Chapter 39: The Boss's Overall Performance is Very Good

The rehearsal ended when it was already dark.

The student union members wanted to treat everyone to dinner.

Qingqing sidled up to Ying Jing. "Do you want to stay for dinner? If you don't want to but feel too awkward to decline, I can leave with you."

She wasn't the one who did anything wrong, so there was nothing to avoid.

If she didn't even have the backbone to handle this, how was she supposed to get through the next few years of school life?

"Let's go! Why wouldn't I go when there's free food and drink?"

"Miss, do you not realize your own status? Would you really want to take advantage of such a small thing?"

Ying Jing smiled without a word. She just felt there was no need to dodge things she would have to face eventually. Once or twice was one thing, but she couldn't just keep turning a blind eye.

"What did I do wrong, and why would I lose my footing? It's better to be open and aboveboard. The student union is so wealthy; they never went easy on us when they were squeezing us for labor. Why shouldn't I go eat to get my money's worth?"

The student union leadership had booked a large room with two tables at a famous local restaurant, just enough for their group.

Qingqing and Ying Jing walked together.

"Lu Zishu doesn't seem to be here. Jiang Li was bullied to tears by you, yet she still has the nerve to come eat."

Lu Zishu was indeed not there. Right after Ying Jing left the hallway, he had received a call, said a few words to the others, and left.

He had glanced at her a few times before leaving, but Ying Jing had ignored him the entire time.

Jiang Li was with her little clique of friends.

People like her were never short of sycophants.

Even after being bullied to tears by Ying Jing, there were plenty of people afterward who would say sweet things to coax her.

"If you ask me, I wouldn't feel sorry for Jiang Li even if those people picked her clean to the bone one day. None of them are there for anything other than her family's money and status. When things blew up earlier, why didn't any of them come out to help? They ran faster than rabbits when there was trouble. Now they're calling her 'sister' this and 'sister' that so sweetly. This 'Miss' Jiang Li is just too naive!"

Listening to her friend's rant, Ying Jing responded occasionally.

There were several cars parked outside the school. A rough count showed that even if they packed into the cars, there would still be a few people left over.

"Sorry, one of the cars we booked had a last-minute issue. It's easy to hail cabs here, so let's discuss who will take a taxi over." Once the person in charge said this, those who could get into a car did so immediately, and those who couldn't were left waiting.

It was easy to get a car at the school gate, but it depended on the time. During rush hour, no amount of cars helped; you had to wait if you had to wait. Plus, with the sweltering heat, no one wanted to stand on the side of the road like an idiot, drenched in sweat.

Jiang Li, who had squeezed into a car with her friends, didn't forget to poke her head out the window to mock Ying Jing.

"So sorry, the car is full. Ying Jing, you don't mind, do you?"

The car wasn't hers, so why would she mind?

Ying Jing couldn't be bothered to talk to her. She turned to the person in charge and said, "You guys go ahead! Qingqing and I will take a taxi."

"Is that okay? I'm really sorry about that."

There were two other students, a boy and a girl, who were left behind; they seemed to be freshmen who hadn't mingled much yet.

Just then, Zhao Qingran from the car in front poked her head out to call her.

"There's still space here, we can squeeze in."

Ying Jing politely declined and pulled Qingqing forward.

"They did that on purpose. Didn't you see that smug look on Jiang Li's face? I really wanted to rip her face off."

Whether it was on purpose or not, the fact was there were fewer seats, and others had snatched them up while they hadn't.

"You have to be able to snatch them! One person sits down and takes up the space of several. Then they act all hypocritical, saying, 'Oh, sister, I'm so sorry, this seat is taken, why don't you look elsewhere? Oh, so sorry, sister, this one is taken too, you should find another.' I really want to sit on those little bitches until they're crushed."

Ying Jing laughed.

The other two students laughed along with her.

"Senior, you're so funny."

"Senior has such a fiery temper, I like it."

Qingqing also felt her temper was quite fiery. People like her loved truly and hated truly. Her personality was too straightforward; she didn't like beating around the bush. It was good, but it was also easy to offend people.

Just with her sharp tongue alone, few could stand against her.

Being praised by the juniors, Jin Qingqing felt a bit embarrassed.

"I just think if they don't want us there, they should just say so. It's not like we're some precious treasure everyone is dying to be near."

"Exactly, exactly."

...

Without realizing it, Qingqing had gained two little fans.

They called her "Senior" with every breath, as sweet as could be.

She was in a great mood.

"Senior, we have handheld fans, let us share one with you."

Four people, two small fans, standing on the side of the road trying to hail a cab. At this time of day, either the cars were occupied or the ride-shares weren't going their way.

None of them were annoyed; they stood together, chatting and laughing.

Qingqing even suggested that if they really couldn't get a cab, they should just go eat hot pot nearby. Wouldn't that be much better than eating with that group of people?

Everyone agreed.

Ying Jing looked down at her phone, staring at the three-minute-plus call record.

She wondered how much of her conversation with Lu Zishu earlier Wen Fucheng had heard.

"Miss Ying."

Assistant Zhang's voice came from beside her.

Ying Jing looked up. Zhang Yang had parked Wen Fucheng's car in front of her. Ying Jing felt guilty and subconsciously looked toward the back seat. Zhang Yang was amused by her cautious expression.

"The boss isn't here."

Ying Jing smiled sheepishly.

"Why is Assistant Zhang here?"

"The boss has a dinner meeting nearby. I'm just driving around the area waiting to pick him up when it's over. Are you waiting for a car, Miss Ying?"

"We were planning to take a taxi to dinner."

Without a word, Zhang Yang unlocked the car and told them to get in.

"Where to? I'll drive you there directly."

"That's not necessary! It's too much trouble."

"How could it be trouble? If the boss were here, he would definitely drive you himself. We're all family, don't be so formal. Get in, it's too hot outside."

Ying Jing didn't play coy. She signaled her friends to get in and sat in the front herself.

"Then I'll trouble you."

Ying Jing gave the address, and Zhang Yang drove them there.

"Is he very busy today?"

"It's alright. There are a few more things to handle since we just arrived, but don't worry, he's been eating his three meals normally and his schedule is very regular. The boss has been very well-behaved overall."

Ying Jing:...

Zhang Yang was a guy you could count on; he really dared to say anything.

Ying Jing was just asking; there was really no need to be so specific.

Well, she did want to know.

Assistant Zhang was quite perceptive!

They arrived at their destination while chatting, and Ying Jing thanked him as she got out.

Zhang Yang parked the car and got out too. "Coincidentally, I'm going to grab a bite around here too. Do you want to go pick up the boss together later?"

The bait was too tempting.

Ying Jing couldn't refuse at all!

Ying Jing answered bashfully, though she was already bursting with joy inside. "It's a deal then! Let's keep in touch by phone. Honestly, I don't want to attend this dinner at all, but what can you do! Assistant Zhang, you're so smart, let's just play it by ear later!"

After Ying Jing left, Zhang Yang picked up his phone. It showed a call that hadn't been hung up yet.

"Boss, you heard all that, right?"

(End of chapter)