Chapter 169: Clichés Are No Use
Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Clichés Are No Use
Lu Shixu arrived in Yanjing at 11 AM.
He had an appointment and went straight to the designated restaurant after landing.
It was a private kitchen that required reservations, located in a hutong in Old Yanjing. The restaurant itself was a traditional courtyard home.
There was no sign at the entrance, and even the paint on the walls was peeling.
But to many, this restaurant was incredibly famous.
It specialized in imperial court cuisine, had been visited by countless celebrities, and used only the finest ingredients from all across the country.
In Lu Shixu’s eyes, however, these exquisite dishes couldn’t compare to a simple stir-fry from Nan Family’s Small Restaurant.
His expression was listless, his complexion as pale as snow on a winter mountain, and even his fingertips seemed tinged with weariness.
It was as if he couldn’t be bothered to care about anything in the world.
So, as he was being led through a corridor by a server, he was "accidentally" bumped into by someone coming from the opposite direction...
SPLASH.
The coffee in the other person’s hand spilled all over the sleeve of his jacket.
"Oh my god!"
The young woman widened her pretty, innocent eyes and apologized profusely.
"I’m so sorry, sir, I didn’t do it on purpose! Your clothes must be ruined. How about I compensate you?"
But Lu Shixu couldn’t even be bothered to lift his eyes.
He took off his jacket, leaving him in just his dress shirt.
But then he glanced down and saw that the coffee had stained his shirt sleeve as well.
Lu Shixu’s brows slowly drew together.
"Go get a new set from the car."
After giving the order to Tao An, who was behind him, Lu Shixu strode away.
His steps were crisp and decisive.
From start to finish, his gaze never lingered on the young woman for even a moment.
He hadn’t said a word, but anyone could tell—
He was writing off the entire outfit.
Tao An quickly acknowledged the order.
He followed his boss’s lead, not exchanging any more words with the woman before hurrying off.
One of the young woman’s friends, a spoiled rich girl herself, was instantly displeased.
"What’s with them? Are we some kind of plague? Scurrying away so fast! Mumu, it’s not like you did it on purpose! Wait... don’t tell me they thought you were hitting on him? What an aver—"
The friend wanted to call him an "average, overconfident man," but she couldn’t get the words out.
Thinking of the man’s elegant air, as cool and remote as mountain mist, she knew at the very least that the "average" part of the insult could never apply to such a beautiful man.
Another friend snickered.
"You can’t really blame them for thinking that way! The number of men and women who want to throw themselves at that guy is endless! He’s probably seen it so often he just assumes the worst! But Mumu, I know you’re definitely not that kind of person!"
"Who is that guy?!"
"Have you heard of Lu Shixu?"
Who in Yanjing’s social circles didn’t know of Lu Shixu?
Upon hearing the name, one of the friends patted the young woman’s shoulder with an understanding look.
"I heard Lu Shixu has a terrible temper! I guess we just saw it firsthand! Mumu, you’ve really had it rough!"
The friend’s face was full of sympathy.
As for the "Mumu" they were talking about...
That’s right.
It was Chang Mu.
The corner of her mouth twitched.
’If I didn’t know these two were so spoiled by their families that they’re hopelessly simple-minded and always speak without thinking, I’d almost think they were saying that just to spite me!’
Today, she had originally just planned to have a meal at this private kitchen with a few of her girlfriends.
Who would have thought she’d run into Lu Shixu—the very target she’d been trying so hard to meet!
How could she possibly miss such a golden, heaven-sent opportunity?
’Of course I had to act decisively!’
Chang Mu had been too impatient to find a better way, so she resorted to the most direct method: spilling coffee.
’It might be a cliché, but as long as it works.’
Besides, Chang Mu hadn’t planned on using it as an excuse to get his contact information. She just wanted to leave some kind of impression on him.
’The next time we meet, that small impression will become an opening to get closer to him...’
Unfortunately, forget a "next time"—Lu Shixu didn’t even take the bait for step one!
’What kind of man even is this?!’
Chang Mu fumed inwardly.
But when she recalled the sight of Lu Shixu from just a moment ago, her heart couldn’t help but start pounding again!
’As expected of a top-tier target with a hell-level difficulty rating. That face, that physique, that aura...’
’Hm?’
’Wasn’t that Fu Yunfeng who just walked by?’
’What’s he doing here?’
-
Having changed into a fresh set of clothes, Lu Shixu emerged from the private lounge.
He adjusted his cufflinks nonchalantly as he walked.
Tao An was pacing back and forth anxiously.
When he suddenly saw Lu Shixu emerge, he jolted in surprise.
"S-Sir!"
Lu Shixu, who hadn’t even been looking at him, stopped in his tracks.
"What is it?"
"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!"
Tao An shook his head vigorously, almost by instinct.
Lu Shixu’s expression darkened slightly.
Gritting his teeth, Tao An endured the overwhelming pressure before finally cracking and holding out his phone.
"I just saw a news story... or to be more precise, a gossip article..."
Lu Shixu frowned at first, but then his gaze froze.
He scanned every single word of the short news article, as if trying to verify its authenticity.
But his thoughts were in turmoil, like wave after wave crashing over him.
Just as he was about to turn and rush out...
"So the girl you like is Nan Zhi!"
Fu Yunfeng’s voice suddenly sounded from behind Lu Shixu.
Slightly startled, Lu Shixu turned around.
He had studied martial arts since he was a child and had even been thrown into a war zone with live ammunition to be tempered.
It was safe to say that the number of people who could approach him unnoticed could be counted on one hand.
But Fu Yunfeng had managed it.
It wasn’t that Fu Yunfeng’s skills were particularly hidden, but simply that Lu Shixu had been so distracted by the unverified news article that he hadn’t even noticed Fu Yunfeng walk up behind him.
Although Lu Shixu was well aware of the significant influence Nan Zhi had on him, he had never realized it with such stark clarity as he did in this moment.
He couldn’t help but fall into a daze.
Seeing this, Fu Yunfeng clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Ah, youth. Truly the prime of your life."
Lu Shixu quickly composed himself.
"You know Nan Zhi?"
"My son, Fu Chao, is filming a show with her recently. I went to her restaurant for a meal last time and met her, so I suppose you could say we know each other. She even gave me some snacks!"
Fu Yunfeng’s words made Lu Shixu’s expression shift slightly.
After all, he had never received such treatment from Nan Zhi.
’...But then again, doesn’t that count as a different kind of special treatment?’
"Alright, don’t just stand there like a fool. Sit."
Fu Yunfeng gestured for Lu Shixu to take a seat.
But Lu Shixu refused without a second thought.
"No need. I’m just here to give you this. I won’t be staying for the meal."
With that, he had Tao An present the box.
Only after the wooden box was placed steadily on the table did Fu Yunfeng brush the non-existent dust from his hands and carefully open the lid.
An exquisite, elegant teacup lay quietly inside, its glaze sky-blue, its surface like jade, with sparse, star-like crackles.
These were the classic characteristics of Ru ware from the Song dynasty.
Fu Yunfeng stared, utterly mesmerized.
It wasn’t until Lu Shixu started to leave that Fu Yunfeng’s attention was pulled back to the present.
"Wait. Don’t be in such a hurry, young man. Why not hear what I have to say first?"
Fu Yunfeng smiled, looking as serene and unruffled as ever.