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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Four: Scared Me to Death, This is Racing!
As the lunch bell rang, the sound of desks and chairs being moved filled the air. Students eagerly took out their chopsticks and spoons to head to the cafeteria, while those who commuted began packing their books to go home. Zhang Qiu looked at Wang Zhengxiang, who was unusually still, and wondered why he hadn’t left yet. He asked, “Why aren’t you going home?”
Wang Zhengxiang blinked his big eyes and replied, “Brother Qiu, don’t you have anything to say?” Gao Zhi and Zhao Pingchuan also gathered around, asking Zhang Qiu if he had any announcements.
Zhang Qiu shook his head with a smile, “I don’t have that many things to deal with. I’m not leaving this time; my punishment has been lifted. You all should go eat; lunch is short, aren’t you hungry? Hurry up!”
“Brother Qiu, this isn’t like you,” Zhao Pingchuan remarked. He clearly remembered that every time Zhang Qiu returned from reflection, the first thing he did was gather everyone for a meeting. Why was it different this time? Just as Zhao Pingchuan was pondering this, Jiang Xue walked into the classroom and waved at Zhang Qiu, “We’re back!”
Gao Zhi, Zhao Pingchuan, and Wang Zhengxiang looked over in surprise—not at Jiang Xue, but at the blonde foreign beauty standing behind her. They all knew about the American high school exchange group visiting their school and that Jiang Xue was responsible for translating for them. However, Reception was one thing; how did she bring a foreign girl into the classroom?
Lucia waved at Zhang Qiu as well, “Hello.”
“Hello,” Zhang Qiu replied with a slight smile.
Lucia squeezed into the group and leaned against the wall with a smile, saying, “This lunchtime is all yours.”
“Okay,” Zhang Qiu nodded with a smile.
Gao Zhi gazed at the stunning foreign beauty dressed provocatively, his eyes lingering on Lucia’s exposed waist for a moment before he sighed in admiration. After hearing her say ‘this lunchtime is all yours,’ an unsettling thought suddenly crossed his mind.
Zhao Pingchuan glanced between Jiang Xue and the blonde beauty and immediately understood why Zhang Qiu was acting unusually by trying to send them away—he wanted to flirt with a foreign girl! Seeing Jiang Xue smiling without any anger was truly remarkable. Zhao Pingchuan couldn’t help but admire Zhang Qiu even more and said with a grin, “Brother Qiu, we’ll head out for lunch now.”
“Brother Qiu, we’re leaving,” Wang Zhengxiang and Gao Zhi chimed in as they walked out. Just a few steps away, they burst into laughter with other brothers who hadn’t left yet. Lucia stared at them with her curious blue eyes, puzzled by why these Chinese students were suddenly so cheerful.
Lucia asked curiously, “What’s wrong with them?”
Zhang Qiu looked at the group of cheerful friends and guessed what they were thinking. He casually explained, “School’s out; they can go eat now—they’re happy.”
After translating this for Lucia, Jiang Xue laughed as well and teased him, “You can’t just fool people like that.”
Zhang Qiu chuckled and suddenly hugged Jiang Xue, asking, “Where are we going to eat?”
Jiang Xue's face turned red instantly; this was in the classroom, right in front of Lucia! Jiang Xue struggled hard, but not only did she not break free, she was held even tighter. However, this feeling was quite comfortable. Zhang Qiu continued, "If you don't choose, then I will pick the place."
Jiang Xue shyly lowered her head and softly said, "You choose. If you don't have enough money, I have some here too."
Zhang Qiu smiled mysteriously and pulled out a bank card from his pocket, waving it in front of Jiang Xue's eyes. "Of course I have enough money. Just between us, I work at a bar, and Biao Ge gave me this card."
"Is that okay?" Jiang Xue looked at Zhang Qiu with concern. "Is this card for your salary or something? If it's meant for the bar's expenses, then maybe you shouldn't use it. That would be misappropriating funds."
Zhang Qiu laughed. "There's no such thing as misappropriating funds; this money is meant for me to use. I just have to pretend to use it for work first. Besides meals, I also need to pay back Wang Jinghan for what he lent me. Don't worry; I've already asked Biao Ge about it after class, and he agreed for me to use it. By the end of the month, I'll pay it back with my salary."
"That's good." Hearing this from Zhang Qiu made Jiang Xue feel relieved.
Lucia watched Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue hugging each other and talking in a way she couldn't understand, feeling helpless as she shrugged her shoulders. "Come on, could you please consider my feelings?"
Jiang Xue's face, which had already returned to normal, turned red again as she pushed Zhang Qiu away forcefully and urged, "Let's go eat! You decide where we are going!"
"Dahe Old Sichuan Hotpot."
"Huh? Don't we need to make a reservation there in advance?" Jiang Xue clearly remembered that on the night when Second Uncle and Auntie met Zhang Qiu's parents, Zhang Zhi Hua specifically mentioned needing to book ahead.
Zhang Qiu chuckled. "Isn't there Song Weidong? I'll call him in a bit."
"Are you two that close?"
"He helped me out once, and I indirectly helped him too. Right now at Beiluan No. 1 High School, aside from the principal and the director, no one dares to offend us. We're not exactly brothers, but we can at least be considered friends—better than just regular friends."
After explaining, Zhang Qiu took out his phone in the classroom and called Song Weidong. Song Weidong was also someone who brought his phone to school; as soon as he answered, he laughed and asked, "Zhang Qiu, why are you calling me in the middle of the day? If you're looking to hang out on the street, you should wait until the lights come on for that vibe! At that time, you can bring Jiang Xue along while I bring Si Yu; we can go together."
"Who wants to hang out on the street with you two? I'm not interested in your dog food! Anyway, let's get down to business: can you reserve a table for me at Dahe for lunch today?" Zhang Qiu heard a girl's voice on the line and guessed that Song Weidong must be with his girlfriend.
"Sure thing! No problem; I'll arrange it. Just head over directly."
"Thanks." Zhang Qiu said, and Song Weidong had already hung up the phone to make arrangements.
"All set, let's go." Zhang Qiu politely extended his hand, inviting the two girls to go ahead. Lucia understood Zhang Qiu's gesture without translation and happily walked in front. Jiang Xue asked Zhang Qiu, "When did you plan to go out for a stroll?"
"I'll go whenever I have time. Right now we have evening study, and I'm exhausted after coming down. There's no energy left for a stroll."
Jiang Xue agreed wholeheartedly: "True, I need a big meal at noon to replenish my energy."
"What about her? How are her classmates arranged for lunch?"
"Director Zhao took them to the teachers' cafeteria. They are eating there; I heard they specially prepared Western food today."
Zhang Qiu laughed: "Why eat Western food when you're in China? You should definitely try Chinese cuisine. Forget it, they don't know how to enjoy it; let's hurry up."
By the time Zhang Qiu, Jiang Xue, and Lucia exited the school gate, most students had already left, with only a few accommodation students rushing back with plastic bags from buying food. Zhang Qiu hailed a taxi by the roadside, letting Jiang Xue and Lucia get in first before sitting in the passenger seat.
The friendly driver asked where they were headed and suddenly noticed there was a foreigner in the car, looking at Zhang Qiu curiously. He asked, "Does No. 1 High School still have foreign students? Is he Chinese or foreign?"
"There’s an American exchange group going to Dahe Old Sichuan Hotpot; please hurry."
"Got it!"
The driver responded and expertly shifted gears. As he released the clutch, he pressed the accelerator, causing the taxi to lurch forward sharply. The immense centrifugal force pressed them tightly against the back seat. Zhang Qiu checked the time; it was half-past twelve. If they spent about an hour eating, they could take a taxi back in time for the two o'clock event.
Noon was peak traffic time, and the east-west road was filled with cars coming and going. The taxi driver skillfully maneuvered through traffic, alternating between accelerating and braking as they zigzagged through the flow of vehicles. Zhang Qiu enjoyed the speed and opened the window; hot wind rushed in, tousling his hair. He loved this feeling.
Soon enough, the driver brought them to Dahe Old Sichuan Hotpot. Zhang Qiu looked at the time; it had taken less than ten minutes, even with waiting at a red light. This speed was indeed impressive. Zhang Qiu paid and got out of the car. After Jiang Xue exited, Lucia followed closely behind, looking terrified as she patted her chest repeatedly, exclaiming, "That scared me to death!"
Zhang Qiu and Jiang Xue exchanged puzzled glances. Scared? What was there to be afraid of?
Jiang Xue tried to ask, "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Taxi, too, too fast, it scared me to death. I'm so afraid we might crash into other cars." Lucia continued to pat her chest, her breathing still a bit rapid, and one could see her abdomen rising and falling beneath her clothing.
Zhang Qiu looked at Lucia strangely and asked, "Was it really that fast?"
Lucia nodded firmly, "Of course, it was too fast and very aggressive. In such heavy traffic, driving at this speed and constantly overtaking other vehicles scared me to death; it was like a race!"
Zhang Qiu was speechless. Wasn't Lucia's reaction a bit exaggerated? Talented drivers abound in China; aside from new drivers who just got their licenses, almost everyone drives like this.
Jiang Xue comforted Lucia, "Alright, alright, it's okay now. Let me take you to eat something delicious to calm your nerves. This is one of China's unique culinary specialties, and it's hard to get a table at this restaurant; you're lucky to be here."
"Delicious food? What is it, soup dumplings or jianbing?" Lucia looked up at the sign for Dahe Old Sichuan Hotpot. She didn't recognize the characters, but she could tell from the picture. Lucia exclaimed, "It's hotpot!"
Jiang Xue smiled, "That's right, it's hotpot. Do you like it?"
"Of course! I love it so much." Lucia was very excited; she had only seen some pictures of it online, and this would be her first time actually eating it.
"Let's go inside quickly; we don't have much time."
Zhang Qiu led the two women inside. A waitress in a qipao came over to open the door and warmly said, "Welcome!"
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