Chapter 33 Birthday Party "It's just too windy."
The grass is growing and the birds are singing, and time flies by so fast.
At the end of April, the school will hold a cultural week as usual, and roll-up banners displaying the club’s culture will be placed on the main roads leading into the school for exhibition.
The broadcasting department where Yan Ning works is no exception.
Most of the limited free time this month was occupied by discussions on making roll-up banners. However, when Yan Ning finally saw the result, he felt that it was all worth it.
In mid-May, I took the midterm exam.
Then not long after, it was Fang Zean’s birthday weekend.
Although Xin Jing said that Fang Ze'an claimed that as long as they showed up, there was no need to bring birthday gifts.
However, Yan Ning and Xin Jing discussed it and still felt that it would not be a good idea to go empty-handed, so they pooled their money and Xin Jing went to the boutique and picked out a crystal ball ornament as a gift, which they planned to give to Fang Ze'an together.
Sunday.
A little after eleven in the morning.
Before the cram school ended, there was a period of question-and-answer session and self-study. Yan Ning asked for leave from the cram school teacher today and came out of the classroom early smoothly.
The place where Fang Zean hosted his birthday party was on the commercial street next to Yan Ning's training class.
Yan Ning went to the street corner first and met up with Xin Jing, who was waiting at the milk tea shop. Then, they went to the Hongfu Restaurant together.
It's always difficult to reserve a table here. Even before lunchtime, the lobby was already almost full.
After calling out Fang Ze'an's name, the waiter led Yan Ning and the others inside to the private room.
As soon as the door opened.
The waiter stepped aside.
Yan Ning and Xin Jing looked at each other at the same time, because they were both - dumbfounded.
Now in the private room, at the huge dining table that can accommodate more than 20 people, there are only two people sitting there——
One way to safety.
A Lu Chen.
Yan Ning didn't expect that the "not many people" that Lu Chen mentioned would mean such a "not many people".
Just like Xin Jing couldn't understand why Fang Ze'an's "many people, lively" would mean this kind of lively.
Xin Jing's voice was filled with surprise. "What's going on? Just the four of us? The others, haven't arrived yet?"
Fang Ze'an hurried over to greet him, and Lu Chen also stood up.
Fang Ze'an waved his hands and laughed heartily, "Haha! No, no! Everyone's here, just the four of us!"
Xin Jing: "Huh?"
Lu Chen very gentlemanly pulled out the two chairs next to him and put them in place. Then he looked up and added casually:
"There's another show tonight, and we'll be the only ones there at noon."
After saying that, Lu Chen's gaze seemed to meet Yan Ning's inadvertently.
Yan Ning nodded subconsciously.
Immediately, out of an inexplicable tension, she avoided his gaze as if escaping.
Xin Jing was actually quite surprised, but because there was also the aloof and powerful campus idol Lu Chen present, she could only put aside all her doubts for the time being.
Yan Ning and Xin Jing first gave the packaged crystal ball to Fang Ze'an and said "Happy Birthday".
Fang Ze'an accepted it happily.
Then, several people sat down.
The order of seating was Yan Ning, Xin Jing, Fang Ze'an, and Lu Chen. The four of them only occupied a small corner of the large round table.
Since everyone knew that Yan Ning couldn't stay for too long, there was no small talk or greetings, and then it was time to order food.
Then.
That's when the problem arises.
Although Yan Ning knew Fang Ze'an's thoughts in advance through Lu Chen, the semi-invisible middleman, regarding his apology and thanks——
The apology was because Wen Shujin almost caused great trouble to Yan Ning.
The reason for gratitude is that Yan Ning did not reveal these things and cause more trouble.
In fact, Wen Shujin is already with Cheng Yuan now.
As a third party, Fang Ze'an is still obsessed with making up for the impact of past events.
So, to some extent, Yan Ning actually admired Fang Ze'an a little, and he also roughly understood why he could still maintain his relationship with Lu Chen after being involved in the storm and even standing on the opposite side.
Also, given that, through Lu Chen's mediation, Yan Ningyou and Fang Ze'an had an indirect conversation, and after repeated discussions on how to apologize and express gratitude, they had reached a consensus -
This meal served as an apology.
Then, at the end, Fang Ze'an found another opportunity to say "thank you" to Yan Ning.
Even if it's completely finished.
This was a relatively tactful approach that would not cause trouble to Yan Ning and would also fulfill Fang Zean's wish.
However, at this moment, it is obvious that Fang Ze'an's understanding of "euphemism" is still somewhat different from Yan Ning's.
The waiter brought two menus.
One copy is with Yan Ning and Xin Jing, and the other is in Fang Zean's hands.
Fang Ze'an flipped through the booklet, as enthusiastic as ever, but perhaps too enthusiastic, as he kept saying:
"Yan Ning, what do you want to eat?"
"Yan Ning, what would you like to drink?"
"Yan Ning, this restaurant's signature roast chicken is delicious. Would you like to try it?"
Yan Ning was called several times at such a high frequency right from the start, and he was a little overwhelmed. He answered two or three questions casually, and finally his eyes fell on Lu Chen opposite him in confusion.
Xin Jing also obviously noticed something strange. She moved her eyes away from the menu and took a defensive stance. She looked at Fang Ze'an with caution.
Even the waiter who came to take the order glanced back and forth at Yan Ning and Fang Ze'an with a joking look.
Next second.
Lu Chen directly took the menu from Fang Ze'an.
Then, without paying any attention to Fang Ze'an who looked a little confused, Lu Chen turned his head and naturally turned to Xin Jing:
"Xin Jing, do you want to eat anything?"
Xin Jing was stunned for a moment, then immediately switched to a state of being flattered: "Ah? Me?"
Lu Chen casually flipped through the booklet twice and listed several signature dishes, covering all kinds of flavors, and also gave food reviews.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xin Jing couldn't help but turn around and silently shouted to Yan Ning - "The God of Roads actually remembered my name!!!"
After all, although they have been in the same class for two months, Xin Jing and Lu Chen have never spoken to each other.
Yan Ning's heart was pounding. He roughly made out his friend's lip movements and nodded slightly.
Now, it seems that everything has become customer-oriented.
Xin Jing reservedly ordered only a soup, Lu Chen added a few dishes and ordered some drinks, and that was basically enough, the ordering process finally ended without any major problems.
The food in the restaurant is served very quickly.
On the round turntable, the dishes are placed in a corner, making it easy to pick them up.
The basic pattern of casual conversation during meals was that Fang Ze'an or Xin Jing would bring up the topic, the two of them would talk, Lu Chen would occasionally interject, and Yan Ning would rarely speak.
So that I can have a second meal when I get home.
Yan Ning took small bites and struggled slowly with the little food on the plate. He thought he could finish the meal peacefully and quickly.
However--
The problem appears again.
When the waiter brought the spicy soup.
Because the dishes were almost full along the edge of the turntable near the space for four people, the waiter could only put the steaming hot soup in a porcelain bowl in the middle, relatively close to the inside.
Also, because the soup was served from Yan Ning's side, Yan Ning was watching and helped move other dishes.
The soup is ready.
The waitress smiled gratefully at Yan Ning and said, "Enjoy your meal."
When Yan Ning looked away, she keenly noticed another pair of bright eyes looking at her. She instinctively felt something was wrong, but it was too late to lower her head and pretend to be busy eating.
"Hey, Yan Ning, do you want some soup? Let me help you with it!"
Fang Ze'an, who was originally introducing the daily life of sports students to Xin Jing, suddenly changed the topic and spoke enthusiastically.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Fang Ze'an, one on the left and one on the right.
A wave of suspicion and vigilance arose again.
A deep, dark and unclear path.
But Fang Ze'an was completely unaware of this and was still waiting enthusiastically for Yan Ning's reply as he lowered his head to look at the bowl.
There was silence at the table for two seconds.
Yan Ning pursed his lips, hesitated for a long time, and finally handed the bowl over, whispering:
"Thanks."
Fang Ze was relieved: "Why are you being polite? We are all good classmates!"
He didn't notice at all that Xin Jing on his right was looking at him with a sidelong glance like a hen protecting her chicks. If that look could become material, Fang Ze'an would probably be able to celebrate both his birthday and his death anniversary on the same day next year.
The box door opened again.
Lu Chen glanced at the plate in the waiter's hand and temporarily concealed the deep look in his eyes.
After returning the bowl of soup to Yan Ning.
Fang Ze'an continued to be enthusiastic and cheerful on his own, and then served the remaining three bowls together. Even after he finally sat back, he didn't notice the strange atmosphere at all, and continued to talk about the previous topic with a calm mind.
Xin Jing's expression lightened up a little.
It was quiet for a few minutes.
The dishes have been served.
Yan Ning picked up the cup and took a sip of juice. Thinking that it was almost time, she would have to find an opportunity later and say that she wanted to leave early.
However, the cup had just been put down.
Yan Ning heard another sound that made her hair stand on end:
"Yan Ning——"
"Your cup is almost empty." Fang Ze'an asked enthusiastically for the Nth time.
Perhaps he really wanted his apology to appear sincere even if it was "tactful". Fang Ze'an had been paying attention to Yan Ning, both openly and secretly. Now his warm-hearted mode was activated again. While speaking, he turned around and wanted to take the glass jug of juice on the locker behind him.
Not at all.
His excessive concern seemed to have bad intentions.
Xin Jing couldn't stand it any longer, and she was furious: "I said you..."
at the same time.
Before Fang Ze'an stretched out his hand, a man of the same height and long arms next to him used some strength to press down his shoulder as he was about to stand up, stood up before him, and easily picked up the glass pot on the cabinet with his other hand.
Immediately, the man spoke:
"I'll do it."
It seems that there is no room for dispute.
Yan Ning was stunned.
Xin Jingdao's gaze also stopped.
Lu Chen turned around and put the untouched glass of drink on the table into Fang Zean's hand:
"A special drink for the birthday boy."
When Lu Chen ordered the food just now, he didn't mention that he had specifically ordered a drink.
Fang Zean held the glass, his face full of surprise and joy:
"Wow! Thanks, Lu!"
Then, Lu Chen turned to Xin Jing and continued what she had just said, "Would you like to add a drink too?"
Xin Jing nodded immediately.
It calmed the two people down and put out a fire that was about to start.
After Lu Chen came over and poured orange juice into her cup.
Yan Ning raised his eyes and said sincerely:
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Lu Chen answered seriously.
But in the eyes that only she could see, there was a hint of his usual faint smile.
Another minute or two passed.
Xin Jing noticed from the corner of her eye that Fang Ze'an was holding chopsticks in one hand and placing them on the table. He seemed to have not moved for a long time and had not spoken for a while.
She was a little surprised and just glanced over.
Immediately, he almost howled:
“Why…are you crying!?”
Fang Ze'an became completely quiet.
He was crying quietly.
This voice seemed to turn on some kind of switch.
Fang Ze'an began to wail:
"Wow! Yan Ning, I'm really, really sorry—"
Yan Ning:!!!
She suddenly felt like she was facing a formidable enemy.
No way! ?
Here we go again!!
“Mmmmm…”
But this time, before Yan Ning could get angry again, a slender hand used three tissues taken out of the paper box to cover Fang Ze'an's face directly, and at the same time covered up what he wanted to say next.
The instigator——
Lu Chen turned his head and smiled:
"I'm sorry, he can't hold his liquor very well. He was drunk. Unfortunately, that drink contained alcohol."
His tone was calm, as if this was really just a harmless little accident.
But Yan Ning happened to have finished browsing the drinks menu, which was clearly divided. The drink that Fang Ze'an had just finished drinking most of was clearly marked on the side as containing low-concentration fruit wine.
"Also, what did Fang Ze'an mean by that?"
Lu Chengang continued to speak with a smile, and Fang Ze'an seemed to hear his name. He stood up from the back of the chair, tried to take the tissue off his face, and muttered something.
"None of your business, lie down."
Lu Chen kept smiling, and calmly pushed the man back with force, and took out a few new tissues to cover him.
Fang Ze'an couldn't move.
Lu Chen turned back and continued:
"He was saying that he accidentally bumped into you in the corridor a while ago, and almost made you drop the exercise book you were holding. I don't know if you still remember."
That's not true.
But when his eyes met Lu Chen's, Yan Ning suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, and his memory jumped back to the time when he first entered high school.
Early autumn is cold.
In the corridor.
She accidentally bumped her back against a warm chest, and the boy stretched out his hand to catch the stack of exercise books that were about to fall to the ground.
She turned around and saw a pair of dark eyes that were so beautiful that they could even be called bewitching.
"Although it's a small thing,"
At this moment, the same pair of dark eyes looked at her seriously:
"But he remembered it for a long time."
Her heartbeat.
At this moment.
Without any warning, it started beating wildly again.
Even Xin Jing was surprised and asked, "Is there such a thing?"
Yan Ning was a little slow to react and nodded a beat late.
Immediately, all of Xin Jing's vigilance and doubts disappeared.
After all, Fang Ze'an is a fool with a single-minded mind.
Xin Jing was deeply impressed by the incident of him dragging her across two blocks last time, so she felt that no matter what the reason behind Fang Ze'an's strange behavior was, it was not surprising.
Fang Ze'an was drunk and it was time for Yan Ning to go home, so the meal ended quickly.
Come out of the hotel.
The four of them called two online taxis, one for Yan Ning and one for Xin Jing. The plan was to send Yan Ning, who was in a hurry, back to Huize first, and then Xin Jing would go home.
Lu Chen hugged Fang Ze'an, who was still drunk with dazed eyes, and called another car, saying that he wanted to find a place for Fang Ze'an to sober up.
Fang Ze'an was so unconscious that he was unable to speak.
The atmosphere of the four-person chat dropped to freezing point.
Lu Chen didn't talk much. Xin Jing was probably a little scared because she was not familiar with him, so she didn't dare to speak rashly and spoke less. Yan Ning was as quiet as ever.
We walked in silence all the way until we reached the street corner.
Xin Jing's cell phone rang.
She answered the phone and found out that the driver was about to arrive and was confirming the boarding location.
Xin Jing took two steps forward to see where to park.
The streets are busy with traffic.
Everything is about to come to an end, and it feels real.
Yan Ning suddenly remembered something——
Apologize and say thank you.
When Fang Ze'an fell drunk, he had completed the first step but not the second.
I don't think he will make any more fuss about this...
Yan Ning frowned, feeling a little uneasy, and subconsciously turned to look at the people around him.
Just happened to meet Lu Chen's gaze.
Yan Ning opened his mouth to speak, but felt it was inappropriate, so he had to swallow it back.
And he seemed to have heard those silent words, his eyebrows slightly curved, his right eye blinked, and he gave her a soothing smile, telling her again to leave everything to him.
Magically.
Yan Ning's mind calmed down again, and he also responded with a firm look.
Lu Chen laughed.
Soon, the car arrived.
After the three of them said goodbye, Yan Ning and Xin Jing got in the car and sat together in the back seat.
After Xin Jing reported the last digit of her cell phone number, she suddenly looked like she was worried about something and wanted to say something.
Yan Ning was puzzled, leaned over and asked with concern:
"What's wrong?"
Xin Jing hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth, turned around, and spoke as fast as a machine gun:
"Ningning! I don't know if you saw it just now, or if I saw it wrongly, but!!
Road God, he seems to be——
I'm giving you a wink!"
"I've really never seen Lu Shen like this before! He usually doesn't even talk to girls! Is this campus idol, the most beautiful girl on campus, interested in you? Love at first sight!?"
Xin Jing became more and more excited as she spoke, and her imagination became more and more open:
"Oh yeah! It could also be a secret crush script!
Did Fang Ze'an go to so much trouble to set up this situation just to tie the knot for you two, to build this bridge of love?
"Although if other boys dare to do this, I will definitely stop them outside and chop them into 180 pieces!
But! This is Lu Chen!!!
If you two were to have a premature love relationship, I would still give my full approval!!!"
Since I heard the first sentence.
Yan Ning's expression was so shocked that it could only be described as blank.
Her brain was now like a machine that had been out of repair and suddenly jammed. Her only thought was to be thankful that she was not eating or drinking anything, otherwise she would probably choke to death.
"Ningning, what do you think? Do you want to try it with Lu Chen?
I can be your military advisor! I can also help you create opportunities! "
Xin Jing came over and bumped into Yan Ning's shoulder, her tone full of eagerness to try.
The driver was a young man in his early twenties. He probably heard some gossip and secretly turned down the volume of the radio.
Yan Ning blinked slowly.
In Xin Jing's bright eyes.
And under the blazing fire of gossip among the driver-master.
Yan Ning swallowed nervously, and his brain began to work slowly.
For a moment, Yan Ning wanted to tell his friend everything about Lu Chen.
But I'm afraid that the situation will get worse if I explain it more clearly.
Hesitate for a moment.
She felt that it would be more appropriate to wait until graduation to confess all this to Xin Jing, as she had planned before...
Yan Ning finally retreated into his shell and chose to deny it.
"You're mistaken."
She said with certainty, "The wind was too strong, he must have been blinded."
Xin Jing was suspicious: "Really?"
Yan Ning silently apologized for hiding the secret from his friend and nodded heavily, "Really."
Xin Jing seemed to believe these words and did not ask any further questions.
The radio volume also returned to normal.
But.
How strange.
When Xin Jing smoothly moved on to the next topic and was flipping through her phone to show her the latest stage video of her idol.
Yan Ning unconsciously clenched his hands on his knees.
Why.
Her heartbeat.
Still such a mess?
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