Ye Jinmeng went back to the classroom and sent a message to Shi Shuning. The two made plans to meet at the small garden on the south side of Building B after class.
There is a gift shop in Yunhai Shopping Mall called "A Friend's Gift" where boys and girls, young and old alike, like to buy things. When Shi Shuning was looking around dizzy in the cosmetics section, he happened to see this store.
Shi Shuning curiously walked in and found all kinds of dolls, hair accessories, jewelry, figures, decorations, etc. It made Shi Shuning's eyes light up involuntarily.
After wandering around for a while, Shi Shuning's eyes landed on a lipstick gift box.
He picked it up and looked at it. There was exquisite traditional palace architecture painted on it, with some red plum blossoms dotted around, and a line of words underneath that read "Palace Collection Joint Name Edition". Shi Shuning immediately thought of the palace joint name makeup that two girls were discussing in the counter just now, which was very popular recently.
"Could it be...the one they were talking about?" Shi Shuning wondered to himself.
Then he turned the package over to read the product description on the back, "'National Style Palace Collection Chocolate Lipstick', not bad, chocolate flavored lipstick, Little Fatty must like it."
Shi Shuning was happy, then he glanced at the display product next to him.
There were six rectangular lipstick tubes in the box, painted with traditional Chinese plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum motifs in delicate brushwork. Shi Shuning even felt as if he was appreciating some art pieces in an exhibition hall.
"This is nice, I'll take it," Shi Shuning looked at the time, there was still half an hour before Ye Jinmeng finished class, without thinking too much, he took a new one, asked the salesperson to pack it up as a gift box, didn't even check the price and just paid by facial recognition and left.
Luckily the mall wasn't far from the school. Shi Shuning arrived at the small garden on the south side of Building B, and just then heard the bell ringing, indicating the end of class.
"Wanwan, let's go eat dinner together."
Xu Wanwan had just finished packing up when Wu Mingshi came over to invite her to eat dinner together.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm eating with my friend tonight." Xu Wanwan smiled embarrassedly and declined.
Wu Mingshi had gone to the bathroom during the short break between classes, and didn't know that Ye Jinmeng was looking for Xu Wanwan, so he just smiled and said, "You can join us if you don't mind."
Xu Wanwan was cursing in her heart, of course she minds! Just as she was about to say something, she heard a sarcastic female voice.
"Oh Mingshi, she's going to have dinner with the flower of our department tonight, what are you trying to butt in for?" It was Lu Renjia speaking.
"You don't mind, but the department flower might. Isn't that right?"
Wu Mingshi looked extremely awkward. He knew about the "flower", the little princess of Ye family in Haicheng, and though he was also quite curious about her, he also knew there was no chance of him becoming friends with her.
However, Wu Mingshi then thought, Xu Wanwan is good friends with the "flower", so as long as he successfully pursued Xu Wanwan, he would surely get to know the "flower" too. As long as he maintained good relations, it would be like indirectly currying favor with Ye family. And if he could gain the appreciation of Ye family...
Wu Mingshi was lost in his fantasy, trying to conceal his excitement as he casually said, "How can you say that, Renjia? The flower is our senior schoolmate. Asking her out for a meal, how could she not give me face? Isn't that right, Wanwan? I'll treat you and the flower to dinner tonight."
When Lu Renjia heard Wu Mingshi's words, it was as if she had been slapped hard. She was about to retort when she heard Xu Wanwan say coldly and deliberately, "I'm just an extra tonight, it's the flower's friend who invited her to dinner. So I'm afraid not."
"Oh...I see...then next time," Wu Mingshi said awkwardly with a forced smile.
"Wanwan, are you ready?" Ye Jinmeng's voice came from the classroom door. By now most people had left, with only Xu Wanwan and the other two still standing there.
Xu Wanwan looked up to see Ye Jinmeng poking her little head with a bun hairstyle cutely through the door.
Wu Mingshi also saw the rumored flower's appearance, and his heartbeat quickened as he stared dumbfounded.
"All set, coming!" Xu Wanwan shouldered her schoolbag, brushed past Wu Mingshi and Lu Renjia, and strode to the door to take Ye Jinmeng's hand.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Jinmeng."
"It's okay, Wanwan. Let's go, brother Shuning is waiting for us at the garden outside, let's hurry."
The two bounced away hand in hand, while Wu Mingshi was still in a daze.
He had only heard rumors about Ye Jinmeng. Although he already thought Xu Wanwan was the prettiest girl he had seen, and assumed there would be a new "flower" this year, now seeing Ye Jinmeng in person, she was actually even prettier than Xu Wanwan.
Xu Wanwan possessed a gentle and generous beauty, whereas Ye Jinmeng had a lovely, sunny beauty that made people unconsciously want to dote on her.
Seeing Wu Mingshi's dumbstruck look, Lu Renjia's face distorted as she bit her lip and stamped her feet in jealousy, "Mingshi! What are you thinking! Don't tell me you've fallen for that flower too?! You can stop dreaming, Ye family isn't something just anyone can cozy up to!"
Wu Mingshi snapped out of it from her yell. He naturally knew inwardly that he was no match for Ye Jinmeng, but having it spelled out made him lose face.
"Shut up, what business is it of yours what I want to do? Better mind your own business!" He then pushed Lu Renjia aside and strode off angrily.
The stumbling Lu Renjia stared at his determined back view and screamed hoarsely, "Wu Mingshi! Why are you treating me this way!"
But she received no response at all.
