"I heard people saying Huayan was being kept, but I didn't believe it. Now that I've seen her today, sigh..." One of the male classmates sighed. Huayan looked at his sour literary appearance and really wanted to go up and kick him a few times.
"Could it be a father-daughter relationship? Look, she looks a lot like the boss inside," explained the bespectacled female classmate.
"How is that possible? Haven't you heard people say that two people who spend a long time together will start to resemble each other?" One of the tallest female classmates in the class, who loved beauty and showing off the most, retorted.
Walking while listening to their conversation, Huayan couldn't help but twitch her face. She glanced back deeply at those few people and didn't linger any longer.
"I feel so cold. It's like I've been stared at by a poisonous snake when Huayan looked at me," the male classmate said as he rubbed the goosebumps on his arms, making others shudder inexplicably.
After wandering around the largest bookstore in the city center and not finding the book she wanted, Huayan received a call from Cheng Qingqing. They agreed to meet and discuss something at a bubble tea shop.
Cheng Qingqing's tone sounded like she needed Huayan's help. When Huayan stepped into the bubble tea shop, she saw Cheng Qingqing wearing a handmade white linen shirt, drinking bubble tea.
Seeing Huayan coming, Cheng Qingqing enthusiastically put down her drink and dragged her over to sit down. Moreover, Cheng Qingqing, who usually couldn't be bothered to stand out, asked Huayan what she wanted to drink and eat without waiting for the waiter, and she personally stopped the waiter.
Huayan suddenly felt that she was too rash to accept Cheng Qingqing's invitation today. In the end, Huayan could only pray in her heart that Cheng Qingqing wouldn't ask for anything too difficult.
"Sister Huayan, try this bubble tea from this shop. It's so delicious! And these small pastries are made by the owner herself. Try this one, it's strawberry-flavored, this one is blueberry, this one is peach, and there's..."
"Stop, are you trying to spoil my appetite today with such extravagant spending? Let me treat you today." Huayan had just looked at the price list and realized that Cheng Qingqing had ordered the most expensive items in the shop. Cheng Qingqing must be asking for something significant.
"No, no." Cheng Qingqing waved her hands nervously, refusing. Seeing Huayan's teasing expression, she pouted and coquettishly said, "Sister Huayan, you're bullying me again. But today's meal is on behalf of my second brother." Cheng Qingqing smiled mysteriously, leaving Huayan puzzled. She couldn't figure out when she had met Cheng Qingqing's second brother. So far, she didn't even know how many people were in Cheng Qingqing's family or what they did. She didn't know what kind of play Cheng Qingqing was acting.
"Come on, what's the matter you want to discuss with me today?" Huayan couldn't be bothered to waste brain cells trying to figure it out.
With a cute smile, Cheng Qingqing said, "I want Sister Huayan to be my second brother's companion at tomorrow's banquet." Before Huayan could speak, she continued, "Sister Huayan, you don't know, my second brother either doesn't go to banquets or goes alone every time. At first, our family didn't pay attention to it. But now many people say that my second brother is abnormal, and he's in his late twenties without ever having a relationship. He'll never get married or have children in his life.
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"I was upset, but since I just met Huayan sister today, I thought of asking you to be my brother's companion tomorrow. Huayan sister is naturally beautiful even without dressing up. If she does, she'll surely steal the show tomorrow. Let those gossipers all shut up."
"Your brother probably doesn't know about this, right?" Understanding the situation, Huayan felt somewhat helpless with Cheng Qingqing's adorable gesture. But for a pampered girl like her who cares about her family, Huayan didn't feel much resentment towards her request.
Cheng Qingqing became even more guilty, and blushing, she said, "Actually, I... I took the liberty... Does your brother really have no girlfriend? Maybe he's not interested in women?" Huayan, who had read many BL novels before, couldn't help but think in that direction.
"Not interested in women? Maybe a bit. Anyway, my brother has never been short of female companions. My mom said even during his high school days, when youth was flourishing, he didn't have a crush on any girl. Instead, he always spends his time on the basketball court or running." Cheng Qingqing was just stating the facts, without even thinking about homosexuality. So, her words only reinforced Huayan's speculation. Thus, this beautiful misunderstanding was born.
Could Cheng Qingqing's second brother really be interested in men? Perhaps her family still didn't know about it. Huayan decided to keep her mouth shut. Considering that her second brother might not attend the banquet because he didn't like women, Huayan, who had a fujoshi consciousness, no longer objected to being Cheng Qingqing's brother's companion.
"What time is the banquet tomorrow?"
"Sister Huayan, did you agree? Wow, you're so kind. Let me give you a kiss." Seeing Cheng Qingqing's old habit acting up again, Huayan hurriedly waved her hand to stop Cheng Qingqing from approaching her mouth.
"Tomorrow is fine."
"The banquet starts at 7 p.m. After you take a nap, I'll have the driver pick you up, and we'll go together to choose a dress and do your hair." Cheng Qingqing always thought Huayan lived upstairs at the jewelry shop, not knowing that Huayan was actually the owner of the Jadeite store. Of course, Huayan didn't bother to explain this misunderstanding to Cheng Qingqing.
"No need to trouble the driver. Just tell me the address, and I'll go by myself."
"Okay, as a reward, I owe Sister Huayan a big meal. You can choose the place. I have to go back and tell my family the good news." Cheng Qingqing didn't even eat the delicious food, happily paid the bill, and reminded Huayan not to back out, humming a tune as she left.
Huayan returned home alone and chose a pair of jade bangles with jadeite matching the jade hairpin, a pair of gold-plated jadeite earrings, and a simple and elegant carved hairpin to wear at tomorrow's banquet from the jewelry collection. She didn't realize that this set of jade jewelry cost over two million. Finally, Huayan also picked a cute hairpin and put it in the box to give to Cheng Qingqing tomorrow.
Back home, Cheng Qingqing kicked off her high-heeled shoes at the door, ran barefoot on the carpet, and rushed to the living room. Inside, Mrs. Cheng was persuading her second son to take the girl he liked to tomorrow's birthday banquet hosted by Shang Guanning's mother, so that the family could meet her.
Sitting on the sofa, Cheng Xiang was at a loss. He had been busy with his cases all day and had no time to date. Although there were a few women at the police station who were interested in him, after trying to date them twice without feeling a strong spark, he cooled off. Now, where could he find a girlfriend to bring out?
"Mom, I really don't have a girlfriend now." Cheng Xiang explained to his mother once again. But his mother thought it was his son's fault and tried to persuade him kindly, "Even if you don't have a girlfriend now, as long as you like her, tomorrow is a good opportunity to take her to the banquet and increase your feelings. Besides, are you afraid that your family won't approve of her?"