Chapter 67

After finishing the call, Meng Xiaowen told Ding Ning and the others the location of a restaurant.

She did not plan to go with Ding Ning and the others. After all, she was a girl, and a very principled one at that. While it was true that she wanted to treat Ding Ning to a meal to show her gratitude, it did not mean she wanted to squeeze into a taxi with a group of boys.

Chen Mengyao had booked the restaurant, and Meng Xiaowen thought it was just right, otherwise, it would have been a bit awkward for a girl to eat with a group of boys.

She left the school first, and Ding Ning and the others followed her out.

"Ding Ning, what's your relationship with her? I noticed she looked at you differently."

Guan Jingtian, who was more gossipy, asked.

"Ding Ning, can you talk to Meng Xiaowen and ask her to support me in the class president election? We are in the same class, and if she supports me, I think my chances of being elected are quite high."

This time it was Wang Ruo speaking. Through previous conversations, Ding Ning knew that he wanted to be the class president, and coincidentally, both Ding Ning and Meng Xiaowen were in the same class as him.

Ding Ning did not answer immediately, although he knew that if he asked Meng Xiaowen, she would not refuse.

Only Li Tu remained quiet, and Ding Ning felt that he had a rather gloomy personality and did not fit in well with the group.

The four of them got into a taxi and headed to a restaurant called Xiankelai, following the directions Meng Xiaowen had given.

Xiankelai was not a five-star hotel, but it was quite famous in Haibin. Whether it was the decoration, service, or the taste of the food, the most important thing was that it was famously expensive.

Ding Ning did not know, but Guan Jingtian did. Seeing that they were going to Xiankelai, Guan Jingtian exclaimed, "Ding Ning! We four can eat our fill here for at least 20,000 yuan!"

"Then let's eat more," Ding Ning said with a smile.

The four of them got out of the car and entered the hotel, trying to maintain a proper demeanor and not look at the pretty receptionist, but the white thighs under the cheongsam kept catching the attention of the young men.

A woman in a black dress walked over and smiled, "Are you the guests invited by Miss Meng Xiaowen?"

Meng Xiaowen had arrived a bit earlier and was probably already in the private room. Ding Ning and the others nodded.

"Alright, please follow me."

The woman in the black dress walked ahead, swaying gracefully. As Ding Ning and the others followed her, they were about to go upstairs when a woman came down the stairs.

Chen Mengyao!

Ding Ning saw Chen Mengyao, and she saw him too. She had come down to meet the guests Meng Xiaowen had mentioned, but she did not expect to see Ding Ning.

Instantly, a surge of anger rose in Chen Mengyao's chest. The bald guys were not reliable at all; Ding Ning had already left the school to eat, and they were doing nothing.

She raised her slightly pointed chin and walked up to Ding Ning and the others, glancing at the boys.

Chen Mengyao was quite well-known at Haibin No. 1 High School. She was very pretty, considered a class beauty, and came from a wealthy family, so she was never short of admirers. Guan Jingtian and the others also knew about her.

"Ding Ning, what are you doing here?"

Chen Mengyao did not recognize the others, so she could only speak to Ding Ning.

"I'm here to eat; someone invited me." Ding Ning felt that their grievances had been settled. They had humiliated him, and he had given her a taste of her own medicine with the spring character. At most, Ding Ning had a slight advantage, but cultivators were generally proud, and he did not care too much about her.

"Who could invite a poor boy like you here?"

Chen Mengyao was about to say something sarcastic but suddenly remembered that Meng Xiaowen had mentioned that a few classmates would be arriving soon, and Ding Ning and the others were all Meng Xiaowen's classmates.

Chen Mengyao felt a bit nervous and asked Guan Jingtian, "Are you invited by Meng Xiaowen?"

Guan Jingtian, who was vain, immediately puffed up his chest and nodded, as if he were the main guest invited by Meng Xiaowen.

Hearing their confirmation, Chen Mengyao smiled politely, "I'm sorry, but today I was only inviting Meng Xiaowen for a meal. Since it was just the two of us, I booked a smaller room. With four of you, it might be a bit crowded."

Hearing Chen Mengyao's words, except for Ding Ning, the others did not say anything. They did not want to give up the opportunity to eat with Meng Xiaowen in such a high-end place.

Her eyes darted around the group, and Chen Mengyao smiled, "Ding Ning, you're so fat and take up so much space. Why don't you skip the meal? I can get you a small room and order a couple of dishes for you. Would that be okay?"

Ding Ning smiled, "But I eat a lot."

"Hmph, I knew you were a glutton. But don't worry, you can eat as much as you want today, as long as you don't come and disturb us. I can't stand the sight of you."

Chen Mengyao, lacking depth, could not maintain her composure when Ding Ning did not get angry, and she spoke without restraint.

Li Tu opened his mouth to say that Meng Xiaowen had invited Ding Ning, but Ding Ning stopped him.

"Alright, just get me the smallest room. I'll eat there."

"Enjoy it until you burst!"

Chen Mengyao coldly threw out the words and then called the hotel manager to arrange a small room for Ding Ning.

Ding Ning signaled his classmates not to speak and walked into the small room alone.

Li Tu and the others understood Ding Ning's intention. Meng Xiaowen had invited him, but the main guest was driven away, so this meal was going to be interesting.

These guys also enjoyed stirring up trouble and did not say much, following Chen Mengyao into the large private room she had booked.

The room was quite large, easily seating a dozen people, and there was no issue with Ding Ning being there.

Entering the room, they saw Meng Xiaowen sitting next to the main seat.

Two other girls were talking to Meng Xiaowen, invited by Chen Mengyao.

Technically, since she was invited by Chen Mengyao, Meng Xiaowen should have sat in the main seat, but she insisted on not sitting there, as if waiting for someone.

After entering the room, everyone sat down, but no one took the main seat.

The boys briefly introduced themselves, and Meng Xiaowen asked curiously, "Is anyone else coming?"

At this point, Chen Mengyao took over, "Xiaowen, there was indeed someone else, but I know this person, and he's very annoying. To avoid ruining our meal, I sent him away."

Meng Xiaowen frowned slightly, "Who are you talking about?"

"A fat guy named Ding Ning."

Chen Mengyao picked up a napkin to wipe her hands, called the waiter to serve the dishes, and continued, "Xiaowen, you might not know this person, but I've known him for years. He once tried to marry me. When we were young, his mother and my mother arranged our marriage, but no one is a fool. As I grew up, I naturally wouldn't marry such a despicable and useless person. A few days ago, I went to his house and broke off the engagement."

"You broke off the engagement with him?" Meng Xiaowen's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes, Xiaowen, in this competitive era, useless people will be eliminated. Ding Ning might be good at eating, but that's all he's good at."

Hearing Chen Mengyao's unbridled criticism of Ding Ning, Meng Xiaowen's face showed a hint of amusement, "You say he is despicable and useless?"

"Yes! A useless poor guy!"

Meng Xiaowen's smiling face turned cold, and although she was beautiful, even a cold expression did not diminish her charm, but people still felt the change in the atmosphere.

"Mengyao, perhaps our understanding of life and values differ. I don't think someone who can casually give away items worth hundreds of thousands or even millions is useless or poor, although I never thought poverty was shameful."

Chen Mengyao was taken aback. Meng Xiaowen had always been polite and would not speak like this.

"Everyone has been poor at some point, and my family was no exception. Wealth is created by our elders, and we, as the generation that benefits from it, have no right to belittle a truly capable person. I think I cannot enjoy this meal. Thank you for your kindness."

Meng Xiaowen turned to Wang Ruo, "Where is Ding Ning?"

"In the small room next door, opposite this one," Wang Ruo pointed.

"Thank you. You can continue to enjoy your meal here. I have prepaid for all the expenses, so you don't need to worry."

Meng Xiaowen said, got up, and walked towards the door.

Chen Mengyao became anxious, realizing that Meng Xiaowen and Ding Ning had a special relationship.

She did not want to offend Meng Xiaowen over this trivial matter and quickly stood up, "Xiaowen, I think there's a misunderstanding. If you think it's necessary, I can have someone bring Ding Ning here."

"Hmph!" Meng Xiaowen snorted, "If you were willing to personally invite Ding Ning now, I might still think you're not that bad, but since you still lack sincerity, I don't think we need to continue this relationship."

With that, she turned and walked out of the room.

Just as she stepped out, she turned back and smiled at Chen Mengyao, "You broke off the engagement with him, right? That's the most foolish decision you'll ever make, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life. You won't have the chance to do it again. If you don't want him, plenty of people better than you will."

The door slammed shut.

Inside, the group looked at each other, their expressions varied.