Chapter 71: Let Me Treat You to Some Chicken Breast

"Shameless!" Ye Qiong pouted angrily.

Hao Lei naturally knew that Zhang Shen was lying. If Wang Ying were waiting for Zhang Shen, she might believe it, but Ye Qiong? That was another matter entirely. How could a young girl like her possibly be interested in Zhang Shen?

Yet, the more Hao Lei thought about it, the stranger she felt. Why did she herself seem to care so much about Zhang Shen?

"Ms. Hao, why don't we go eat together?" Zhang Shen noticed Hao Lei had been silent for a while, so he asked her.

For a moment, Hao Lei didn’t know what to say, so she simply replied with a soft "Mm," which counted as a response.

When they arrived at the cafeteria, Zhang Shen walked ahead, while Hao Lei, Ye Qiong, and Wang Ying followed behind. Such a scene—one leading three—was rarely seen, especially since they were all well-known figures in the school. If not for the presence of a teacher among them, the cafeteria might have erupted in a commotion.

Standing before the cafeteria aunt, Zhang Shen ordered several of his favorite dishes. Compared to Ye Qiong and Wang Ying, his portions were enormous, while theirs were pitifully small. At first, Zhang Shen was puzzled. Could it be that his handsome looks had made these elderly ladies "drool"?

After finding their seats, Zhang Shen, whose hunger had reached its peak, began to devour his food.

"Slow down, no one is going to snatch it from you," Ye Qiong said, unable to bear Zhang Shen's wolfish appetite. Even Hao Lei couldn't help but click her tongue in disapproval, though Wang Ying remained silent.

"The food here really is delicious, and the portions are generous," Zhang Shen remarked. Having grown up in the mountains, he was skilled at cooking, but student life was delightful—every day he could enjoy such tasty meals. What a comfortable life!

"That's your food. Look at ours," Ye Qiong replied irritably.

Zhang Shen glanced at his plate. Aside from Hao Lei’s portion, which was similar to his own, Ye Qiong and Wang Ying’s plates were nearly empty.

"What’s going on here?"

"Oh, come on, do you really not know, or are you pretending? Haven’t you heard about the cafeteria aunt’s infamous serving hand?" Ye Qiong said.

Hao Lei and Wang Ying knew exactly what Ye Qiong was about to say, so they stifled their laughter.

Zhang Shen was puzzled. "Are their hands different from others?"

"You haven’t noticed, but every time they serve, their hands tremble three times with each scoop. So naturally, our portions end up much smaller than yours."

"So that's how it is!"

"Of course. Our divine doctor is now famous throughout the school. Those cafeteria aunties wouldn’t dare offend you," Ye Qiong said.

Zhang Shen realized Ye Qiong was gearing up to make a fuss about the food.

Wang Ying, seeing the brewing battle between Zhang Shen and Ye Qiong, quickly interjected, "Ye Qiong, enough. Let’s eat. After school tonight, I’ll invite you to my house for dumplings."

Ye Qiong knew how delicious Wang Ying’s family’s dumplings were. The moment she heard there would be dumplings tonight, her smile stretched from ear to ear.

"Great! Then tonight, I’ll make sure to eat my fill—I want two bowls!"

"Sure, no problem."

Hearing about delicious food, Zhang Shen quickly asked Wang Ying, "How can you have dumplings tonight without inviting me?"

"Go away. Who said you were invited?" Wang Ying pulled at Ye Qiong’s sleeve, signaling her not to speak.

Wang Ying turned to Hao Lei, "Ms. Hao, why don’t you join us at the dumpling shop after school?"

As Wang Ying’s homeroom teacher, Hao Lei knew Wang Ying’s parents owned a dumpling shop. The food was said to be excellent, but she’d never had the chance to try it. Unexpectedly, tonight she’d have a taste.

"Alright, let’s go together after school."

Since Wang Ying hadn’t invited him, Zhang Shen went back to eating, mumbling, "Ah, I really am a neglected child. Some people don’t even invite me for dumplings, yet promise to treat me to cafeteria meals for a whole month."

Ye Qiong knew Zhang Shen was saying this for Wang Ying to hear, so she retorted, "Who promised you a month of meals? Your skin is thicker than the city wall!"

Wang Ying hurried to smooth things over. "Divine doctor, don’t listen to Ye Qiong’s nonsense. I’ve always wanted to invite you to my home, but never had the time. My parents know about what happened and want to thank you in person."

"I’m free, I’m free. Let’s do it tonight!"

Seeing that he was included in tonight’s dumpling feast, Zhang Shen grinned at Wang Ying.

"So, after all that, Ms. Hao and I are just supporting cast. I won’t go tonight," Ye Qiong pouted, her excitement fading as she realized she was just background.

Wang Ying, knowing Ye Qiong well, leaned in and whispered, "Miss Ye, tonight there’ll be your favorite shepherd’s purse and shrimp dumplings—guaranteed to fill you up."

Then she pinched Ye Qiong’s stomach, hard.

"You troublemaker! Just wait—tonight I’ll tell Uncle and Aunt all about your wicked ways," Ye Qiong replied, jokingly.

Wang Ying knew Ye Qiong was just playing around and didn’t take it to heart.

"Alright, let’s eat. Once you’re done, head back to your dorms and rest. After the afternoon classes, we’ll go," Hao Lei said. She noticed they’d been chatting more than eating, and with only a few scattered people left in the cafeteria, she realized it was time to rest before afternoon classes.

"Ms. Hao, where am I supposed to sleep?" Zhang Shen asked.

Hao Lei suddenly realized Zhang Shen didn’t even know where his dormitory was.

"Finish your meal and I’ll show you."

"Thank you, Ms. Hao! Here, have some chicken breast—it’ll help you recover," Zhang Shen said, placing a piece of chicken breast in Hao Lei’s bowl. Hao Lei looked as though she was about to cry, while Ye Qiong and Wang Ying had no idea what it meant.

Hao Lei quickly ate a few bites, then said to Ye Qiong and Wang Ying, "I’m full, you two take your time."

With that, she dragged Zhang Shen out of the cafeteria.

Under Hao Lei’s iron grip, Zhang Shen protested, "I haven’t finished yet! At least let me eat the other piece of chicken breast!"

Hearing "chicken breast," Hao Lei didn’t know where her strength came from, but she pulled even harder than before.