Chapter 19

“I already ordered some food first, you can look and add more later.”

Zhou Zhou moved the fake redwood shelf closer to herself, preparing for the dishes to come. But unexpectedly, Cheng Yanran stopped her.

“Move up a bit, I’ll do it.”

Zhou Zhou looked at Cheng Yanran, full of doubt. Can you really do it?

Cheng Yanran seemed to understand and smiled helplessly, “I can. Just enjoy eating.”

He had lived alone in Singapore for a long time. Cooking simple meals and doing house chores was no problem. He couldn’t let the girl do everything.

Choosing the place, buying milk tea, ordering dishes… she had already done a lot.

So Zhou Zhou naturally gave up her seat. She watched him pick up the communal chopsticks and spoon, then start putting food into the hot pot.

The first to go in were all kinds of meatballs and meats.

Seeing Cheng Yanran put different plates of beef and lamb into the four sections, Zhou Zhou said, “Are men nowadays so thoughtful? I thought none of you could do this.”

Chen Jing was shocked too. “Wow, Lao Cheng, when did you learn this skill?”

“When you were out partying,” Cheng Yanran replied calmly.

Zhou Zhou covered her mouth, laughing so hard she almost choked.

“Damn, no way around this,” Chen Jing said angrily, “Waiter, bring half a case of beer.”

When the waiter brought the beer, he opened two bottles loudly and handed one to Cheng Yanran. “Apology.”

“Sorry.”

“Can’t you say it in Chinese? Use Chinese! Sincerely! Apologize!”

Cheng Yanran put some cooked meat on a small plate and handed it to Zhou Zhou casually, “Sorry enough, I have to drive, you drink yourself.”

Chen Jing felt like he got a point back. “No way, today is our big reunion, you have to drink!”

Cheng Yanran looked at the beer bottles hesitantly.

Zhou Zhou watched quietly, enjoying the show.

Chen Jing pushed a beer bottle toward Zhou Zhou.

“I don’t drink either. You drink yourself.” She wasn’t teaming up with Cheng Yanran to tease Chen Jing — she really didn’t drink.

Cheng Yanran was a bit surprised too. He thought Zhou Zhou could handle alcohol because she often went to social events.

“Feeling unwell?”

Zhou Zhou shook her head, “I’m allergic to alcohol.”

That was an excuse no one could argue with. Chen Jing could only share one more bottle with Cheng Yanran. “Three for you, three for me, how about that? Drink up, then call a driver.”

Seeing Cheng Yanran hesitate, Chen Jing said again, “Why are you so picky about drinking?”

Cheng Yanran wasn’t against drinking. He planned to see Zhou Zhou home but thought since her place was close, maybe he wouldn’t get the chance.

Rolling up his sleeves, showing his strong forearm, he pulled the beer bottle toward him and said, “Fine, I’ll drink. You talk too much.”

One person, three bottles — not really that much.

The first round of meat in the hot pot was just finished, and each of them had emptied a bottle.

The pots bubbled, steam rose, and the atmosphere became lively.

Zhou Zhou said at the right moment, “You can smoke, I don’t mind.” She knew many men, especially those with lots of social events, smoked and drank often. Smoking and drinking are the quickest ways people get closer nowadays.

Her nose was sharp; she already smelled smoke in the small space.

That smell only longtime smokers have.

Chen Jing looked like he wanted to smoke but kept some manners. “Forget it, there’s a girl here, I won’t smoke today. There’s beer anyway.”

Zhou Zhou looked at Cheng Yanran, whose handsome face was a little red from the alcohol. “I don’t smoke.”

Chen Jing teased, “He doesn’t smoke or drink, so boring.”

“You smoke and drink all the time, is that fun?”

“Better than you.”

“Yeah, your partying is fun.”

“I live in the moment, what do you know?”

“I don’t know. If the sky isn’t dark blue, what color is it? Rainbow?”

Zhou Zhou laughed so hard watching them argue.

But she was surprised Cheng Yanran didn’t smoke, and asked, “What about company dinners?”

“He goes,” Cheng Yanran pointed at Chen Jing.

“I sacrifice for the company,” Chen Jing said, eating meat. “You feel sorry for me? I work all day and night, a slave to capitalism.”

Zhou Zhou laughed, “You’re also a VP. Stand up to him next time.”

“Yeah, but I’m not as skilled. We were classmates in college, but I focused on fun. Skills get outdated fast, I’ve forgotten most.”

“Where do you want to cook the scallops?” Cheng Yanran asked, putting more food in the pot.

“Put them in the spicy pot,” Zhou Zhou said, sipping her milk tea.

She hadn’t relaxed like this in a long time. Chatting, joking, eating hot pot with friends made life feel rich and joyful.

The three talked about the city’s current situation and the 60th anniversary of their old school.

“Are you going?” Chen Jing asked.

“The main celebration is in early November. I got the invitation, but I might go with the leaders. You know, the mayor graduated from our school, class of ’80.”

Chen Jing said, “Then you must be the outstanding rep of our class.”

Zhou Zhou shook her head, silent.

Cheng Yanran added, “Chen Jing and I will go too.”

Not sure if the school leaders wanted to avoid offending anyone or just prove they had many talents by inviting lots of people, only seats were different.

Cheng Yanran wasn’t a fresh graduate. He knew these social rules well and used them to get what he wanted.

No point in judging.

Zhou Zhou applauded silently.

Cheng Yanran remembered someone in the class group chat talked about Zhou Zhou and wanted to warn her about people with bad intentions. “Do you still talk a lot with classmates from Class 2?”

Zhou Zhou: “Not much. I just came back one year ago, been busy like a dog.”

Cheng Yanran couldn’t stop her from making friends, so he said simply, “People are selfish and fake. Some might think you’re down now and still jealous. They may make sarcastic comments. If you meet them, just ignore.”

Zhou Zhou nodded thoughtfully. “Don’t worry, I get it.” She paused, then said, “I never thought I was that brilliant. Even if I have some shine, it’s because of my special past work, not something I truly own. I won’t use that as a label. My current job is good too. On a big scale, I help my hometown’s development. On a small scale, I’m close to my parents and can take care of them. And meeting friends like you makes life easy and happy. I’m very satisfied.”