Chapter 15: World 1 [15]

The seven days and three days the staff had mentioned earlier were all working days. So, when the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival long holiday came around, the original plan of opening bids three days after the deadline became ten days after the closing date.

And the day before the long holiday began, Shang Siyu’s old classmate called again, saying the date was set for the third day of the National Day holiday. Thirty-two out of the forty students had agreed to attend, and the Class Teacher also said she would be there.

“Siyu, when we visited the Class Teacher, she specifically asked about you. If you could come, she would be very happy.”

Hearing that the Class Teacher would be there, Shang Siyu hesitated slightly. Her Class Teacher had always been very caring toward her in high school, also shielding her from many boys who harassed her under the guise of pursuing her.

“The dinner is scheduled for the afternoon on the third?” Shang Siyu asked.

“Yes, the time is set for four-thirty. We booked a big private room with three tables,” the old classmate replied. “Siyu, you’ll be there on time, right?”

“I have other plans on the evening of the third, so I might need to leave a little early.” Shang Siyu left herself some room to maneuver.

If the Class Teacher wasn’t there, or if other special circumstances arose, she certainly wouldn’t stay.

“Alright, I’ll send you the location later. Four-thirty, remember not to be late,” the old classmate said cheerfully. After exchanging pleasantries for several more minutes, she finally ended the call.

A few minutes later, Shang Siyu’s phone, left on the coffee table, received a new message. The chat window, which she hadn’t closed, popped up with a location.

“Shang Siyu, the other party sent the address. It’s the Golden Jade Grand Hotel.” Jing Ke glanced at it from a distance and accurately read out the address.

“Golden Jade Grand Hotel, it seems like it’s not far from my home.” Shang Siyu came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit platter. She bent down to place the platter on the coffee table, then picked up her phone to look at it.

Golden Jade Grand Hotel was a well-known star-rated hotel in her hometown. During holidays, it hosted many wedding banquets and large gatherings, and its reputation had always been quite good.

“Since you’ve decided to attend, I’ll drop you off on the afternoon of the third. I’ll wait for you outside the hotel. Call me if anything happens,” Jing Ke said, popping a freshly cut piece of cantaloupe into her mouth.

While eating the fruit, Jing Ke didn’t forget to analyze. “This place is in a busy downtown area. Xue Fan shouldn’t be stupid enough to do anything to you inside the hotel.”

“It’s fine. All the teachers and classmates will be there. It’s just a meal. At most, Xue Fan will just show off his success and return in glory, showing off in front of them,” Shang Siyu said with a smile.

Seeing Jing Ke’s cheeks slightly puffed out and moving gently as she chewed, Shang Siyu’s body reacted faster than her brain. She directly reached out and ruffled her slightly messy hair.

Finding a hand on her head, Jing Ke merely glanced up at Shang Siyu, then used another fork to spear a piece of cantaloupe. “Very sweet. Want a piece?”

“Alright.” Shang Siyu leaned down and bit into the cantaloupe. She saw her own reflection appear in Jing Ke’s amber-colored eyes.

Hm? I seem to be smiling, and smiling very happily? Is it because the cantaloupe is very sweet?

–

The combined National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday was only slightly less busy than the Spring Festival. Whether plane or high-speed rail tickets, they were all in high demand and sold out many days in advance.

Jing Ke and Shang Siyu, being car owners now, chose to drive home since they could depart a day early.

Taking a sports car with a price approaching ten million yuan back home would be too showy. So, Jing Ke bought another SUV worth around a million yuan. With a trunk packed full of things, she went home with Shang Siyu.

Having been human for not too long, Jing Ke didn’t feel the pressure of meeting a friend’s parents. Carrying large and small bags, she stepped into the apartment building with Shang Siyu. The moment she saw Mother Shang, she revealed a brilliant smile.

“Hello, Auntie. I’m Jing Ke. Currently, I’m Shang Siyu’s good friend and business partner. Height 172 cm, weight 117 lbs. I don’t smoke or drink and have no bad habits. I usually like reading and absorbing new knowledge. It’s a great honor to come home with her for the holiday.”

Jing Ke’s self-introduction was incredibly smooth and natural, making both Shang Siyu and Mother Shang pause for a moment.

“Alright, alright. Little Jing, is it? Hurry, put your things down and come sit inside,” Mother Shang reacted a bit faster, quickly inviting this young person, whose appearance was as outstanding as her own daughter’s, into the house.

Jing Ke sensibly changed her shoes, neatly placed her belongings against the living room wall, and then sat down on the sofa. Her actions seemed even more natural than Shang Siyu’s, who hadn’t been home in over two months.

“Have you eaten? Would you like tea or a drink?” Mother Shang asked.

“Jing Ke and I had lunch at a service area on the road. I’ll go boil some water,” Shang Siyu said, walking into the kitchen with her mother. “Mom, you don’t have classes today?”

“No classes this afternoon, so I came back early,” Mother Shang replied, lowering her voice to ask, “You brought a friend back, why didn’t you tell me in advance? I didn’t prepare many ingredients.”

“It’s fine. Jing Ke and I are very close. Mom, you don’t need to treat her like an outsider,” Shang Siyu smiled. “Besides, she’s not a picky eater. Your cooking is better than mine, so there definitely won’t be any problem.”

“Hm?” Mother Shang immediately caught the odd phrasing. “Does she often eat your cooking?”

“Pretty much. We’ve been living together for almost a month now.” Shang Siyu blinked, quickly adding, “I forgot to tell you when I called you last time.”

Mother Shang’s brows furrowed slightly. She felt her daughter’s reaction was a little strange, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly was off.

“Is she a new good friend you’ve made? How did you two meet?” Mother Shang asked, pressing the button to start boiling the water.

“She invested a lot of money in my project. I was able to start my company because of Jing Ke’s help,” Shang Siyu answered truthfully.

“Jing Ke went abroad with her parents when she was very young. When she was eighteen, her parents passed away in an accident. After achieving some success abroad, Jing Ke brought her parents’ ashes back to China.”

“We met shortly after she returned. She was very interested in the project I was researching, and over time, we became friends and business partners.”

Shang Siyu gave a concise summary. Of course, she couldn’t reveal Jing Ke’s true identity to others, even if that person was her own mother.

Hearing that Jing Ke was an orphan, Mother Shang immediately tossed her earlier doubts to the back of her mind, her heart aching for the girl.

“It’s not easy fighting alone abroad, and even harder to build a successful career.” Mother Shang sighed. “She came back with you. Where is she staying tonight? A hotel or here at home?”

“Of course, she’s staying here with me at home,” Shang Siyu answered without a second thought. Seeing her mother’s slightly surprised expression, she blinked innocently.

“What’s wrong? Mom, don’t you want Jing Ke to stay here?” Shang Siyu asked.

“Of course not. It’s just that you’ve never let a friend stay overnight before,” Mother Shang shook her head gently.

Shang Siyu might not remember, but Mother Shang remembered very clearly.

After Shang Siyu started elementary school, she had always slept alone in her own bed. Even Mother Shang could only sleep together with her daughter on her birthday.

It seemed that Jing Ke was definitely her daughter’s very, very best friend. Otherwise, her daughter would absolutely never have invited the other girl to stay together at their home.