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Chapter 189: Jealousy and Rivalry
Just past noon, groups of students rushed by the entrance of the Daylight Fire Bar on their bikes. Even under the scorching sun of North China, which made skin feel like it was burning, the students were laughing and having fun, as if they had endless energy. Five students, four boys and two girls, entered the bar carrying large bags, only to be stopped by the bouncer. The waiter politely informed them, "Hello, outside food and drinks are not allowed here."
"We're not here to consume anything; we're here to find someone," Gao Zhi shouted loudly enough for half the hall to hear. Nearby patrons turned their attention toward them. One person muttered, "When did the students from No. 1 High School start acting so wild? Coming in groups to a bar without even changing out of their uniforms—aren't they afraid of being caught by their teachers?"
"We really are just here to find someone; this food is our lunch," Jiang Xue explained from the side.
The waiter replied, "One person can come in with me to look for your friend, but you can't bring your food inside."
Gao Zhi protested, "What are we supposed to eat then?"
"So you still want to eat here?" The waiter initially thought they would leave after finding their friend since it's common for people to come to bars to pick up friends. He didn't expect them to insist on bringing food inside. Although he smiled politely, the bouncer began to gather around them.
"Yes."
The waiter's smile faded, and his tone turned cold as he said, "Brothers, this is not a place for you to cause trouble!"
"07, 07, bring them upstairs."
As the bouncer was about to force everyone out, static crackled through the earpiece, followed by instructions to bring them upstairs. A bouncer stopped the group and said to Gao Zhi, "Take your things and follow me."
"Alright," Gao Zhi replied, carrying a large plastic bag as he followed the bouncer upstairs. Zhao Pingchuan, Wang Zhengxiang, and others also carried various snacks while Jiang Xue held a large bucket of Orange Juice.
The window of the Second Floor Office provided a clear view of everything happening on the first floor. Zhang Qiu noticed when Gao Zhi and his friends were surrounded and decisively pointed at the window while calling out to Abiao, "Biao Ge, those are my people; they're here looking for me."
Abiao glanced up and picked up the intercom saying, "07, 07, bring them upstairs."
The office door opened from the outside as Gao Zhi walked in laughing heartily. He raised his two bulging plastic bags and shouted, "Brother Qiu, we bought so much food; let's celebrate lunch!"
Zhang Qiu smiled and asked, "Celebrating my return home for reflection?"
Zhao Pingchuan walked over with a smile and playfully tapped Gao Zhi on the back of the head, saying, "Stop talking nonsense."
Gao Zhi chuckled, and Zhang Qiu, noticing Yao Yu standing among the crowd, was slightly surprised. He stood up and walked over, smiling, "You made it."
Yao Yu shyly pushed up his glasses and said softly, "I came to see you, Brother Qiu. I heard you got in trouble."
"Great, take a seat," Zhang Qiu said, patting Yao Yu on the shoulder. He took the Orange Juice from Jiang Xue's hands and smiled at Xiaolan, who was standing nearby. "While I’m away from school, I’ll rely on you to take care of Jiang Xue."
"Don't worry," Xiaolan replied confidently.
"Alright, you can gather in my office, but one thing—make sure to clean up afterward," Abiao said as he stood up and extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray. Zhang Qiu responded, "Biao Ge, we can just switch to another room; we can't take your space."
"The entire second floor, aside from the monitoring room, is only this room where you can see what's happening on the first floor. If you want to keep an eye on things, this is the place. I have other matters to attend to and can't stay here all the time. Enjoy yourselves; if anything comes up, learn to handle it. If you can't manage it, just call me."
"Don't worry, Biao Ge."
Abiao walked to the door and told Rui Rui, who followed him out, "You stay here with them and teach them a bit."
Rui Rui gave Abiao a grateful glance and smiled as she returned to her seat. Abiao looked at Zhang Qiu and said with a smile, "If you have any questions, ask Rui Rui. I'm off." After walking a short distance, he muttered to himself, "Damn it, being young is still better; sigh."
"Everyone sit down; let me see what delicious food you brought!"
Zhang Qiu urged everyone to take a seat. Once Abiao left, aside from Rui Rui, only those around Zhang Qiu remained in the room, and the atmosphere immediately became lively.
Wang Zhengxiang eagerly pulled out a bag of meat from a tightly wrapped plastic bag and handed it to Zhang Qiu with a grin. "Brother Qiu, this is roasted duck that I ran two blocks to buy. It's already chopped up; just grab it and eat."
"You go ahead; you eat first," Zhang Qiu said with a smile.
Wang Zhengxiang unceremoniously picked up a duck leg and started munching on it while exclaiming how delicious it was. Zhang Qiu laughed and said, "I see; it's because you wanted to eat it yourself." Everyone burst into laughter.
Under the care of Jiang Xue and Xiaolan, the ashtray, cigarette box, and miscellaneous items on the Tea Table were all pushed aside, making room for the delicious food they had bought. One of the advantages of being at school is that you can find all kinds of food just outside the door, allowing you to buy a large amount of tasty treats in no time. The table was filled with greasy roasted Duck, sizzling fried skewers, golden-brown fried squid, and peanuts sprinkled with glistening salt, making everyone salivate.
Zhang Qiu picked up a few cups from under the Tea Table and pointed at Rui Rui to introduce her to everyone: "This beauty is one of the top bartenders in our bar; many people are eager to have a drink made by her. Today, everyone is in for a treat, so make sure to drink a few more cups."
Jiang Xue shot Zhang Qiu a glance and said playfully, "Let them drink less; we still have classes in the afternoon." She then looked at Rui Rui's golden wavy hair and her ample chest, comparing herself inwardly.
"Everyone must drink a few more cups!" Rui Rui filled each glass with a sweet voice and flirtatious glances that made the boys' hearts race. Yang Yu leaned close to Gao Zhi and whispered, "Stop staring at her like that. I’ll tell you, this girl seems interested in our boss; they were arm-in-arm together this morning."
Gao Zhi quickly averted his gaze, thinking how impressive their boss was to have such a beauty like Jiang Xue by his side while also charming such a hot girl. Could he handle it?
Zhang Qiu was oblivious to their thoughts and was feeling uncomfortable after drinking several cups on an empty stomach. He grabbed some food and stuffed it into his mouth, getting grease all over his lips. Jiang Xue couldn't help but laugh and used a tissue to wipe his mouth.
"Yao Yu, no matter whether we are together or not, we are all brothers. Thank you for coming to see me; don’t be too reserved, or I won’t give you face," Zhang Qiu said as he raised his glass. Yao Yu had been feeling somewhat uneasy since he entered, which Zhang Qiu noticed. There was no need for such formality among brothers.
"Brother Qiu, I toast to you." Yao Yu raised his glass and downed it in one go.
Rui Rui lifted her glass to refill Zhang Qiu's drink without caring that Jiang Xue was present. She leaned directly against Zhang Qiu's back, her soft curves pressing against him. Zhang Qiu immediately turned red with embarrassment and glanced sideways only to meet Jiang Xue's sharp gaze.
"I'll do it," Jiang Xue said calmly as she took the bottle from Rui Rui's hand and leaned against Zhang Qiu as well, pushing Rui Rui away. Rui Rui giggled as she returned to her seat, pinching a peanut and bringing it to her lips while throwing a flirtatious glance at Zhang Qiu before licking her lips and swallowing the peanut.
Women understand women best; Xiaolan was the first to notice this silent battle and deliberately asked loudly, "Sister-in-law, do you want something? I can get it for you."
"Peanuts," Jiang Xue replied as if she were intentionally sulking.
Xiaolan stifled a laugh as she went to get them. Zhang Qiu was quicker and grabbed the bag first, taking out a peanut and offering it to Jiang Xue's mouth with a smile: "Baby, here, let me feed you."
Wang Zhengxiang stretched out his greasy hand to cover his face and exclaimed, "Boss, do you really have to flaunt your relationship like this?"
"I can do whatever I want because I have a girlfriend," Zhang Qiu said proudly as he directly pulled Jiang Xue into his arms. He didn't want Jiang Xue to feel jealous but also wanted Rui Rui to know that he was taken.
Jiang Xue covered her mouth and laughed, then opened her mouth to swallow a peanut. In the end, she even scraped her fingertip lightly against Zhang Qiu's fingertip, a gesture known only to the two of them.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere in the room became lively and passionate. This group of food lovers swept away everything edible like a whirlwind, satisfied as they burped. Wang Zhengxiang comfortably collapsed onto the sofa and sighed, "Brother Qiu, this is great! It's so much better outside. There’s no way we have this much good food at school."
Zhang Qiu looked at Wang Zhengxiang's belly rising and falling with his breath and laughed, "All you do is eat; you should lose some weight. Just look at that big belly of yours."
Wang Zhengxiang pretended to rub his belly seriously and said, "This little bit of fat is what keeps me motivated to study. Look at Gao Zhi; he’s chubby too, and that’s why he studies well."
"Hey, hey, hey, why are you dragging me into this?" Gao Zhi said with an innocent expression.
Zhao Pingchuan laughed and said, "Gao Zhi studies well; your belly has caught up, but when will your grades catch up?"
Wang Zhengxiang looked at Zhao Pingchuan disdainfully and replied, "Your grades aren't good either; why are you picking on me?"
"Well, can I? My grades are good," Yao Yu, who had been silent and not very active, finally spoke up.
Wang Zhengxiang realized he had become the target of everyone's teasing and hurriedly said, "Hey, hey, hey, why talk about this in the middle of the day? Let’s change the subject."
Zhang Qiu watched the lively banter among his friends while holding his beloved girl in his arms, feeling a mix of emotions. How wonderful it would be if life could always be this beautiful. It will definitely happen, Zhang Qiu dreamed in his heart.
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