Stop Chasing the School Belle, My Shy Deskmate is Sweet and Soft - Chapter 73

After saying goodbye to Ye Ningyu outside the school, Xia Tian ran into Fang Yu and Xia Shi walking out of the school.

The two were playfully bickering. Xia Shi had her arms crossed, pouting her lips, while Fang Yu had an apologetic smile on his face, carrying her backpack for her.

When they reached Xia Tian, Xia Shi immediately launched into a rant:

“Brother! I told Brother Fang Yu to lend me his bike, but he refused! He’s so stingy today!”

“Shi Shi, it’s not that I don’t want to give it to you. It’s just that you’re not that good at biking yet, and there are a lot of people at school. If you hit someone, it’d be a hassle to deal with…”

Xia Shi turned her head away in a haughty manner, completely ignoring Fang Yu.

Fang Yu could only force a bitter smile, giving Xia Tian a pleading look.

Since Fang Yu and Xia Tian had been best friends since childhood, Fang Yu treated Xia Shi like a little sister. But because Xia Tian and Xia Shi were siblings, and their personalities were so similar, Fang Yu had been bullied by Xia Shi ever since they were kids.

“Shi Shi, stop being difficult. He won’t let you ride for your own safety.”

“You just don’t trust my skills!”

“You’re a menace on the road! What skills? Enough already, go home and change your clothes.”

Xia Shi huffed, finally giving up. She took her backpack from Fang Yu and headed to the bus stop to wait for her bus.

Once she was gone, Xia Tian turned to Fang Yu:

“Fang Yu, you better get a move on. The cake shop I ordered from is near your place, so go pick it up.”

“Don’t worry, Little Tian! I won’t mess up Little Ye’s birthday plans. Look at how anxious you are.”

—

Xia Tian hurried back home, quickly changed out of his school uniform, and pocketed 1,000 yuan in cash alongside a bank card. Then, he hailed a taxi to head to Ye Ningyu’s apartment complex.

Throughout the past week, Tang Hao had been reporting the daily sales figures to Xia Tian.

From last Friday until now, exactly a week had passed. The total revenue of the Heartbreak Museum had reached 165,010 yuan.

However, only the first three days had seen such astonishingly high sales. During the weekdays this week, the daily revenue had fluctuated between 8,000 and 13,000 yuan.

To see another surge in income, they would have to wait until the May Day holiday.

Before long, the taxi pulled up outside Ye Ningyu’s apartment complex.

“Driver, please wait here. I’m picking up two people.”

“I can wait, but you’ll need to pay…”

Without a word, Xia Tian pulled out a 100-yuan bill from his pocket and handed it to the driver. “If this isn’t enough later, I’ll give you more.”

The driver’s face lit up with a grin. He parked the car by the roadside, lit a cigarette, and patiently waited.

Xia Tian took out his phone and called Ye Ningyu, letting her know that he had arrived downstairs.

Just a few minutes later, Xia Tian saw Ye Ningyu walking out of the complex, supporting a middle-aged woman.

This must be Ye Ningyu’s mother, Chen Lan.

Chen Lan was dressed simply yet elegantly. Her eyes were deep and bright, like a calm lake, exuding a sense of wisdom and tranquility.

Although her illness had aged her more than others her age, it was easy to see that she had once been a very beautiful woman.

Suddenly, Xia Tian understood why Little Ye was so gorgeous—it ran in the family!

“Hello, Auntie Chen. I’m Xia Tian, Ye Ningyu’s deskmate. She’s probably mentioned me before.”

“Hello, Xia Tian. Yes, Little Yu has told me about you. Thank you so much for today. I feel bad having you guys treat us to a meal on her birthday.”

Xia Tian smiled warmly.

“Auntie, you’re too polite. Actually, the money we’re using for today’s meal is money Ye Ningyu earned herself. Last weekend, she, another classmate, and I worked together selling fruit platters in the park. We made quite a bit of money, but Ye Ningyu refused to keep her share. So really, this money is hers—it’s like she’s paying for the meal.”

“What? I had no idea… Little Yu never mentioned that to me.”

Chen Lan looked at her daughter, surprised.

Ye Ningyu was about to explain, but Xia Tian shot her a meaningful look.

Little Ye bit her lip and said softly, “Y-yeah, Mom… I forgot to tell you.”

“You see, Auntie? So you don’t need to feel burdened at all. Anyway, we should get going—the taxi driver is waiting for us.”

Not wanting Chen Lan to ask any more questions, Xia Tian pointed toward the waiting taxi.

Xia Tian led the way, while Chen Lan, supported by Ye Ningyu, followed behind.

As she watched Xia Tian’s back, a hint of confusion flashed in Chen Lan’s eyes.

“Xia Tian’s height and figure… why does it seem familiar?”

Suddenly, a memory from a month ago surfaced in her mind…

—

Jingsheng Restaurant was a Sichuan cuisine restaurant.

“Welcome! Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, under the name Xia Tian.”

“Ah, Mr. Xia! Your table is this way. Please follow me.”

Chen Lan and Ye Ningyu followed Xia Tian into the restaurant, both quietly admiring the elegant decor and layout.

Their eyes couldn’t help but show curiosity and surprise.

Chen Lan, in particular, felt a pang of nostalgia as she looked around.

It reminded her of three years ago, the one and only time their family of three had gone to a restaurant this fancy.

Of course, that had been the only time….

Chen Lan couldn’t help but ask, “Xia Tian, isn’t this place expensive?”

“Auntie, don’t worry. It might look fancy, but the prices here aren’t that bad. With the money Ye Ningyu helped us earn, we’ll even have some left over after the meal.”

Chen Lan glanced at Xia Tian, then at her daughter, whose eyes seemed a bit lost.

In the end, she didn’t say anything more. She already had her answer.

The table Xia Tian had reserved was in the middle of the main hall. As they made their way there, Xia Tian took out his phone and called both Xia Shi and Fang Yu.

Xia Shi said she was just one bus stop away, while Fang Yu said he was already nearby and would arrive within five minutes.

“Auntie, the Sichuan dishes here are quite good. I’ve already ordered some ahead of time, but here’s the menu. Feel free to add anything you and Ye Ningyu would like.”

“Oh, there’s no need. I’m okay with whatever you’ve ordered.”

When Chen Lan heard the words “Sichuan cuisine,” she was visibly surprised.

“It’s fine, Auntie. Take another look. Ye Ningyu has told me a bit about your health. It’s not every day we get to go out, so don’t hold back.”

“Yes, Mom, take a look and see if there’s anything else you’d like.”

Ye Ningyu spoke up, rare for her, aligning with Xia Tian. She wanted her mother to enjoy the meal and pick her favorites.

Unable to refuse their kindness, Chen Lan finally glanced at the menu and added two more dishes.

Just then, Xia Shi and Fang Yu arrived.

Both of them greeted Chen Lan with polite smiles.

“Hello, Auntie! I’m Xia Shi, Xia Tian’s cousin. You can just call me Shi Shi!”

“H-Hello, Auntie. I’m Fang Yu, Xia Tian’s childhood friend…”

As soon as Xia Shi laid eyes on Ye Ningyu, her eyes lit up like stars. She bounced over and threw herself into Ye Ningyu’s arms, shamelessly burying her face against Ye Ningyu’s ample chest.

“Sister Ye, happy 18th birthday~!”