Chapter 61
Chapter 61 - Challenge Ye Hao
“Has your relationship really moved along this quickly?” Xiao Laoshi's feeble voice emerged from the bed.
“Laoshi, what do you know?” Zheng Xiaolong asked, taken aback.
“Today, while Ye Hao was with me for my infusion, he somehow convinced Tang Pianpian to come by.”
“Convinced?”
“I didn't convince her,” Ye Hao said, at a loss for words.
“Ye Hao, that's where you're wrong,” Zheng Xiaolong chastised earnestly. “Zhang Lan is quite a catch. Why would you go and hit on Tang Pianpian?”
Jealousy was evident in Zheng Xiaolong's voice.
“Enough already. Just lend me your phone,” Ye Hao said with an exasperated glance at Zheng Xiaolong.
“Here. Tang Pianpian's number is in my contacts,” Zheng Xiaolong said, somewhat reluctantly passing his phone to Ye Hao.
?Ye Hao located Tang Pianpian's number and made the call. Within seconds, Tang Pianpian's voice was heard.
“Who is this?”
“It's me.”
“Ye Hao!” Tang Pianpian exclaimed with delight. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
“Where are you now?”
“At the university dorm.”
“Which one?”
“Building Two, Room 101.”
“I'll be right there,” Tang Pianpian said before hanging up.
Ye Hao handed the phone back to Zheng Xiaolong.
Zheng Xiaolong's eyes sparkled. “Is Tang Pianpian coming to see you?”
“Yes.”
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiaolong quickly dashed to the mirror to fix his hair. Yuan Gaoxing swiftly removed his tank top and donned a white shirt. Xiao Laoshi, looking rather frail, got out of bed and meticulously dressed himself.
“That's enough,” Ye Hao said, watching the flurry of activity with a sense of resignation.
Ten minutes later, Tang Pianpian's voice rang out from the balcony.
“Ye Hao.”
From the balcony, Ye Hao spotted an out-of-breath Tang Pianpian. He smiled and said, “I'm coming out.”
When Ye Hao stepped outside, Tang Pianpian was still catching her breath.
“Why did you run so fast?”
After giving Ye Hao a quick once-over, Tang Pianpian replied, “I'm just glad you're okay.”
“I'm fine,” Ye Hao said softly. “Have you had anything to eat?”
“Not yet,” Tang Pianpian replied, suddenly realizing how hungry she was.
“Let me take you out for a meal.”
“Sure.”
Yuan Gaoxing and the others trailed behind Ye Hao. As they watched Ye Hao and Tang Pianpian walk away side by side, their eyes widened in astonishment.
“I can't recall Tang Pianpian ever dining alone with a guy before,” Zheng Xiaolong remarked, clearly stunned.
“Are they going on a date?” Xiao Laoshi felt a pang of sadness.
He had long accepted that he didn't stand a chance with Tang Pianpian, but seeing her on a date with Ye Hao still brought a wave of heartache.
“It's just not fair,” Yuan Gaoxing muttered dejectedly.
?Tang Pianpian was a well-known figure at Riverdale College. With most students skipping class, her departure with Ye Hao drew curious and envious glances.
“Isn't that Tang Pianpian?”
“Hasn't she always avoided dating guys?”
“What's happening here?”
“That guy is so unattractive. I'm way better looking than him.”
“How could he possibly be a match for Tang Pianpian?”
Ye Hao's face darkened as he walked. Was he really that unattractive?
?”Stop right there.” A tall student blocked Ye Hao's path.
“What seems to be the problem?” Ye Hao inquired, looking at the student dressed in a sports jersey.
“You're not worthy of being with Tang Pianpian.”
“And how is that any of your concern?”
“What did you say?” The tall student's voice was icy as he moved to strike Ye Hao.
Tang Pianpian intervened, “Meng Yongyan, what are you doing?”
“Meng Yongyan, step aside,” he demanded gruffly. “This is a matter between men.”
“Meng Yongyan,” Tang Pianpian said, her eyes blazing with anger.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Meng Yongyan knew that if he didn't back down, he might lose any chance of ever being close to Tang Pianpian again.
“Tomorrow, at noon, I'll be waiting for you on the basketball court,” Meng Yongyan challenged, locking eyes with Ye Hao. “If you're a man, show up.” With those words, he turned and walked away.
“Don't let Meng Yongyan's words bother you,” Tang Pianpian said gently.
Ye Hao gave a slight shake of his head.
He hadn't taken Meng Yongyan's words to heart in the slightest.
Meng Yongyan might think he's impressive, but to Ye Hao, he meant nothing.
They found a cozy diner and ordered a few stir-fried dishes.
Tang Pianpian handed Ye Hao's phone back to him.
“Your phone's dead.”
“I'm aware.”
“What happened today? Loong Yuanzhu mentioned they have significant backing,” Tang Pianpian voiced her confusion.
“Do you know Zhuo Jing?”
“Zhuo Jing? He's a sophomore.”
“He saw us entering the hotel.”
Tang Pianpian was taken aback. “Are you suggesting Zhuo Jing is behind this?”
“No,” Ye Hao clarified with a gentle shake of his head, “it was Wei Tuo.”
“Wei Tuo?” Tang Pianpian's face fell. “The Wei family owns several business clubs in Glento, and I've heard they have connections with the elite.”
“You're quite informed,” Ye Hao remarked, looking at Tang Pianpian with curiosity.
“Zhuo Jing told me all this,” she replied, “so it was Wei Tuo who orchestrated everything.”
Loong Yuanzhu's influence in Weyphia City is unquestionable, but in the international city of Glento, he's just an average Joe.
Tang Pianpian was convinced that the school's top brass had intervened to help Ye Hao out of his predicament.
Following Loong Yuanzhu's hint, she had passed the information to Leng Xue.
Leng Xue reaching out to the school authorities was clearly more impactful than if she had attempted it herself.
What Leng Xue didn't realize, though, was that the school officials hadn't been the ones to make a difference. Without Lin Rou'er's personal intervention, how could Ye Hao have been released?
Since Tang Pianpian didn't inquire further, Ye Hao didn't elaborate.
“Do you know Blossomfall Chateau?” After some conversation, Ye Hao steered the topic in a new direction.
“Blossomfall Chateau is just two bus stops from our school,” Tang Pianpian confirmed with a nod. “Why do you ask?”
“I saw online that there are a few houses available for rent at Blossomfall Chateau.”
“You're thinking of renting a house?” Tang Pianpian asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
“What's the matter?”
“Well, Glento's property prices are the highest in the nation, which means rents are steep too. Blossomfall Chateau is a decent community, but if you're looking to rent there, you're looking at about 6,000 yuan for a place.”
“I'm aware.” Ye Hao nodded in acknowledgment.
The price was within Ye Hao's budget.
“You're quite the wealthy one, aren't you?” Tang Pianpian chuckled.
“How do I qualify as wealthy?” Ye Hao smiled in response.
“Since we've got some time, how about we check out Blossomfall Chateau after we eat?” Tang Pianpian suggested.