Who Would Fall in Love After Being Reborn?

Chapter 155: When the Girlfriend Pays the Bills

I feel like drinking the old duck soup from the second cafeteria.

After completing the noon orders, Jiang Qin smacked his lips, feeling as if he could taste blandness itself. The cold and dry winter air made his lips tighten, intensifying his craving for some nourishing soup.

He took out his phone and called his wealthy girlfriend, arranging to meet her at the second cafeteria.

Stepping out of the startup base, a harsh chill greeted him. The bare tree branches trembled, clinging to their few remaining old leaves, appearing somewhat pitiable in the snowy landscape.

Reaching Academy Road, Jiang Qin noticed that the mornings snow had been compacted by passersby, turning it hard and slippery, devoid of its earlier softness.

What if someone slips and breaks their coccyx?

Thud! As if on cue, a male student across the street fell right in front of two girls who were feeding stray cats.

The girls, kind-hearted as they were, immediately dropped their sausages to help him up, oblivious to the boys wish to be ignored at that moment.

Jiang Qins mouth twitched. As a star student, it would be embarrassing to fall like that, he thought, slowing his pace.

The walk from the startup base to the second cafeteria was long, not as close as the girls dormitory. Due to his slow pace, when he arrived, his wealthy girlfriend was already sitting patiently at their usual spot.

Besides her, a girl wrapped up like a bear sat nearby, her face half-hidden in her collar, looking as if she had frozen on the spot.

It was colder than usual, the melting snow bringing lower temperatures than the mornings snowfall. It was rare to see someone dressed so heavily.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Qin recognized her. Isnt this the famous Gao Wenhui? Why are you out wearing a quilt?

Pah, this is a cotton-padded coat my grandmother made for me, stuffed with pure cotton. Its incredibly warm, Gao Wenhui replied with a cold smile, tugging at her coat to show the ample cotton.

Jiang Qin examined the fabric and chuckled. If thats not made from a quilt cover, Ill do a handstand right here.

Its normal for the elderly to be frugal. As long as its warm. Unlike you youngsters, who choose style over comfort.

Lets not talk about coats. I suddenly feel like drinking old duck soup. How about you? Shall we each have a bowl?

Gao Wenhui gave him a mysterious smile. No old duck soup today. Were not ordering anything.

Jiang Qin found this odd. If were not ordering, why come to the cafeteria? To watch the cool canteen ladys shaky hand performance?

Ask your wife.

Wife? Where is my wife? In a wife cake?

Hearing Gao Wenhuis remark, Jiang Qin pretended to search under and above the table as if hed find his wife underfoot. Despite his theatrics, he deliberately avoided looking at Feng Nanshu, causing the wealthy girlfriend to frown slightly.

Gao Wenhui spat at him and pulled up a large plastic bag from beside the table.

Were eating this today.

The bag was half the size of the table, bulging with various colorful items.

?

Upon opening it, Jiang Qin saw it was filled with puffed food and some cakes, immediately losing interest.

In this dead of winter? This will dehydrate me. I came for soup, not snacks.

Gao Wenhui pointed at Feng Nanshu. Feng Nanshu bought these snacks to support your business through a group purchase. We still have three big bags in our dorm. This ones for you to handle, or well be eating them forever.

Feng Nanshu looked over coolly. Jiang Qin, eat.

Puffed food is full of preservatives. Its bad for your health. I wont eat it, and you shouldnt either.

Then who should eat it? Feng Nanshu seemed lost.

Jiang Qin turned his gaze to Gao Wenhui. Miss Gao, please do the honors. Theyll keep you eternally youthful. In a few thousand years, youll still look as lifelike as ever, as if just unearthed.

Gao Wenhui laughed, No way, we three must finish this bag today at lunch. No one is getting out of this!

Lets just give it away, Jiang Qin suggested lightly.

That wont do. Its all bought with real money. It would be too much of a loss to give it away. Just because we have money doesnt mean we can waste it like that!

Gao Wenhui genuinely regarded Feng Nanshu as a close friend and didnt want her to suffer a loss. The snacks were meant for the close friends in the dorm to appreciate Feng Nanshus kindness, and the only other person worthy of them was Jiang Qin, her man. But giving them away to strangers would be a loss, as those not close to you might not appreciate the gesture and might even gossip about you being showy with your wealth.

In such dry winter weather, eating such a big bag of snacks will definitely cause internal heat, maybe even cause blisters around the mouth. Its not worth it.

What should we do then?

Jiang Qin thought for a moment, then flattened the bag a bit before speaking, Lets just leave it here for now. Ill take it back to Room 208 later and say its a welfare gift from the boss lady.

Gao Wenhuis eyes lit up upon hearing this, Thats a good idea. It could earn Feng Nanshu some goodwill. Should I bring another bag from the dorm?

Lets talk about it after eating. Why tire yourself running back and forth?

Jiang Qin stood up to order three bowls of clear and rich old duck soup from the window and a basket of freshly fried oil cakes. Their golden, crispy surface glistened under the light, continuously enticing ones appetite.

Gao Wenhui watched him walk away, then leaned towards Feng Nanshu, Although Jiang Qin always verbally defines your relationship as friends, in his heart, he surely treats you like a girlfriend.

?

In the lethargy of the cold winter, Feng Nanshu was a bit drowsy, but this statement instantly woke her up.

Think about it. Room 208 is his effort, but he always wants the staff there to appreciate you, to truly regard you as the boss lady. Such actions are too obvious.

Gao Wenhuis demeanor resembled that of an old woman gossiping at the village gate during the New Year. Her mouth moved nonstop as if she was preparing for an important exam.

But Jiang Qin said that the outcome of being lovers is most likely never to see each other again.

Gao Wenhui got irritated upon hearing this, Dont listen to his nonsense. Although college romances are often illusory, there are still many that end up successful.

Feng Nanshu, propping her small hands on the table and turning her face towards Gao Wenhui, asked, Wenhui, what exactly is liking someone?

This, I Im not quite sure.

Although Gao Wenhui was an expert at shipping couples, she had never actually been in a relationship. Despite appearing less clueless than Feng Nanshu, her understanding of the word like was just as vague. She wanted to explain but feared giving the wrong idea, which might confuse Feng Nanshu even more.

Seeing Gao Wenhui not responding, Feng Nanshu turned her head to look at Jiang Qin, who was waiting for his order at the window. Her curled eyelashes trembled slightly.

Before, her world had only consisted of herself, her heart enveloped in a cocoon that kept many external things at bay. But then, suddenly one day, a bear-like figure unreasonably tore a hole in this thick cocoon, letting light in, even touching her feet. Since then, she couldnt forget him.

Before she was eighteen, her biggest wish was to have a good friend.

During the summer of her eighteenth year, she indeed found a friend, seemingly a gift from heaven.

Naturally, she became very attached to him.

Thus, she often wondered, could it be for a lifetime, could it be for a lifetime?

She wasnt clear about the difference between a friend and a lover, but she distinctly felt an increase in her desires.

Feng Nanshu yearned to hold his hand, to be close to him, and to have him massage her feet.

She felt anxious when she couldnt see him, yet acted foolishly when she did.

But was this what liking someone meant?

While Feng Nanshu was lost in thought, Jiang Qin had already made three trips, bringing back three servings of oil cakes and old duck soup. He handed out chopsticks and passed the food around.

The second cafeterias old duck soup was generously served, not just with plenty of broth but also with ample ingredients. Paired with the oil cakes, it was easy to feel full after half a bowl, satisfying Jiang Qin.

Feng Nanshu, having been fed a couple of bites by Jiang Qin, also felt content, barely touching her own bowl.

Since it was mealtime, the cafeteria was crowded, and many acquaintances stopped by to greet them.

Zhuang Siyu, the president of the student council, thanked him for sponsoring the debate competition.

There were also Zhu Feng, the president of the Finance Department, Xu Junli, the head of the External Relations Department, Chen Yong, a part-time worker from the milk tea shop, and Tian Xiangjia, a delivery part-timer.

In addition, there were a few others whose names Jiang Qin couldnt recall, probably part-timers under his management.

Unknowingly, the team at 208 had expanded several times since its inception.

What started as a modest venture was now gaining a significant structure.

However, even with the increase in numbers, Jiang Qin didnt worry about encountering issues like Ye Ziqing. This was because, apart from the core staff at 208, all part-timers were affiliated with the part-time society. Any disputes or mix-ups would be the societys responsibility, not 208s.

Im done eating.

Jiang Qin pushed his bowl forward and picked up the bag of snacks. I have things to do this afternoon, so Ill head off first. Business has been quite busy lately. Feng Nanshu, if youre bored, you can hang out with Gao Wenhui.

After listening, Feng Nanshu obediently nodded and turned to Gao Wenhui.

Gao Wenhui, upon hearing this, felt like biting someone in irritation but let it slide, considering the old duck soups favor.

Leaving the cafeteria, Jiang Qin returned to 208. He first reviewed the backend data with Su Nai, confirming that the volume of orders was steadily increasing. Then he discussed the forums future development with Dong Wenhao.

The launch of the group-buying feature was a new beginning, not an end.

To continue expanding, the traffic from Zhihu needed to grow continuously.

In essence, these two projects complemented each other; neither could afford to fail.

If further detailed, the milk tea shop, the campus beauty contest, the forum, and group-buying were all crucial steps in the expansion plan, none of which could be disregarded before fully penetrating Linchuan.