Chapter 2019 — Group Photo
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
For a moment the atmosphere turned rather strange. Zhang Duopan was both envious and puzzled: Cheng Yiyi and Xu Shilan toasting Wei Zhao together—what on earth had this Wei Zhao done to deserve it?
Xu Shilan and Cheng Yiyi drained their glasses, while Wei Zhao took a sip of tea. Strange as it all was, since the two parties involved, Xu Shilan and Cheng Yiyi, had no intention of explaining, everyone else could only keep their curiosity to themselves.
"Ha ha, right—this weekend I'm planning to invite you all to the Tiger Park for an outing, a little break from the fatigue of recent days!" Zhang Duopan said. "What a pity, though—Yiyi and Shilan leave tomorrow. Otherwise we could all go see the tigers together!"
"Our work keeps us too busy—there's nothing to be done!" Cheng Yiyi said with a smile.
"Let's all go together then. Bai Weituo, Wei Zhao, you come too!" Zhang Duopan said with a laugh. "Meiyue, Bai Weituo and I will compete fair and square—you won't deny us the chance, will you?"
"We're all good friends here. Going out together is hardly a competition..." He Meiyue said, somewhat resigned.
The meal was full of veiled clashes, but with Xu Shilan and Cheng Yiyi present, nothing showed too plainly. It was only near the end of the dinner that a waiter knocked and came in.
"Good evening, everyone. As you are the 888th table at our restaurant this month, we are pleased to offer you a group photo as a memento, and we can have the picture made into a crystal cup," the waiter said respectfully.
"A group photo?" Zhang Duopan was briefly startled. "Does it cost anything?"
Many restaurants used such disguised promotions as a pretext, when in fact they still meant to have the customers pay, so Zhang Duopan asked instinctively.
"It's free," the waiter said. "Normally there's a charge, but for the 888th table it's free."
"Oh, free. Then let's take one!" Zhang Duopan nodded.
"Very good, I'll go fetch the photographer right away!" The waiter had not noticed Xu Shilan and Cheng Yiyi, since both had their backs to the door.
At the mention of a photo, Xu Shilan and Cheng Yiyi resignedly put their large sunglasses back on. After all, having a photographer brought in here might cause some trouble.
Soon the photographer arrived. He showed no particular surprise at Xu Shilan and Cheng Yiyi wearing sunglasses—many guests liked to play it cool for photos, some with glasses, some with hats.
Once the photo was taken, the photographer withdrew, and after a while the waiter brought in an exquisite crystal cup printed with the group's picture.
"Just one?" Zhang Duopan had assumed there would be one per person. But with only this one, how were so many people to share it?
"Sir, we can make more, but the first is free and the rest are charged," the waiter said.
.RT