Chapter Eighteen: The Birthday Banquet

Chapter Eighteen: Birthday Banquet

A crowd of people exited the school, bustling and lively. Shangguan Yunfei climbed into a Bentley and waved to Ye Ying’er, “Ying’er, come ride with me!” Ye Ying’er shook her head, “I have my own car!” With that, she slipped into her own Land Rover.

Wang Zhongtian and Li Mubai, along with the others, got into their respective Mercedes and Audis. Only Shi Bai was left without a car. He glanced around, intending to join Ye Ying’er in her Land Rover.

Just then, Wang Zhongtian drove up in an Audi, rolling down the window with a smirk. “Hey! ‘Shi’—classmate, why are you the only one without a car?” Ye Ying’er frowned, “Shi lives nearby, he doesn’t need a car! Besides, whether he drives or not is none of your business!”

Wang Zhongtian scoffed, “If you don’t have a car, just admit it. No need to make excuses.” Li Mubai rolled down his window and added, “Zhongtian, you don’t understand. Ordinary people live differently from us—their lives are simple and dull.”

Laughter erupted.

“You guys!” Ye Ying’er was about to explode, but Shi Bai stopped her. “No need to stoop to their level. Let’s go.” With that, he got into the Land Rover.

Seeing Shi Bai unfazed, Ye Ying’er felt no need to say more. She spoke to the driver, and the car started smoothly.

Their destination was the Sakura Sushi Restaurant downtown—a newly opened Japanese eatery in the ancient city this year. The average cost was 4,000 yuan, roughly two months’ wages for an ordinary employee.

But they didn’t head straight there; instead, they took a detour to a school.

Tianyuan Academy.

Tianyuan Academy was a school not found in any media listings, yet its parking lot spanned ten thousand square meters, a testament to its aristocratic stature.

“Hey, Xiaoqian, we’ve arrived. Come out quickly.” Ye Ying’er made a call.

As soon as the cars stopped, a group of students appeared at the gate. Some rode, some drove, and soon a convoy formed—it would’ve looked like a wedding to a passerby.

A girl joined Ye Ying’er in her car—round face, big eyes, petite in stature, lively and adorable.

“Who is he…?”

Ye Ying’er quickly introduced, “This is Shi Bai, my classmate from the new school. This is Lin Xiaoqian, my best friend!”

“Hello.” Shi Bai smiled politely and offered his hand.

But Lin Xiaoqian quickly withdrew her hand, smiled awkwardly, and said nothing.

“Ying’er, you didn’t tell me someone else was in the car.” She frowned.

Ye Ying’er sat in the passenger seat, so Lin Xiaoqian naturally sat next to Shi Bai. She seemed reluctant, carefully avoiding letting Shi Bai’s clothes touch her dress.

Ye Ying’er glanced at Shi Bai, worried, and said to Lin Xiaoqian, “I forgot. You’re not so petty, are you?”

Lin Xiaoqian pouted, then pinched Ye Ying’er’s cheek, “Of course not! Hehe.”

Shi Bai looked at Lin Xiaoqian—her Gothic Lolita dress was clearly expensive, the craftsmanship evident. He glanced at himself: fifty-yuan jeans, rumpled school shirt, ninety-yuan sneakers—the contrast was stark.

Yet he didn’t care. Instead of feeling awkward, he sprawled comfortably on the leather seat, legs apart, head tilted to gaze at the passing scenery.

Lin Xiaoqian’s gaze grew more disdainful, but Ye Ying’er kept chatting with her, keeping the atmosphere lively.

After about twenty minutes, the convoy arrived at the sushi restaurant. The building’s security guards scrambled to park all the cars. Led by their drivers, Ye Ying’er and her group entered Sakura Sushi.

“Irasshaimase!”

At the door, two women in cherry blossom uniforms bowed deeply, and a more attractive hostess led them inside.

Shi Bai had never been to such a high-end place. He looked around, marveling at the Japanese décor—everything was new and fascinating.

“Hey, Shi Bai.” Wang Zhongtian suddenly leaned in. “Pretty nice, right?”

Shi Bai nodded, “Not bad.”

Wang Zhongtian sneered, “First time in such a fancy place? Let me tell you, the average spend here is 4,000 yuan!”

Shi Bai’s face showed surprise, “That expensive?”

Ye Ying’er’s classmates burst into laughter. “Country bumpkin!”

Lin Xiaoqian couldn’t help herself. She asked Ye Ying’er, “Ying’er, why did you invite someone like him? What’s your relationship?”

Ye Ying’er was at a loss, unsure how to explain. After some thought, she replied, “He’s a very good friend of our family, so don’t be a stranger. We’re all friends here.”

“Friends?” Wang Zhongtian exclaimed, “How can ordinary people be our friends!”

“Exactly!” the others echoed.

They had grown up surrounded only by martial arts families. Their parents always reminded them of their uniqueness, fostering a sense of superiority that naturally excluded outsiders.

Ye Ying’er was anxious. Since Shi Bai was her guest, if he was angered by her classmates, her father and grandfather would surely scold her. She quickly changed the subject, “Come, let’s head to our private room. We’ll eat sushi first, then go to the Yuelaike Inn for drinks!”

“Great!” At the mention of Yuelaike Inn, the students cheered.

Shi Bai was confused, “Yuelaike Inn? That place actually exists?”

Ye Ying’er smiled gently, “It’s a secret among martial artists. You’ll see soon.”

Their private room was a rotating sushi bar—a rarity these days.

Everyone ate merrily, savoring sashimi and sipping sake. Though it was a Japanese restaurant, they indulged as if it were a hotpot feast.

Yet while the conversation was lively, Shi Bai was left alone, quietly eating.

As he ate, Shangguan Yunfei suddenly spoke, “Shi Bai, do you like the food?”

Shi Bai smiled calmly, “It’s fine, but everything’s raw. I doubt it’s easy to digest.”

The group exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

“Raw and hard to digest!…” The laughter shook the table, nearly making them choke on their sushi.

Wang Zhongtian patted his stomach, grinning, “You guys know what Shi Bai’s background is?”

Everyone was puzzled—they didn’t know.

Wang Zhongtian said, “I did some digging. He’s from… Shitougou Lotus Township, now lives in Xiaozhai Village. And guess what his family does?”

Again, no one knew.

He laughed loudly, “They sell fruit! My informant even said their watermelons taste like horse urine, reeking to high heaven!”

Shi Bai finally couldn’t take it anymore. He slammed the table, “Wang Zhongtian! Don’t go too far!”