijin didn’t actually know if there were any new restaurants. She just wanted an excuse to go see the street of shops that Randomly Spend had newly gifted her.
’I wonder if Mei Lin has started handling it yet. Maybe I can even collect a wave of rent this month.’
"Okay, okay!"
As long as they weren’t going to the cafeteria, Qin Sitong was fine with eating anywhere.
"Then it’s settled. Do you want to ride bikes, or should I drive?"
"Bikes are fine. We’re just getting lunch, no need to trouble your magnificent luxury car."
Qin Sitong really didn’t want to be so high-profile at school. With Yun Zijin’s tendency to attract haters, someone would probably take their picture, post it, and start spouting nonsense again.
"Alright! You can give me a ride."
Qin Sitong, of course, had no objection. She dutifully sat in the front and only started pedaling after Yun Zijin was seated securely on the back.
Even so, as Yun Zijin and Qin Sitong rode the bike from the school library to the gate, they attracted the attention of many passersby.
Although she couldn’t quite hear what they were discussing, Qin Sitong knew in her gut it wasn’t anything good.
Qin Sitong was in a bad mood the whole way, and she pedaled much faster than usual.
She managed to cut the usual 20-minute ride in half.
"Don’t be mad anymore. Anger gives you wrinkles. My treat today. Order whatever you want!"
With a wave of her hand, Yun Zijin offered to treat her to a meal.
"I want hot pot!"
Although Qin Sitong was from Dijing, her mother was from C Province, so she had a special love for hot pot.
"Alright! Hot pot it is. Let’s see which place is good..."
Even though they had decided on hot pot, the two hadn’t picked a specific restaurant yet. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"I know a place! That Q City Hot Pot is super authentic. It tastes almost the same as my mom’s homemade hot pot. I heard the owner is from C Province."
Someone who isn’t a local probably couldn’t make it taste this authentic.
Yun Zijin had only ever come here to work part-time, never to eat, so she had no objection to Qin Sitong’s suggestion.
Just then, Ling Er also emerged from the shadows, falling into step behind Yun Zijin.
Neither Yun Zijin’s nor Qin Sitong’s expression changed; they were already used to Ling Er’s habit of appearing out of nowhere.
The moment the three of them stepped into Q City Hot Pot, a waiter came up to greet them.
"Hello, how many in your party?"
"Three people."
Qin Sitong glanced at Ling Er behind Yun Zijin and stated their number.
"Okay, I’ll set you up at a four-person table. This way, please."
The waiter made a "this way" gesture and then led the three of them.
After a short walk through a winding path, they finally arrived at an empty four-person table.
"It’s a bit busy during the lunch rush, so this spot is a little out of the way. Is this okay with you?"
The waiter looked apologetic, but this was honestly the best spot she could find among the remaining seats.
Qin Sitong looked to Yun Zijin. After all, it was Yun Zijin’s treat, so she should decide where they sat.
"It’s fine, it’s fine. Anywhere is good." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Yun Zijin had also been a worker before and understood their difficulties, so she didn’t fuss over the seating.
’A more secluded spot is quieter, anyway.’ Yun Zijin thought it was quite nice.
Hearing Yun Zijin’s words, the waiter visibly relaxed and her smile grew brighter. "What would you all like to order? I can put in a rush order with the kitchen for you."
It was rare to encounter such easy-going customers, so the waiter’s attitude became much friendlier; she even wanted to give Yun Zijin’s group some special treatment.
The three of them sat down and opened the menus.
Since Qin Sitong’s mom often made hot pot at home, she already knew what she wanted the moment she saw the menu.
"Fatty beef rolls, beef, tripe..."
Qin Sitong rattled off a bunch of names, pausing in the middle to ask if Yun Zijin or Ling Er had any dietary restrictions or specific cravings.
"Okay, that’s all for now. We can order more if it’s not enough."
With that, Qin Sitong closed the menu, her mission accomplished.
Yun Zijin gave Qin Sitong an appreciative look. She loved it when someone else took charge of ordering.
Qin Sitong gave a couple of silly chuckles. She was only this decisive with hot pot; for any other type of food, she’d be lost.
Once Qin Sitong finished ordering, the waiter left with their order.
Before long, she returned pushing a small cart, which held the very dishes Qin Sitong had just ordered.
Yun Zijin was about to stand up to get the dishes, but Qin Sitong stopped her.
Her reasoning was that since Yun Zijin was treating them, she would be in charge of everything else.
Yun Zijin was happy to sit back and relax, so she laughingly agreed.
Qin Sitong fully demonstrated her expertise as a semi-C Province native, methodically cooking the ingredients with the shared chopsticks and taking excellent care of both Yun Zijin and Ling Er.
"Sister?"
Just as the three of them were getting into their meal, an unwelcome voice cut in.
Hearing that saccharine "Sister" that was sweet enough to make you sick, Yun Zijin knew who it was without even looking up.
"Spit it out, or get lost."
She hadn’t seen her in a while, so Yun Zijin thought Xia Jiajiao had finally decided to lay low. She never expected to run into her at a hot pot restaurant.
’But... doesn’t Xia Jiajiao fancy herself a rich young lady who only dines at high-end restaurants?’
’Showing up at an affordable hot pot place like this today is really strange.’
Xia Jiajiao didn’t say a word. After Yun Zijin spoke, she just stood in the aisle next to their table with tears welling in her eyes, looking utterly pitiful.
"What’s wrong with you? Jiao Jiao was so happy when she said she saw her sister here! What kind of attitude is that!"
And just as expected, after Xia Jiajiao played the victim, her champion, though late, had arrived.
