009 The Trio

After school, as usual, Zhong Yun and Tian Hai left together, but this time they were joined by someone new.

“I find you rather agreeable,” Chen Wen explained.

Zhong Yun was indifferent; he didn’t mind this well-informed classmate joining them.

Tian Hai was open-hearted and welcomed Chen Wen’s company. After a few exchanges, the two hit it off like old friends reunited after a long separation.

Chen Wen’s breadth of knowledge was impressive. Upon hearing that Tian Hai liked firearms, he steered the conversation in that direction. Though not as much an enthusiast as Tian Hai, Chen Wen’s insights were more than enough to delight him, and before long, the two were trading technical terms like old comrades at a tavern.

Zhong Yun could only chime in occasionally, as the three of them chatted animatedly.

As they neared the school gate, they saw a crowd gathered outside. Zhong Yun’s sharp ears caught a low exclamation: “Phantom X!”

Approaching the entrance, they saw a fair-skinned boy in pure white, wearing flamboyant sunglasses and holding a lavish bouquet of “Blue Romance” roses, leaning ostentatiously against a stunning black sports car.

Zhong Yun instantly recognized the show-off as Fei Yingming, whom they’d encountered the day before, and immediately understood whom he was waiting for.

“Wow, a Phantom X!” Tian Hai’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the black sports car; he had no resistance against things like firearms, mechs, starships, or sports cars.

“Show-off,” Chen Wen sneered with contempt. Zhong Yun glanced at him, thinking, “I couldn’t agree more.”

Just as the three were about to leave, Fei Yingming broke into a smile and strode toward the gate. The onlooking students thought, “Here comes the main event. I wonder which girl is so lucky.”

Turning to look, a collective sigh filled the air. Everyone thought, “It’s her?” No matter if they were boys or girls, all hearts seemed to shatter at that moment.

For the boys, it was because the school’s most beautiful flower was about to be plucked. For the girls, it was because an exceptionally handsome and wealthy prospect was off the market.

Zhong Yun couldn’t help but look over, and as expected, the person Fei Yingming was waiting for was Liu Yunqi.

Chen Wen suddenly flashed a strange smile, as though anticipating great entertainment.

Tian Hai hadn’t expected the rich kid to be waiting for Liu Yunqi. Worried that Zhong Yun might be upset, he suggested, “Let’s go,” while shooting a look at Chen Wen.

Chen Wen paused, seeming to understand, and nodded. “Let’s go.”

As the three walked away, Zhong Yun looked back and saw Liu Yunqi getting into Fei Yingming’s black Phantom X. He felt as if something inside him was being violently torn apart.

“That was Zhong Yun’s old reaction, not mine,” he reminded himself silently.

Tian Hai and Chen Wen noticed Zhong Yun’s low spirits and lost interest in chatting, heading straight for their usual restaurant.

“This place is nice,” Chen Wen remarked, taking in the decor.

“The food’s good too,” Zhong Yun added.

“And the people,” Tian Hai finished.

The restaurant was bustling and nearly full. Chen Wen suggested they find somewhere else, but Tian Hai shook his head.

“So we’re waiting?” Chen Wen eyed the packed dining hall.

“Welcome!” A petite figure darted over. “Brother Zhong Yun, Brother Tian Hai, you’re here! I saved you a table.”

The girl was around fourteen or fifteen, her face adorned with a sweet smile and two adorable little canine teeth that instantly endeared her to anyone.

Chen Wen now understood why Tian Hai had commented on the people here. He teased, “Don’t forget Brother Chen Wen.”

The girl wrinkled her nose at him and ignored him, turning to Zhong Yun in a sweet voice, “Brother Zhong Yun, you haven’t been here in a month. I heard you were sick. Are you better now?”

Zhong Yun patted his chest. “Completely recovered.”

“That’s good. I made soybean and pork rib soup today, you must finish the whole bowl.”

Her smile chased away all the gloom in Zhong Yun’s heart, and a smile crept onto his face without him noticing. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure the bowl’s licked clean.”

Chen Wen mimicked her voice in a deliberately exaggerated tone, “Brother Chen Wen wants some soybean and pork rib soup too.”

The girl made a face at him. “None for you.”

Chen Wen burst out laughing.

Tian Hai chimed in, “Xiao Qing, you’re so biased. You only ever think of your Brother Zhong Yun.”

“Brother Tian Hai, you’re terrible!” Xiao Qing pouted, though she quickly sneaked a glance at Zhong Yun, her cheeks tinged with pink.

As they chatted, the four went upstairs to a window table with a “Reserved” sign.

Once seated, Xiao Qing handed the menu to Chen Wen.

Chen Wen flipped through it casually and asked, “What do you want to eat?”

“It’s not up to us,” Tian Hai grinned. “We have to ask our chef Xiao Qing.”

Chen Wen clapped his hands. “Wonderful, looks like I’m in luck today, getting a taste of home-cooked love.”

“That’s thanks to Xiao Yun,” Tian Hai said.

“You’re left out,” Chen Wen replied.

Despite the banter, Xiao Qing took the menu away and soon returned with steaming hot dishes.

Seeing the table fill with delicate plates, Chen Wen exclaimed, “What a feast!” Even as he spoke, he grabbed food with his hands, mumbling, “Tasty.”

Xiao Qing tapped his hand with her chopsticks. “You’re so unhygienic,” she scolded, handing him a pair.

After setting the bowls, Xiao Qing served Zhong Yun a bowl of soup first. “It’s just the right temperature. Try it.”

Chen Wen protested, “Why serve Zhong Yun first? What about us?”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you have hands?” Without another word, she used shared chopsticks to place a few dishes in Zhong Yun’s bowl. “Take your time. Call me if you need anything. I’m busy today and can’t keep you company.”

“Go ahead, work comes first,” Tian Hai assured her. Xiao Qing skipped off with a spring in her step.

Chen Wen stared at Zhong Yun, scrutinizing him from every angle and clicking his tongue as if inspecting a rare specimen.

Zhong Yun grew uneasy. “What are you looking at?”

Chen Wen smacked Tian Hai’s arm. “This guy isn’t as handsome as me, not as tall, and nowhere near as eloquent. Why does Xiao Qing like him and not me? It defies all logic!”

Tian Hai, chewing on a particularly chewy pork knuckle, replied, “I’ve pondered this question for two years and still can’t figure it out. It deserves a place in Mingzhou’s Top Ten Mysteries.”

“Tch.” Zhong Yun flipped him off. “That’s called charisma. Ever heard of it?”

The three of them demolished the meal, leaving not a scrap behind. Chen Wen leaned back in his chair, rubbing his full belly. “I’ve decided, I’m sticking with you two from now on.”

Tian Hai laughed. “No need to be so dramatic.” He turned to Zhong Yun. “You ate so much—aren’t you saving room for dessert?”

“What, there’s dessert?” Chen Wen yelped. “Why didn’t you say so?”

“You ate so fast, I never had the chance,” Tian Hai retorted with mock disdain.

“You win,” Chen Wen grumbled.

Xiao Qing had already prepared the desserts. Seeing they’d finished, she brought up three bowls.

“Wow, longan and lotus seed porridge! Chen Wen’s stuffed, so I’ll take his,” Tian Hai called out.

The aroma wafting from his bowl made Chen Wen’s mouth water. He snatched the bowl protectively. “Dream on, this one’s mine.”

“Fine, eat till you burst,” Tian Hai muttered, disgruntled.