Chapter 124: A Fickle Bitch?
Su Mengyao and Yun Zijin didn't think too much about it. Desserts would merely enhance the bar's character; the main money-maker was still the liquor. Once Sheng Yang clarified that, Qin Sitong stopped trying to dissuade him. She had at least voiced her concerns, so if they insisted and ended up losing money, it wouldn't be her fault.
They all stayed at the bar until around 10 p.m. before finally calling it a night. Having drunk alcohol, Zijin couldn't drive, and Qin Sitong didn't have a driver's license, so they ended up letting Lingqi and Linglu take Zijin's car while Zijin and Qin Sitong rode back in the Suibianhua-brand nanny car. By 10:30 p.m., they were back in the dorm, finding the other two beds in the room still vacant.
Neither of them minded; check-in day at Dijing University would continue tomorrow. After washing up, both climbed into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
The next morning:
[Consumption Task: Please spend 3,000,000.00 yuan before midnight tonight. Requirement: Shopping only. Task Reward: To be unlocked.]
As usual, Suibianhua's "wake-up service" beeped right on time. When Zijin opened her eyes, she noticed Qin Sitong was still fast asleep in the bunk opposite hers. She rose quietly and slipped out to wash up. Not knowing when Qin Sitong would wake, Zijin stuck a note for her and grabbed her bag before heading outside.
She'd missed the cafeteria's soup dumplings over the summer. Just as she exited the dormitory, she spotted Lingyi already waiting out front.
"Why are you here so early?" she asked softly. "Didn't I tell you to drive back to Emerald Lake last night?" She owned a few properties near Emerald Lake and had kept them vacant. When classes started, she could lodge in the dorm, while her bodyguards rested in the vacant houses.
Lingyi bowed slightly in greeting. "We organized a rotation schedule so each person stands guard around you three and a half hours a day. The extra half hour carries over to the next day. This way, someone is always on duty, ensuring no one tries anything."
Zijin didn't argue. "Fine. I'm heading to the cafeteria now. Come along if you like." She was a considerate employer and never expected them to guard her on an empty stomach.
Lingyi didn't speak further, simply following a step behind with a practiced bodyguard's demeanor. Indeed, Zijin was the first student at Dijing University to move around campus with a bodyguard. The dormitory was far from the cafeteria, so walking would be time-consuming, but driving felt like overkill. Zijin wound up scanning a shared electric bike near the dorm's entrance.
"I'll ride over," she announced. "Do you want to scan one, too?" She eyed Lingyi's long legs, wondering if he could even fit on a standard e-bike comfortably.
"Don't worry about me, Miss," Lingyi replied. "I can keep up on foot." It wasn't arrogance; he truly could maintain her pace.
Zijin just shrugged and started off, pedaling away. Within ten minutes, she'd arrived at Cafeteria No. 1. Parking her bike, she emerged from the little shelter to see Lingyi already standing by, as if he'd been waiting. She didn't bother asking how he made it so quickly, only inviting him inside to buy breakfast.
"Sit with me," she urged, handing him the breakfast she'd bought for him. Knowing her well enough by now, Lingyi joined her at a table, quietly finishing his meal.
Partway through her meal, Zijin heard someone call out, "Mr. Yun?" That voice was unfamiliar. She glanced around to see a somewhat short but decent-looking boy.
"You talking to me?" she asked politely. She had no recollection of him, but given his friendly approach, she returned the courtesy.
"Yes, classmate Yun, do you remember me? We've met before," the boy claimed, sliding onto a seat uninvited and leaning in toward her. Startled, Zijin leaned back. "Sorry, I'm not used to people getting so close," she said flatly.
"Come on, we're classmates, it's no big deal. Or did you misunderstand something, Mr. Yun?" The boy's tone was oddly insinuating.
Zijin blinked. Mr. Yun? A bizarre wave of caution rose in her. Lingyi, done eating, noticed Zijin's discomfort. He stepped behind the boy, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him to the next seat. "Men and women shouldn't be too close if it bothers the lady. Please keep a respectable distance," Lingyi said, unwavering.
The boy gawked, flushing with embarrassment and anger. "Who is he?" he demanded, shooting Zijin a glare.
Zijin remained silent. The boy's face twisted: "I'm talking to you, Yun. Aren't you gonna answer me?"
She felt no need to indulge him. "I'm not obliged to tell you anything about me," she said coolly. "Anyway, I don't recall ever knowing you. I responded politely because we're classmates. If I've done something to mislead you, I'll clarify now: we're strangers. Next time you see me, just ignore me."
The boy's mouth hung open in disbelief. "What do you mean by that?!"
"It's literal," she said, voice still calm. "We both study at Dijing University—are you telling me you can't interpret plain language?"
When Zijin was annoyed, her words could be ruthless. She wasn't about to humor someone who made her uncomfortable.
"Huh, I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt," the boy hissed, "but it seems everyone was right about you. You're just a fickle bitch!" With that, he turned as if to storm off.
"Stop him," Zijin said. Instantly, Lingyi subdued the boy once more. Zijin's eyes hardened. "A fickle bitch, you say? Let's see the evidence. Where and what did you see or hear?"
The boy glared, refusing to elaborate. "Ha! You dare to do it but won't own up?" He avoided her question, ignoring her demand for specifics. His face twisted with hostility.
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