Ning Bi Wants Some Advice

"We're here~" She couldn't help but grin as the sound of wind chimes tinkled as she and Ning Bi walked inside the small family restaurant. It was a far cry from Heavenly Jade Pavillion in the business district of their city, but this place had a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. It also helped that a certain someone was here."Oh, Suyin! Welcome to Mou's Family Diner!" He was wiping a table until he looked up and greeted them with a smile. "It's good to see you back as usual, and oh welcome to your friend too." With his cotton candy pink hair and green eyes—he was a sight to behold.He motioned to one of the few tables in the tiny room. "Please have a seat and I'll take your orders." He placed his towel into the back of his jean's pocket and pulled out a notepad and pen."Hmm." Ning Bi's voice was flat as she nodded back in greeting, the young woman took a seat by another table. The table beside the one that he had offered.Suyin wondered if this was a bad choice of location...she had been hoping that Ning Bi would at least act more pleasant. She flashed a sheepish smile at the young man and took a seat beside her friend. "I think I'll be having the usual lemonade and the carbonara pasta.""You don't cook traditional food for a family diner?" Ning Bi asked.He laughed sheepishly and scratched his head with his pen, "Well, I'm a culinary graduate and decided to spice things up at my family's restaurant. But if you'd like, I can still cook chow mein stir-fry noodles, wonton or mapo tofu.""A plate of Jianbing and a hot pot then. Use whatever is available to be placed in as ingredients." Ning Bi glanced at her. "And make the lemonade a pitcher.""You got it Miss," He jotted it down and bowed. "I'll start cooking and preparing, thank you for waiting." He then walked off into the kitchen.Now it was only her and Ning Bi. "This is really a small restaurant, I'm surprised it's still surviving when we seem to be the only customers." Suyin tried to keep her face blank, Ning Bi managed to say things with such a poker face and a flat tone that it was easy to take offense. "It's quite a hidden gem, though I know that they have more customers during mornings and evenings." She had to keep her cool. "Are you saying that because you have a crush on the waiter/chef/owner?"She shook her head, "He also happens to cook very well—like I'm eating from food made from heaven.""A divine chef then?""Maybe, maybe. But er, you can go ahead and tell me about your problem." She really didn't need Ning Bi knowing too much about her.That was enough to have a 180 degree shift in personality as Ning Bi fidgeted. "What if someone promised you something and they didn't keep it?""Then they're not a reliable person." Suyin raised a brow and rested her face on her hand. She already had someone in mind."They're quite reliable! That's why he broke the promise…" Ning Bi frowned at her, hunching her shoulders as she said so."Huh?" She didn't get how reliability meant breaking one's promise, but with the way Ning Bi was defending the person...It was certainly about Hua Zhao. There was no doubt about it. She doubted Bo Ling would be able to rile and worry Ning Bi this much."He promised that he wouldn't endanger himself anymore but he did it for somebody!" Ning Bi placed her arms on the table and then rested her head in it.Suyin frowned at the choice of words. "Endanger?""...He's part of some sort of group." Ning Bi muttered, each word slow and measured. "Well, it's the people in our lives, I can't say too much about it..."Was Hua Zhao in a gang? The guy may have been a bit puny but he did look like the type who'd get himself in the wrong crowd. Suyin sighed and rubbed her face. "How did he endanger himself? By associating with that person?""Yes!" Ning Bi's head rose up, her eyes alight with fire."Is the person themself dangerous? How will he endanger himself?" Was he dealing with the really bad sort of people? She could see Ning Bi frowning, her brows were knitted together. She really was concerned and worried."They're not dangerous themselves, but it will soon endanger him if he keeps hanging around with her—I know it!"Her.Suyin scrunched up her face, Ning Bi here couldn't possibly be jealous. They looked more worried than jealous. "And what advice were you looking for?" Most girls would prefer an ear to listen about their problems while men preferred having solutions...but Ning Bi, well, when she said advice—she meant actual advice."Well, what should I do to make sure he stays safe? I already talked with that person!"Talk."Er, Ning Bi… how'd it go? This talk of yours." If one could already call it a talk, then they were having a heartfelt conversation with tears now."Not good."Well, she didn't really like to mince words. The both of them didn't do that—a reason why she appreciated this blunt person. "There was no conclusion to that talk?""She didn't say anything… but I, er, I could always try again.""Try again how? Tell her to stay away from Hua Zhao?"Suyin could assume that was what the girl wanted to hear and she was far from wrong."Yes! Exactly!" The girl straightened up from her seat, fistpumping. "Oh, but it's not Hua Zhao...er, it's someone else!" Ning Bi scratched the back of her neck. "Actually, my friend was too shy to ask for advice so I wanted to ask for your—"Ning Bi was a terrible liar.Suyin wasn't sure what she should react to, Ning Bi trying to fib and pretend that it wasn't her or the fact that telling someone to stay away from Hua Zhao was sure to be an unfruitful endeavor."I don't think that telling her to stay away from him would be effective."