Shi Hao didn't have any good clothes to change into.
Before, he was too poor and only had two sets of clothes that he alternated between. Besides, he didn't care much for dressing up; after all, he was good-looking enough. No matter how ugly the clothes he wore, in the eyes of the female students at the academy, he was still the handsomest deity.
The two of them left for Shuangyun Restaurant.
When they arrived, they saw that Ma Dai'er was already there, and not just her—there were also four young men and women.
Shi Hao didn't recognize them, but Liu Mang was very familiar with them. He said to Shi Hao, "They're all from the Earth Institute. The tall and skinny guy is Bu Yufeng, the girl next to him is Feng Shishi, the showy man in the red is Shen Jingyi, and that woman pretending to be noble is Wu Wenjun."
"Don't be fooled by Miss Wu's austere appearance—you have no idea how flirty she can be behind the scenes!"
Shi Hao glanced at him, and the chubby boy was full of excitement. Clearly, he must have spied on scenes he shouldn't have seen.
"Junior Brother Shi!" Ma Dai'er had also noticed Shi Hao and Liu Mang and quickly waved her hand. Her sleeve fell, revealing a section of her snow-white wrist, as beautiful as fine jade, causing Bu Yufeng and Shen Jingyi to stare with wide-eyed fascination.
Shi Hao nodded casually, not taking Ma Dai'er's eager attitude to heart.
"Everyone is here now, let's go in," said Bu Yufeng, casting a glance at Shi Hao filled with hostility.
He had been pursuing Ma Dai'er, and this birthday gathering was an opportunity he had been eagerly anticipating. He planned to confess his feelings publicly during the meal. Shen Jingyi was his close friend, and Feng Shishi and Wu Wenjun were Ma Dai'er's close friends as well. He had already won them over, and they would all speak on his behalf later.
But his well-laid plans had suddenly hit a snag.
——There were two unexpected guests.
Especially Shi Hao, who was too good-looking. Which girl at the academy wasn't head over heels for him? If it weren't for him becoming a martial arts invalid, he would probably have been pursued by many long ago.
But now, having defeated Song Tianming and Wang Qian one after another, Shi Hao announced his triumphant return, reigniting the hopes of the girls who had previously given up on him.
For example, Ma Dai'er. She was a rich man's daughter whose family would never agree to her marrying a martial arts invalid. But if Shi Hao were to return to his former genius self, the Ma Family's attitude would be very different.
Therefore, a strong sense of crisis and hostility surged within him.
However, being handsome is meaningless if it's all you have, even if you have some abilities. He had prepared many surprises and intended to crush you thoroughly in the upcoming events, leaving you with no dignity.
The seven of them entered the restaurant, and a waiter immediately came to greet them.
"Esteemed gentlemen and ladies, do you have a reservation for a private room?"
Ma Dai'er was about to say no, but Bu Yufeng spoke up first, saying, "It's reserved, Ziyun Pavilion."
"Alrighty, please follow me," the waiter promptly led the way.
Ma Dai'er was surprised; she hadn't reserved a private room. Moreover, this was Shuangyun Restaurant, one of the most luxurious dining spots in town. How could her monthly allowance possibly cover the extravagance of a private room here?
"I didn't——"
"Dai'er, I made the reservation for the private room," Bu Yufeng interrupted her, "Don't worry, today is your birthday. You don't have to worry about anything. Just be responsible for having fun."
"Wow, Young Master Bu is so generous!" Feng Shishi immediately exclaimed in a sweet voice, her face full of envy.
"Ziyun Pavilion is an Earth-level private room, and the minimum spending is about a hundred silver pieces, right?" Wu Wenjun also expressed her surprise at the right time, obviously having coordinated this in advance.
But indeed, the two women were also very envious. Even though they were all students from the Earth Institute, representing wealthy families, wealth was stratified, and the Bu Family belonged to the top-tier. In contrast, the Wu, Feng, Ma, and Shen families were all third-tier.
Alas, there's nothing to be done when they just can't compare in looks.
"How could I possibly accept this!" Ma Dai'er demurred, but still, a trace of joy appeared on her pretty face. Being so warmly praised would stir vanity in anyone, and she was only seventeen after all.
"It's nothing! It's just a trifle!" Bu Yufeng said with a laugh, his face brimming with a smug smile.
Having money, that's the good stuff!
His gaze swept over Shi Hao and the other, carrying a tinge of contempt from on high.
But to his disappointment, neither Shi Hao nor Liu Mang paid him any heed, making him feel the discomfort of punching the air.
The group entered the private room, and Bu Yufeng immediately took on the role of the host, starting to order dishes. Before long, fine wine and delicious food were served, and everyone who tried it praised it without exception, as the food was not only expensive but indeed fresh, rare, and tasted extremely good.
"Thanks to Young Master Bu, I've finally gotten to eat at Shuangyun Tower, and in a VIP room like Ziyun Pavilion, no less. I can boast about this for a lifetime!"
"Ziyun Pavilion, ah, an Earth-level private room, only next to the Heaven-level!"
"Hehe, Heaven-level private rooms are only open to the wealthy. No use even thinking about it; an Earth-level room is badass enough."
Shen Jingyi and the others kept flattering, causing Bu Yufeng to reveal a pleased smile.
"Ahem!" Bu Yufeng took out a box and handed it over to Ma Dai'er, "Dai'er, this is my gift to you."
Ma Dai'er felt a bit embarrassed since he had both booked a private room and brought a gift, but the vanity of a young girl was greatly satisfied. She couldn't help but take the box and open it to see a green jade pendant inside.
She took it out, and the jade pendant emitted a soft glow under the lights, pleasing to the eyes.
"Wow, this is Green Luminous Jade!" Feng Shishi exclaimed exaggeratedly, "I've seen it at Zixing Jade Store; the price is at least five hundred silver pieces!"
Hearing this, Ma Dai'er hurriedly put the jade pendant back in the box, "This is too precious, I can't accept it!"
"Hey, since it's a gift from Young Master Bu, of course you should accept it!" Shen Jingyi quickly said, "Anyway, for Young Master Bu, it's just a drop in the bucket."
"Exactly, just take it, Dai'er!" Feng Shishi took the box and forcibly stuffed it into Ma Dai'er's hands.
"This..." Ma Dai'er still seemed hesitant.
Wu Wenjun shifted the target, asking Shi Hao, "I wonder, what kind of gift has Young Master Shi prepared for Dai'er?"
When she said the words "Young Master Shi," she emphasized them noticeably. Who didn't know that Shi Hao belonged to the People Character Courtyard, and being admitted there meant having no power or wealth; how could he live up to such a title?
Hearing Wu Wenjun say this, Ma Dai'er also couldn't help but look towards Shi Hao, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation.
As a young girl in the throes of spring, of course, she hoped to receive a surprise from her crush.
Shi Hao thought for a moment, then offered Ma Dai'er a smile, "Happy birthday to you."
Damn, that's it?
Bu Yufeng wanted to sneer and throw a few sarcastic remarks, thinking a poor guy is a poor guy, and also damn too pitiful, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he noticed Ma Dai'er showing an infatuated expression, her big eyes almost dripping wet.
Turning to Feng Shishi and Wu Wenjun, he saw the same intoxicated look on their faces, their bodies going limp.
Dammit, so what if he's a bit good-looking; is that really worth all this exaggeration?