Chapter 103: Scheming
Qi Fangfang talks tough about wanting to give Li Dong a hard time. However, when it comes time for Li Dong to choose a restaurant, she takes him to a street-side stall.
Li Dong is both amused and baffled. Is this what she calls a big splurge?
It's Li Dong's first time in Beijing, and he's here to impress Qin Yuhan. Is eating at a street stall appropriate?
Qi Fangfang seems to understand Li Dong's reaction and says with a hint of annoyance, "You're not happy about saving money? Or do you want us to go to Qingmu Garden for a good time?"
"Fine, let's go to Qingmu Garden then!" Li Dong responds, realizing that Qingmu Garden is likely a more upscale place.
Before Li Dong finishes speaking, Zhou Yue quickly interjects, "Don't listen to Fangfang. This place is actually quite good. Qingmu Garden is too expensive."
Zhang Mengmeng adds, "Forget Qingmu Garden. Fangfang was just joking."
Li Dong glances at everyone, sensing something isn't quite right, but he can't pinpoint it.
He laughs, "What, are you afraid I can't afford it?"
Qi Fangfang scoffs and pulls Qin Yuhan aside, "Yuhan, look at him, trying to show off. Aren't you going to say anything?"
Qin Yuhan chuckles softly but remains silent.
Seeing this, Qi Fangfang eyes Li Dong with suspicion and tentatively asks, "Are you from a rich family?"
Li Dong shakes his head and grins, "I'm the father of someone from a rich family!"
Qi Fangfang's expression immediately sours, and she retorts, "Since you're saying it like that, let's go to Qingmu Garden!"
She adds, "But if you don't have enough money, don't expect us to cover the bill!"
Li Dong rolls his eyes and doesn't respond.
Qin Yuhan and the others watch with amusement as Qi Fangfang and Li Dong bicker.
Eventually, everyone takes a taxi to Qingmu Garden together.
---
Initially, when Qi Fangfang mentioned Qingmu Garden, Li Dong thought it was a top-tier hotel.
But upon arrival, he realizes he was mistaken.
In the eyes of Qi Fangfang and her friends, Qingmu Garden might seem like a luxury hotel.
However, to Li Dong, it's just a restaurant with a slightly better environment.
It might even fall short compared to some three or four-star hotels in Pingchuan.
Li Dong doesn't say much and requests a private room, letting the girls start ordering.
Zhang Mengmeng and Zhou Yue refuse to order, so Qi Fangfang casually takes the menu, glances at it, and then hands it to Li Dong with a jolt as if she had been shocked.
She mutters, "You'd better keep an eye on the cost. If you run out of money, I'm not staying behind to wash dishes."
Li Dong laughs and orders a few dishes that the girls like, all of which are not cheap.
As he's the only man, he doesn't order any white wine and opts for two bottles of red wine.
Naturally, the red wine is the most expensive in the restaurant. Since he's going for a showy display, he doesn't mind spending a little extra.
Once the waiter leaves, Qi Fangfang says to Qin Yuhan, "Your boyfriend seems to be provoked by me. Yuhan, if he really can't pay, we should leave first and let him stay behind to settle the bill."
Despite the words, Qi Fangfang's tone is mostly playful.
She's figured out that Qin Yuhan's boyfriend must indeed be well-off. From his demeanor, it's clear he's no stranger to such places and is completely unfazed.
Qi Fangfang isn't surprised. To be honest, students from Beijing University are all quite arrogant.
If Li Dong had no redeeming qualities, Qi Fangfang wouldn't believe Qin Yuhan would be interested in him.
Moreover, in a long-distance relationship, with the number of admirers Qin Yuhan has had over the past six months, many of them are also outstanding.
Beijing University students pride themselves on being exceptional, so it's no surprise that many have failed in their pursuit of Qin Yuhan.
If Qin Yuhan is so devoted to Li Dong, he can't be someone who is just putting on a façade. If he were, they'd have to question Qin Yuhan's judgment.
When the dishes are served, the girls' behavior is quite different from their earlier reactions.
There are no dramatic reactions or loud exclamations. They eat in a refined manner.
Even Qi Fangfang, whom Li Dong thought of as eccentric, eats gracefully. When she sees Li Dong looking over, she smiles and says, "Li Dong, remember to take us to Chuxiang Pavilion next time. Besides the environment, Qingmu Garden's food isn't that great."
Li Dong laughs, realizing he had misunderstood.
It seems these girls had planned to trick him from the beginning. Even taking him to the street stall was part of the scheme.
These high-intelligence girls sure know how to test someone. It's not like he would have refused to come to Qingmu Garden if they had been straightforward.
Li Dong glances at Qin Yuhan and sees her nodding in satisfaction. He feels speechless.
It turns out he was kept in the dark the whole time. From the very beginning, these girls had teamed up to test him.
He wonders what the point of all these tricks is, or if they simply wanted to gauge his character by treating them to a meal.
Li Dong shakes off these frustrating thoughts and asks, "Aren't you planning to tour Beijing? Why are you all still at school today?"
Qi Fangfang wipes her mouth and laughs derisively, "You really believed that?"
Li Dong raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"Men really are clueless!" Qi Fangfang sighs dramatically, without explaining further, and continues eating.
Li Dong ponders for a moment and looks at Qin Yuhan with suspicion.
He sees Qin Yuhan eating with great enthusiasm, her head bowed over an empty plate, and suddenly realizes!
Oh no, did these girls start plotting against him from yesterday's phone call?
The whole story about not being able to return for the May Day holiday and wanting to play around in Beijing was probably a lie.
They likely just wanted to see if he would come to Beijing. Otherwise, Qin Yuhan wouldn't have guessed his arrival so quickly.
Li Dong is genuinely frustrated. This feels too frightening.
It's as if everything he wanted to do was already anticipated by these girls.
Seeing that Li Dong seems to understand, Qin Yuhan pretends to be pitiful and says, "Li Dong, it's all their fault. They forced me to do this, or else they wouldn't let me go back."
She adds, "If you hadn't come today, I'd have planned to return to Pingchuan tomorrow."
Even though she says that, if Li Dong hadn't come today, the Qin Yuhan who would have returned tomorrow might not have been the smiling one he sees now.
Li Dong is speechless but understands Qin Yuhan's feelings.
He's never been to Beijing before. It's impossible that Qin Yuhan isn't concerned about it at all.
With Qi Fangfang's suggestions, Qin Yuhan likely agreed with some hesitation, wanting to gauge his feelings about her.
Li Dong isn't upset with Qin Yuhan; it's a normal reaction.
Or perhaps he's been too inattentive and hasn't considered Qin Yuhan's feelings.
Qin Yuhan's silent departure to Pingchuan last time was probably also due to her worry for him.
Li Dong takes a deep breath and smiles, "It's all my fault for not considering your feelings."
In front of the girls, Li Dong says seriously, "This time I came to Beijing under pressure. Next time I come, I'll definitely come with sincere intentions to visit you!"
Qin Yuhan's face lights up with emotion, but the others are indifferent.
Only Qin Yuhan, with her naivety, is easily satisfied. If it were them, they would have kicked Li Dong to the curb long ago for being absent for six months.