Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 206

The next day, after breakfast, Lin Mengting received a call from another classmate.

“Tingting, this is Qian Xiaofang. Are you free today? I’ve arranged a small get-together with some classmates.”

“Which classmates are coming?” The familiar yet slightly unfamiliar voice made Lin Mengting’s eyes flicker.

Qian Xiaofang was her former middle school classmate and friend.

But those pure and sincere childhood friendships often couldn’t withstand the passage of time.

“Some of our middle school classmates,” Qian Xiaofang said cheerfully, exchanging a glance with Fang Min beside her. “A new private kitchen opened in the city, and the chef is from a famous culinary family. The food is so good that people say you’d want to swallow your tongue. We’re lucky today; they’re offering a 20% discount for their grand opening. I’ve already booked a table. Come join us now!”

“A private kitchen?” Lin Mengting smiled, her words carrying a hint of deeper meaning. “Looks like my luck is pretty good.”

“Of course! Among all our classmates, your luck is definitely the best!” Qian Xiaofang praised her instinctively, though she felt a slight unease.

Quickly shaking off the odd feeling, Qian Xiaofang’s smile became more genuine. “I still have to call the others. Just take a bus and come over; it’s easy to find.”

After informing Lin Yimin and Yu Fengqing that she would be having lunch with her classmates and would be back in the evening, Lin Mengting changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and took the bus to M City.

The journey from the town to the city passed through many villages and towns, so the bus made frequent stops.

Moreover, with the New Year, many people were visiting relatives and friends, making the bus noisy. Lin Mengting was glad her frequent bus rides in S City had cured her motion sickness. Otherwise, she’d be meeting her old classmates in a very miserable state today.

Just thinking about it made her feel frustrated!

…

Following the address Qian Xiaofang provided, Lin Mengting found the private kitchen with ease. At the door of the “Peony Room,” a quick glance allowed her to see everything inside.

Five girls were chatting on the sofa.

Another girl was pouring tea at the round table.

The one pouring tea was Qian Xiaofang, who had called her.

But Fang Min wasn’t there?

That’s interesting!

“Tingting!” Qian Xiaofang looked up at the knock on the door. Seeing the pretty Lin Mengting, a flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, but she quickly replaced it with a warm smile.

“If Fang Min hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have known you were back! Did you forget about us? You’ve been home for days and didn’t even call us!”

“It’s the New Year, and everyone’s visiting relatives. How could I bother you?” Lin Mengting replied with a smile, hanging her off-white down jacket on the coat rack.

Her words avoided the main issue, which wasn’t something the shy, simple “old Lin Mengting” would have said!

Could it be, as Fang Min said, that S City really is a place that changes people?!

Qian Xiaofang narrowed her eyes, hiding her surprise, and joked, “They say ‘a girl changes a lot at eighteen,’ and it’s only been a year, but you’ve become so beautiful! If Fang Min hadn’t told us, and if your face hadn’t stayed the same, I’d have thought a movie star knocked on our door by mistake!”

“You’re talking about me? You’ve changed a lot too!”

Lin Mengting paused, then casually added, “But that’s normal. We haven’t seen each other since the high school entrance exams. It’s been almost five years. After leaving that exhausting study life, it’s natural for ugly ducklings to become swans.”

Qian Xiaofang laughed, about to say more, when the girls on the sofa turned their attention to them.

“What are you two doing at the door? Acting as door guards?!”

“Lin Mengting, you’ve gotten so slim! How did you do it? Tell us your secret!”

“Wow, Lin Mengting, you’re wearing a skirt in this cold weather? Aren’t you afraid of freezing? You’re really choosing style over comfort!”

“Your skin looks even better than when we were in school. It’s so white and smooth. I just want to pinch it to see if it’s real!”

“I think you’ve gotten taller too?”

…

A barrage of questions hit Lin Mengting.

But she was prepared, fearlessly joining the conversation.

Friendships among women are strange and can fade even more strangely.

For Lin Mengting, who had lived two lives and gained much experience, making friends was no challenge if she wanted to.

So, she quickly became friendly with the five girls she wasn’t close with in middle school, chatting warmly and unintentionally leaving Qian Xiaofang out.

Qian Xiaofang’s fingers tightened around her tea cup, her eyes flashing coldly.

Why is Lin Mengting so liked by everyone?

In school, Lin Mengting was so shy she almost seemed autistic. Even though she wasn’t top of the class, teachers favored her, and classmates subtly protected her.

After Lin Mengting went to vocational school and then to S City to work, they hadn’t seen each other for nearly five years. Thanks to Qian Xiaofang and Fang Min’s meddling, the classmates’ impression of Lin Mengting had soured.

But today, seeing her again, everyone forgot their previous disdain and surrounded her excitedly, chatting eagerly.

Once again the center of attention, Lin Mengting gave off a “moon surrounded by stars” vibe.

No!

This must be a mistake!!