Rebirth: He Decides to Lie Flat
Chapter 351 - 351 348 Lets Share a Table

Chapter 351: Chapter 348: Let’s Share a Table Chapter 351: Chapter 348: Let’s Share a Table October 2, Beijing.

“Do you really not have time to cook today?”

Hong Jing returned on the evening of September 30. She’s a junior this year, and after school started, she didn’t have many classes, so she bought a ticket back to Beijing early since she had the day off before the holiday.

She had been longing to try the dishes cooked by the second eldest, and she had thought this holiday would be her chance, but unexpectedly, the busier it was during the holidays, the busier his restaurant got. There used to be an assistant, but with the National Day, that person’s family had a wedding to attend and had left early.

She hung around these past two days and could plainly see that the second eldest was so busy he barely had time to drink water.

Ever since Hong Jing fell out with a group of friends in Beijing, she hadn’t wanted to associate with them anymore, so now in this place, the second eldest was practically her only friend.

“You should have gone with your parents to the wedding banquet. That way, I could have saved the cost of a meal.”

There were really a lot of weddings during the National Day. Brother Jiajia had said something about going together to Jade City, but with no one to man the restaurant, he really couldn’t leave.

Why had Hong Jing spent so much time coming over? Her parents were busy attending wedding banquets these two days, whether for weddings or for the full moon celebrations. Being as old as she was, she didn’t enjoy joining in the busy festivities with them, so she often came to find the second eldest to hang out.

“Stingy, I already said I could buy the groceries.”

The second eldest turned his head to look at her and got up to wash his hands.

Uncle Liu wasn’t around these two days, and if he were to cook, then it would just be the two of them at home… Hong Jing might be at ease, but he felt guilty.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you out to eat.”

Hong Jing stood up and waited by the door for him to lock it, saying, “When will I finally get to taste your cooking? If Uncle Liu and my grandma hadn’t told me your cooking is delicious, I might suspect you were deceiving me.”

“Miss, look how tired I am, do you think I still have the energy to cook?”

“Can’t you just put up a sign and take a day off?”

“That’s a good idea, but who will compensate me for the day’s loss? What about my tuition and mortgage?”

Hong Jing was taken aback and looked up at the second eldest with a slightly startled gaze.

The second eldest locked the door, turned to her, and smiled, “What? Didn’t Grandma Li tell you I’m an orphan? Before I took the adult college entrance exam, I hadn’t even finished middle school. Last year, my brother found a classmate to tutor me, starting from the first year of middle school. Even so, studying was tough for me. Honestly, if I hadn’t been worried that I would be left far behind by my brother and Jiajia if I didn’t study, I definitely wouldn’t have touched a single book. It was miserable; studying was like taking my life. So you see, I’m not the hardworking and striving young man you make me out to be in your mind. I don’t want to strive; I just want to do odd jobs with my brother and be able to support myself.”

Of course, that was the past, and the second eldest had long since been able to hold his own in the repair shop. After completing the adult college entrance exam, he also enrolled in a computer science program, albeit at an ordinary university, but he was very satisfied and proud of himself.

In the past, he wouldn’t even dare to dream that one day he might become a college student. Even though there was a gap between his university and a true university, it was enough for him.

However, in front of Hong Jing, he felt it was better to downplay himself, making it clear to her, as well as to himself, that the gap between them was very wide. Even if they kept in touch, the best they could be were just ordinary friends.

But what the second eldest didn’t expect was that his words came across to Hong Jing as a sign of modesty and maturity.

This was very different from most of the boys who pursued her. They tried to show off in front of her, claiming to be twice as good as they actually were—a mere two points of merit said to be five, and five claimed to be eight. Flashy but insubstantial and arrogant, you could tell at glance they were immature, not knowing humility if it hit them, not the least bit mature.

In contrast, Xiaotie, despite running a successful repair shop and being slick at fixing computers, very professional in the field, understated himself saying he was just a handyman. At an age not much different from hers, he had already bought an apartment in Xinyu, and even though he had a mortgage, not only could he afford the monthly payments, he still had money left over.

How many among their peers could do that?

As they walked out, Hong Jing said, “I know you’re modest, but don’t be overly modest. Who would be interested in studying so hard if not pushed by family and society? To tell you the truth, I haven’t been working very hard after starting university. I just want to take it easy and make sure not to fail any courses. Now, with graduation approaching, my parents want me to take the civil service exam. Do you know why I’m willing?”

“Because the work of a civil servant is easy?”

Hong Jing couldn’t help but laugh, giving him a sideways glance, “Why do you have to be so blunt? Even without looking at the bigger picture, you could spin it as not wanting to go against my parents’ wishes and wanting to be a good daughter who listens to her parents. Doesn’t that sound so much better?”

“Right, that does sound nicer.”

Number Two found Hong Jing quite interesting.

The two of them found a nearby restaurant and just as they walked in, they froze, then exclaimed with delight, “Yu Hang? You two haven’t gone back?”

Zhu Jin and Yu Hang had just sat down for a short while, and had not even finished ordering when they heard Number Two’s shout.

Both felt a bit awkward, as if they were caught on a date. Although they had not established any relationship and such a meal could not be considered a date, they both privately hoped that Number Two would quickly greet them and leave, whether to sit at another table or go to a different restaurant—as long as he would leave.

However, their silent pleas remained unheard; instead, Number Two happily dragged the girl with him to their table and sat down… and down they sat.

Yu Hang and Zhu Jin were both confused. Was this meant to be a joint table?

Why?

Bringing a pretty girl out for a meal, don’t you want your own private space? Why would you want to share a table with others? Did you ask if she minds? Is she okay with it?

Number Two was okay with it!

He was just thinking that if the neighbors saw them eating alone, they might misunderstand, but now it was fine—not alone anymore. Surely no one would misinterpret four people eating together, right?

With a grand gesture, Number Two declared, “Order whatever you want, this meal’s on me.”

Yu Hang quickly said, “How could I let you pay? I…”

“You want to pay? Alright then, you pay this time, and I’ll pay next time.”

Yu Hang: ….

It would have been better if he’d said nothing, not only did he fail to send the guy away, he’d also have to spend more money.

Number Two happily introduced the two to Hong Jing, and on seeing Yu Hang, he couldn’t help but think of Xiao Qi and suddenly remembered that Hong Jing was from the same university as Xiao Qi—they were both students at Beicheng University.

“Xiao Qi? Which Qi? Do you know which department he’s from?”

Yu Hang answered, “The Qi in ‘red flag,’ from the School of Computer Science.”

Hong Jing smiled, “That’s quite a coincidence. My roommate is the head of the publicity department. This year, she promoted a sophomore to be her deputy, and he’s from the School of Computer Science as well, named Xiao Qi. He’s tall, thin, quite pale, and rather handsome. I’ve heard his girlfriend is a high school classmate, and they’re in a long-distance relationship. They’re said to be very much in love.”