"Hello." The server noticed Gong Ruini and her group and discreetly stopped them.

"The private room reserved by Mr. Zhao." Gong Ruini mentioned the room number.

Upon hearing it was a private room, the staff led Gong Ruini towards it, while Luo Zijun and the others thought they were dining in the main hall.

They didn’t expect to be invited to dine in a private room. Although they had never been to one, they knew it was different from dining in the main hall.

Huang Yawen uneasily tugged at Gong Ruini’s clothes, "Actually, eating outside is fine."

"Yeah, private rooms are expensive." Qiao Yanran felt a bit embarrassed.

"No worries, it’s quiet to dine in a private room." Since everyone was already invited here, cutting corners wasn’t an option, especially with Luo Zijun present.

If the meal was too thrifty, who knows what Luo Zijun might say outside.

"Plus, there’s a minimum order for the private room."

"That’s nice. By the way, the duck here is excellent, I wonder..." Luo Zijun lit up at the mention of a minimum order.

If there’s still a gap from the minimum, she’s not shy to order a roast duck to take home.

"Just eat to your heart’s content, otherwise, don’t say my boyfriend is stingy later." Gong Ruini ignored Luo Zijun’s remarks again.

Yeah, perhaps she’s hinting about taking a roast duck on the train. Really, how can someone be so thick-skinned?

"Eat to your heart’s content?" Everyone couldn’t help but touch their stomachs.

Due to the previous spree buying of Beijing’s specialties to take back, their funds after train expenses were running low.

They needed to save up money for the return journey, so they were quite frugal, subsisting mainly on buns.

If it weren’t for Gong Ruini taking pity and bringing over a few bottles of beef sauce from home, their tastebuds would’ve long dulled.

"Really?"

"Of course, I’ve been looking forward to you all eating." Alas, these poor souls, Gong Ruini assured them they’d be well-fed as long as they could eat.

She glanced at Luo Zijun, "But no wasting, order only what you can eat."

"Of course, that’s a given." Spending someone else’s money doesn’t mean wastefulness is excusable.

"And no takeaways." Gong Ruini set the rules upfront.

"Certainly." Everyone understood who these rules were hinted at.

Hmph, was she implying me? Luo Zijun felt all kinds of indignation, thinking how petty.

However, this guy seems pretty well-off, hosting here, which made Luo Zijun curious about him.

Others were curious too, wondering what Gong Ruini’s boyfriend did.

No matter the mystery, it eventually unfolds. When the server opened the private room door, everyone was stunned.

"Ah, it’s him!"

Zhao Xuran, hearing the commotion, closed his book.

He approached Gong Ruini, took her book and backpack, "You’re here."

"Hello everyone."

Gao Jing and the others were shocked. They speculated about who Gong Ruini’s boyfriend might be, but they never imagined it’d be Zhao Xuran.

Though both were outstanding, they’re almost too perfect, making it unexpected that they’d be a couple.

Moreover, Zhao Xuran seemed a few years older than Gong Ruini, but aside from that, they matched well.

Seeing Zhao Xuran, Luo Zijun’s inner feelings were indescribable. She wanted to rush over and question them, asking why they were together.

Is this an act? Yes, it must be an act, a stunt by that annoying Gong Ruini to show she knew about her feelings for Zhao Xuran. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Hmph, does she really think she’d just back off? "Aren’t you Ni Zi’s brother’s friend?"

"Mm." Zhao Xuran knew Luo Zijun was aware he was Ni Zi’s boyfriend, yet she still stared at him.

Zhao Xuran found it quite irritating, "Ni Zi and I have grown up together."

"Wouldn’t that be childhood sweethearts?" Gao Jing was surprised, too. Although they were freshmen and Zhao Xuran was a senior, he was well-known in college.

Rumor had it many senior students liked him, but no one ever became his girlfriend.

Who would’ve thought this influential person had a girlfriend who was also their roommate?

"Mm." Zhao Xuran handed the menu to Gao Jing, "You all order; I’ve already ordered three ducks."

Gao Jing took the menu, saw the prices, and calculated the cost of the roast duck. Her heart felt like it might leap out from her mouth.

How lucky is Ni Zi to find such a wealthy boyfriend!

"I also want to eat..." Gong Ruini started to say what she wanted.

"Everything’s ordered, don’t worry." Zhao Xuran made sure to order her favorites.

"Xiao Zhi heard we were going out for roast duck and threw a fit until I promised to take them out for a meal tomorrow." Zhao Xuran recalled how yesterday Gong Ruzhi complained about missing out on duck.

Ah, roast duck again tomorrow? Gong Ruini felt the grease weighing on her. "Let’s go for hot pot tomorrow."

Though the home-cooked meals were tasty, the family kids stubbornly believed restaurant food was better. Really, who knows what they’re thinking.

"Sure, and we can buy some New Year goods along the way." Zhao Xuran agreed immediately.

Huh, buy New Year goods? Weren’t we planning to spend it in the South this year?

They were originally going to spend it in the North, but Zhao Gang bought seaside land in SY City a couple of years ago, and the family planned a manor.

After over a year of construction and decorating, it was completed around November. Gong Ruini remembered they mentioned heading South for the New Year.

Gong Ruini had fantasy plans of enjoying seaside activities, fishing, and feasting on seafood. Now it seemed they’d spend it in Beijing?

"We are going South, but you know how the elders love some Beijing goods, so we’re taking them along."

"Oh." Gong Ruini beamed at the thought of a Hainan holiday.

Luo Zijun watched Zhao Xuran and Gong Ruini, envious of their laughter. She gripped the menu tightly, nearly crumpling it.

Every time Luo Zijun wanted to speak, Gao Jing and others cut her off, much to her dismay.

The ruckus disturbed the dining pleasure, and Gao Jing’s group could only wish to kick the embarrassment out.

While they couldn’t act on it, they could distance themselves from Luo Zijun.

They worried Zhao Xuran would think they were all associated with her, which no one wanted.