The group settled down, watching Shi Man order enough dishes to feed an army, some of them quite expensive—dishes they usually only ordered one or two of occasionally. Han Tao watched Shi Man continue to list items from the menu, his face turning pale. "Did something unpleasant happen when you were shopping for clothes today?" Otherwise, why would Shi Man be acting so abnormally?

Gong Junyu looked at Shi Man's behavior, glancing strangely at Daizi. Could this kid have upset Miss Shi Man today? He knew that although the three girls weren't like most, easily angered, if they did get angry like ordinary girls, it only meant one thing: extremely angry. Since Daizi was supposed to be treating them today, and Shi Man was acting this way, it was easy to see who had offended her. They all felt sorry for Daizi's wallet, but they wouldn't be polite during the meal—at most, when the bill came, if Daizi didn't have enough cash, they'd pitch in to cover it.

Zhu Lina was also puzzled. Shi Man was acting very strangely today; why order so many dishes? "Did she get a major shock?" This girl couldn't be serious. How could a guest order this much food when someone else was hosting? Zhu Lina felt awkward about stopping her. She cautiously checked her own wallet, seeing only a few large denomination bills, and whispered, "Do you have money on you? You can pay first later." Zhu Lina didn't realize that Shi Man was likely provoked by someone. Ever since that date, that person had occasionally left messages on Manman's pager. If he wasn't here, how could Shi Man not be angry?

"She said she's treating. I'm guessing some sucker will show up to foot the bill," Wang Qiqi said calmly. Otherwise, why would Shi Man do something so out of character?

"He's coming?" Zhu Lina and Han Tao knew who Wang Qiqi’s 'sucker' was, but the problem was, wasn't he supposed to be very busy? Did Wang Qiqi not know? "Anyway, Manman said she’s treating, so let her treat. At worst, I’ll cover the meal first." If someone was going to throw a tantrum, they had to bear the responsibility afterward.

Zhu Lina nodded in agreement with Wang Qiqi. If Feng Xuanxiang didn't show up later, they'd see if this girl would cry about how much money she spent.

After repeatedly confirming with Daizi that the woman ordering frantically was indeed the one treating, Gong Junyu and the others were stunned. "Manman, this is enough food." They worried there wouldn't be enough money to cover the check.

Shi Man had actually ordered about what she wanted, but she was only holding out because the person she was waiting for hadn't shown up. Now, she worried what would happen if he truly didn't appear. Although she had money on her, the thought of having to pay for all this made her heart ache. "This is all, hurry up and serve it," Shi Man thought, "If you don't bring the food out quickly, I'll cancel a few dishes, otherwise, my heart will truly break."

Everyone found Shi Man amusing today. She ordered a mountain of food, the supposed 'sucker' didn't arrive, and then she looked like she was about to cry while eating. Everyone found it incredibly entertaining, and every time they took a dish, they’d thank Manman, thanking her for treating them so generously today.

Shi Man knew they were needling her, but she maintained her proud demeanor while eating. "Excuse me, I'm going to the restroom. Nana, how about you all?" Shi Man suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach and asked casually as she stood up.

Wang Qiqi and the others were waiting for the moment Shi Man went to the restroom to discuss matters. The dinner was almost over, but the rich benefactor who was supposed to pay hadn't shown up. It was no wonder Shi Man was in a foul mood.

Han Tao walked to the door of the private room and checked. "Manman went to the washroom."

Daizi spoke up first. "I'll treat for dinner then. I really troubled Qiqi and Manman today... but you guys lend me the money first; I don't have that much cash on hand." Although they sometimes ran small programs to earn a little money, their investments were significant—upgrading hardware, plus rent expenses were high. Buying so many clothes today... if it weren't for the pocket money Daizi had saved up, his living expenses, and the money he’d earned, he would truly be bankrupt.

Daizi treating for all these dishes? Zhu Lina had no idea how much Shi Man and Daizi had splurged while shopping, but seeing Wang Qiqi’s listless expression, she knew she hadn't gone easy on Daizi. His savings were likely running low. "Forget it; we'll cover it first. We can pay her back when Manman gets her rent money." Zhu Lina wasn't going to kindly pay for someone else; she wanted to let that person know the consequences of impulsiveness.

"That's settled," Wang Qiqi said when she saw Daizi and the others trying to suggest they split the cost. This was the final word. "We need to teach that person a lesson, otherwise, we won't be able to afford it if she throws these fits often, right?" It wasn't about indulging Feng Xuanxiang; it was about giving her a moment of real heartache so she understood the consequences of being willful.

Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina had always felt uneasy about the fact that whenever Feng Xuanxiang had to leave mid-date to handle work matters, Shi Man would always come back with a bag full of items. It was fine once or twice, but repeatedly doing so... what would Feng Xuanxiang think? Relationships are built over time. Perhaps at first, Feng Xuanxiang thought this was a good way to appease Shi Man, but repeated actions might make him feel Shi Man didn't take money seriously, being wasteful and extravagant. Moreover, Feng Xuanxiang was a highly desirable catch—surely there were people pursuing him at work. That woman who helped him open an account last time was reportedly quite taken with him. If Shi Man didn't have strong feelings for Feng Xuanxiang, they could just break up. But the issue was, Shi Man genuinely liked Feng Xuanxiang. Otherwise, given her temper, if that guy frequently disappeared for overtime during their dates, Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina guaranteed he would have been out of the picture long ago. Thus, Wang Qiqi and Zhu Lina had long wanted to find a chance to talk to Shi Man about this, but they never found the right moment. They never expected such a perfect opportunity to arise today. Shi Man had initially thought that since so much time had passed since their agreed meeting time, Feng Xuanxiang must be coming. But when she returned to the private room, she saw everyone was already starting to pack up. "Not eating anymore?" Shi Man panicked. Although she had funds, having to pay for everything herself made her heart ache terribly. Naturally, she cursed the person who was late in her mind. (Meanwhile, Feng Xuanxiang, who was in a meeting at the office discussing market conditions with his leaders and colleagues, sneezed several times, drawing concerned looks from many beautiful women. Feng Xuanxiang could only offer a wry smile to signal he was fine, silently praying that his breaking of the promise today hadn't angered Shi Man to the point of collapse. Honestly, Feng Xuanxiang hadn't expected that even after leaving the office, his superior would page him back to continue the discussion, especially since he had just received another message indicating that their plans for the next few days needed modification.)

When Gong Junyu and the others saw Shi Man return, they first scanned the room, and then her entire demeanor dropped. They knew Shi Man hadn't seen the person she was waiting for.

Wang Qiqi knew Shi Man was hurt, but what could she say? Feng Xuanxiang was a man with no backing; he had to rely entirely on his own ability to get promoted, unlike women who could use 'unspoken rules' to advance. He truly had to work very hard. Wang Qiqi felt that Feng Xuanxiang was worried about the distance between him and Manman, which was why he was pushing himself so hard. She hadn't asked for the specific details, though. "I didn't rest well yesterday, and I walked around shopping half the day today. I'm exhausted. I have to be up early for class tomorrow." Wang Qiqi clasped her hands together, pleading with Shi Man, "Just let me go home early to rest. And you bought so many clothes for Daizi; he needs to go back and put them away too."

Daizi wanted to say it was fine, but seeing the looks from everyone around him, he relented. "Yeah, I'm tired too. I spent half the day trying on clothes—taking them off, putting them on, and carrying all these things." After explaining it all, the usually untiring Daizi suddenly felt utterly worn out. "I should be the one treating Manman to dinner. Thank you so much today."

When Zhu Lina and the others heard Daizi's words, they couldn't help but chuckle. It had to be said that sometimes what an honest person said was even more hurtful. They knew Shi Man was distressed about ordering so much food with no one to pay, yet Daizi went and brought it up.

Hearing Daizi, Shi Man felt like spitting blood. She secretly seethed, thinking how she knew Daizi had been dumped, yet she still comforted him, brought him out shopping, and treated him to all this good food, only for him to repay her like this. What a rotten friend, a complete ingrate! Moreover, Nana and the others were siding with Daizi to mock her—that was too much! She glared fiercely at everyone before angrily grabbing her wallet and storming out to pay the bill.

Seeing Shi Man like that, Daizi asked worriedly, "Is Manman going to be okay?" He knew she was in a bad mood, and they were making her suffer the expense. Wasn't that a bit much? "Relax," Wang Qiqi said nonchalantly. "She’ll take out her anger on that certain someone." As long as it wasn't her own misfortune, Manman could take her anger out on whomever she pleased.

Not long after, a series of hurried footsteps echoed, and the private room door was pushed open. "Nana, do you have any more money? I'm short fifty." Shi Man felt utterly humiliated. She had gone to pay with her bulging wallet, emptied it, and realized she was still fifty short. Helpless, Shi Man had to come back to borrow money. This was too embarrassing.

Zhu Lina silently took out her wallet and handed Shi Man fifty yuan. "Is this enough?" Poor girl. But how much did this meal actually cost? Didn't she just withdraw a thousand yuan a few days ago? She couldn't possibly not have enough for the meal, especially since there weren't that many dishes.

Shi Man took the money and nodded. "It's enough. The total was five hundred and fifty. I forgot I spent two hundred a few days ago, and I lent out three hundred." Sigh, Shi Man forgot about the money she had lent out. But hadn't that certain person said he’d only borrow it for two or three days? Why hadn't he paid it back yet? That was too much! :( To be continued)