11、
Afterward, Anning and Qiangwei entered a Chinese-style restaurant downtown. Qiangwei marched straight to a window seat with an excellent view, sat down, and waved her hand dramatically.
“Taxi!” She froze. “Oops, waiter!”
Anning limped over and sat down across from her. “Should I treat today?”
Qiangwei: “Why? I should be rewarding you today.”
Anning smiled. “Then after we finish eating, carry me back.”
Qiangwei glared. “If you just shout outside, tons of people would volunteer to carry you.”
“But I’m shy around strangers.”
“Well, a familiar face is coming.” Qiangwei lowered her head to read a message. “Mao Mao says she wants to treat us to dessert—though personally I think she’s already so fat she should eat something salty instead.”
Just as she put her phone down, another call came in. Seeing the caller’s name, she instantly brightened.
“Senior Brother Jiang? Yes, yes, we’re eating right now. You saw us? You’re nearby?! Then come eat with us. The more the merrier!”
So ten minutes later, Anning once again found herself eating a meal across from Jiang Xu.
During the meal, Senior Brother Jiang kindly asked her two questions.
First:
“You don’t mind if I call you Anning like Qiangwei does, right?”
Anning: “Mm… Qiangwei doesn’t call me Anning.”
Second:
“You… know Xu Moting?”
Anning: “I do.”
The famous senior brother fell silent and turned to chat with Qiangwei instead…
Later, someone came over to greet Jiang Xu.
“You’re Jiang Xu, Senior Brother Jiang, right? I’m not mistaken?”
Jiang Xu was clearly used to this sort of thing. He merely nodded lightly. “Yes. And you are—?”
“I’m from Y University too. Just an insignificant nobody.” The guy waved modestly. “You founded our university’s Percussion Society. I’ve admired you for a long time! I’m currently the keyboardist there.”
The cat-like Miss Anning, who had been wholeheartedly focused on eating, suddenly let out a soft “Eh?” The name sounded awfully familiar…
“Your photo’s always printed in our school brochures.”
“That’s just my alma mater flattering me.”
“Why did Senior Brother transfer to X University for graduate school afterward?”
Jiang Xu smiled faintly. “I wanted a change of environment. Experience different things.”
The more Anning listened, the more it sounded like some celebrity interview…
Eventually, after obtaining an autograph, the insignificant nobody left in satisfaction…
Leaving behind Qiangwei’s even more smitten gaze, and an endless stream of “My Romeo, oh, my Romeo…” all the way back—
Until Anning suddenly exclaimed, “Ah! So it was him.”
Qiangwei: “Who?”
Anning: “Uh, nobody. I just suddenly remembered a… beauty.”
Qiangwei shook her head and sighed. “You really have no ambition. Why are you thinking about beautiful women—”
Then she noticed Anning slowing her steps.
“What’s wrong?”
Anning: “Mao Mao…”
At the entrance to Cafeteria No. 2, Mao Xiaoxu was currently holding up a signboard that read: Summary of the Spirit of the 17th National Congress… while being surrounded by students entering and leaving the cafeteria.
“Fellow students, today I, Mao, would like to discuss several improvements needed in our school cafeteria system, based on the report of the 17th National Congress.”
“At the 17th National Congress, Brother Tao pointed out that the theme of this conference was to hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, guided by Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of the ‘Three Represents,’ thoroughly implement the Scientific Outlook on Development, continue emancipating the mind, persist in reform and opening up, promote scientific development, and foster social harmony.”
“Our school cafeteria has long upheld the principle of ‘serving the people,’ actively developing new dishes and serving teachers and students with stable quality, thus providing a solid logistical foundation for X University’s teaching and research activities. In order to better build a harmonious society and implement the spirit of the 17th National Congress, I propose the following suggestions to the school’s dining department:
“First: The cafeteria portions of noodles are way too small! Can you increase them a bit?
“Second: Could the cafeteria continue supplying chicken and beef dishes? Replacing chicken with vegetarian mock chicken is not a sustainable solution.”
“I hope the school will, with the determination to implement the Scientific Outlook on Development, increase noodle portions, restore the supply of chicken and beef, set reasonable prices, and walk a path of sustainable development!”
Qiangwei muttered to herself, “I don’t know her, I don’t know her… this has nothing to do with us, nothing to do with us…”
Mao Mao: “And while I’m here, let me mention that this Tuesday my friend Fu Qiangwei will be participating in the school’s Campus Ambassador competition! Fu Qiangwei, Physics Department Class Ten, my friend! Please support her and vote for her!”
Qiangwei: “Aaah, just let me die!”
Anning laughed. “Mm… Qiangwei, when you live by the sword, eventually you have to repay your debts.”
“Ahem.”
Someone behind them seemed to suppress a laugh very gentlemanly before clearing his throat lightly.
Anning turned around—and froze.
He glanced toward the center of the crowd five meters away. “Your classmate?”
Could she say no… “Mm, my roommate.”
“Just got back from outside?”
“Mm.”
“I just arrived. Walk with me?”
So upright and elegant and gentlemanly…
But… could she say no?
At that moment, Qiangwei was staring at the scene in utter shock!
Anning: “…”
Xu Moting: “What?”
Anning: “Let’s go.”
Qiangwei: “……”