Nowadays, if not close friends, most people wouldn't let others treat them to a meal casually. Food is so precious. If one goes to someone else's place for dinner, they usually bring their own food.
Even though Zhou Xinyan said she'd treat her to a meal, Xu Qinghuan didn't take it seriously.
"I said I'd treat you!" Zhou Xinyan grumbled, just as it was their turn. She was about to order braised pork, but Xu Qinghuan already ordered, "Two bowls of Yang Chun noodles."
Yang Chun noodles cost eight cents a bowl, two liang, and require grain coupons.
Zhou Xinyan gave her a glare. The waitress already reached out for the money and tickets, and handed them their number plates, so she had no choice but to pass over the money and tickets.
"Are you afraid I'll ask you to reciprocate?" Zhou Xinyan really wanted to treat her to something good, mostly because she felt sorry for her.
Xu Qinghuan laughed and said, "You can't even imagine that!"
The two carried their bowls and shared a table with others. Xu Qinghuan glanced at the people sitting at the table and found one somewhat familiar. Buzz-cut, round face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, quite spirited young man, who scrutinized Xu Qinghuan for a moment, and when their eyes met, he gave a meaningful smile.
Xu Qinghuan didn't understand, nor did she bother to probe. She nodded in thanks and sat down with Zhou Xinyan.
"After we finish eating, we'll still have time. Shall we take a stroll before heading to the factory gate?" Zhou Xinyan asked.
Results would be announced at two o'clock.
"Sure!" Xu Qinghuan agreed without objection.
Jiang Chengxu was only separated from them by two tables. Seeing Xu Qinghuan sitting with Chen Dewen, he was trembling with anger. She knew well that he and Chen Dewen were not on good terms. Father Jiang and Father Chen were even mortal enemies, competing for the factory manager position. Yet, she still dared to sit at the other table.
This was clearly humiliating him.
Jiang Chengxu abruptly stood up and walked over, towering over the table, looking down at Xu Qinghuan, "Manman had you sit over there. We saved you a seat. You didn't come over, what drama are you causing now?"
Xu Qinghuan's grip on her chopsticks tightened. She took a deep breath, raised her head, and smiled, "Who are you to me, who is Xu Manman to me, why should I listen to you?"
"I..." Jiang Chengxu stopped mid-sentence, suddenly reminded of the farce at the hospital entrance, feeling increasingly worse, his face darkened, "Haven't you had enough of causing trouble?"
Bang!
Chen Dewen slammed his chopsticks onto the table, stood up abruptly. Being almost 1.85 meters tall, he was half a head taller than Jiang Chengxu. He grabbed his collar, "Want a fight, right? Come on, let's fight outside, don't disturb everyone eating here!"
Xu Manman hurried over, tears streaming down her face, "Sis, quickly tell your friend to let go of Chengxu. No matter how displeased you are with me, you shouldn't vent it on Brother Chengxu."
Xu Qinghuan finished her last sip of soup, set down her chopsticks, and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, "Sorry, I don't know this fellow. Besides, disturbing others while eating is very rude. I hope you pay attention next time!"
After speaking, she walked off with Zhou Xinyan, arm in arm.
Chen Dewen also had no intention of fighting in such a place. Breaking things would mean compensation, and getting caught was inevitable. He quickly let go and angrily said, "Bark wildly in front of me again, and I won't let you off!"
Jiang Chengxu tidied his clothes and exhaled a heavy breath, "My issues have nothing to do with you. I wasn't talking to you!"
He really didn't expect Xu Qinghuan to mix with someone like Chen Dewen, such trash. Although Xu Qinghuan claimed not to know Chen Dewen, Jiang Chengxu couldn't believe it. They graduated from the same high school; Chen Dewen was the school delinquent involved in all sorts of fights and trouble. How could she not know?
There was still half a bowl of braised pork. Couldn't let it go to waste, the two went back to eating.
Xu Manman cried, "Brother Chengxu, it's all my fault. Sis probably doesn't want to see me, so she'd rather not sit with us for a meal. In the future... I'll definitely stay away from you. I'll also explain to her when I get back so she doesn't stay mad at you."
Jiang Chengxu was in a bad mood, but seeing Xu Manman cry made it hard for him to vent on her, so he muttered, "It's not related to you, don't worry about it."
Then, the man across from Chen Dewen asked, "Dewen, is this that Jiang guy?"
Chen Dewen gave a slight "hmm" and glancing over there said, "See that girl? Help me keep an eye on them, preferably find some way to drag those two idiots down too!"
Father Chen was one of the three deputy directors of the food factory and grew up in the same residential compound with Jiang Chengxu. One was a school delinquent, the other a star student, polar opposites and childhood enemies.
In the eyes of Father and Mother Chen, Jiang Chengxu was the model child of others, while Chen Dewen was their retribution.
In Chen Dewen's eyes, Jiang Chengxu was a hypocrite, pretentious and arrogant.
"Who's that girl?" The companion glanced over and asked.
"Jiang's future sister-in-law." Chen Dewen smirked.
"No way, that's crazy!" The companion couldn't help but take another look, "Alright, I'll keep an eye on them. You're leaving tomorrow?"
"Yeah, it's up to you!" Chen Dewen said a bit gloomily. Going to the countryside wasn't a good thing, especially when he had to go and his enemy stayed in the city enjoying life, which was particularly frustrating.
After leaving, Xu Qinghuan returned the two liang grain tickets and eight cents to Zhou Xinyan; not that she insisted on doing so, but in these times, no one casually consumed others' food.
This isn't like recent years, where many are eager to eat half and throw away half, and absolutely won't eat overnight leftovers.
Farmers can't eat enough, city folks buy grain at high prices, everyone is starving and skin-and-bone.
"Don't, if you dare give them to me, that's it for us. If you succeed, I'd rather go to the countryside than buy your job." Zhou Xinyan seemed angry.
"I'm just about to head to the countryside, so if you want me to treat you later, there might not be an opportunity. Think carefully, treating me means only giving, without receiving." Xu Qinghuan joked.
"Are you looking down on me?" Zhou Xinyan looked a bit unhappy, "This really sucks, we just met, and now we have to part. But, no matter where you go, remember you still have me as a friend."
"Alright!" Xu Qinghuan replied solemnly.
In the book, the original owner didn't participate in the lamp factory exam, so naturally didn't meet Zhou Xinyan. In her girlfriend's book, there were quite a few minor characters; Xu Qinghuan only knew the general plot direction, without much concern about the fate of those small characters. She didn't even know if Zhou Xinyan existed.
Moreover, from the moment Xu Qinghuan decided to break off the engagement and head to the countryside, the plot in the book was already starting to collapse.
Xu Qinghuan didn't bother with this; she'd let everything happen naturally!
At two o'clock, the two arrived at the lamp factory gate, where quite a few people had already gathered. All exam participants were present, along with some onlookers, including Jiang Chengxu and Xu Manman.
The attendant responsible for proctoring carried a piece of red paper filled with names over. The gatekeeper grandpa helped by holding a paste and brush, brushing it on the wall, and the attendant stuck the red paper listing from top to bottom. Xu Qinghuan's name was listed first, followed by Qian Xingguo, and third was Zhou Xinyan.
"Xu Qinghuan? How is that possible?" Kong Lijuan's eyes widened, her name ended up next to last!