Chapter 121: How Should This Be Explained?

Seeing Wang’s polite invitation, and realizing he hadn’t yet had dinner at the Lu residence, Zhang Shen hurried over, his stomach already growling with hunger.

Having tasted Wang’s culinary skills before, Zhang Shen nodded eagerly and said, “Sounds great! But I’ll have two bowls.”

Wang was naturally delighted with Zhang Shen’s request. Whether the divine doctor wanted two bowls or an entire pot, Wang was more than willing.

As Wang turned back to the kitchen, Zhang Shen took a seat opposite Ye Qiong.

“I’m starting to think you must be a reincarnated glutton,” Ye Qiong teased. “If you can’t finish it later, I’ll just stuff the rest in your mouth. Let’s see if you’ll dare order this much again.”

Zhang Shen was puzzled by Ye Qiong’s constant jabs, but he had his reasons for ordering two portions. Earlier, he had noticed that although Wang Ying seemed a bit upset, her strength was clearly waning. Zhang Shen guessed she must have been busy all day and probably hadn’t eaten. Following Wang’s suggestion, he had ordered an extra bowl of dumplings.

Soon, Wang returned carrying two bowls of steaming dumplings.

Without hesitation, Zhang Shen grabbed two and swallowed them instantly, exclaiming, “Wow! That’s hot!”

His comical reaction made Wang Ying and Ye Qiong laugh, caught between amusement and disbelief.

“You fool!” Ye Qiong chuckled.

Seeing the two women’s smiles, Zhang Shen felt hopeful—there was still a chance to mend things.

“You should sit down and eat too. I know you’ve been busy all day and probably haven’t eaten much.”

Wang Ying hadn’t expected Zhang Shen to be so considerate. She’d been running around all day caring for her father’s health, barely finding time to eat.

Now, faced with a bowl of hot dumplings, her appetite was irresistibly awakened.

Truly, besides handbags, nothing moves a woman like good food.

Without hesitation, Wang Ying devoured the dumplings in one gulp, much to Ye Qiong’s surprise. In her memory, Wang Ying always ate with refined manners. It seemed that only after enough time spent together could one discover such hidden sides.

“Uncle, another bowl, please!” Seeing Wang Ying finish every last drop of broth, Zhang Shen realized she must be starving and asked Wang to bring another bowl so she could eat her fill.

After two bowls, Wang Ying finally ceased her ravenous pace.

Just as Zhang Shen was about to continue discussing the black bag with Wang Ying, a male voice came from behind them.

“Divine doctor, you’re something else—leaving without telling us?”

Turning around, Zhang Shen saw it was Lu Ming.

“Teacher Lu, what brings you here?”

“We came back and saw you weren’t home. Later, I heard from my father that you had already left, so we quickly ate and came here. Looks like Hao Lei was right—you really are here.”

Zhang Shen found it odd that Lu Ming had hurried through dinner just to verify Hao Lei’s guess. The reasoning seemed rather strange.

“Teacher Lu, Teacher Hao, you’re here too?” Wang’s father came out of the kitchen and greeted them warmly.

“Uncle, you should rest early. Let us help clear up.”

No sooner had Lu Ming spoken than he rolled up his sleeves and bent down to clear the table.

Seeing his daughter’s teachers helping out, Wang’s father quickly stopped him, saying, “Teacher Lu, you’re educated people. How can you do such rough work? Let me do it.”

Lu Ming frowned at this.

“Uncle, that’s nonsense. We all earn by our own skills; there’s no such thing as rough or fine work.” He then turned to Hao Lei. “Don’t you agree, Teacher Hao?”

Hao Lei nodded repeatedly, like a little chick pecking at rice.

But Zhang Shen noticed something unusual about Hao Lei this time. Around her neck was a dazzling necklace.

Zhang Shen guessed it must be the gift from Lu Fuguo inside the box. It seemed Hao Lei was ready to marry into a wealthy family.

While Zhang Shen pondered this, Lu Ming added, “Uncle, your most important job now is to rest. Xiaoying has exams coming up soon. Stay home for a few days and take it easy. Missing a few days of work won’t hurt.”

Though Lu Ming, a wealthy scion, might not understand the hardships of Wang’s family, his words held truth.

Unable to argue further, Wang’s father began packing up his stall early.

Afterward, Wang Ying bid farewell to her parents, and the group followed Lu Ming’s car back to the school.

...

“We’re here!”

Shortly, Lu Ming’s car arrived at the school. Zhang Shen and the others, knowing better than to meddle, quietly followed them toward the dormitory, wary of what might unfold.

Halfway there, Zhang Shen suddenly remembered something.

“Wang Ying, don’t forget what I told you.”

Wang Ying was well aware and turned back. “Wait here—I’ll get it for you.”

With that, she tugged Ye Qiong upstairs. A few minutes later, Wang Ying returned, holding the familiar black bag.

“This the one you meant?”

She spoke, then began to turn away. Zhang Shen called out again.

“What now?”

Scratching his head awkwardly, Zhang Shen said, “You don’t blame Meng Ran, do you?”

“You think? Of course I blame her! Tomorrow, I’m going to report you to Meng Ran. Let’s see what you’ll do then!”

Before Zhang Shen could think of a defense, Wang Ying was already skipping upstairs. Even with a hundred arms, he couldn’t have caught her.

Now holding the black bag that had once belonged to Huang Wanting, Zhang Shen’s mind raced, wondering how he would explain all this to Meng Ran.

At the dormitory door, his thoughts swirled among many excuses, seeking the best one—though the situation looked grim.

Pushing open the door, Zhang Shen saw Meng Ran still snacking while watching her computer screen.

In that moment, Zhang Shen felt a flood of emotions—every taste and feeling crashing over him vividly and unmistakably.