Chapter 19: I Also Want Cake (19)
“Why did you accept such an expensive gift from her?” Liang’s mother asked.
“I didn’t know it was so expensive at first, and I really liked it, I didn’t know how to refuse.” Liang Xi browsed through dessert recipes on her phone, saving the ones that interested her.
“So you’ve been giving her desserts every day?” Liang’s mother continued. “Was the conflict last time also because of her?”
“Yes.” Liang Xi replied. “Mom, don’t worry, I know my limits.”
“I don’t think you do. Such a big thing, and you didn’t even tell me. Receiving a call and finding out you’re at the police station, do you know how worried I was?” Liang’s mother sneered.
“I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t expect him to be so bold, to actually break into my house and rob me.” Liang Xi softened her voice.
“You always do this when something happens. Acting cute won’t work.” Liang’s mother said angrily.
“I haven’t encountered many things… Mom, are you resting this week? What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”
Liang’s mother sneered.
…
Jiang Zhiyan sat in the car, looking out the window.
“Host, for just 500 points, you can unlock the true perspective of this event. Are you interested? Interested?” The system said slyly.
“She did it on purpose?” Jiang Zhiyan rubbed her eyes, deleting the organized information and photos.
“But you don’t know how she did it!”
“Why should I know? There’s no need to know. The matter was perfectly resolved, that’s all that matters.”
The system actually wanted to gossip with Jiang Zhiyan and earn some extra points, but who knew Jiang Zhiyan wasn’t interested, leaving it hanging: “Hmph, Host, really? You really don’t want to know? This is a limited-time offer, if you think it’s too expensive, I can give you a discount.”
“I don’t want to.” Jiang Zhiyan didn’t even think about it.
“People should maintain basic curiosity, otherwise they’ll age quickly.”
“Okay, I’ll try to take your advice.” Jiang Zhiyan said nonchalantly. “But I don’t seem to have the concept of aging.”
“No wonder you want to target sixteen or seventeen-year-old girls.”
Jiang Zhiyan wanted to explain, then thought better of it and muted the system.
The system, not seeing the notification, continued talking to itself: “Don’t you think you’re getting too close to the female lead? The female lead’s attention towards the male lead is being diverted by you. She hasn’t mentioned the male lead during casual conversations for a long time. This is a very bad sign!”
“What’s worse is that the female lead’s favorability towards the male lead is gradually decreasing. Although it’s not reflected in the numerical value, you can see it declining from the chart.”
“Host, what are you planning to do? Do you still want points? Also, I’ve been thinking about something lately. Are you straight or gay? Even if you’re gay, the female lead and the vicious female supporting character won’t have a good ending, so you should accept reality and give up soon.”
“Host? Host?”
“Hmm? Why aren’t you talking?”
“Fuck… you actually muted me! You actually muted me! #￥@%#@! Jiang Zhiyan! Our revolutionary friendship is dissipating! I hope you’ll take this seriously.”
When Jiang Zhiyan returned home, she originally wanted to unmute the system, but as soon as she turned off the mute, she heard its incessant chattering, so she muted it again.
Why was an AI so emotionally unstable and so talkative?
Jiang Zhiyan didn’t understand and decided to unmute it tomorrow morning. She could only set the alarm herself for now.
Her phone vibrated. The special ringtone indicated a message from Liang Xi. She quickly picked up her phone and sat on the edge of the bed.
[Liang Xi: I troubled you, and even had to call you over there.]
[Jiang Zhiyan: It’s nothing, it was just a small effort, not troublesome at all. Go to bed early tonight and drink some warm milk.]
[Liang Xi: Okay, I hope I don’t have nightmares tonight.]
[Jiang Zhiyan: You won’t, if you do, it’ll be a cool dream of a heroine vanquishing evil.]
[Liang Xi: Hahahaha, I hope so.]
Liang Xi looked at the small cake on her nightstand, protected by a glass cover, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
[Liang Xi: What do you want to eat tomorrow?]
[Jiang Zhiyan: Don’t make anything today, go to bed early. Our housekeeper baked some cookies today, I’ll bring them tomorrow.]
[Liang Xi: Okay.]
[Jiang Zhiyan: Can I study with you guys this weekend?]
[Liang Xi: Hmm? No cello lessons?]
[Jiang Zhiyan: Only in the morning.]
[Liang Xi: Then come, we can have lunch together outside.]
[Jiang Zhiyan: Okay!]
Jiang Zhiyan curled her lips, happy and cheerful. She had originally planned to go and deal with that man this afternoon, but now there was no need.
After learning that Jiang Zhiyan was also going to study with them, Yang Xiao felt like the sky was falling.
“Why is she coming again?” Yang Xiao didn’t understand.
“She said she doesn’t have class in the afternoon, so she’s coming over in the afternoon.”
Yang Xiao frowned, lowering her voice: “I strongly suspect she had another appointment this afternoon, which she canceled, so she’s looking for us! We’re her second choice.”
“I don’t think so.” Liang Xi shook her head. “Maybe she originally didn’t want to study, but was then moved by our studiousness, so she wanted to come study with us.”
Yang Xiao: ?
Yang Xiao looked at Liang Xi’s serious expression, trying to figure out if she was being serious or joking.
“It’s all studying anyway, it’s fine if she comes. Her grades are good, if I don’t know something, you can also ask her.” Liang Xi patted Yang Xiao’s shoulder. “Good friends should improve together.”
Looking at Liang Xi, so righteous and full of positive energy, Yang Xiao couldn’t say anything else.
Forget it, they were just going to the library to study together, not even talking, so it shouldn’t be a big problem. No matter how crazy Jiang Zhiyan was, she couldn’t do anything in the library.
Yang Xiao rubbed her chest. She had never thought in her life that she would go out with Jiang Zhiyan, meeting her outside of school.
On Sunday, Yang Xiao and Liang Xi went to the library early in the morning and secured a good spot.
Looking at the packed study area, Yang Xiao said with a bit of schadenfreude: “She probably won’t have a seat when she comes in the afternoon.”
“It is troublesome, but we’re going out for lunch, and we might not have a seat when we come back. If there’s no space in the library, we can just rent a private room at a paid study room. It’s fine.”
Yang Xiao’s smile faded again. Damn, she forgot that this library didn’t allow reserving seats. She had already imagined the scene of Jiang Zhiyan having no seat and leaving dejectedly.
Jiang Zhiyan agreed to meet Liang Xi at the library entrance at 11:30.
When Yang Xiao saw Jiang Zhiyan, she couldn’t help but click her tongue. Judging from Jiang Zhiyan’s outfit, she had clearly prepared well. She could directly be a fashion blogger.
She looked down at her own padded jacket and jeans and wanted to complain to Liang Xi, but was interrupted as soon as she opened her mouth.
“So beautiful, this outfit suits you very well.” Liang Xi couldn’t help but exclaim the moment she saw Jiang Zhiyan, her eyes shining. “It looks so good on you, should we take a picture? There’s a corner over there that’s perfect for taking pictures.”
“Really? You think it looks good? This is my first time trying this style, I was a bit hesitant to even go out today.” Jiang Zhiyan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear shyly.
“It looks amazing, you look good in any style.”
Yang Xiao unscrewed her thermos and took a tactical sip of water. With Liang Xi’s praise, Jiang Zhiyan’s eyebrows practically flew off her face.
“By the way, I rode my electric scooter here today. Later, when we go to the restaurant, Liang Xi, you can ride with me. Yang Xiao, are you okay riding a shared e-bike by yourself?” Jiang Zhiyan said, walking beside Liang Xi.
“No problem.” Yang Xiao said with a blank expression, not bothering to hide her eye roll and displeasure.
Jiang Zhiyan had definitely planned this in advance. She stood to the side watching Liang Xi take pictures of Jiang Zhiyan. Two minutes later, she watched as they leaned against each other. Unable to bear it any longer, she walked over.
“Include me.” Yang Xiao made a peace sign at the camera.
To prevent the cunning Jiang Zhiyan from cropping her out, she chose to stand between the two, making strange poses. This way, even if someone edited her out, it would take a long time.
“Xiao Xiao, your poses are really strange.” Liang Xi frowned at the photos.
“Maybe it’s showing her personality.” Jiang Zhiyan said. “It makes her stand out from us.”
Liang Xi nodded in sudden understanding.
Yang Xiao looked at Jiang Zhiyan expressionlessly. It didn’t sound like a compliment at all, very sarcastic, but her expression was so sincere that Yang Xiao couldn’t directly get angry.
As expected, this woman was scary.
Jiang Zhiyan brought two helmets, same style, different colors, and handed one to Liang Xi. Yang Xiao looked back at the two people not far away who were clearly together, gritted her teeth, and continued to look for a shared e-bike along the road.
Liang Xi chose the restaurant. She wanted to try the recently opened hot pot place that was very popular in City A. She had gotten a queue number online while at the library, and they arrived just as their number was called.
“It’s a good thing we got a queue number in advance, otherwise we would have had to wait until one o’clock.” Yang Xiao sighed.
“Jiang Zhiyan? What a coincidence! Liang Xi is here too?”
Jiang Zhiyan: …
As expected, letting Liang Xi choose the place was a mistake.
Jiang Zhiyan looked at the three people not far away: The male lead, the vicious female supporting character’s ex-boyfriend, and current boyfriend. How interesting.
It was Wei Ting who greeted them. He had a knowing smile on his face. Lin Shenyu stood beside him expressionlessly. Yan Yanzhuo’s gaze was fixed on Liang Xi.
“Join our table?” Wei Ting asked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Jiang Zhiyan refused flatly.
“I think it’s fine. They’re your boyfriend’s friends and younger brother, and we’re all classmates. It’s no big deal.” Yang Xiao tried to appear understanding and reasonable, but her acting wasn’t very good. Her schadenfreude and amusement were written all over her face.
Liang Xi frowned. Actually, she didn’t want to join their table either. It would be awkward for both her and Jiang Zhiyan. But it wasn’t good to refuse directly, after all, Yan Yanzhuo and Lin Shenyu had helped them last time. Refusing such a small request would seem…
Jiang Zhiyan glanced at Liang Xi: “Then let’s join them.”
Six people, the seating arrangement was also a problem.
“Xi Xi, I’ll sit with you.” Yang Xiao pulled Liang Xi, tugging on her sleeve, signaling her to choose the seat next to Yan Yanzhuo.
“Okay.”
Liang Xi didn’t understand her hint and randomly chose a seat. Jiang Zhiyan sat directly to her left. After hesitating, Yang Xiao switched seats, giving up the spot next to Liang Xi to Yan Yanzhuo. Fortunately, Yan Yanzhuo sat down as she had hoped.
Yang Xiao sighed. She had truly sacrificed too much for her best friend.
Lin Shenyu sat on Jiang Zhiyan’s other side. Wei Ting sat next to Yang Xiao, with an empty seat between him and Lin Shenyu, directly opposite Jiang Zhiyan.
“Let’s order?” Jiang Zhiyan scanned the QR code and naturally leaned towards Liang Xi.
“Everyone can scan the code and order.” Wei Ting reminded her.
Yang Xiao, who was about to speak, shut her mouth.
Jiang Zhiyan ignored him. Liang Xi didn’t move either, just politely glanced at him.
Yang Xiao realized that after joining their table, the person who should have been the most awkward was the least awkward. Jiang Zhiyan sat there calmly, occasionally whispering and laughing with Liang Xi. She didn’t know what they were talking about, but it made Liang Xi laugh constantly.
On the other hand, Yang Xiao, being too far from Liang Xi, couldn’t join the conversation and felt very awkward. If they spoke louder, she could have joined in, but their voices were so soft, Yang Xiao suspected Jiang Zhiyan was doing it on purpose.
“My mom called me yesterday.” Lin Shenyu looked at Jiang Zhiyan.
Jiang Zhiyan frowned, finally looking away from Liang Xi: “What did she say?”
“About the collaboration, but I can’t make the decision on that, I can only talk to my mom about it.” Lin Shenyu said.
“Did she say anything else?” Jiang Zhiyan was certain her mother had said other things.
Lin Shenyu tapped the table twice and remained silent for a long time.
“She said she froze your card, but if you need money, you can use mine first.” Lin Shenyu took out a card and handed it to Jiang Zhiyan. “The PIN is my birthday.”
“No need, thank you, I have money.” Jiang Zhiyan pushed the card back. “You don’t have to answer her calls next time.”
“What happened?” Liang Xi asked with concern.
“Nothing.” Jiang Zhiyan opened her bank balance on her phone and showed it to Liang Xi. “I transferred the money from that card earlier, it’s enough.”
“Your mom called me too.” Wei Ting said, his tone slightly sarcastic. “She said she was apologizing to me on your behalf. I didn’t listen to the rest, I just hung up.”
Liang Xi frowned. She couldn’t understand the purpose of Jiang Zhiyan’s mother’s actions. It was clearly just causing trouble for Jiang Zhiyan: “Why would she do that…”
“Because I’ve been rebellious lately.” Jiang Zhiyan patted Liang Xi’s hand. “It’s nothing.”
Liang Xi looked at Jiang Zhiyan sympathetically: “You can come to my house, there’s a spare room. My mom usually isn’t home, and she likes you.”
Yang Xiao: What happened? Since when did her mom like Jiang Zhiyan? She had never even met her mom!!!
“I also have an empty apartment near the school, with a housekeeper.” Lin Shenyu said, looking at Jiang Zhiyan. He didn’t really want to help Jiang Zhiyan solve her problems, but looking at the two people huddled together made him uncomfortable, even though he had already made things clear last time.
“Your apartment was just renovated, it’s not good to move in yet. She can stay in mine first.” Wei Ting took a sip of tea and emphasized, “Sister-in-law, I’m truly kind-hearted.”
His sarcasm was dripping.
Yang Xiao’s eyes lit up: It’s starting, it’s finally starting!
“Thank you, but really, there’s no need. My mom isn’t coming home anyway.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at Wei Ting and smiled. “And thank you for your concern, brother-in-law. You truly are kind-hearted.”
Wei Ting gritted his teeth and gulped down his drink.
Yang Xiao looked at Wei Ting with slight disdain. His attack wasn’t very effective.
“What are you guys doing this afternoon?” Lin Shenyu asked.
“Studying.” Jiang Zhiyan said, patting the bag beside her.
“You’re studying?” Wei Ting looked incredulous.
“I wasn’t planning to, but I was moved by Liang Xi and Yang Xiao’s dedication to learning, so I came along.”
Yang Xiao looked up, confused. Why did that sound familiar? Did these two rehearse their lines in advance? She looked at Jiang Zhiyan, who was also exuding the same positive energy as Liang Xi.
Everyone’s gaze fell on Jiang Zhiyan, who remained calm and collected.
“You can even say that with a straight face.” Wei Ting scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “Why isn’t the food here yet? I’m starving.”
“Go and ask them to hurry up.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at him.
Wei Ting stood up, about to leave, then sat back down, staring at Jiang Zhiyan: “What makes you think you can order me around?”
Liang Xi glanced at Wei Ting and whispered in Jiang Zhiyan’s ear: “So childish.”
Jiang Zhiyan nodded, her voice neither too loud nor too soft: “You should find someone mature, emotionally stable, and not petty when you date. But it’s normal, he’s still young after all.”
Wei Ting glared at the two of them, then burst out laughing after three seconds.
“Ah, it’s finally here, no need to rush them.” Yang Xiao, seeing the waiter approaching with the pot, breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Although she wasn’t close to Wei Ting, at this moment, she empathized with him. “Let’s eat, oh, we haven’t gotten our dipping sauces yet.”
Wei Ting’s lips moved, then he closed his mouth.
Liang Xi pulled Jiang Zhiyan up. Looking at Yan Yanzhuo sitting on the outside, she said apologetically: “Excuse me, could you please move aside?”
Yan Yanzhuo glanced at her, got up, and went to the sauce station. Liang Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Yan Yanzhuo hadn’t said anything, just sitting beside him made her feel awkward. Thinking of her previous actions of delivering desserts made her toes curl. She couldn’t even remember what she had been thinking at the time.
“So unfamiliar.” Wei Ting commented.
Liang Xi pretended not to hear him, took Jiang Zhiyan’s hand, waved at Yang Xiao, and quickly left her seat, moving away from Wei Ting.
Yang Xiao suddenly understood why Jiang Zhiyan broke up with Wei Ting. Dating him must have been torture.
“You’re really good with words.” Lin Shenyu stood up and said.
“Hah, obviously.” Wei Ting smiled confidently.
Lin Shenyu: …
“Host, just now Lin Shenyu and Wei Ting’s reconciliation progress bar suddenly jumped by 30%.” The system said hesitantly. “Analysis shows that Lin Shenyu thinks Wei Ting is an idiot, so he decided not to bother with him.”
Jiang Zhiyan twitched her lips, scooped a spoonful of minced garlic for Liang Xi, and scraped off some sauce stuck to Liang Xi’s thumb, replying in her mind: “He just realized that. So he’s not very smart either.”
Liang Xi blinked, glancing at Jiang Zhiyan from the corner of her eye, then looked at the other sauces, muttering to herself: “What else is good?”
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