CH 13

After calming herself down, Zheng Baozhu absentmindedly checked Qu Zhi's social media moments. He didn't post frequently, and his most recent posts before returning to China were about the several potted green plants he kept on the balcony.

Zheng Baozhu couldn't believe that this seemingly cold-hearted straight guy would actually like green plants, and they were all the refreshing kinds.

...Is this what a straight guy does?

Even more surprising, Qu Zhi's mom, Su Mingxi, was actively commenting on every one of his posts about the green plants, sharing her experiences with nurturing them!

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

In ancient times, this would be considered collaborating with the enemy. :）

"I'm not looking at this anymore!" Zheng Baozhu locked her phone and tossed it aside, covering herself with the blanket to go to sleep.

Since she didn't manage to grab any extra roles today, she had no plans to go to the Film and Television City tomorrow. She slept until 8 o'clock, then went downstairs to have breakfast in a deep-colored outfit.

The hotel had hosted a tourist group from out of town yesterday, consisting of older uncles and aunties. As Zheng Baozhu walked downstairs, the group was still having breakfast in the restaurant. The tour guide, holding a small loudspeaker, stood at the entrance and shouted, "Attention, everyone! We will gather at the entrance at 8:30, so please finish your breakfast on time."

Passing by the tour guide, Zheng Baozhu sat at the only available table in the restaurant. Just as she sat down, Qu Zhi also came downstairs. It seemed he didn't expect the restaurant to be so crowded today. He paused for a moment before looking for a place to sit.

After scanning the room, he decided to sit across from Zheng Baozhu, holding a tray of food.

As Zheng Baozhu was eating her steamed egg, she glanced at him and then continued with her meal. Qu Zhi drank his freshly poured hot milk but didn't initiate any conversation.

An auntie who was sitting next to them initiated a warm conversation, "Are you two together?"

Ahem.

Zheng Baozhu choked on her steamed egg and raised her head to smile at the talking auntie, "Auntie, you've misunderstood. I'm the owner of this hotel, and he's just a guest staying here."

"You're the owner of this hotel?" The auntie looked surprised and pulled her friend over to take a look, "Xiao Chen, look, she's the owner of the hotel we're staying at, and she's so young and beautiful."

The so-called Xiao Chen also showed enthusiasm, "Indeed, young people nowadays are really impressive. And the guy next to you is your boyfriend, right? He's so handsome, you two are a perfect match!"

"I'm not her boyfriend, Auntie," Misunderstood again, Qu Zhi couldn't help but explain, "I'm also a guest staying at the hotel."

The auntie who initiated the conversation said, "But I saw you looking around and then sitting down next to the hotel owner. If you two don't know each other, then you must be interested in her."

"..."

Qu Zhi was quite impressed by this auntie's logical thinking, "We are old classmates."

"I knew it!" The auntie gleefully signaled to her companion that she was right, looking as if she had made a brilliant deduction, "Young man, where do you work?"

"At the Science and Technology Park."

"Oh, the one nearby?" The auntie's eyes lit up even more, "Our tour guide told us that the place is filled with high-end talents brought in by the government. If you work there, your IQ must be very high."

Another auntie chimed in, "If you two get married and have children, won't they be both good-looking and intelligent?"

Qu Zhi & Zheng Baozhu: "..."

Aunties' vision often surpasses that of the sharpest investors.

"Auntie, that's not necessarily true," Zheng Baozhu grabbed a tissue and began explaining to the aunties, "I know a child whose parents are both professors at a top university, which means they are very intelligent, right? But this child's academic performance is quite poor! He ranks last in his class in exams!"

"..."

This child seemed to have challenged the aunties' perception, they looked incredulous, "Is that even possible? Is he really their biological child?"

Zheng Baozhu: "..."

She wanted to explore a scientific question, but the aunties turned it into an ethical, moral dilemma.

Qu Zhi said, "From an evolutionary perspective, intelligence is inherited from the previous generation, which also requires a 'tax'. It's similar to income tax – the higher the income, the higher the tax."

The aunties looked puzzled by this "tax theory", so one of them asked, "Where does that tax go?"

"It goes to benefit the general population. I'm sure you've heard of cases where parents with low education levels have genius children, right?"

"…That, wait a minute," the auntie waved her hand and regained her ground, "The examples you mentioned are exceptional. In most families, smart parents have smart children, right? Young man, what do your parents do?"

Qu Zhi paused and replied, "They work in scientific research."

"You see!" The auntie gave a triumphant look, "You've clearly inherited your parents' intelligence!"

Zheng Baozhu on the side quietly said, "But perhaps you've heard of the regression to the mean phenomenon? It's when from one generation to the next, intelligence declines. Each generation is smarter than the previous, but when it reaches the peak, the intelligence starts to regress."

She paused for a moment, adding a mystical touch, "So, in the next generation, the intelligence might plummet to the bottom."

Auntie: "..."

Zheng Baozhu looked at Qu Zhi and said, "He might have reached the peak of his family's intelligence now, his next generation might be very dull, just like the child I mentioned earlier. So, for the sake of the next generation, staying single might be better for him."

Auntie: "..."

Are young people nowadays so crazy about not getting married and having children?

At this moment, Auntie Xiao Chen spoke up, "Oh well, whether the child is intelligent or not is uncertain, but your child will definitely be good-looking! That's for sure, right?"

The auntie who initiated the conversation nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Xiao Chen is right. Even if this young man's intelligence reached its peak, aren't you there to balance it out?"

Zheng Baozhu: "?"

Auntie, what do you mean?

Qu Zhi chuckled on the side. Zheng Baozhu tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcing a laugh as she explained to the auntie, "Auntie, don't judge me based on my appearance. I took the college entrance exam when I was under seventeen and passed with high marks."

This was truly unexpected for the auntie, her gaze carried a hint of hesitation, "Really? You took the college entrance exam when you were sixteen?"

"Yes," Zheng Baozhu maintained her smile, "I skipped a grade in elementary school because I was too outstanding."

This statement was half true and half false. It was true that Zheng Baozhu had skipped a grade, but the reason was not that she was too outstanding; it was because she wanted to get away from Qu Zhi. Ever since Qu Zhi tattled about her dream to her mother, Zheng Baozhu considered him her archenemy. How could a normal person study with their archenemy in the same class, let alone sit at the same desk?!

In the third grade of elementary school, Zheng Baozhu had a clear understanding that she needed to get rid of Qu Zhi through her own efforts. So, she decided to transfer to another class.

Obviously, her request to transfer was rejected by both her parents and teachers. But who was she? She was Zheng Baozhu, not afraid of difficulties, and believed that there were always more solutions than challenges!

So, she decided to skip a grade.

According to the school's system, as long as she passed the skip-a-grade exam, she could move up a grade smoothly. This time, the teacher and parents didn't oppose it as much, and they agreed to let her take the exam. After all, if she didn't pass, there would be no significant loss.

Zheng Baozhu studied hard for a semester and successfully entered the fifth-grade classroom in the new school year, only to find Qu Zhi sitting next to her...

This feeling, who could understand it? :)

Qu Zhi's parents also asked him why he wanted to skip a grade. Was it because he couldn't bear to be separated from Zheng Baozhu?

At that time, Qu Zhi answered this way, "How can I let Zheng Baozhu surpass me and become my senior?"

Thinking about the past, Zheng Baozhu still felt a surge of emotions in her heart. She gently pressed her lips and smiled to soothe herself.

"There are five minutes left, uncles and aunties. Please tidy up and gather outside," the tour guide shouted again with his small megaphone. The two aunties finally stopped chatting with Zheng Baozhu and Qu Zhi, said their goodbyes with laughter, and left the restaurant.

Zheng Baozhu calmly picked up her spoon and continued eating her breakfast. Once the table next to them was cleared by Liang Huihui, Qu Zhi took his tray and moved there. He also asked Liang Huihui, "Do you know if Starlight Park sells green plants?"

Liang Huihui nodded, "Yes, there is a large flower market in Starlight Park where they sell all sorts of flowers and plants. Mr. Qu, do you want to buy some green plants?"

"Yeah," Qu Zhi replied, "I want to put them in my room."

Liang Huihui thought for a moment and offered to help, "How about I take you there later? I'm about to finish my shift."

Qu Zhi seemed a bit surprised and looked at her, "You will take me there?"

"Yes, you know, the flower market is always full of tourists, and they tend to overcharge. If I go with you, I can help you bargain. I'm good at bargaining!" Liang Huihui said enthusiastically.

This made Qu Zhi consider her offer, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

"Not at all! I'll finish soon after you finish breakfast!" Liang Huihui quickly made the arrangement, then went to tidy up the table.

Zheng Baozhu had been eavesdropping on their conversation since it started. Despite all her instructions to keep a distance from Qu Zhi, why couldn't she get them to listen?!

Zheng Baozhu sighed deeply in her heart.

When Liang Huihui finished her shift, both Zheng Baozhu and Qu Zhi had finished breakfast. Liang Huihui changed back into her regular clothes and was ready to take Qu Zhi to the flower market when Zheng Baozhu joined in, "You guys are going to the flower market? I want to buy some green plants too, I can drive you both there."

"That's great, thank you, Miss Baozhu!" Liang Huihui happily agreed as she was originally planning to take Qu Zhi on a tourist shuttle to the flower market. Although Starlight Farm and Starlight Park were not far apart and had dedicated shuttle services between them, it wouldn't be convenient if they had to carry many plants.

Once Zheng Baozhu's car approached, Liang Huihui quickly opened the back door and got in. Qu Zhi paused briefly at the car door handle but eventually went to the front and opened the passenger's door.