Gluttony

When Lian Qiang arrived at their table, she immediately felt a piercing gaze directed at her. The weight of the stare made her glance up, her eyes meeting those of Zhang Jin. He looked visibly annoyed, probably due to his girlfriend's invitation to Lian Qiang. Sensing the tension, and understanding they might need some privacy, Lian Qiang decided to search for another table, preferably away from them.

"Where are you headed?" Huan Zhao's voice was light, curious as she noticed Lian Qiang's intention to move away.

"I'm just looking for another table," Lian Qiang responded, her tone polite yet distant.

Huan Zhao's eyes sparkled with a playful mischief. "You don't have to. Join us here."

Lian hesitated, her voice laced with concern. "I don't think that's appropriate. It's your date, after all. I don't want to intrude."

Huan Zhao leaned forward slightly, her smile genuine and reassuring. "Trust me, it's fine, Officer Lian."

Before Lian could respond, Zhang Jin's cool voice cut through, dripping with sarcasm. "If she doesn't wish to join us, let her be. It's not like she's that special, anyway." He then deliberately shifted his focus, taking a deliberate sip from his glass of water, avoiding further eye contact.

"No, she's eating with us. Come here, Officer Lian." Huan Zhao insisted.

She couldn't find a way to dodge this situation. Without causing too much trouble, she instantly stepped over to their table. She took a seat across from Zhang Jin, who was still sipping his water, his eyes fixed on her once again. Lian Qiang chose to ignore it.

Huan Zhao immediately called the waiter over.

They all looked at their menus and chose what they wanted. The waiter already took orders from both Huan Zhao and Zhang Jin. Next, was Lian Qiang's turn.

She picked up the menu and began ordering. "I'll take the beef stir fry, garlic broccoli, shrimp dumplings, sweet and sour pork, and hot and sour soup," she said, flipping through the menu pages.

After a moment's thought, she continued, "Also, some spring rolls and green tea."

Huan Zhao and Zhang Jin's mouth were left wide-open.

Huan Zhao and Zhang Jin exchanged surprised glances. They hadn't expected Lian Qiang to order so much. The number of dishes, combined with Lian Qiang's casual confidence, left them in shock. Huan Zhao smirked, finding the situation amusing, while Zhang Jin simply stared, his eyes wide. The table went silent for a moment, with only the background hum of the restaurant filling the void. Lian Qiang, unfazed, placed the menu down.

"Are you for real? Can you at least leave some dignity for yourself?" Zhang Jin whispered when the waiter already left. 

Her ear got perked up, "You're overreacting about 'dignity' you're talking about. I'm hungry too, okay? And did you know I watch over you every single day?"

The waiter briskly went on them with a trays, serving their food. Zhang Jin knew Lian Qiang will create another mess again just like when they had dinner together with his father. 

Lian Qiang eyes were glistened when the food was already served in front of them and her mouth was drooling. She stopped gazing at the food on the table when someone kicked his foot. She knew, it was him.

She shifted her gaze to Zhang Jin, her eyes staring boldly at him, as if challenging him to a fight.

"Can you please stop showing your greediness to us? Someone might think we starved you." Zhang Jin pissed at her.

"Why are you being so harsh on me? Can't I just be hungry?" She whispered forcefully. "Besides, I watch over you everyday, every minute and every seconds as possible. I am human too. I have every right to feel hungry as well."  She even pointed herself trying to make him realize about what she had been through.

Zhang Jin wasn't convinced. "Still, that's no excuse to flaunt your gluttony in front of us. It's distracting." He brought his face closer to hers, eyes burning with fury.

"Then stop staring at me. As simple as that." She whispered, tried her best to get closer to him as well to show him how her eyes were in livid.

Huan Zhao could hear their argument and she couldn't take their fights anymore. She knew they were fighting a while ago but she just ignore it. But now she must stop them. 

"Guys, gosh stop fighting, we're in front of the food. Can you please set those fights aside for now?" Huan Zhao pleaded, trying to bring peace to the situation.

Both of them tried to remain silent, but their furious eyes stayed locked onto each other. Lian Qiang stucked her tongue out annoying the guy in front. However, Zhang Jin met her gaze defiantly.

Zhang Jin and Huan Zhao began to eat, and Lian Qiang spoke up. "You two can continue your conversation and enjoy your date. Pretend as if I'm not here. I won't interrupt," she assured them, settling herself to eat. She felt like an intruder on their exclusive date together, the unexpected 'third wheel'. She wished she hadn't agreed to Huan Zhao's suggestion to join, but she couldn't overlook the genuine kindness Huan Zhao had extended to her. Besides, she was also hungry.

The clink of plates and utensils began as they started their meals. Lian Qiang concentrated on her food, tuning out the couple's loud chatter about their school tasks. She stayed silent, acting as if she wasn't there, not wanting to intrude on their conversation.

While they ate, Zhang Jin found himself continually glancing at Lian Qiang. She devoured her meal as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. He was so caught up watching her that he barely paid any attention to his own plate. Across the table, Lian Qiang seemed completely fucosed in her food, seemingly oblivious to his gaze.

"Babe, are you even listening to me?" Huan Zhao's voice broke into Zhang Jin's trance. Realizing he had been staring, Zhang Jin quickly looked at Huan Zhao, who followed his gaze to Lian Qiang, then looked back at him with raised eyebrows.

Zhang Jin immediately got his senses back, "Y-yes." he said, fixing himself.

Huan Zhao gasped an air, "Babe, just let her be. She's not a kid." She whispered forcefully.

"That woman might make a mess again." he was worried about the situation.

Lian Qiang burped after finishing her meal. Zhang Jin and Huan Zhao exchanged glances, struggling to process what they had just witnessed. They couldn't believe how many plates she had eaten in one sitting!