Chapter 46: I said why is there no one?
Outside Qihai University.
Xiaolin Street.
The head maid drove the car with Ye Zhibai and the others, easily finding an empty parking spot.
With her expert driving skills, she slowly parked the car at the end of the street—right in front of a restaurant with a large sign reading “Qile Restaurant.”
It was easy to find parking because this was the outer street of the university.
Even though it wasn’t yet early July and the students hadn’t gone on summer break, there still weren’t many cars on this street.
Most of the people strolling along or returning to campus after dinner were university students.
The atmosphere here really had that strong university vibe!
Oh right.
By the way, the street where Ye Zhibai had been run over in her past life was on the other end of the city, far away from here.
Honestly, in this life, Ye Zhibai would never set foot on that cursed street again!
Ugh, there may be fewer cars on the road here, but the chances of being hit weren’t exactly zero!
Just a moment ago, Ye Zhibai had sent Chi Yuliang her exact location again.
[Cool Sister replied: She’d be arriving soon as well.]That was all thanks to the head maid driving both steadily and quickly!
Even though Ye Zhibai had been delayed a bit earlier, they still arrived before the agreed time.
During the parking process, Ye Zhibai blinked her large eyes. Her pale, slender fingers gently rested on the car window as she gazed at Qile Restaurant outside.
There was a reason she chose this place to treat Cool Sister to dinner.
In her past life, Ye Zhibai had been to this restaurant once before.
The reason for dining here back then was simple.
It was a team-building event,* one of those useless social gatherings that anyone who’s been through university has probably experienced at some point.
[*” Team-building event(团建, tuán jiàn)” – A social activity organized by groups, often for bonding purposes. Common in both school and work environments in China.]
What was the occasion again?
Oh right, it was because her medical major came in second-to-last place at the school sports day!
So the class president organized everyone to go out and have a meal on Xiaolin Street, to build team spirit and celebrate.
Celebrate what?!
Second-to-last place,* what kind of celebration is that?!
[*” Celebration for second-to-last place – This is used humorously to emphasize the absurdity of celebrating such a low achievement, highlighting the characters’ frustration.]
Were they celebrating the fact that they didn’t come in dead last?
What was even more absurd was that the department that did come in last was having its dinner party right next door.
Talk about having a carefree attitude!
Ahem, getting off track here.
The main issue was, at the time, Ye Zhibai didn’t want to attend that dinner, but when the class president sent out the message, it went like this:
—Everyone has to come! Whoever doesn’t, I’ll call your name during roll call for tomorrow’s professional class!
My god, that’s pure devilry!*
[*” Devilry (魔鬼, mó guǐ)” – A colloquial term used to describe someone acting like a devil or being really unreasonable. It’s a humorous way of expressing frustration or shock.]
So, Ye Zhibai had no choice but to attend that dinner.
The food was great, but it cost a lot.
Had she known beforehand that the class president had chosen the most expensive restaurant on Xiaolin Street, she would have refused to come!
This restaurant wasn’t exactly high-end. Being near a university, it wasn’t a five-star place, considering the student budget. But it was definitely the best among the options available.
And for Ye Zhibai at the time, whose financial situation was in the negative, even this so-called “best among the mediocre”* felt like a giant!
[*” Best among the mediocre (矮子里边拔高个, ǎizi lǐ biān bá gāo gè)” – A Chinese idiom meaning “the best of a bad bunch,” often used to describe something that is only relatively better than the others in a poor selection.]
The result was, that after that dinner, Ye Zhibai didn’t have money for a decent dinner for five days.
Thanks for nothing—(referring to the fact that a few months later, she didn’t make it).
All in all… for various reasons, Ye Zhibai remembered this place.
This place, which had caused her to go without dinner several times, also ignited
a fiery flame of revenge in her heart!
Back then, she thought to herself. If I ever have the money… when Cool Sister comes back, I’ll treat her to a meal here. And! After eating, I’ll be perfectly fine and won’t have to starve!
Now that Ye Zhibai was in the position to do so, of course, she had to fulfill the promise she made to herself.
As she recalled these memories, a mix of passion and regret, the car came to a stop.
Ye Zhijun, sitting by the window, also glanced at the restaurant her sister had chosen. Judging by the décor, it seemed… passable.
The style was quite festive, with a strong Chinese flavor, modeled after Tang Dynasty architecture. There were even two large stone lions* at the entrance!
[*” Stone lions(石狮子, shí shīzi)” – Traditional stone lion statues often placed at the entrances of Chinese buildings, symbolizing protection and power.]
Ye Zhijun asked, “Sister, we’ve arrived. I think this place… looks okay. By the way, why did you choose this restaurant?”
Ye Zhibai replied, “Chi Yuliang picked this place, she said the food here is good.”
When it’s hard to explain, this trick works wonders! Look, even Yun’er understood right away.
“Oh, I see. Well, Sister, try some dishes later. If you find anything you like, remember to tell me when we get home. I want to study and come up with a menu that suits your taste! Eh-hey… of course, if you think the dishes I make are the best, you must let me know too!”
Ye Zhibai thought, Let you know, and then what?
Then you’ll probably ask for a reward, right?
I’ve seen through your combo attack!*
[*” Combo attack (连携攻击, liánxié gōngjí)” – This phrase refers to an attack combining multiple moves or strategies, often used in gaming or martial arts contexts. Here, it’s used humorously to describe Yun’er’s playful manipulation.]
But… Ye Zhibai had a concern. Could it be that this restaurant’s chefs had declined in skill, or had they outright replaced the chefs?
Even though it was expensive, the food was supposed to be good. In the past, quite a few students had come here to eat and socialize.
It was known to be the kind of place you needed a reservation to get into, very popular.
But from the moment they parked until now, Ye Zhibai hadn’t seen a single student enter the restaurant.
Some students had approached to inquire, but after a brief conversation with the staff at the entrance, they left, shaking their heads.
This left Ye Zhibai feeling a bit puzzled.
Please don’t tell me this place’s food has gone downhill, or my revenge-spending today would lose all meaning!
Just as she was thinking about this, Yun’er suddenly dropped a fact that left Ye Zhibai completely stunned.
Yun’er said, “Sister, after Chi Yuliang arrives, feel free to order anything you like, it’s all free.”
Ye Zhibai questioned, “Why?”
“Hm? Didn’t I mention? This afternoon, I had the maid come and book the entire place, so Sister, rest assured, you’ll be dining in peace.”
“!?”
Ye Zhibai thought, You actually reserved the whole place?!
Well then.
That explains why no one was eating here! Turns out they weren’t allowed in.
Ye Zhibai’s plan for revenge on this restaurant had been realized, but wasn’t this a bit over the top?!
[*” Over the top(夸张头子, kuāzhāng tóuzi)” – A slang phrase that describes someone as the “leader” or “master” of exaggeration, often used humorously to describe a person who always does things dramatically or excessively.]
While waiting for Chi Yuliang, Yun’er helped straighten Ye Zhibai’s dress collar. She even smoothed out her already silky silver hair.
Ahem! Yun’er definitely wasn’t just trying to take the opportunity to pet her sister’s hair!
Ye Zhibai understood one thing very well. That was, in all things, politeness matters.
Even when it comes to family, sometimes, there are certain things you still have to say.
“Yun’er.”
“What is it, Sister?”
Without showing any change in expression, Ye Zhibai gently pulled her silver hair out of Jun’er’s hands, then said, very politely: “You haven’t had dinner yet, right? How about… joining me?”
Yun’er responded, “Sure… sure, Sister!! I’d love to!!”
“……”
Wah, she doesn’t play by the rules!
I invited her, and she’s actually coming!
Cough cough cough!!
The head maid?
The head maid suddenly started coughing wildly, so much so that anyone who didn’t know better would think she was suffering from some sudden illness.
But that wild coughing was her way of signaling the Second Miss!
Yun’er immediately understood.
Though her face showed a hint of regret, she quickly changed her tune.
“I… I won’t go after all. Didn’t we agree? Sister’s freedom must always be respected. It’s your first time treating a new friend, so wouldn’t it be weird if I tagged along… sniff… Sister! You owe me a reward when we get home!!”
“Yun’er…”
Sister…
Your words really touch me, but when you ask for a reward, it really scares me.
Maybe I’ll pick out a vine and make you a new vine ring when we get home, and we’ll call it even, alright?
Probably not.
Sigh… one step at a time.
Gotta believe, that when the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten out!* If not, then crash into it, what else can I do?
[*” When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten out (船到桥头自然直, chuán dào qiáotóu zìrán zhí)” – A common Chinese idiom meaning that things will resolve themselves in time. It’s a way to express confidence that no matter the challenge, a solution will eventually appear.]
A little more time passed.
The head maid, who was sitting in the driver’s seat with her arms resting on the steering wheel, stretched her neck and peered forward through the windshield.
She half-turned her head and respectfully reported to Ye Zhibai.
“Miss, your guest has arrived.”
“Hm?”
