Chapter 85: Three Girls, One Scene (Third Update)

With the signing issue settled, it was time for Ming Han’s birthday gathering. That group of rascals had vanished for the entire winter break, but the moment they heard there was fun to be had, every single one of them showed up.

“Everyone, let’s meet at the foot of Dafei Mountain at nine in the morning! We’ll climb the mountain first—there’s a barbecue spot at the summit.”

“Make sure to bring more girls! I haven’t talked to a girl in three days,” Daxu typed in the internet café. He’d spent the night there, and now there was a barbecue. Daxu stretched, feeling that his life was truly fulfilling!

Ming Han got up early to wash up. Su Yan gave him a big kiss. “Happy birthday, son!”

Ming Han pushed her away in disgust. “That’s enough! I’m not going to your shop today. We’re having a barbecue together.”

Su Yan pretended to be hurt. “Ah! Sons just won’t stay home once they grow up. Now you won’t even spend your birthday with your mom.”

Ming Han shot her a look of disdain. “Mom, every year you complain that I’m stuck at home on my birthday, saying I have no friends.”

“Uh… I’ll go to the shop now!” Su Yan gathered her things, dodging the topic.

…

By the time Ming Han arrived at Dafei Mountain, almost everyone was there except for Chen Li.

“I’m bringing Chen Nuo with me,” Chen Li messaged at that moment.

“OK!” Ming Han was more than happy—after all, Chen Nuo was a beauty, and he’d always wanted to introduce her to his friends.

Soon, Chen Li and Chen Nuo stepped out of a Mercedes, drawing the gaze of many passersby.

Since Chen Li had moved in with her grandparents, she’d been under strict watch, always accompanied by a driver when going out. The old couple doted on their beautiful granddaughter.

“Uncle Sun, you can head back now. Come pick us up tonight,” Chen Li said.

The driver glanced at the group, recognizing them as her classmates, and politely replied, “Miss, I’ll come at six to take you home for dinner.”

Daxu’s eyes lit up at the sight of Chen Nuo, and he muttered, “She’s gorgeous—clearly meant for me!”

Ming Han was speechless. Good thing Ying Huanhuan was at the bathroom, or Daxu might never see her again.

Chen Nuo greeted everyone warmly, completely at ease. Her personality was different from Chen Li’s—she was far more outgoing.

“Looks like you’ve got some skills now, Ming Han—one call and a beauty appears!” Zheng Yuan teased.

Ming Han felt awkward. “Uh, Chen Nuo was invited by Chen Li. I didn’t know anything about it.”

Zheng Yuan, ever the troublemaker, said, “Ming Han, why don’t you call Lin Jingjing and Deng Qingqing? I’m sure they’ll come too.”

He gave Ming Han a sly look, a knowing smile on his lips.

Chen Li’s mood soured at the mention of those two names, her lips pursed high.

“Aha, brother-in-law, seems you float through the gardens without a single leaf sticking to you!” Chen Nuo joked.

Yu Hang chimed in, even worse, “Deng Qingqing is the top beauty of our grade, and Lin Jingjing’s gorgeous too! Both of them have a special interest in Ming Han.”

Ming Han felt a headache coming on—so much for choosing the right friends. Every one of them was a troublemaker.

“They’re just friends,” Ming Han protested.

“If they’re friends, invite them along!” Chen Li said coldly, clearly displeased.

“Hahaha... No need, they’re both busy,” Ming Han replied.

No sooner had he said this than his phone rang—“Lin Jingjing” lit up the screen.

“Wow, wow, wow...” The boys from the basketball team hooted and hollered.

Daxu was quick and pressed speaker.

“Ming Han, happy birthday,” came a sweet and gentle voice.

“Thank you!”

“Any plans for today?”

“We’re going for a barbecue. Want to come?” Ming Han asked, feeling a cold stare boring through him.

“Sure! I’ll bring Qingqing. Where are you guys?”

“At the foot of Dafei Mountain.”

Lin Jingjing hung up, excitement in her voice.

At that moment, Zheng Yuan smacked his forehead. “Just remembered, I forgot something in the bathroom.”

“Me too.”

“Count me in.”

...

In an instant, only Ming Han and Chen Li remained. Ming Han felt awkward; Chen Li, meanwhile, was clearly fuming.

“Chen Li, do you need to go to the bathroom too?” Ming Han immediately regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth—what was wrong with him?

“No need, I’ll wait here with you for your two good friends.”

“Oh…” Ming Han felt like a child caught doing something wrong.

About twenty minutes later, Deng Qingqing and Lin Jingjing arrived by car. The others had already started up the mountain.

“Hi, Ming Han!” Deng Qingqing greeted enthusiastically.

Lin Jingjing’s gaze grew complicated when she saw Chen Li. “You’re back?”

Chen Li nodded, instinctively moving a little closer to Ming Han.

Deng Qingqing looked on like a spectator at a play, her face full of amusement.

Though Ming Han looked awkward, anyone passing by would be filled with envy—three lovely girls gathered around one boy. What a stroke of luck!

Especially Liu Yutong, who had been parking nearby. He was a student at the county’s private school, with a gambler for a father—rich and with a bit of local clout. But when he saw Chen Li’s cool and aloof demeanor, he was stunned. Seeing Lin Jingjing and Deng Qingqing as well, he could no longer control himself.

It’s said that eighteen-year-old boys are as ravenous as wolves.

He didn’t think himself as handsome as Ming Han, but judging by Ming Han’s clothes, he was sure the other’s family wasn’t wealthy.

“Hey, beautiful ladies, how about joining us for a picnic up the mountain?” Liu Yutong called.

“No,” the three girls answered in perfect unison.

Liu Yutong’s face changed instantly. “No need to be so cold, ladies.”

Deng Qingqing particularly disliked this sort—leaning on family money, as if that was something to brag about. “Why should we give you the time of day?”

Liu Yutong swallowed his anger. “Fine, fine. Hope you don’t regret it.”

He led his two buddies up the mountain ahead.

“Liu, just let it go?”

Liu Yutong cursed under his breath, “Hmph! There’s nothing in this world money can’t fix. Just wait and see what I can do. Especially that guy—does he really think being a pretty boy is enough to win over girls?”

At that moment, Ming Han had no idea Liu Yutong’s resentment had shifted to him. Rubbing his forehead, he sighed, “Bringing you three troublemakers is such a pain—everywhere I go, someone ends up hating me.”

The three girls, seeing Ming Han’s suffering, were in even better spirits.

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s head up the mountain!” Ming Han urged, not wanting to keep the others waiting.

“Okay!” All three girls handed him their bags at once. “We can’t carry them anymore.”

Ming Han took them helplessly, his hands suddenly heavy. “Seriously, what did you pack to make these so heavy for just a mountain hike?”

Deng Qingqing started counting, “Tissues! Wet wipes! Hair ties, hair clips…”

The other two nodded along enthusiastically.