When she woke up from her nap, it was already past four in the afternoon.
At this time… the competition should be about over, right?
Just as she was about to poke Chi Yao on WeChat, he sent a message first: Finished.
She was about to reply when he directly called her.
Lin Zhexia answered: “Although you spoke arrogantly when you left, I wouldn’t mock you even if you didn’t get first place. So, what place did you get?”
Chi Yao’s end was a bit noisy. He walked a distance, seemingly boarding the return bus, moving away from the noise.
After a while, he said: “First.”
He added, “Your lucky charm was somewhat useful.”
Though she wasn’t the one competing, she indirectly felt the joy of the competition through this call.
The weight in Lin Zhexia’s heart lifted, and she said cheerfully: “Well, consider who personally got that charm—the first-place winner of the tenth speech competition at Cheng’an No.2 High School.”
“…”
The other end was silent for a moment.
Then the familiar mockery came through the receiver: “This title, are you planning to take it to your grave?”
“I rarely win anything,” Lin Zhexia frankly admitted, “I need to brag about it for at least ten years. When I graduate from university and look for a job, I’ll even put it on my resume.”
Chi Yao’s end became noisy again.
More people got on the bus, and having won the team championship, everyone was exceptionally excited.
Lin Zhexia even heard Xu Ting screaming: “—I’m so awesome! I did it! I knew I, Xu Ting, am the strongest in the universe! Oh yeah!”
“…”
Then there were people discussing a “celebration feast.”
“Old Liu is arranging a dinner tonight, asking what you all want to eat?”
Chi Yao casually asked her: “What do you want to eat?”
Lin Zhexia repeatedly declined: “I’m not part of your team, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to come. Don’t mention I’m here at all, you go ahead, I won’t…”
Just as she said this, she heard the overly excited Xu Ting shout: “Who are you calling, is it Young Lin? Ask her to come eat with us! We’re all classmates, let’s eat together tonight!”
Old Liu was next to Xu Ting and asked: “Who’s Young Lin?”
Xu Ting excitedly shared with Old Liu: “It’s Lin Zhexia, from Class 7. She and Chi Yao grew up together, and she’s also come to Haicheng City.”
Lin Zhexia: “……”
Xu Ting.
Do I have a grudge against you?
Old Liu, as the grade leader, was quite familiar with everyone in the grade. His mental state wasn’t much better than Xu Ting’s, as if he were drunk: “Oh, Lin Zhexia? She performed well in the speech competition. Invite her to join us. We’re all part of Cheng’an No.2 High School. Today I’m treating, don’t be polite with me.”
This statement had a strong “all expenses today will be covered by Young Master Liu” vibe.
Xu Ting applauded: “Old Liu is generous! It’s settled then, Young Lin, come quickly, everyone’s waiting for you.”
Lin Zhexia felt suffocated: “I… thank you, Xu Ting, I thank you.”
The restaurant for the gathering was near the hotel.
Before going, Lin Zhexia tried countless excuses: I suddenly have a stomachache.
Chi Dog: Call 120
Lin Zhexia: It doesn’t seem to hurt anymore, but I just found a hole in my shoe, might not be able to walk
Chi Dog: Really? Send a photo to see
Lin Zhexia: …
How was she supposed to take a photo?
Should she poke a hole in her shoe right now?
Finally, Lin Zhexia reluctantly tidied up her things, changed into her now-dry clothes, and went to freeload Old Liu’s meal.
Even before entering, she was already embarrassed to the point that her scalp tingled. Upon entering, without saying anything else, before Old Liu could greet her, she bowed deeply to him: “Hello, Teacher Liu! Hello, everyone!”
Old Liu, holding a teacup, froze for a moment.
Lin Zhexia fully embodied the principle of “if you can’t beat them, join them.” Maintaining her bowing posture, she continued with her head down: “Congratulations on getting first place, Cheng’an No.2 High School did it, congratulations on the excellent achievement, creating glory once again!”
“…Thank you, worthy of being the first-place winner of the speech competition,” Old Liu put down his teacup, “Please sit, Lin.”
Only then did Lin Zhexia straighten up. She scanned the circle of unfamiliar faces, seeing Xu Ting trying hard to suppress his laughter, and Chi Yao sitting there looking at her.
The most embarrassing situation had already happened.
Everything afterward seemed calm and composed in comparison.
She sat down in the empty seat next to Chi Yao, just about to use hot water to rinse her bowl and chopsticks, when the person beside her said coolly: “Already rinsed.”
Lin Zhexia put down the hot water kettle: “Oh.”