Rebirth: Daily Face Slaps - Chapter 40

“You’re too smart for your own good,” Lin Mengting said mysteriously, blinking her eyes with a smile.

It was quite a coincidence that Lin Mengting and Zhang Qiang met in the first place.

Zhang Qiang was not only a classical dance teacher at the Youth Palace but also lived in the same community as Lin Yian. On Lin Mengting’s first morning exercise with Wang Qin, she had been solemnly introduced as the granddaughter of Elder Guo.

In this world, there is love at first sight, and there is also friendship at first sight. Lin Mengting and Zhang Qiang’s friendship further validated this saying.

Especially after Lin Mengting joined the Calligraphy and Painting Association as a “probationary” member and frequently helped the association’s bigwigs with tasks they were not adept at, she often found herself at the Youth Palace. After several encounters, she and Zhang Qiang gradually transitioned from ordinary friends to close confidants.

“What do you mean?” Zhang Qiang, who had spent some time with Lin Mengting, instinctively tensed up. Whenever Lin Mengting had that smile, it meant trouble was ahead.

It was truly a sad situation.

Even sadder was that she couldn’t control her curiosity!

“Men may appreciate smart women, but they choose to marry a naive girl,” Lin Mengting said slowly, savoring the expression of dismay on Zhang Qiang’s face. “Naive girls are easier to deceive.”

“…So you’re saying I can only find someone smarter or dumber than me in the future?!” Zhang Qiang, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, fluffed up in indignation. “I don’t want to choose either of those!”

But quickly, Zhang Qiang regained her vigor, clenched her fists, and said, “I refuse to believe I can’t find a man who matches me!”

“Your childhood friend is pretty good,” Lin Mengting teased. “The young boy rides a bamboo horse, circling the bed to play with the green plums. Such poetic romance is truly enviable!”

“Cut it out!” Zhang Qiang’s expression changed, and she waved her hands hurriedly. “Don’t mention him. That guy… whoever marries him is cursed for eight lifetimes!”

A man full of tricks, who could easily manipulate people with a smile and make them grateful for it, was suited to a life admired from afar, not one immersed in the mundane world!

“Really?!” Lin Mengting laughed but didn’t press the issue further. From the snippets of information Zhang Qiang had unintentionally revealed during their chats, it was clear her “childhood friend” was quite fond of her and had already made a good impression on her parents!

As for Zhang Qiang? She was just another “stubborn girl.” Otherwise, why would she always get so defensive whenever anyone criticized her “childhood friend”?

“Childhood friends, innocent companions,” Lin Mengting said, pointing to herself, showing Zhang Qiang her envious expression.

“Ha ha!” Zhang Qiang scoffed. “I heard you also have a ‘childhood friend.’ How are things with him?”

“Don’t mention it!” Now it was Lin Mengting’s turn to change her expression. Several times when Zhang Qiang had called her, the line was busy, and the callers before her were either Qin Mei or Qin Dong!

As good friends, it’s natural to use each other as “sounding boards” to vent a little.

Apparently, Zhang Qiang thought so too. After sharing many personal secrets, their bond grew stronger, leaning towards a “best friends” relationship.

“Frustrating!” Lin Mengting pouted. “I must have made a mistake in my throwing posture. Otherwise, how could I encounter such a thing!”

“Stay calm,” Zhang Qiang patted Lin Mengting’s shoulder and recited, “When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it always first frustrates his spirit and will, wears out his muscles and bones, exposes him to starvation…”

“Stop it!” Lin Mengting couldn’t help rubbing her arms, feeling goosebumps rise. “It’s bad enough when you pretend to be a lady; don’t start pretending to be a literary young woman!”

“As if you’re not one!” Zhang Qiang rolled her eyes, dragging Lin Mengting through the crowd until they reached the side of Elder Huang and his companions. She then flashed a bright smile at Elder Huang, who was watching her with amused eyes.

—

“What did you say?!”

Despite living two lifetimes and having an extraordinary will, Qian Zhiyuan couldn’t help but exclaim in shock upon hearing the news. His face was full of astonishment and disbelief, mixed with an unrecognized anxiety.

“Lin Mengting is a member of the Calligraphy and Painting Association? How is that possible!”

Although Lin Mengting was still in the “probationary period,” even an outsider could tell that the “probationary period” was just a formality. Those bigwigs must be very satisfied with her!

Especially with this youth calligraphy and painting exhibition at the Youth Palace, Lin Mengting had been running around, helping out significantly, and earning the admiration of many influential figures, quietly building up her network.

This was truly infuriating!

Why did such good things always happen to Lin Mengting?!

Clearly, he was the one reborn and should be the protagonist of this world!

“Doesn’t your Calligraphy and Painting Association have strict membership requirements?” For instance, the municipal Calligraphy and Painting Association required several published works in city-level journals, participation in numerous regional and national competitions, and various accolades.

“That, I don’t know.” The young girl Qian Zhiyuan had cornered looked at him with baffled eyes, clearly thinking, “If you, her friend, don’t know, how would I, an outsider, know?”

Seeing this, Manager Ding, who had been observing, lowered his eyes, gave the young girl a grateful smile, and patted Qian Zhiyuan on the shoulder. “Alright, this is a good thing worth celebrating.”

Though the pat seemed light, it sent a shiver down Qian Zhiyuan’s spine, bringing him back to his senses.

“Thank you, I was just too surprised,” Qian Zhiyuan said apologetically. “Because Little Lin didn’t mention this before, so… sigh.”

The young girl nodded understandingly, quickly turning away. But whether she truly understood or just didn’t want to deal with these “lunatics” anymore was hard to say.