CSGM - Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Time for Class
It took forty minutes, but Ren Zhi and Zhao Shiqing finally cleaned the RV restaurant until it was sparkling new.
After the sustained physical labor of a deep clean, both of them were now empty-stomached, feeling no different than if they had just finished a set of fasted cardio early in the morning.
Putting down the cleaning supplies, Zhao Shiqing immediately extended an invitation: "Sister Zhi, let's go eat breakfast together."
Ren Zhi smoothed out the creases on her sleeves. "Okay, let's go."
The two had just reached the kitchen door when they smelled a fragrant aroma wafting from inside.
It was steaming hot and incredibly savory, like the smell of bread rising from an oven, making one's mouth water.
Zhao Shiqing muttered in confusion, "Who's cooking?"
Ren Zhi also walked into the kitchen, puzzled.
The first thing they saw was Chu Xi standing in front of the counter, wearing an azure apron with a small bear and flower print. The blue ties were fastened in a bow behind her waist, and the space below revealed her perky bottom. Her legs were sleek and long, and on her feet was a pair of white, hotel-style disposable slippers.
She was washing her hands at the sink. Cool water ran over her interlaced fingers, her ten slender digits seeming to possess the cool beauty of white jade.
At this moment, Chu Xi had a clean, casual, and domestic air about her.
It was strangely at odds with her usual sharp-tongued demeanor, Ren Zhi thought for a fleeting second.
Chu Xi saw Ren Zhi too.
Her timing was quite good.
She dried her hands. Her sword-like brows were dashing, her starry eyes bright, and the color of her thin lips was lovely. Unfortunately, the words that came out of them were a little polite, but not much.
"The live stream is about to start. What, you're only just now remembering you have a habit of eating breakfast? I didn't realize cleaning could be so captivating."
Chu Xi's tone was light, her expression a half-smile.
Ren Zhi: "..."
So snarky. Not at odds with her personality at all now.
Ren Zhi asked, "You cooked? What are you having for breakfast?"
Chu Xi carried her bowl of plain noodles to the island counter. In the wide-mouthed bowl, the thin noodles were laid out neatly, one by one. Golden oil floated on the surface of the broth, a few fresh green vegetables rested against the side of the bowl, and a pristine white egg, cut neatly into two halves, was placed next to the vegetables.
The aroma of the noodle soup drifted in the air, light and tempting.
So hungry her stomach was touching her back, Zhao Shiqing couldn't help but swallow.
Ren Zhi glanced at it. "Oh."
Noodles were too many carbs; she didn't eat them in the morning.
Even if it looked, smelled, and tasted perfect, it couldn't tempt her.
Chu Xi said, "Stop looking. This isn't for you."
Ren Zhi shot her a glare and said irritably, "Who said I wanted to eat what you made?"
Is she part dog? So quick to guard her food.
Chu Xi didn't say anything. She turned around, took something out of the oven, fiddled with it by the counter, and quickly passed over a second, assembled plate.
On a large, round white porcelain plate lay two fragrant and crispy pieces of toast, filled with avocado and shrimp, along with a layer of fresh green lettuce. Beside them were also two halves of a tender, white boiled egg.
Chu Xi placed this on the island counter, then poured a glass of blueberry milkshake from the blender and set it in front of Ren Zhi as well.
Ren Zhi froze, blinking. "...?"
Chu Xi stated flatly, "This plate is the one I made for you. Eat up. There won't be time once the broadcast starts."
After speaking, she sat down to eat her noodles.
The sweet and nutritious blueberry milkshake and Chu Xi's homemade sandwich quickly captured Ren Zhi's mouth and stomach.
Ren Zhi felt as if every cell in her body was screaming at her: Eat it! This is divine!
People probably have auditory hallucinations when they're hungry...
Plus, Chu Xi's cooking skills were indeed superb, and the breakfast she made was full of appeal.
Ren Zhi coughed, slightly embarrassed, sat down beside her, and said softly, "Thank you."
She really hadn't expected Chu Xi to have this kind of kindness.
This time, she had misunderstood Chu Xi.
"It's nothing. Just finish the egg and replenish your brain."
Chu Xi was thinking, An IQ of 128 really isn't enough.
Sooner or later, she would have to drag Ren Zhi to class and give her some serious tutoring.
Zhao Shiqing stood awkwardly behind the two of them, watching Chu Xi eat her hot, fragrant noodles while Ren Zhi's plate held a delicious sandwich and she had a blueberry milkshake to drink. The hunger in her stomach seemed to double in an instant.
But she waited for a long time, and Chu Xi never brought out any other food.
She had no choice but to look around and then, finding nothing, ask Chu Xi, "Sister Xi, did you make anything else?"
Where was her breakfast?
Where was her portion from Chu Xi?
Hearing this, Chu Xi turned her head and asked with concern, "You haven't eaten breakfast?"
Zhao Shiqing nodded quickly. "Mhm."
Chu Xi continued with concern, "Hungry?"
Zhao Shiqing nodded again, saying shyly, "Yes... a little..."
She thought that having said this much, Chu Xi would now bring out her breakfast too.
Because Chu Xi cooked quickly and well, she must have made breakfast for everyone in the morning.
Unfortunately, this was only the second day she had known Chu Xi.
Unexpectedly, Chu Xi then turned her head back and said nonchalantly, "How pitiful."
Zhao Shiqing froze abruptly.
Huh...?
What did Chu Xi say?
She said I was pitiful???
Let me interpret this—does this mean Chu Xi didn't care about her at all? She didn't prepare breakfast for me??
Looking at the empty counter where only used dishes remained, Zhao Shiqing quickly confirmed her suspicion.
She stood there awkwardly, suddenly feeling the air fill with embarrassment!
In an instant, a wave of anger rose in her heart.
Ahhhhhhhh—!
Damn you, Chu Xi!
Ren Zhi's eyelid twitched. She silently continued eating her breakfast.
Good thing Zhao Shiqing is just a flying guest. She'll be gone in a few days.
Zhao Shiqing's face burned. In this three-person setting, Chu Xi had ruthlessly made her lose face, yet there was nothing she could do about it.
Because making her breakfast would have been a favor, but not making it was perfectly within her rights. There was nothing to blame her for.
She could only swallow her anger for the time being and leave the kitchen.
After Zhao Shiqing left, the awkward atmosphere went with her. Ren Zhi turned to look at the ruthless, unfazed Chu Xi.
She asked curiously, "When did you come back to make breakfast?"
Chu Xi: "Right after we finished playing cards."
"Thanks. I really didn't expect you to make a portion for me. It's quite delicious," Ren Zhi praised from the heart.
"It was nothing, cooking isn't hard." Chu Xi didn't seem to think it was a big deal.
Ren Zhi looked at her, then suddenly smiled, her bright lips parting. "I never would have guessed..."
Chu Xi asked, "What?"
Ren Zhi said gently, "That you know how to take care of people. You're actually quite nice."
"By the way, what's this toast called? It's delicious."
She pointed at the plate.
Chu Xi: "Lü Dongbin."
Ren Zhi thought she had misheard.
"What?"
Chu Xi repeated with a straight face, "The toast is called Lü Dongbin."
She even told Ren Zhi solemnly, "I'm glad you like it."
Ren Zhi realized what was happening and clenched her teeth.
That Chu Xi, she's cursing at me.
Dog bites Lü Dongbin.
As expected, I shouldn't have hoped for any kind words from Chu Xi!
No, I shouldn't have asked that question in the first place, giving Chu Xi a chance to be a jerk.
Seeing Ren Zhi grinding her teeth in anger, Chu Xi chuckled and added, "If you love it so much, I can make this for you every day."
Ren Zhi gave a cold smile and said, "No, thanks. You should save it for yourself."
Chu Xi watched with a smile as Ren Zhi shot her a death glare and left, then went to wash the empty plate she had finished.
At nine in the morning, the Our Restaurant live stream began.
The twelve-hour workday of live streaming always seemed to fly by in a flurry of activity.
Today's earnings were poor. The entire day brought in only 2246 yuan, and that was before deducting costs.
The reason was simple: a remote little county couldn't compare to an economically developed region.
But if one were to disregard the number of tables served and the total revenue, the restaurant's operations for the day were actually quite good.
The simple, local residents of the small county praised many of the restaurant's dishes. Basically every table thoroughly implemented "Operation Clean Plate," and one enthusiastic family even came to give the cast members some local specialty apples.
The live stream's traffic for the day was also fairly standard.
At nine in the evening, Our Restaurant ended its broadcast on time.
For Chu Xi, this meant her part-time job was over.
It was time to get to her real business.
Chu Xi caught Li Xiling, who was trying to sneak back to her tent, and blocked her path with a smile:
"Sister Ling, it's time for class."
Her escape attempt foiled, Li Xiling's eyes darted away. After an awkward moment, she tried to negotiate, "Um... Chu Xi, how about we study tomorrow? I'm too tired today... Aren't you tired? You should rest. Young people shouldn't overwork themselves."
Chu Xi smiled faintly. "I'm not tired. Let's go."
"Uh, I think I'm a little unwell from standing for so long today..."
"If you're not feeling well, Sister Ling, then you shouldn't play mahjong for the next few days. And don't ask me for advice on your hands."
"Wait! I suddenly feel like I've got some energy again. Let's go, time for class."
Sigh! Chu Xi really knew how to get a handle on people!
Li Xiling's attempt to slack off failed, so she had no choice but to follow her to the small RV lounge.
Chu Xi nodded in satisfaction.
Passing the kitchen, she didn't forget to shout inside, "Luo Yangtian, come to class as soon as you're done."
"You got it, Sister Xi! I'll be there in a bit!" the young man inside responded enthusiastically.
The Director, who hadn't left yet, watched all this and pushed up his glasses with interest. A moment after Chu Xi and Li Xiling entered the lounge, he shamelessly went over to knock on the door and interrupt.
He wanted to see what kind of class Chu Xi was teaching these celebrities that could win over both a young heartthrob actor and a veteran queen of song.
This Chu Xi really had some skills.
Tonight, Chu Xi was teaching a speed-memorization technique, and she specifically used Li Xiling's favorite game, mahjong, as an example.
At first, Li Xiling was learning in a fog, completely uninterested. But after Chu Xi demonstrated the ability to memorize all the mahjong tiles after seeing them just once, her eyes instantly lit up, like a jackal spotting its desired prey.
"Yes! Yes! Chu Xi, my concern for you these past two days wasn't in vain. You have to teach me this."
If she were as amazing as Chu Xi and could figure out what tiles everyone else had, wouldn't she dominate the mahjong table in the future?
Chu Xi said selflessly, "No problem. Tonight, I'll start by teaching you a basic speed-memorization technique."
Even the Director became interested and asked, "Chu Xi, can you teach me too?"
Chu Xi's gaze shifted to him.
Unfortunately, she couldn't see his IQ data.
This meant that behind-the-scenes workers in the entertainment industry didn't count as "celebrities."
So her interest in the Director instantly vanished.
She said bluntly, "You can listen in if you want, but I don't have time to tutor you individually. Sister Ling, you're different. If you have any questions, you can ask me anytime."
Li Xiling chuckled happily. She hadn't expected to get such special treatment!
She gloated and teased the Director, "Old Fox, you have days like this too."
The Director waved his hand helplessly.
As Chu Xi's little class was in session, the most eager student, Luo Yangtian, also hurried over.
Watching the two celebrities' IQs begin to rise, Chu Xi's gaze towards them filled with enthusiasm.
Name: Li Xiling.
IQ: 96.
Name: Luo Yangtian.
IQ: 115.
Name: Li Xiling.
IQ: 97.
Li Xiling's IQ had actually increased by 2 points in one night.
As expected, underachievers are full of potential!
Only the Director, who had been left on the cold bench and completely ignored by Chu Xi, was sullen and confused—
Why was Chu Xi so cold and indifferent to him?
This was a severe imbalance in teaching resources, a manifestation of unfairness!
It was truly disheartening!
But the class Chu Xi was teaching really had substance. After listening, he had a moment of sudden enlightenment.
When she spoke about the five elements of building a Memory Palace, the Director, who was listening very attentively, raised his hand and couldn't help but ask on the spot, "Chu Xi, I have a question..."
Chu Xi, completely uninterested, glanced at him, from whom she couldn't read any IQ data, and interrupted mercilessly, "Stop. Don't talk and disturb them."
The Director could read it in her eyes: Chu Xi didn't care at all what his question was. She only cared about Luo Yangtian and Li Xiling.
Ah—!
So disheartening! So disheartening! So disheartening!
The moment she was "off the clock," Chu Xi stopped caring whether he was the director or not and paid no mind to his feelings.
A young person like this...
If only there were more of them in the industry!
A clear stream in a muddy pond!
Footnote
The toast is named "Lü Dongbin" as a pun on the Chinese idiom "狗咬吕洞宾,不识好人心" (A dog bites Lü Dongbin, mistaking a good heart for a bad one), implying Ren Zhi is the "dog" who doesn't appreciate Chu Xi's kindness.
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