54: Chapter 54 I'll treat you next time

"Chen Fan, have you estimated your score? How much do you think you'll get?" Zhao Ran asked, looking at Chen Fan.

"Around 700. I got 699 on my Third Mock Exam, so it shouldn't be much different."

The chopsticks in Zhou Yumeng's hand fell onto the table with a "clack." She stared at him with wide eyes. "How much? 700?!"

Chen Tong was also a bit stunned. Although she knew Chen Fan's grades had improved significantly during the New Year, she hadn't expected him to score 699 on the Third Mock Exam.

Of course, the others didn't believe Chen Fan would lie. After all, a thing like this could be verified easily; there was no need to brag.

When Su Mian heard that Chen Fan could score around 700, she couldn't help but look at him. Her eyes held a hint of curiosity and admiration, as if she were looking at some rare animal.

Chen Fan felt a little uneasy under her gaze and rubbed his nose. "What's wrong?"

Su Mian blinked and said seriously, "You're amazing."

Her voice was soft and sweet.

Before Chen Fan could speak, Zhou Yumeng started teasing from the side. "Oh my, Mianmian is praising someone. That's rare!"

Su Mian was stunned for a moment, as if she didn't understand why it was rare, but she still gave Chen Fan a soft smile.

Chen Fan also smiled. "Thanks."

Just then, the owner started serving the food.

A large iron tray was placed in the center of the table with a "clunk." The grilled fish was still sizzling, and the red oil bubbled at the edges of the tray, splashing tiny droplets. A thick layer of chopped peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and garlic cloves covered the fish. The aroma suddenly burst forth, wafting into their noses.

"It's here, it's here!" Zhou Yumeng immediately sat up straight, her eyes lighting up. "I'm starving, I'm starving!"

The owner brought several side dishes—bean curd skin, enoki mushrooms, potato slices, lotus root slices, wood ear mushrooms, and wide vermicelli—lining them up on the side.

Chen Tong picked up her chopsticks and first placed a piece of fish in Chen Fan's bowl. "Try it. This place tastes pretty good."

Chen Fan picked it up and took a bite.

"It is indeed good," he said.

"You bet." Chen Tong smiled proudly and then urged the others, "Eat up, everyone! Why are you just sitting there?"

They all began to eat.

They chatted while eating. Most of the time, it was Chen Tong and the others talking while Chen Fan listened and occasionally replied. As for Su Mian, she basically didn't speak, just eating quietly.

With a four-jin fish plus other side dishes and rice, the girls couldn't eat much.

Chen Fan, however, was hungry. One bowl of rice wasn't enough, so he had another. After four bowls in a row and nearly half a fish, he finally felt full.

"Watching your brother eat really makes me hungry," Zhou Yumeng couldn't help but say to Chen Tong.

Chen Tong didn't say anything, but Su Mian, who was beside her, nodded in agreement.

After finishing the meal, Chen Fan went to pay the bill, but Chen Tong stopped him.

"I said I'd treat you. Don't try to pay."

With that, she went to the counter and settled the bill.

After eating, they walked toward the school.

"Xiao Fan, when are you going back to the county?" Chen Tong asked, looking at Chen Fan.

"Going back tomorrow."

"So you're staying in a hotel right now~"

"Yes."

"Which hotel?" Liu Yumeng couldn't help but ask.

"The Sofitel."

As soon as he spoke, everyone stopped in their tracks.

Zhou Yumeng's eyes widened. "The Sofitel? That Sofitel? The five-star one?"

Chen Fan nodded.

Zhao Ran pushed up her glasses, showing a rare expression of surprise. "A night there must cost over a thousand, right?"

"Yeah, about that," Chen Fan said.

No one spoke for a few seconds, the atmosphere suddenly turning quiet.

"By the way, Xiao Fan," Chen Tong spoke up, breaking the silence. "You don't have anything to do this afternoon, right?"

"No, I'm free."

"That's perfect. We don't have classes this afternoon, so we can go out and have some fun," Chen Tong said with a smile. "You came all the way to Chang'an; I can't just treat you to a meal of grilled fish and call it a day, can I?"

Zhou Yumeng's eyes immediately lit up. "Where are we going? Where?"

Chen Tong thought for a moment. "Giant Wild Goose Pagoda? The City Wall? Huimin Street? Where do you guys want to go?"

"I'm fine with anything," Zhao Ran said in her usual slow manner.

"I'm fine with anything too," Zhou Yumeng didn't offer an opinion this time.

Chen Tong looked back at Chen Fan. "Where do you want to go?"

"The City Wall. I haven't been there yet."

In his previous life, Chen Fan had lived in Chang'an for over a decade and even moved his household registration there. But even though a Chang'an household registration allowed for free entry on the 15th of every month, he had never once been on the City Wall.

He would take this opportunity to walk around it.

"Then let's go to the City Wall. Is that okay? I can use the DSLR Xiao Fan bought me to take some photos of everyone."

No one had any objections.

...

The closest gate to the Arts and Science College area where one could go up the wall was Hanguang Gate.

There was no direct bus, and while a taxi would take less than five minutes, one car couldn't fit five people.

So, they decided to walk.

It was less than a twenty-minute walk from there.

They arrived at the Hanguang Gate ticket office.

They asked about the ticket price: forty for adults, half price with a student ID.

Unfortunately, none of them had brought their student IDs.

Chen Fan didn't really care. To him, there was no difference between forty and twenty.

So he directly took out his wallet and paid two hundred yuan.

Zhou Yumeng's eyes lit up, and she immediately said with a giggle, "Thank you, Boss!"

Zhao Ran slowly said, "Thanks," and didn't stand on ceremony with him.

Chen Tong took it as a matter of course—he was her brother, so what was wrong with spending a little of his money?

Only Su Mian lowered her head, took forty yuan out of her bag, and held it out to Chen Fan.

"Here," she said seriously.

Chen Fan was stunned for a moment and didn't take it.

Zhou Yumeng laughed from the side. "Mianmian, he's treating us. Why are you giving him money?"

Su Mian looked at her, thought for two seconds, then looked up at Chen Fan with a soft smile.

"Then I'll treat you next time."

After saying that, she put the money back in her bag.

"Sure," Chen Fan agreed.

After getting onto the City Wall, they hadn't walked many steps before the girls prepared to take photos.

Coming to a corner of the wall, Chen Tong opened the box containing the DSLR camera, took out the manual, and began to assemble it according to the instructions.

The other girls helped out as well.

With their combined efforts, the camera was soon set up.

"Xiao Fan, take a photo of us." Chen Tong handed him the camera.

Chen Fan took the camera; it felt heavy in his hands.

After fiddling with it for a bit, he figured out how to take a photo.

He took two steps back and raised the camera to aim at them.

The group automatically stood in a row—Chen Tong in the middle, Su Mian next to her, and Zhou Yumeng and Zhao Ran on the other side, shoulders touching.

"Everyone look at the lens," Chen Fan said.

Zhou Yumeng made a peace sign, Zhao Ran maintained her faint smile, and Chen Tong smiled the most brilliantly.

Only Su Mian, who had been staring blankly at the battlements of the wall, turned her head when she heard his voice. Her eyes looked at the lens with a bit of a daze, meeting Chen Fan's gaze.

"Click."

Chen Fan pressed the shutter, not knowing if the photo turned out well.

"Let me see, let me see!" Zhou Yumeng immediately ran over and leaned toward the camera screen.

Chen Fan pulled up the photo for her.

Zhou Yumeng stared at the screen for two seconds and suddenly burst out laughing. "Mianmian, your expression is so dazed. You look like you just woke up."

Su Mian also leaned in to take a look, blinked, and said seriously, "I think it's pretty good."