He turned in the direction from where the pastry had been launched.

It was Qin Jing.

She watched as her target smoothly dodged the cake and shook her head in disappointment. Then, without missing a beat, she picked up another cake slice and threw it at Lu Qingagain.

Lu Qing dodged yet again, but this time, a tiny rain of powdered sugar managed to catch his shoes.

They looked particularly striking, with the stark contrast of minuscule white grains against the black leather.

Qin Jing sighed audibly. “Darn it, missed again.”

Seeing how bummed she is, Yao Tangreached out for a slice herself and took a turn in throwing it atLu Qing.

Pa!

The cake hit him square in the face, with bits of frosting and fruit slowly slipping down his nose. He looked like a character from a gag show.

“Awesome, Sister Tang!”Qin Jingexclaimed, jumping to her feet and clapping her hands.

Yao Tang only hummed and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Lu Qing’s hands clenched into fists as he glared at the girls.

He could feel the sticky cream as it began to harden against his skin. The sickly sweet smell was practically embedded inside his nostrils.

He swiped at his face and flicked the smashed bits of cake off his hand. “Miss Yao,” he said, his voice low and cold. “Aren’t you being too insolent?”

Qin Jing whistled then, drawing his attention. “This is our little gift to you. Why, do you not like it?”

“All right. Fine! Since you insist on acting this way, I won’t go easy on you. You brought this upon yourselves, so don’t you go blaming me for sparing you no mercy.”

Qin Jing grinned up at him, unfazed. “Why don’t you go run into the bathroom and wash your face first, hmm?”

Thankfully, Lu Qingshared the same thought, and he stomped away to go and clean himself up.

Standing a little to the side, Xu Xuanglanced atYao Tangwarily before turning her attention back to her Grandma Xu.

She leaned over and stroked the old woman’s back. When her condition seemed to have stabilized, Xu Xuanhoisted her grandmother up on her back again. “Thank you,” she said toYao Tang. “I’ll take Grandma home so that she can get a proper rest.”

Qin Jing let out a frustrated sigh. “If you really want to thank us, then stop hanging aroundYao Ran. She’s not a good person.”Xu Xuanducked her head and didn’t say anything.

She ambled her way to the door, making sure not to jostle her grandmother so much.

Just before she could step out into the hall, Qin Jing said, “Why don’t we wait for Grandma to wake up before you take her home?”

“No,” Xu Xuanshook her head. “Grandma doesn’t like this place.”

Qin Jing looked stumped for a moment, then she lookedXu Xuanup and down and said, “You should at least change your clothes first.”

If she hadn’t pointed it out, Xu Xuanwouldn’t have remembered how scantily clad she still was.

Her face immediately turned a bright shade of red.

She gingerly put the old woman down and rushed to the bathroom, grabbing her clothes on her way.

When she emerged moments later, she appeared more relaxed and comfortable.

Xu Xuan was about to carry Grandma Xu on her back again whenQin Jingpushed her arms aside. “I’ve already called for our family car,” she said excitedly. “Let’s go home together, I’ll drop you guys off along the way.”

Xu Xuan was visibly reluctant to accept the offer. “I don’t think… I mean, do you even know the directions to my house.”

“It’s okay! You can just tell me once we’re on our way. Since we’re schoolmates, we should take care of each other whenever we can.”

“No, really, it’s too much trouble.”

Qin Jing was quickly growing unhappy withXu Xuan’s resistance. “Why are you so stubborn? I already said that it’s okay, so it’s no trouble at all. What are you afraid of, anyway?Besides,Yao Tangcan look after your grandmother while we’re in the car. You need her to treat Grandma’s illness, don’t you? Stop being so pigheaded, if only for your Grandma’s sake.”

In all fairness, Xu Xuandid not take offense toQin Jing’s scolding, though she did need a few seconds to consider her words. “All right, then. I’m sorry for troubling you guys with this.”

She gave Yao Tanga look that seemed to ask when and how the treatment would start.

Yao Tang understood right away. “We’ll have to wait until her vital signs are back to normal. I’ll make another assessment then.”

Xu Xuan nodded in agreement and gaveQin Jingher home address.

She fussed over Grandma Xu throughout the drive, but the old woman never opened her eyes. Try as she might to remain calm, Xu Xuancouldn’t help the lingering worries in her heart.

“Everything is fine,” Yao Tangreassured her. “Sleep would do her a lot of good.”

Xu Xuan held on to the other girl’s advice and told herself that her instincts had never failed her before.

She had faith in Yao Tang.