“Okay, the Class President is back. Let’s clear the way.”
Hearing their Class President’s voice and seeing the staff with the trolley behind her, Liu Sheng quickly stood up. Since he and Zhao Jing were seated near the door, he said this to Zhao Jing as he moved.
Hearing Liu Sheng, Zhao Jing, who had just been about to reveal his method for becoming a Super, had no choice but to temporarily shelve that plan.
He promptly followed his friend’s advice and moved out of the way, allowing the Food Court staff to bring the hot pot to their table.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy your meal. We hope you have a pleasant lunch.”
After delivering the hot pot, the staff member bowed to everyone in the room, said these words, and then left.
Watching the staff member depart, Hu Mengqing announced to the group, “Alright, everyone, don’t just sit there. Let’s start eating!”
At her words, everyone in the private room immediately picked up their chopsticks and began to dig in heartily.
After eating for over half an hour, the students—their faces flushed and brows glistening with sweat—finally put down their chopsticks. They leaned back in their chairs with contented expressions.
“The hot pot was pretty good today, wasn’t it, Xiao Qi?” Hu Mengqing, also leaning back in her chair, turned to Yan Qi beside her.
Hearing this, Yan Qi, who had only eaten until she was about seventy or eighty percent full, nodded and said, “It really was quite good.”
Hearing Yan Qi’s reply, a thought seemed to occur to Hu Mengqing. She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Xiao Qi, if I invited you to come here for hot pot again in the future, would you come?”
Yan Qi was momentarily taken aback, not quite understanding why Hu Mengqing would ask this.
But that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to answer.
“If it’s your invitation, Class President, and I have the time, then I’ll come.”
“That’s wonderful to hear.” Getting Yan Qi’s answer, Hu Mengqing, who had been feeling a little nervous, instantly felt relieved. She then looked at Yan Qi with a smile and said.
“Class President, I suppose the graduation gathering is pretty much over, right? It’s getting late, so I think I’ll head home now.”
“You’re leaving already? Won’t you stay and chat with everyone a bit more?” Hearing that Yan Qi planned to leave, Hu Mengqing quickly tried to persuade her to stay.
“That’s really not necessary. Besides you, Class President, I’m not very familiar with anyone else in this class. Staying here wouldn’t be all that interesting for me.”
Hearing Yan Qi’s words, and knowing they were true, Hu Mengqing thought for a moment before continuing, “Alright, Xiao Qi, you’re right. You aren’t very close with most of the class, so staying probably wouldn’t be much fun. By the way, since you’re leaving, would you like me to walk you home?”
“No, thank you. It’s still daytime, the streets are safe. I can get home by myself.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you home?” Hu Mengqing asked again, unwilling to give up.
To this, Yan Qi shook her head and said with certainty, “Thank you for your concern, Class President, but I really don’t need you to walk me home.”
Sensing the finality in Yan Qi’s tone and realizing that no amount of persuasion would change her mind, Hu Mengqing didn’t press further. She simply said, “Okay, Since you insist, Xiao Qi I won’t walk you home then. But at least let me see you out to the entrance of the Food Court?”
Regarding this request, Yan Qi knew Hu Mengqing had already compromised. Understanding that refusing this too would likely hurt their friendship, she quickly nodded and replied, “If you insist, Class President, then you can walk me to the entrance.”
Hearing this, Hu Mengqing promptly stood up from her chair and said to Yan Qi, “Then I’ll see you out now.”
“Okay.”
Just as Yan Qi finished speaking to Hu Mengqing, a rather discordant commotion suddenly erupted from outside their private room.
“Sir, what’s the meaning of this? Why are you barging into our room with all these people?”
“Is the person who hit you earlier in here?”
“No, he’s not here.”
“Fine. Let’s check the next room.”
“Wait a moment, sir! You still haven’t answered my question!”
“What, are you that desperate for an answer from me?”
“Uh, sorry, I just… I just… Never mind. Please forgive my impertinence.”
Hearing the voices from outside, both Hu Mengqing and Yan Qi, who had just stood up, couldn’t help but look surprised.
Then, Hu Mengqing turned to Yan Qi and asked, “Xiao Qi, what do you think is happening out there?”
Hearing this, Yan Qi replied with some uncertainty, “It sounds like someone might be looking for revenge?”
“Revenge? In broad daylight, in such a crowded place? Aren’t they afraid of being arrested?” Hu Mengqing exclaimed, rather shocked by Yan Qi’s answer.
Considering her father’s over twenty years of experience as a police officer, Yan Qi thought for a moment before responding, “As long as it doesn’t involve provoking trouble or a large-scale brawl, the police usually don’t bother with these trivial matters.”
“Ah! What should we do if those people burst in here?” Hearing Yan Qi’s reply, and thinking of her family background—knowing she wouldn’t lie about such things—Hu Mengqing asked her this.
After careful consideration, Yan Qi answered, “Don’t worry. Those people outside are here for revenge, not to carry out a terrorist attack. Even if they come in later, as long as they don’t find the person they’re looking for, I believe they’ll leave quickly.”
After listening to Yan Qi’s answer, Hu Mengqing first sighed in relief. But then, another thought occurred to her, and she asked Yan Qi, “Xiao Qi, you don’t think the person they’re looking for is among us, do you?”
Hearing this, Yan Qi couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. She then looked at Hu Mengqing and replied, “Class President, you’re worrying over nothing. Remember, all of us here are honest, well-behaved students. How could we possibly have provoked these… clearly troublesome individuals from outside? Just relax.”
“But—”
“No ‘buts,’ Class President. Let’s sit back down for a while. After that group outside leaves, you can walk me to the entrance.”