Chapter 120: Birthday
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
If even this was tolerated, was there anything that couldn’t be?
“Do you dare demonstrate your skills in front of everyone?” Zhou Xue’er demanded angrily.
He Jing was not afraid to do so, but she felt that there was no need. Hence, she said, “Perhaps when I’m in a good mood.”
“When will you be in a good mood? Do you need me to throw a party to liven things up?”
He Jing quirked a brow. “Who knows? I might be in a good mood in three to five days, or it might take five or six years for such a mood to descend upon me. There’s even a chance that I might never be in a good mood till I’m in my seventies or eighties!”
The whole class was speechless.
This was complete nonsense!
They could tell He Jing did not intend to show off her cooking skills. Zhou Xue’er’s provocation was destined to fail.
Soon, the bell rang, and their homeroom teacher entered. “The school has decided to resume its cooking classes,” their homeroom teacher said, “we’ve invited a new cooking teacher in the hopes that everyone will improve their skills over the new year. The school will conduct several cooking-related activities, and those who perform well will be rewarded handsomely.”
The news of the school’s intent created an uproar.
Countless eyes trained on He Jing, wondering, ‘Is this fate?’
If the school restarted its cooking program, He Jing’s culinary skills would be tested, and she would not be able to escape the sharp eye of the public.
He Jing frowned, glaring at Yan Hanxi. “Did you do this?”
This was beyond coincidence. How could the school have come to this decision if not for someone orchestrating things behind the scenes?
Yan Hanxi chuckled. “I wanted to provide you with a way to earn money so you wouldn’t drop out of school due to poverty. I didn’t expect to cause you trouble.
I’m sorry.”
Yan Hanxi may have apologized, but he certainly did not seem apologetic.
“You schemer!” He Jing spat after a momentary silence.
As the son of a shareholder of the school, why would he be so conscientious as to let others profit? Yan Hanxi was a crook, no matter how she tried to look at things.
At the same time, Cheng Yi’s eyes lit up as she returned to her seat, barely masking her delight. It seemed the heavens were on her side!
While cooking classes loomed in the near future, He Ning’s birthday arrived.
He Jing took the basketball she had asked Yan Hanxi to hold on to for safe-keeping. Yan Hanxi helped her wrap it up and boxed it in a package with the signature of a famous basketballer on the cover.
He Jing had tried to refuse the additions, but Yan Hanxi threw away the net bag she had used to store the basketball and refused to allow her to retrieve it. By the time she tried to protest, Yan Hanxi had already gift-wrapped the basketball for her, even putting a note on the box that read, ‘Happy Birthday, Second Brother.’
Since Yan Hanxi would likely be with Cheng Yi in the future, and He Ning was almost a brother-in-law in all but name, she reasoned there was no need to be so calculating.
So, she carried the ball and the box back.
He Ning, He Sui, and Cheng Yi were already waiting outside Yin High School. They were very eye-catching.
The three of them were chatting, interspersed by laughter. As soon as He Jing arrived, the happy atmosphere withered. Cheng Yi smiled innocently and said, “Sister He Jing, I’m returning to the He family home today to celebrate Second Brother’s birthday. You don’t mind, do you?”
He Jing smiled. “Why would I? Am I such a petty person in Sister Cheng Yi’s heart?”
Before Cheng Yi could retort, He Sui interrupted, “Of course not! Xiao Yi, don’t worry. With us around, He Jing won’t bully you.”
He Ning frowned and reminded him, “Mind your words.”
He was not defending He Jing so much as he was trying to redirect her displeasure towards Cheng Yi before it became an issue.
Little did he know that when those words entered Cheng Yi’s ears, the latter grew uncomfortable, and her expression turned forced. “I believe Second Brother. Let’s go home.”
He Jing smiled faintly. “Sister Cheng Yi, are you taking the Cheng family’s car to the He family? I’ll take the bus. Please let Second Brother and Fourth Brother return home with you.”
“I’ll take the bus with He Jing,” He Sui said, “I’m not used to sitting in a small car.”
Cheng Yi’s expression could no longer be described as ugly. She looked at He Ning. “What about Second Brother? Are you going to take the bus with Sister He Jing?”
He Ning looked at He Sui and He Jing, then shook his head. “I’ll go with you.’
Eventually, the four of them parted ways and went home in pairs..
