Chapter 89 — Consider It My Treat
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Tang Zhi had already been stewing with fury because of Wei Zhao, and now being taken to task by her mother, she could no longer keep her composure. She pursed her lips in grievance, then lifted her head to glare at Wei Zhao, her eyes fairly spitting fire, as though she wished she could burn him to ashes to slake her hatred. "I don't want your money. Just go. Consider it my treat. I don't want to see you again."
By the end her voice had taken on a sob. Without waiting for Wei Zhao to say anything, Tang Zhi covered her face and broke into a run, dashing off toward the school without even a word to her mother.
Tang Zhi's fierce reaction rather stunned Wei Zhao. He hadn't expected her to have such a fiery, unyielding side.
"That child..." Tang's mother had no idea what had gotten into her daughter today. The young man before her had clearly helped her out of a tight spot, yet instead of being grateful, she had given him nothing but attitude. This put her in an awkward position, and she looked at Wei Zhao apologetically. "Young man, Yun'er isn't usually like this—she's a sensible girl. I don't know what came over her today. I'm so sorry... This meal is on me, auntie's treat. No charge."
"I still have to pay," Wei Zhao said with a smile, indicating it was nothing. He patted his pocket and found exactly forty yuan in change, which he handed straight to Tang's mother. "Here's forty. I happen to be a bit thirsty—I'll take two bottles of mineral water, so there's no need to give me change."
Without waiting for Tang's mother to respond, Wei Zhao took two bottles of mineral water from the crate beside the stall, handed one to Kang Xiaofeng, and said to him, "Ready to go?"
Only then did Kang Xiaofeng come back to his senses. He had been somewhat dumbstruck by the scene with Tang Zhi just now, at a loss for what to do, and had simply stared blankly as she covered her face and ran off. It wasn't until Wei Zhao settled the bill and handed him the mineral water that he said, "Boss, how come you paid? Didn't we agree I'd cover it?"
"Ha ha, it's all the same. You can treat me next time," Wei Zhao said, already turning to head toward the school. Kang Xiaofeng hurriedly bade Tang's mother goodbye and followed after him.
"Come again," Tang's mother said, nodding warmly to Kang Xiaofeng.
"I'll be there for sure," Kang Xiaofeng answered.
What a sensible kid. Watching Wei Zhao's receding figure, Tang's mother sighed. She had no idea what had gotten into her precious girl, but she feared these two would never come back to patronize the stall again.
"Boss, something about today just doesn't sit right," Kang Xiaofeng said, catching up to Wei Zhao. He glanced ahead - Tang Zhi was already nowhere to be seen, clearly long gone.
"What's there to sit right or not sit right about?" Wei Zhao hadn't given it much thought. "You're the one who should be careful - don't let Zou Ruoming come after you."
"Ah." The reminder made Kang Xiaofeng realize he had thoroughly offended Zou Ruoming and his crowd. "Boss, don't scare me. I just made an enemy of Zhong Yongliang, and now Zou Ruoming too - how am I supposed to survive around here?"
"Don't be too flashy. Anyway, I'm with you most of the time, so they won't try anything," Wei Zhao said.
"Fair enough. But boss, word of you slapping Zou Ruoming is bound to spread soon - you're about to be promoted to number two among the school's Four Great Villains." Kang Xiaofeng chuckled.
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Wei Zhao shot him a glare. "Today's whole mess was caused by you sticking your neck out, and now I have to carry the reputation of a villain too."
"No way, boss - you're really willing to just stand by and watch Tang Zhi get bullied?" Kang Xiaofeng said with an ingratiating smile.
"From the look of her, she's no pushover - she only pushes me around," Wei Zhao cursed inwardly. Damn it, this pretty little Tang is all bark and no bite.