The cake shop Zhao ii had in mind was just across the street from their school. It was a pretty large store and was part of a chain from the provincial capital. The cakes, bread, and pastries there were exceptionally tasty, though a bit pricey.
Zhao ii and Wang Jiayue hadn’t had lunch yet. They originally planned to have spicy hot pot skewers after ordering the cake, but once they entered the cake shop, the fragrance of the creamy bread and the tempting pastries in the display made them unable to resist. Before ordering the cake, each bought a creamy bun to nibble on, then squeezed into the cake section to choose a style side by side.
After Zhao ii stated her requirents, the shop assistant took out a thin booklet for her to choose a style, and all the cakes inside could be made with cheese and durian filling.
Actually, Zhao ii really liked that heart-shaped cake. It looked nice and was quite symbolic, but the aning was too obvious, making her hesitate for a long ti before sheepishly skipping it.
Wang Jiayue suggested, "How about this one, the car-shaped design? Don’t guys like cars? Or this one, what is it? Two ducks? Quite funny."
The assistant nearby couldn’t help but interject, "These are mandarin ducks, their beaks are pointed, and their wings are colorful."
Staring at the pair of mandarin ducks that indeed looked like chubby ducks, Zhao ii quietly watched them for a mont, then said, "Alright then, I’ll take this one. By the way, can sothing be written on top?"
Assistant: "Sure!"
Zhao ii chose a chocolate plaque for writing, saying, "Just write: ’Happy Birthday, Bro.’
After ordering the cake, Zhao ii left Shi Yang’s phone number and na, took out her phone, and sent the cake shop’s address to Shi Yang. Just after sending the ssage, her phone rang—it was an unknown number.
Zhao ii looked at it for a while, hesitating whether to answer.
Wang Jiayue asked, "Who’s calling?"
Zhao ii shook her head, "I don’t recognize the number."
Wang Jiayue casually responded, "Could it be soone looking for you? It’s free to answer, just pick it up."
Zhao ii answered the call, "Hello? Hi."
"Hmph, quite polite, where are you?"
A sowhat familiar male voice ca from the phone.
Zhao ii thought for a while, then tentatively asked, "Zhang Zhao?"
"Ah! What’s up?"
Zhao ii was surprised, "How do you know my phone number?"
Zhang Zhao chuckled lightly, "What’s the big deal? Where are you?"
After Zhao ii replied, she heard Zhang Zhao say, "I’m on West Street by the school. You’ll see a restaurant called ’Water Cooked Fish’ when you arrive. I’m here. Co on over, I’ll treat you to a al."
Zhao ii was taken aback, "Treat to a al?"
Zhang Zhao’s voice was cheerful, clearly in a good mood, "Yeah, hurry up and co over."
Zhao ii: "I’m with Wang Jiayue."
Zhang Zhao paused for a mont before saying, "Well, co together then. Hurry up!"
After finishing his words, Zhang Zhao hung up the phone abruptly before Zhao ii could ask further.
Wang Jiayue asked, "Zhang Zhao looking for you? What’s up?"
Zhao ii shrugged, "I don’t know, said he would treat us to a al."
Wang Jiayue’s eyes widened, "Including ?"
Zhao ii nodded.
As soon as Zhao ii followed Wang Jiayue to West Street, they saw a large sign for the ’Water Cooked Fish’ restaurant.
The establishnts on West Street were all large restaurants. Generally, when Zhao ii and her friends ate off-campus, they would go across the street, where there were delicious, authentic snacks that were affordable.
Zhang Zhao had reserved a private room. When Zhao ii and Wang Jiayue arrived, he was sitting at a position facing the door, leaning back in his chair and smoking.
Hearing the commotion, Zhang Zhao waved his hand, "Co in and sit." As he spoke, he casually pressed the cigarette into the ashtray to extinguish it.
Being aware that Zhang Zhao smoked, Zhao ii wasn’t surprised. Wang Jiayue, upon seeing Zhang Zhao’s nonchalant manner, didn’t look pleased and stuck close to Zhao ii, instinctively moving slightly behind her upon seeing Zhang Zhao.
Zhao ii walked over and sat next to Zhang Zhao, and Wang Jiayue hurriedly sat beside her.
Once Zhao ii was seated, she turned to ask, "What made you decide to treat to a al? Is there sothing up?"
Zhang Zhao had a smile on his lips, "It’s not treating you; soone else wants to treat you to dinner."
Zhao ii was puzzled until she noticed four sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table.
She was just about to ask when Zhang Zhao suddenly sat up straight with a slightly nervous yet excited expression looking toward the private room door.
Zhao ii followed his gaze and froze.
Zhang Xin, her long curly hair flowing down, stepped in wearing high heels and a deep V-neck dress. The dress hem swayed gently as she walked, resembling a blooming rose.
She walked in with a smile.
Zhang Zhao stood up, pulled out the chair beside him, and greeted, "Sis, you’ve arrived."
Zhang Xin acknowledged with a re "Hmm," showing an indifferent expression.
Hurriedly, Zhao ii greeted, "Sister Xin!"
Zhang Xin smiled and sat down in the empty seat beside Zhang Zhao, "Long ti no see."
Zhang Xin swept her hair behind her with a smile, "I was the one who asked Zhang Zhao to invite you out today."
Zhao ii was surprised, "Sister Xin, is there sothing you needed for?"
Zhang Xin gave a light smile, glanced at Wang Jiayue beside Zhao ii, and thoughtfully frowned before swiftly relaxing with a slightly odd smile, "You’re President Wang’s daughter, right? We live in the sa community and had a al together a couple of tis before."
Wang Jiayue, with her fair skin and big eyes, felt a bit uneasy upon hearing Zhang Xin’s words and nodded slightly, "Uh, hello."
Wang Jiayue hadn’t had much impression of Zhang Xin beyond feeling she looked familiar. Upon closer inspection now, she recalled seeing Zhang Xin at the neighborhood entrance when they had previously left with Zhao ii and Xu Xu, though she had no recollection of ever having a al together.
The server ca in with ’Water Cooked Fish’ and placed it in the middle of the table, also bringing several signature dishes from the restaurant.
The three gazed at Zhang Xin with wide eyes, and she raised her eyebrows, "Eat up! It’ll get cold soon." Then turned to Zhao ii, "Hungry?"
Peering at the ’Water Cooked Fish,’ Zhao ii found it quite appetizing and picked up her chopsticks.
Zhang Xin said to Wang Jiayue and Zhang Zhao, "Let’s eat."
Zhang Zhao rarely encountered monts when his sister acted amiably towards him, unable to hide his happy expression, "Sis, what would you like to drink? Earlier, I ordered a pot of sour plum juice."
Zhang Xin glanced at it, being fond of sour flavors, and waved her hand, "This will do."
This restaurant’s signature dish was ’Water Cooked Fish,’ expertly crafted with rich broths and a reddened pot of sliced fish neatly assembled into fish shapes, complented by delicious side dishes, Zhao ii especially loved the bean sprouts.
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