"Well, well, isn’t this our favourite beauty from the Foreign Languages Department of Capital University? What’s with the outfit and waiting tables now? Are you short on money? If you’re struggling, you should’ve said something earlier. We were flatmates, after all. I would’ve helped you out. My Gu Family can afford to keep one more servant, you know. It’d be your good fortune to serve the Gu’s, rather than waiting on all these people coming and going here."
Ignoring Gu En’s remarks, He Zhilan turned away.
However, Gu En, not satisfied with just mocking He Zhilan, pushed Fang Fang away when she came to take their order, and insisted on being served by He Zhilan.
Seeing Gu En’s behaviour, his lady companion, Tang Tang, curiously asked about his relationship with He Zhilan.
"Her? Just a small country girl. She’s the sister of my Brother Lan Li’s comrade, and we shared a room at university. Sadly, she was born to be my nemesis!" Gu En sneered, his eyes piercing. "I thought she’d join the army with He Teng over the holiday, but surprisingly, she is working here! It must be Lin Chan who got her this job. I don’t understand why Lin Chan helps out this untalented, simple-minded country girl!"
"She’s He Teng’s sister?" An image of He Teng’s emotionless face appeared in Tang Tang’s mind. "I heard He Teng had been promoted to squadron leader, and many predict a bright future for him."
"So what? Even if He Teng has a promising future ahead, could he ever surpass the Gu and the Lan Family?" Gu En remarked, clearly unimpressed.
"Well, you’re right. No family seems to outdo the Gu’s." Tang Tang agreed, nodding as she glanced towards He Zhilan, who was approaching. "He Zhilan doesn’t seem to resemble her brother at all."
Gu En merely grunted in response to Tang Tang’s observation. As Tang Tang continued, saying: "Well yes, He Teng has been in the military, so his skin is quite tanned. He Zhilan, being a girl and a student, has fair skin and is rather attractive. It’s normal that they don’t look similar. Maybe Zhilan takes after her mother, and He Teng, their father."
"Really? I don’t see the resemblance at all!" Gu En abruptly cut into the conversation, glancing over at He Zhilan. She casually adjusted her sitting posture and continued, "Why don’t you try smiling at me like you do with your customers? Maybe if you make me happy, I’ll give you a big tip. Even one of my toys cost significantly more than your salary!"
"If you do not need anything else for the moment, I will come back later. There are other customers waiting." Having listened to Gu En’s mockery for a while, He Zhilan hadn’t paid his words any mind.
"Two black coffees, thank you." Tang Tang commented, nodding at He Zhilan. After He Zhilan had gone, Tang Tang asked Gu En, "What did He Teng’s sister do to offend you?"
"Do I, Gu En, need a reason to dislike someone?" Gu En shot her a glance. "It seems like you’re fond of her? Did you deliberately help her?"
"I don’t even know her. Why would I help her out? Besides, didn’t you notice? There are so many people around. Aren’t you afraid of being judged for mistreating her? As you said, she’s a country bumpkin with no status or background. She even has to work for money during holidays, going after her would be easy. Why not do it when no one is around, wouldn’t that be better?"