487: Chapter 16 The Wild Rhapsody of Late Summer (1) 487: Chapter 16 The Wild Rhapsody of Late Summer (1) Biochemical Yangmei was a rare success among the many strange bioengineered products produced by the white-coats.
This special fruit looked almost identical to ordinary Yangmei, with its greenish juice, and was slightly larger than your average apple.
It was popular with the city’s residents because of its unique taste.
Anyone who ate Biochemical Yangmei would say —
“Wow…
so sour…”
Qin Qianbai, after consuming a quarter of a Yangmei, winced in pain as she set the fruit down and reached for a bottled water.
“You say it’s so sour, yet your face doesn’t show it.
What’s the deal with you?” Gongsun Ce pushed the water bottle toward her, “Facial nerve dead?
That kind of condition can be cured in half a day in this city.”
The doll-like heiress downed half the bottle in one go and picked up the Yangmei for a second bite.
“…Delicious.”
Although from my perspective, it looked pretty cute.
But could you at least respond to what I’m saying?
“Excuse me?
Did you hear me speaking, Mr.
Gongsun?”
Qin Qianbai silently took a third bite.
That made her stance quite clear.
It seemed that she didn’t want to bring up the loss of her facial expressions at all.
There was nothing I could do; everyone has their secrets.
No matter how trivial they may seem to others, their significance to oneself doesn’t change one bit.
It’s like the toy you assembled in elementary school, the sketches you drew in middle school, or the love letters you secretly wrote to your crush in high school.
Maybe ten or twenty years later, when sorting through old belongings, you’ll stumble upon these traces of the past and laugh at them in surprise.
But at the time, they were your hidden, private emotions, not even to be shared with the closest of friends.
Therefore, Gongsun Ce did not press further but simply glanced over the menu and gestured to the owner, “Boss, I’m ready to order!”
It was now twelve-thirty in the afternoon.
After buying fruit, the two of them walked to a nearby budget tea restaurant to sort out lunch.
Thanks to the morning’s power control practice and the medication prescribed by the doctor, Qin Qianbai had finally gotten her suppressed superpower under control.
She was now peering curiously over Gongsun Ce’s menu, trying to take a closer look.
The silver-haired youth smirked and covered the menu: “What are you doing?
I’m treating you to meal, and you still want to order?”
“…Not looking.”
The heiress closed her eyes and didn’t look again.
The owner had just finished counting cash at the front, wiped his hands on his apron, came over with paper and pen in hand, and in a warm Southern Empire dialect said, “What’ll it be?”
“Iced milk tea, fried intestines, vegetable hearts in broth, plain boiled chicken, curry mixed grill on rice with a stir-fried base.”
Qin Qianbai slightly opened her eyes, looking forward to it.
“Ordering so many small dishes today?” the owner noted as he wrote.
“Changing it up a bit.
Add a chicken thigh on rice with scrambled eggs, and make the iced lemon tea less sweet.”
“Done.
Just a few minutes’ wait~”
The owner hurried off to place the order.
Qin Qianbai’s eyes followed him for a bit as she watched the chefs stir-frying in the kitchen, flames surging from the woks.
“Will it taste good?”
“Can’t compare to big restaurants, but a tea restaurant like this is all about convenience and value for money.”
It wasn’t long before Gongsun Ce’s ordered dishes arrived one by one.
The freshly prepared stir-fry’s aroma was enticing, and just looking at it made one’s mouth water.
Qin Qianbai happily picked up the utensils: “This is…”
“Hey, no rush.”
Gongsun Ce pushed the stir-fries to the side and slid the last ordered oversize fried chicken leg rice and lemon tea to his neighbor.
“?”
“These are for me,” Gongsun Ce said without changing his expression, “This is what I’m treating you to.
Don’t be shy, enjoy.”
“—Why like this?!”
Qin Qianbai couldn’t help but exclaim; she was genuinely shocked by his behavior.
Were there really such petty men in the world?!
“Not eating?
I’ll take it away then.”
The heiress stabbed the chicken leg with her fork, grumbling, “Penny-pinching, narrow-minded, not a shred of gentlemanly grace!”
Gongsun Ce ate his meal with relish, talking between bites: “What does it take to have grace?
Should I drive you around in a million-dollar luxury car, take you to a revolving restaurant in Cangshou District, and treat you to a four-digit priced meal?”
Qin Qianbai coyly replied, “There’s no need for such extravagance…
a regular car will do.”
Gongsun Ce nearly laughed out loud.
“Miss, how long have I known you?”
“One day.”
“I’ve known you for a day and treating you to a simple meal is due to my excessive niceness plus the fact that I wrongfully offended you first,” said Gongsun Ce, “If I had just met you and was already spending lavishly, going to great lengths for you, what would you think I was after?”
Qin Qianbai pondered and said, “There must be some profit to be made…”
Gongsun Ce pushed the plate of stir-fried dishes back to the center of the table, smiling like a father indulging a child.
“Think more about it, Miss.
It’s not enough just to ward off everyone who approaches you; those who come bearing ‘good intentions’ can sometimes be more dangerous.
When something happens, try to consider it from the other person’s perspective, and many details will become clear.”
Qin Qianbai nodded silently, speaking softly, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.
After school starts, submit a request explaining your situation, and the teachers will grant you extra living expenses.
Just remember to pay me back then.
I was just joking earlier; let’s eat together.”
Gongsun Ce quickly polished off his portion and then observed the girl eating hers.
He was surprised to find that this pampered family scion was quite accustomed to the ways of cheap eateries.
Amidst the bustling noise of noon, many middle-aged men were sitting on stools at the nearby tables, smoking away, laughing loudly with cheap liquor in hand.
An average high school girl would have fled the place by now, but the girl quietly ate her meal, showing no sign of impatience.