Chapter 53: A Dinner
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Xia Xin exclaimed in annoyance, “Last time Zhang Liang came to see me, he didn’t bring anything at all. And him getting bitten by the dog was his own fault. He’s just trying to shift the blame and sow discord between us. Someone like him isn’t worth your affection. Yet you’re still stubbornly going after him.” Hearing her best friend speak ill of her boyfriend Zhang Liang, Zhao Nan felt somewhat uncomfortable. She didn’t quite understand why these two always seemed to be at odds, making her feel stuck in the middle.
Zhao Nan changed the subject, “Xia Xin, now that the misunderstanding is cleared, let’s not dwell on it. Tonight, Xu Zhi invited us to dinner. Let’s think about where to eat.”
Xia Xin could tell that Zhao Nan didn’t want to discuss Zhang Liang further, so she didn’t press the matter and went along with the change of topic. She said, “The guest should follow the host’s lead. We’ll go where Xu Zhi arranges.” That evening, Xu Zhi had his agency send a car to pick Xia Xin and Zhao Nan up and take them to a high-end restaurant. The restaurant had excellent security measures. To reach the interior of the restaurant, they had to walk through a landscaped area.
Rows of bamboo were planted around the private room, serving as sound barriers to ensure a tranquil environment without any disturbances. However, this serene ambiance was a bit at odds with Xu Zhi’s lively personality. Even when Xu Zhi himself entered the private room, he seemed somewhat uneasy.
Zhao Nan teasingly remarked, “The whole internet knows you don’t like overly quiet places. Why did you choose this restaurant?”
Xu Zhi helplessly replied, “My agent made the reservation. He said eating here would minimize the chances of paparazzi catching us. It’s safer this way.”
Zhao Nan was a fan of Xu Zhi and understood the importance of maintaining an artist’s image. She fully grasped the reasoning behind the agent’s choice and said, “You’re a popular rising star now. If paparazzi caught you privately meeting fans, who knows what kind of scandal they’d spin?”
Xu Zhi chuckled dismissively and said, “Both of you, hurry up and order. Today’s dinner is my way of thanking you for helping me move my stuff back then!”
Xia Xin jokingly responded, “Your thank-you dinner is a bit delayed, isn’t it?”
Ever since Zhao Nan found out that the idol she had admired for two years was actually the freshman she had once helped, there was a layer less of an idol-filter in her interactions with Xu Zhi. So, she didn’t get as starstruck as most fans would when they meet their idols.
While eating, Zhao Nan curiously asked Xu Zhi, “We barely exchanged a few words that day, yet after two years, you still remembered us. How come?”
Xu Zhi flashed his trademark smile, his rows of dazzling white teeth making one’s eyes dazzle, and said, “Because other people, after seeing me with such heavy luggage, only pointed me towards the dormitory and left. It was only you two who were so enthusiastic and helped me with my bags.”
Thinking of those several huge bags of luggage that they struggled with for a week, Zhao Nan and Xia Xin rolled their eyes inwardly. They had truly been fooled by Xu Zhi’s innocent appearance back then.
Unconsciously rubbing her waist, Xia Xin asked, “So, what did you bring to the dorm right after the semester started? We had to move three times to finish carrying everything.”
With an innocent look in his eyes, Xu Zhi earnestly counted on his fingers and said, “Oh, many things. Clothes for all four seasons, blankets—because the dorm bed was so small and hard, I found it uncomfortable, so I brought extra blankets to put under me. Then there were my model figures. If I left them at home, my parents would have thrown them away for sure. So, I had to carry them around. Also, a whole box of books I usually read…”
“That’s enough, you don’t need to continue,” said Zhao Nan. She and Xia Xin listened with their heads spinning. Apparently, they had been the real suckers in this situation.
With a playful smile, Xu Zhi looked at Zhao Nan and said, “Zhao Nan, you probably don’t know, but later I heard you were the president of the badminton club. I even applied to join the club, but I haven’t had a chance to interview yet.”
Excitedly, Zhao Nan exclaimed, “If I had known, I would have scheduled the interview a few days earlier. Maybe I could’ve met you!”
Xu Zhi nodded and asked, “I also knew you were majoring in Cultural Industry
Management at the time. What do you do for a living now? Are you a manager?”
Embarrassedly, Zhao Nan replied, “Sort of.”
Zhao Nan had just graduated this year and had faced numerous obstacles in her job search. Originally, she had hoped to work as a manager and get closer to idols, but due to her limited experience, she had to settle for starting as an assistant.
Continuing the conversation, Xu Zhi said, “The company is planning to establish a personal studio for me. When the time comes, you can come to work as my manager at the studio..”