Chapter 91: Extra Story
That afternoon, Li Jinghe booked the earliest available flight, feeling both frazzled and relieved as she flew back.
Meanwhile, back in the city, Qin Qing returned to her dorm room to find a shower of confetti and water balloons.
“Surprise——!!”
The voices of the other three girls in the dorm almost blew the roof off.
Qin Qing, nearly covered in confetti, smiled wryly and asked, “Confetti is fine, but who just threw water at me?”
The dorm leader holding a basin of water took the blame.
“It was me. I threw water to ward off bad luck!”
“I second that,” said the second girl. “It’s about time we got rid of the bad luck from all those hospital visits. It’s time to chase it away.”
“And this water throwing is just the first step!”
The second girl set down the empty confetti tube. “Today, the three of us are treating you. We’re taking you out for a night of fun, and we’re going to wash away a whole year’s worth of bad luck!”
“Right, right, right—let’s go—”
Before Qin Qing could refuse, the three of them combined their efforts to “drag” her out of the dorm.
The four of them had dinner at a Western restaurant not far from the school.
Although the restaurant’s red wine, pear with foie gras, and tuna were all quite good, the romantic French music made it hard for the three girls to endure.
As soon as they left the restaurant, the three girls started reprimanding the second girl.
“Where’s the washing away of bad luck you promised? Bringing us three single girls to a place full of couples—are you trying to bring us bad luck?”
The second girl looked extremely aggrieved. “I read online that the ambiance was great and the food was good. I didn’t expect it to be full of couples, and even the sound of forks and knives was jarring!”
She rolled her eyes and grabbed the still-angry third girl. “I’ll make it up to you—tonight, I’ll take you to a high-energy place?”
“What place?”
“You know, the place I mentioned before,” the second girl winked at the dorm leader who asked, “the one with a lot of really handsome guys.”
“Oh, the classy bar you mentioned before?”
“Yes, that one!”
“We’re fine with it, but Qingqing is a good girl,” the third girl turned to Qin Qing. “Qingqing, if you don’t want to go, we can choose another place.”
“…”
Facing those three eager sets of eyes, Qin Qing couldn’t bring herself to say “no.”
And since she had just been discharged, it was a good opportunity to let go of the worries she had been suppressing for a week and have some fun…
Thinking this, Qin Qing nodded firmly and put on a bright, cheerful smile.
“I’m fine. Let’s go together!”
As soon as Qin Qing agreed, the three of them cheered and began to call a cab and check the map.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the classy bar.
As a regular at this bar, the second girl initially took charge of ordering drinks. When it came to Qin Qing, she hesitated. “Qingqing, since you’ve just been discharged, should we get you a cocktail with a lower alcohol content?”
Qin Qing hesitated and then shook her head. “I’ve never had alcohol before. Do you have any non-alcoholic drinks? Just give me a drink.”
The second girl hesitated. “I’ve never ordered non-alcoholic drinks before… Hmm… This one should be a fruit-flavored drink. Let’s go with this for now. I’ll ask the waiter about it when he comes. If it’s not right, we can change it.”
With that, she selected the “fruit-flavored drink.”
Unfortunately, before she could wait for the waiter, she noticed a familiar face by the bar entrance.
“Oh, I think I’ve talked to that handsome guy before!”
She handed the drink menu to the still-dazed third girl.
“You can order from this menu. I’ll go chat with that handsome guy for a bit…”
Though the third girl was usually outgoing, it was her first time at this kind of bar. Before she could ask, the waiter arrived.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Ah… yes, just bring what’s checked here,” the third girl regained her composure and handed the menu to the somewhat handsome waiter.
“Okay, let me confirm your order.”
The waiter read out the list of drinks, and since it was the first time the three had been to a bar, they listened blankly. Eventually, the third girl nodded and mumbled, “Um, yes, just bring these.”
The waiter bowed slightly and left.
Soon, colorful cocktails were served.
Listening to the waiter’s descriptions, the third girl used her memory to push the drinks in front of each person.
When it came to Qin Qing, she received a light orange liquid.
The third girl leaned in and sniffed the drink by the rim.
“It should be a fruit-flavored drink. I don’t smell any alcohol, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.” Qin Qing joked. “Even if I get drunk, won’t I have you guys around?”
“That’s true.” The third girl smiled in agreement.
—
Until Qin Qing suddenly laid her head on the table after drinking half of her drink, the three girls had thought she was just joking.