Chapter 167: Chapter 166: For Anita Qing - Fairy Fate + Update 7
The cake shop Zhao Meimei 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 Meimei 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 Meimei stated her requirements, 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 Meimei really liked that heart-shaped cake. It looked nice and was quite symbolic, but the meaning was too obvious, making her hesitate for a long time 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 Meimei quietly watched them for a moment, then said, "Alright then, I’ll take this one. By the way, can something be written on top?"
Assistant: "Sure!"
Zhao Meimei chose a chocolate plaque for writing, saying, "Just write: ’Happy Birthday, Bro.’
After ordering the cake, Zhao Meimei left Shi Yang’s phone number and name, took out her phone, and sent the cake shop’s address to Shi Yang. Just after sending the message, her phone rang—it was an unknown number.
Zhao Meimei looked at it for a while, hesitating whether to answer.
Wang Jiayue asked, "Who’s calling?"
Zhao Meimei shook her head, "I don’t recognize the number."
Wang Jiayue casually responded, "Could it be someone looking for you? It’s free to answer, just pick it up."
Zhao Meimei answered the call, "Hello? Hi."
"Hmph, quite polite, where are you?"
A somewhat familiar male voice came from the phone.
Zhao Meimei thought for a while, then tentatively asked, "Zhang Zhao?"
"Ah! What’s up?"
Zhao Meimei was surprised, "How do you know my phone number?"
Zhang Zhao chuckled lightly, "What’s the big deal? Where are you?"
After Zhao Meimei 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. Come on over, I’ll treat you to a meal."
Zhao Meimei was taken aback, "Treat me to a meal?"
Zhang Zhao’s voice was cheerful, clearly in a good mood, "Yeah, hurry up and come over."
Zhao Meimei: "I’m with Wang Jiayue."
Zhang Zhao paused for a moment before saying, "Well, come together then. Hurry up!"
After finishing his words, Zhang Zhao hung up the phone abruptly before Zhao Meimei could ask further.
Wang Jiayue asked, "Zhang Zhao looking for you? What’s up?"
Zhao Meimei shrugged, "I don’t know, said he would treat us to a meal."
Wang Jiayue’s eyes widened, "Including me?"
Zhao Meimei nodded.
As soon as Zhao Meimei followed Wang Jiayue to West Street, they saw a large sign for the ’Water Cooked Fish’ restaurant.
The establishments on West Street were all large restaurants. Generally, when Zhao Meimei 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 Meimei 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, "Come in and sit." As he spoke, he casually pressed the cigarette into the ashtray to extinguish it.
Being aware that Zhang Zhao smoked, Zhao Meimei wasn’t surprised. Wang Jiayue, upon seeing Zhang Zhao’s nonchalant manner, didn’t look pleased and stuck close to Zhao Meimei, instinctively moving slightly behind her upon seeing Zhang Zhao.
Zhao Meimei walked over and sat next to Zhang Zhao, and Wang Jiayue hurriedly sat beside her.
Once Zhao Meimei was seated, she turned to ask, "What made you decide to treat me to a meal? Is there something up?"
Zhang Zhao had a smile on his lips, "It’s not me treating you; someone else wants to treat you to dinner."
Zhao Meimei 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 Meimei 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 mere "Hmm," showing an indifferent expression.
Hurriedly, Zhao Meimei greeted, "Sister Xin!"
Zhang Xin smiled and sat down in the empty seat beside Zhang Zhao, "Long time 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 Meimei was surprised, "Sister Xin, is there something you needed me for?"
Zhang Xin gave a light smile, glanced at Wang Jiayue beside Zhao Meimei, and thoughtfully frowned before swiftly relaxing with a slightly odd smile, "You’re President Wang’s daughter, right? We live in the same community and had a meal together a couple of times 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 Meimei and Xu Xu, though she had no recollection of ever having a meal together.
The server came 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 Meimei, "Hungry?"
Peering at the ’Water Cooked Fish,’ Zhao Meimei 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 moments 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, complemented by delicious side dishes, Zhao Meimei especially loved the bean sprouts.