Chapter 50: Someone’s Following the Trend

That afternoon, when Jiang Ning returned to the classroom, raindrops had already begun falling from the sky outside.

The rain wasn’t heavy, but the slight chill still made her instinctively pull up her collar.

They say every autumn rain brings another layer of cold.

Once this rain stopped, the temperature would likely drop a few more degrees.

She wondered if there were any suitable clothes in her wardrobe for this kind of weather.

Jiang Ning muttered to herself while glancing at the gloomy sky, then continued walking toward her classroom.

But she had barely taken a few steps when she heard a “plop” not far from her.

Turning around, she saw a tall girl with a slender yet curvy figure. Her light brown, medium-length hair naturally cascaded over her shoulders.

From the side, her features were well-defined, exuding a strong artistic aura, yet there was something indescribably unique about her.

When the girl turned her face fully, even Jiang Ning—who considered herself an old-timer—was momentarily stunned.

Her delicate facial features were exquisitely refined, and beneath her light brown hair were a pair of coffee-colored, almond-shaped eyes.

As she gazed over, two passing male students let out soft exclamations of surprise.

She was indeed beautiful.

Qi Wen and Yao Yao were also beautiful, but Jiang Ning felt they seemed to fall just a little short compared to this girl.

Or perhaps, they simply weren’t the same type.

How terrifying!

Jiang Ning actually felt a slight flutter in her heart.

At that moment, the girl patted the dust off her clothes, glanced around, and then locked eyes with Jiang Ning.

“Hey, beauty, do you know where the trash bin is?”

Trash bin?

Only then did Jiang Ning notice the girl was holding an empty lunchbox.

Eating a boxed meal but not in the cafeteria?

Considering her appearance, Jiang Ning figured this girl probably wasn’t a student at their school.

So she pointed toward a nearby corner and was about to leave.

But just then, the girl started walking toward her.

Jiang Ning instinctively became wary.

“What do you want?”

“Just introducing myself. My name is Xu Suihe.” The girl approached lightly, moving like a butterfly.

Her pressing advance made Jiang Ning take a few steps back.

“I don’t know you, and I don’t want to.”

The girl kept coming.

“You’re not from our school,” Jiang Ning said while retreating.

“Ah, yeah, I’m not,” the girl lazily replied. “I just came here to handle some business, met someone, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience.”

“And then?” Jiang Ning had backed up against a wall, unable to retreat any further.

“No ‘then.’” Xu Suihe stopped about a step away, pulled out a phone, and gave a lazy smile.

“What’s your number?”

“I don’t have a phone,” Jiang Ning rejected her outright.

Xu Suihe didn’t insist. She simply met Jiang Ning’s gaze for a moment, then smiled, waved casually, and said—

“We’ll meet again.”

She sounded just like a villain in a drama, delivering their last words before getting taken down.

Watching Xu Suihe’s figure disappear into the distance and sensing the curious gazes of passing students, Jiang Ning frowned.

Damn.

Why was this girl more carefree than most guys?

———

By the time Jiang Ning returned to the classroom, she had nearly forgotten about the encounter.

But as soon as she walked in, Yang Mei, one of the student leaders, called her over.

“Jiang Ning, step outside for a moment.”

“Oh.”

At the classroom door, Jiang Ning reported on the progress of the class bulletin board, the written articles, and the final event arrangements.

Yang Mei seemed satisfied with the initial progress.

Her next directive was that at least one of the three tasks should be fully completed for selection.

Jiang Ning immediately agreed to do her best.

Then, just as she thought the meeting was over, Yang Mei suddenly smiled and asked—

“Jiang Ning, are you interested in the math competition?”

Math competition?

Jiang Ning paused, confused.

“Isn’t that for second-years…?”

“First-years can register too, but there’s an internal school selection first. If you pass, you go on to the city-level competition.”

Oh, so that’s how it worked.

Considering how math competitions could be beneficial for college entrance exams, Jiang Ning decided to give it a try.

———

After evening self-study, the rain had stopped.

But the ground was still wet.

Jiang Ning rode her bike carefully, avoiding puddles, taking nearly twice as long as usual.

She finally arrived at the fried chicken shop.

Outside, Li Yan was tidying up the outdoor tables and chairs.

Seeing Jiang Ning, she greeted her with a smile.

“Ah Ning, you’re here!”

“Have you had dinner? We still have some ingredients in the kitchen. Want me to make something for you?”

“No, no, Yanzi-jie, you’re busy. I’m just here to talk to my cousin,” Jiang Ning said with a smile, parking her bike and walking into the shop.

Inside, Wang Ting was sweeping the floor, gathering up piles of trash.

“Ting-jie, where’s my cousin?”

Without looking up, Wang Ting pointed toward the changing room.

Jiang Ning immediately understood. She walked over and knocked on the door.

“Cousin.”

“Come in.”

Upon entering, she saw Tian Wenhao organizing accounts while Xiao Mingxiu bundled up stacks of cash.

“How’s everything?”

Tian Wenhao, without looking up, asked directly.

“You mean the business or the shop?”

“Both.” Jiang Ning answered bluntly, not even avoiding Xiao Mingxiu’s presence.

However, Xiao Mingxiu simply smiled, put down the money, and left the room, giving the cousins some space.

Seeing how considerate his wife was, Jiang Ning smacked her lips.

“Cousin, you’re seriously lucky to have a wife like her.”

Hearing this praise, Tian Wenhao’s normally serious face showed a rare goofy smile.

But he quickly straightened up and started explaining the situation.

“Sales have dipped a bit recently, but it’s still within acceptable limits.”

“There haven’t been any major issues among the staff; everything is under control.”

“The only real problem… is outside.”

As he spoke, his brows furrowed deeply.

“Yesterday, a new fried chicken shop opened at the other end of the street.”

The other end…

“You mean ‘Gao Xing Fried Chicken’?”

“You know about it?” Tian Wenhao looked up in surprise.

“I saw it on my way here,” Jiang Ning replied casually, her expression unconcerned.

This puzzled Tian Wenhao.

“Aren’t you worried?”

“Worried about what? Competition?” Jiang Ning waved a hand dismissively.

“Do you know what our shop’s positioning is?”

“Affordable, budget-friendly.”

“As for that ‘Gao Xing Fried Chicken,’ I took a glance at their signboard.”

“They’re charging six yuan for a pair of wings, while we only charge four.”

“If the taste is the same, how are they supposed to compete with us?”

“Even with grand opening discounts, how long can they sustain it?”

“Besides, we still have a secret weapon.”

At these words, Tian Wenhao’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“You mean…?”

(End of Chapter)