Chapter 224 - 131: Here It Comes... No Asura Field?

Final exams began a week later, with winter break starting right after they were over.

On this particular day.

After her last exam that morning, and with the break starting the day after tomorrow, Shen Qingning went to the dessert shop to continue her part-time job. To be honest, she was already a veteran at this sort of work. A few days ago, Sister Zhou had hired her for another photoshoot, paying her 1,000 yuan again. That was the most she had ever earned from a single job. Her usual part-time gigs didn't pay well. As a girl without any special skills or physical strength, she could only work at shops that suited her, and the wages weren't high. It wasn't like Su Ran, who was so talented he was singing at bars back in high school, earning several hundred yuan a night, and even installing wood flooring. She was purely envious.

「At five in the afternoon.」

It was time for Shen Qingning to get off work. She hesitated for a moment, remembering she'd promised to treat the class president to a meal a week ago. It was time to make good on that. She sent him a WeChat message: [Class President, I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight. What would you like to eat? (smile)]

During this time, she had found her place again. She wasn't hoping for anything more; she was just treating him as a classmate.

BEEP BEEP BEEP.

Su Ran: [I haven't had zhajiangmian in a while. Treat me to a bowl of that.]

Shen Qingning: [Zhajiangmian? Are you sure?]

Su Ran: [Yep.]

Shen Qingning knew Su Ran felt bad that she didn't earn money easily and didn't want her to spend too much.

Shen Qingning: [20 minutes. Wait for me at the school gate. I'm treating you to Korean BBQ.]

She sent the message and turned off her screen.

Shen Qingning was usually frugal with herself, but it depended on the situation. The class president had taken care of her recently, so she couldn't be stingy on this. Besides, the break was about to start, and they wouldn't see each other again until next year.

Just as she was about to leave, the welcome chime on the door rang: [Welcome].

Shen Qingning, who hadn't changed out of her work uniform yet, turned around and smiled at a very beautiful girl. "Welcome. What can I get for you?"

The girl who had just entered was tall and slender with fair skin. She had an excellent sense of style—the kind of beautiful that other girls would recognize—and a wonderful air about her.

The beautiful girl pointed to a small cake in the display case. "Could you box this one up for me?"

"Of course, just a moment."

"Okay."

Shen Qingning packaged the small cake, processed the payment via QR code, and handed it to her. The girl returned her smile and elegantly walked out of the shop.

The female manager watched her leave and sighed in sincere admiration, "That woman is so beautiful. She has such an air of elegance."

Shen Qingning agreed, "She really does."

The manager added, "I wonder which rich man's girlfriend she is."

"No idea. Anyway, I'm off now. Bye, ma'am." Shen Qingning took off her work uniform, put on her down jacket, and left the shop. When she got to the bus stop, she saw the beautiful girl waiting there as well.

The beautiful girl asked, "Excuse me, which bus goes to Ninghai University?"

Shen Qingning repeated, "Ninghai University?"

The beautiful girl smiled. "That's right."

"I'm going to Ning University too," Shen Qingning said. "It's the number 8 bus."

The beautiful girl said thanks, and the conversation died down. They were strangers, after all, so there was no need for awkward small talk. They both took out their phones while waiting for the bus.

A moment later, the number 8 bus arrived. The two of them got on, and the bus pulled away.

On the bus, the beautiful girl found a seat first. She waved to Shen Qingning, calling out, "Classmate, over here," and scooted over to make room. Shen Qingning nodded and came over to sit down.

Shen Qingning noticed the girl looking out at the streets of Jiangning City with an expectant gaze and asked, "You're not a local university student?"

She shook her head. "No."

Shen Qingning asked, "Are you here to visit a friend?"

She nodded. "Mhm. Oh, right, are you a student at Ning University?"

Shen Qingning nodded. "Yeah. So you're here to see a friend, right?"

"Mhm, my break started, so I came to Jiangning early."

As she said this, she let out a little chuckle.

Shen Qingning understood at once and teased with a smile, "Oh, I get it. You came early to surprise your friend, didn't you?"

"Yeah, you could say that. I didn't tell him I was coming. I want to give him a scare, hehe~ By the way, what year are you at Ning University?"

"I'm a freshman."

"Oh, was that dessert shop you were at just now your family's business?"

"No, I just work there part-time. By the way, if your friend likes the cake, tell him to come to our shop to buy more in the future. If he mentions my name, Shen Qingning, he can get a discount." Shen Qingning began soliciting business with a grin.

She nodded. "Okay, no problem. If it's good, I'll have him patronize your shop."

"Thanks! By the way, what school are you from?"

"Me? I'm from... the Shanghai Dance Academy."

Hearing "Shanghai Dance Academy," Shen Qingning's eyes lit up. 'No wonder she has such a great air about her and such a good figure.' She was a student from that top-tier dance school; it was only natural to feel a little envious.

"That's amazing! You're amazing for getting into that school. A lot of my high school classmates who studied dance wouldn't even dare to dream of the Shanghai Art School."

"My high school classmates wouldn't dare to imagine getting into your Ninghai University, either. The admission scores for Ning University are terrifyingly high."

They looked at each other and chuckled.

"It's nice to meet you, Classmate Shen. My name is... Xiao Wanqing."