The internet cafe was located near the movie theater, and it was just a ten-minute walk back and forth from the hotel. Qin Wei returned to her hotel room, opened the door, and then silently exited again, closing the door behind her.
Try it again...
Swipe the key card, push open the door...
"Why are you all here?"
Qin Wei said with a reluctant expression on her face as she squeezed into the room. The five people sitting on the sofa didn't say anything, just looked at her in unison.
That serious expression made her feel like she was about to be interrogated.
"Hey! Wei Lai, you're back!"
Qin Wei greeted Wei Lai, who was sitting on the furthest edge. In the hottest month of the year, after spending so long on the island, she had indeed tanned a bit compared to the last time they met.
As soon as Wei Lai saw Qin Wei speak to her, she couldn't keep up that serious look. Eager to share with her, she said:
"Hey, Qin Wei, I got you some..."
"Ahem..."
Shen Qingqing, who was sitting next to her, deliberately coughed, and Wei Lai immediately quieted down, looking at Qin Wei and secretly pointing at Shen Qingqing, with a helpless look on her face.
Qin Wei glanced at Shen Qingqing, and Shen Qingqing humphed.
Youyou had come too, sitting just behind Shen Qingqing. She pushed Shen Qingqing aside and said to Qin Wei:
"Senior sister, long time no see! They're all mad at you! Because when you went out, we couldn't get in touch with you! But I'm not mad oh! Shen Qingqing checked the surveillance and saw where you went..."
Shen Qingqing pinched the back of her hand, gritting her teeth and cursing her:
"You're the big traitor!!”
Sun Tiantian patted Youyou on the back and whispered to her, "Youyou, don't learn from Shen Qingqing, speaking so sarcastically."
Shen Qingqing turned her head and glared at Sun Tiantian:
"Don't think I can't hear what you mean! You're just as sarcastic! You're imitating me!"
And she tried to reach over Youyou to hit Sun Tiantian, but was blocked by Youyou:
"Don't bully Tiantian, you know she won't fight back yet you still bully her, why are you so nasty?"
"You're the nasty one!"
Youyou and Shen Qingqing soon got into an argument, completely going off track, not even paying attention to Qin Wei standing in front of them.
Of course, Qin Wei also couldn’t pay attention to them at the moment, because Qiao Sixiao had been staring at her, and she had been staring back at Qiao Sixiao.
Eyes locked, this was a standoff; momentum was crucial, whoever’s eyes drifted away first lost.
Sun Tiantian next to them also felt the tense atmosphere, unconsciously biting her finger as her eyes shifted between watching Qin Wei and Qiao Sixiao sitting beside her.
Director Sun was extremely excited, nervous, and thrilled the entire time!
Ding ding ding–
The doorbell rang. Youyou suddenly stopped arguing, stood up from the sofa, and shouted loudly:
"My crab order is here! We're having seafood today!!!"
...
"Are these the small crabs you ordered, Youyou?"
In the back kitchen of the hotel restaurant, Qin Wei squatted in front of a huge styrofoam box and poked at the two swimming red king crabs inside with her finger.
They were...so big!
As she said that, she looked up at Youyou:
"Are you a goose? I heard geese see things as smaller than they are. You called these small?"
"Senior sister is the goose."
Youyou leaned over to look at the red king crabs swimming in the styrofoam box, then turned back to Qin Wei with a smile:
"But they really are small, right? In another couple months we’ll probably be able to get 5 jin ones. These are just 3 and 4 jin but they’re live so they look pretty good too. I went ahead and got them."
Although small in size, Youyou still placed the order. What was delivered along with them were the scallops and clams she had purchased.
“Is it New Year’s or something?”
Qin Wei asked her.
“I just wanted to treat you to hot pot! First, you guys are leaving for the grasslands tomorrow! And also, Director Sun is going abroad soon. We rarely get chances to meet up, let’s take this opportunity to give her a farewell dinner! And also...”
Youyou stopped short,
“Do you need a reason to eat? Did Shen Qingqing bring wine? If not then grab some from your dad’s wine cellar!”
There was also the online mob that had been heavily criticizing senior sister yesterday, even implicating the brand partners she works with. This wave of attacks had been very aggressive. Other than waiting for things to blow over, there wasn’t much else that could be done. So they came to provide comfort.
With her arms crossed and head held high, Shen Qingqing said:
“Of course I brought wine, how could I not? I brought a whole case of Chateau Patous. That should be enough right? Youyou, if you can’t finish drinking, just stay here. I’ll open up a room for you. Come out whenever you’ve finished the wine.”
The hotel had been booked by the production crew, but Shen Qingqing still held authority here. She had commandeered the western restaurant on the top floor so everyone could sit together without restraint and properly enjoy a meal.
Su Yang and Daniel were still with the crew. Sun Tiantian suggested inviting them over to join as well but was flatly rejected by Shen Qingqing:
“I understand you want to see Su Yang’s mood, but what’s the point in inviting them here? This is supposed to be a gathering for us girls. Not to mention there’s no such thing as airtight walls. What if the paparazzi managed to sneak shots? The few of us together won’t make headlines even if caught. Shocking, the ‘Against the Wind’ Six Have Dinner Together? But with those two here, things would be different. You can’t just disregard the rest of us five like that just because you’re leaving the country soon...”
“Everyone loves a pretty face. Don’t speak of my sweet Tiantian like that,” Youyou inserted herself between the two again, turning to block Shen Qingqing.
“Shen Qingqing’s dad is the most powerful figure in Beijing’s investment circle! Her family businesses...”
“Youyou shut your mouth, you’re so annoying!”
The two going at each other the moment they met had already become routine. No one had any intention of trying to stop them.
“Will you be able to come back next year, Tiantian?” Qin Wei asked her.
Sun Tiantian nodded:
“Mm, since it’s to study abroad and learn the language, it’ll probably be about a year front and back. I’ll let you know the moment I’m back.”
When Qin Wei was staying at her place, she already knew that Director Sun wanted to study abroad. She had wanted to go for a while, but because of the rising popularity from “Against the Wind,” the company had been quite accommodating towards her, hoping she would take on some appearances and endorsements before going.
After months of hard work and busyness, her departure date was now finalized. Although the company continued trying to keep her back, she remained set on going.
“Qin Wei, this is for you.”
Wei Lai took out a rectangular box. Qin Wei opened it to find a complete set of limited edition Crayon Shinchan figures!!
“Wow!!!”
Not just Qin Wei was awestruck, Sun Tiantian also cried out in astonishment.
These weren’t particularly expensive, but they were limited editions that had sold out immediately after launch.
“I couldn’t even believe my eyes when I saw these at the duty-free store on the island. I hurried to buy two sets!”
“They’re too precious! I’m going to display them in the living room of my new house!”
Sun Tiantian: “Qin Wei you bought property?!”
Wei Lai: “Qin Wei you bought property?!”
Youyou: “I knew senior sister bought property!”
Shen Qingqing: “Humph! I found out long ago that Qin Wei purchased property!”
Qin Wei carefully put away the figures. Then they started on hot pot together, during which Youyou poured out glasses of wine for everyone.
“Today, we’re all together again, so let’s make a toast to this wonderful day!”
Qin Wei looked at the glass of juice and wine before her, decisively choosing the juice.
Youyou said:
“Oh? Wasn’t senior sister drinking yesterday? I thought you were allergic to alcohol too... It’s a rare chance today, how about symbolically having a couple sips?”
Qin Wei silently glanced at Teacher Qiao sitting silently beside her, face expressionless as she fished ingredients out of the broth. She was wearing long sleeves today, but when she raised her arm, the bruising around her wrist could still vaguely be seen.
Qin Wei rubbed her temples. Looked like she really did hit her...
“Juice is fine for her!”
Shen Qingqing started opposing Youyou again, tilting her head to glare at her.
“If she doesn’t want to drink then she doesn’t have to drink!”
Youyou didn’t push further: “Alright alright, as you say!”
Shen Qingqing stood up with her glass and said:
“Even though it’s still summer, considering Director Sun can’t come back to celebrate New Year’s, let’s just celebrate it early today. Cheers to everyone’s happiness in the new year, and hopes for a thriving year for Qin Wei!”
The six of them also stood up and clinked glasses with her.
“Happy new year everyone!”
Qin Wei happily sipped her juice, then turned to Shen Qingqing,
“Red envelope money for everyone prepared?”
Shen Qingqing: “???”
