Outside the window, the moon was bright and the breeze was gentle; inside, the atmosphere was lively and bustling.
In a clean, quiet Private Room, Penelope was flipping the sizzling barbecue on the iron plate when she suddenly looked up at Su Mengdie, who was quietly browsing her phone across from her.
“Su Mengdie, what do you think Jin Can’er meant by that remark?”
“Hmm? Which one do you mean, Young Lady?”
Jin Can’er had been chatty as ever today, saying a lot.
Su Mengdie really had no idea which line Penelope was referring to when she asked so suddenly.
“That line right before school ended: ‘Only special people can see it.’”
“I don’t know… Maybe she was just joking?”
After all, in the end Can’er admitted she could see it too, so who knows?
“Why are you suddenly so interested in Can’er, Young Lady? I remember this morning you couldn’t even remember her name.”
“I don’t bother remembering the names of people I’m not interested in—it’s a waste of brain space. But now, I’m interested in her.”
There was a hint of pride in Penelope’s tone, making Su Mengdie almost want to laugh.
But it was a good thing that the Young Lady was finally interested in someone other than herself.
“Then why not ask Can’er when she gets back? Maybe she’ll tell you directly.”
A little while ago, the three of them had spent more than two hours shopping at a clothing store, and in the end, they’d gotten so hungry that Jin Can’er suggested coming to this highly rated Barbecue Restaurant to satisfy their cravings.
Coincidentally, this Barbecue Restaurant was one of the Jinzhi Family’s businesses.
So, under Penelope’s subtle hint, Su Mengdie used the Young Lady’s influence to book the best Private Room and the finest set menu available.
While waiting for the barbecue to arrive, Jin Can’er said she’d go next door to the Milk Tea Shop to buy some drinks, but she still hadn’t come back yet.
“So where is she? How can buying milk tea take this long?”
“Maybe she stopped somewhere to pick flowers on the way?”
No sooner had she spoken than Jin Can’er pushed the door open, carrying two large bags of milk tea.
“I’m back!”
“Welc—why did you buy so much?!”
Did milk tea become free or something?
Su Mengdie quickly took some milk tea from her and invited Can’er to sit next to Penelope.
But Jin Can’er didn’t seem to like this arrangement and insisted on sitting next to Su Mengdie instead.
“It’s not all for us. I just posted a Friend Circle update from the Milk Tea Shop, and a few little ones at my house saw it and clamored for me to bring some back. These are all for them.”
“I see… By the way, is it really okay for you to come out with us to eat, leaving those little ones at home?”
Jin Can’er’s parents both worked far away, so she lived at home with her younger sisters.
Su Mengdie worried that by eating out, she was leaving her sisters at home hungry, waiting for her return.
“Don’t worry, those little ones could survive on lawn clippings! They’ll be fine!”
“?”
A question mark slowly appeared above Su Mengdie’s head.
Was this really her biological sister?
“Why not take some barbecue back home after we finish? Anyway, Young Lady’s paying—don’t worry about it.”
Maybe she pitied those little ones, or maybe she just wanted to do a favor.
Penelope decided to order more barbecue for Jin Can’er’s sisters.
But why was she the one always paying?
Not only Su Mengdie was confused, but even Jin Can’er couldn’t keep a straight face.
“No, really, that’s not necessary! Even if we do order extra, I’ll pay. How can I let the Young Lady pay for my little siblings?”
“Can’er, have you been quarreling with your little ones at home lately? I remember you used to be different.”
Su Mengdie remembered Jin Can’er talking about her sisters as if she wanted to spoil them endlessly.
Now it felt like they were rivals fighting over inheritance.
Hearing her friend’s question, Jin Can’er, who should have been confiding in Su Mengdie, now just looked at her in confusion.
“How would Young Lady know what I used to be like? Didn’t we only start talking today?”
Crap!
In her excitement, she forgot she was supposed to be the Young Lady.
But it’s fine!
The Young Lady would definitely back her up.
“Um… Su Mengdie told me.”
“Did I?”
Seeing Su Mengdie asking for help, Penelope stroked her chin and gave her a meaningful look.
‘I can help you, but I want something in return.’
‘What do you want?’
Su Mengdie shot her a look in response.
Watching the two exchange looks in front of her, Jin Can’er figured they’d need more time to negotiate, so she simply scooped up the Steak and Beef Tongue from the iron plate into her own bowl and started eating.
Meanwhile, both girls were so absorbed in their silent exchange that they didn’t notice someone had started eating in secret.
‘Never mind that, Xiaodie, just agree to it!’
‘Young Lady, tell me first and I’ll agree.’
‘So we can’t reach an agreement, then? Su Mengdie, you can explain yourself to Can’er, then.’
‘Wait, wait, fine! I agree, alright?!’
What a tyrant!
Su Mengdie snorted, then shifted her gaze.
“Finished talking?”
Jin Can’er wiped cumin from the corner of her mouth and took a big sip of milk tea.
So satisfying~!
“Um… Not really, we weren’t talking about anything important! Like I said, everything I know about Can’er is from Su Mengdie.”
“Oh~, so can we start grilling now?”
Jin Can’er didn’t seem to care at all about Su Mengdie’s explanation.
She simply made a “please” gesture toward the empty iron plate.
“What!? Where’s the meat I just grilled?!”
When Penelope looked at the grill, there was no sign of the freshly grilled beef—only the lingering aroma in the air.
“Maybe Young Lady snuck a bite. Who knows?”
Holding her milk tea, Jin Can’er took another small sip, blaming Su Mengdie with a perfectly straight face.
“YOUNG. LA. DY~!”
Hearing Jin Can’er’s explanation, Penelope squinted and looked at Su Mengdie with a kindly smile.
Wait, you actually believe that?!
They’d been making eye contact the whole time—how could she have snuck a bite?
But Penelope clearly just wanted an excuse to mess with her; whether she ate it or not didn’t matter.
***
After being thoroughly lectured by Penelope, Su Mengdie, buttoning up her shirt and catching her breath, leaned in closer to Jin Can’er.
“Can’er, what did I ever do to you? Why would you set me up like this?!”
Weren’t they supposed to be old friends?
“Young Lady wants to pry into my privacy, and you say you didn’t provoke me?”
“Privacy?”
Su Mengdie didn’t remember ever asking about Jin Can’er’s measurements with this body.
Seeing her still confused, Jin Can’er sighed and explained.
“My relationship with my little ones at home is my privacy! If Young Lady dares to pry again, I’m sure Su Mengdie wouldn’t mind helping me discipline the naughty Young Lady… right?”
Jin Can’er’s smile was bright, as if she were telling some amusing joke.
But there was a hint of chill in her words that made Su Mengdie shiver a little.
“I… understand.”