Rebirth 2010, the best

Chapter 305 A Coincidence and Annoyance

"Speaking of which... this is the first time I've had a meal alone with Brother Lu, right?"

In the restaurant, Xue Mingyue looked at Lu Yao sitting opposite her and asked with a smile.

Her mood didn't seem to be affected by Lu Yao's words... Of course, it's also possible that she kept all her feelings to herself.

Lu Yao was too lazy to investigate.

We bumped into each other by chance, and since we were free at noon, we decided to have lunch together.

That's the reason for this meal.

Lu Yao glanced at her and nodded:
"Yes. It is indeed the first time."

As he spoke, he glanced at the stir-fried pork with chili peppers recommended by the restaurant and said directly to the waiter:

"Twice-cooked pork, shredded pork with garlic sauce."

After saying that, he handed the menu to Xue Mingyue.

After watching for a while, Xue Mingyue said:
"A hot and sour shredded potato, a... rice wine glutinous rice ball, and a small pot of rice."

Two people, three dishes and a soup.

That's definitely enough to eat.

After the waiter nodded and left, Xue Mingyue said:
"Actually, I wanted to order a beef or chicken dish for Brother Lu."

"No need. We're already at this Sichuan restaurant, why should we worry about food?... Oh right, you have concerns?"

Suddenly remembering what Shen Wan had told her about helping Xue Mingyue manage her figure, Lu Yao quickly said:

"Should we order again?"

"no, I'm fine."

Xue Mingyue quickly shook her head:
"It's okay to indulge yourself once in a while."

"Alright then, let's treat this as a indulgence meal. Boss, add another braised beef."

Lu Yao called out again.

Although it's obvious that this braised beef is very oily, at least it's "beneficial" for fitness enthusiasts.

That makes sense.

After Lu Yao finished ordering, Xue Mingyue thought for a moment and said:

"Actually, my willpower in managing my figure is not as good as Shen Wan's."

“I also told her, ‘Don’t be so thin, it’s unnecessary.’ But she has her own principles.”

"……Um."

The girl nodded again, thinking to herself, "Wasn't all her persistence for you?"
As he was muttering to himself, he noticed Lu Yao staring at him and instinctively asked:
"what's wrong?"

You've changed a lot.

After Lu Yao withdrew his gaze from the Van Cleef & Arpels four-leaf clover bracelet on the girl's hand, he sighed.

"Hmm...is there?"

Faced with the girl's questioning gaze, Lu Yao nodded:
"Yes, it's very big."

A little over a year ago, the girl wasn't even considered "refined poor."

These days, the jewelry on the wrist, the rings on the fingers, the watches, the clothes on the body... the exquisite hairstyle and the radiant skin...

Everything has undergone a complete and radical change.

This change, however, has nothing to do with inner cultivation; it is purely built up with money.

At first glance, it seems ostentatious, but in reality, it already exudes an air of "nobility".

Xue Mingyue seemed to understand Lu Yao's words. After subconsciously glancing at her exquisitely manicured nails, she nodded.
"Yes, things have changed a lot... I couldn't have imagined before that just getting a manicure would cost someone two months' salary... or even more."

"..."

Lu Yao's lips twitched.

I thought to myself, "I've learned something new."

Although he considered himself to be well-traveled and experienced, he was genuinely surprised that manicures could be so expensive.

"However, Brother Lu has also changed a lot."

"Oh? How exactly does it manifest?"

"...I can't describe it."

Xue Mingyue shook her head slightly, also sizing up Lu Yao, and said:
"To say there's been a big change... it seems like Brother Lu has become more and more mature."

I thought you were going to say that.

He pointed to the Patek Philippe on his wrist.

It's the one Fei Ge gave me.

"It has nothing to do with this."

The girl shook her head sincerely:
“Brother Lu has a very unique temperament. You don’t need these things to embellish it; others can still notice it.”

"We've known each other for so long, why are you still flattering me?"

"This isn't flattery, it's the truth. It's something we all agree on. Brother Lu's change has nothing to do with these things, but rather something we can't quite describe."

"...Is it that mysterious?"

"Oh my, it's not some kind of mystical theory, it's serious. Especially for girls... Brother Lu is a very attractive guy. Whenever you appear, people can't help but look at you."

"Yes, that's right, I am a heartthrob."

"Hey hey hey..."

The atmosphere immediately became more relaxed.

Soon, the food was served, and the two ate and chatted.

Actually, the conversation was all about Xu Ruochen and Zhang Mengxi.

It's not that she's complaining; she definitely wouldn't speak ill of Zhang Mengxi behind her back.

She's not that stupid.

They just started talking about how Young Master Xu became infatuated with this girl:
"Brother Chen really likes her. I've never seen him go to such lengths for any girl before, trying to surprise her every day..."

"every day?"

Lu Yao was startled.

"Yeah, every single day. From the moment he started pursuing me until we officially became a couple... every day was a little gift. Didn't you see the news, Brother Lu, the other day?"

"Uh... what news?"

"The advertisement on the exterior wall of the staircase of the twin towers in Pudong on New Year's Day."

"Exterior wall advertisement... Oh."

Lu Yao nodded:
The one at the International Passenger Transport Center?

"Yes. It's even on the news, ZMX. Just three letters and a red heart, it was trending all day, 3 views. Everyone on Weibo is wondering what it means. Actually... it was a surprise Chen-gege gave her when he invited her to the Bund."

"..."

Lu Yao's lips twitched.

Good guy.

You're really going all out to pick up girls, huh?
However, 300,000 doesn't seem to be much to him.

"Tsk, tsk."

With a sigh, he picked up a piece of shredded pork with garlic sauce and continued eating.

I thought to myself, "I can't pursue a girl like this."

While spending a lot of money is the most effective method... at least that seems to be the case at present. But it seems that Young Master Xu hasn't considered one problem, which is... that people have a threshold for happiness.

The higher the threshold, the higher the expectation for the next happiness.

If the threshold is not reached, it simply means unsatisfied desires.

By the time……

Thinking of this, he glanced at Xue Mingyue.

Isn't this the best example right before our eyes?

Although their relationship was illegitimate, she was the girl who had stayed by Xu Gongzi's side the longest. Now that Xu Gongzi had a new love, this former flame, though not showing it, was already "sexually dissatisfied" according to various signs.

But he wouldn't say that.

Or rather... this can be said to Young Master Xu, but not to Xue Mingyue.

After thinking for a moment, he changed the subject:
"Speaking of which, you're graduating soon."

"Yes."

A hint of melancholy flashed in the girl's eyes.

Then he said:

"Actually, that's why I came to see Brother Lu today... I'd like to ask for your advice."

"...Should I pursue a master's degree?"

"Yes."

The girl nodded:

"Should I continue reading? After all... Brother Lu knows my situation. I really want to get some guidance from you."

"Uh……"

Lu Yao thought for a moment and asked:

"Are you confident you can succeed?"

"Postgraduate entrance examination?"

"Ah."

"No problem at all. I have very good grades. Although I'm not as talented as Brother Lu, I'm not bad either."

"That's it..."

Lu Yao thought for a moment, then smiled and said:

"It's quite a dilemma, given your situation..."

He stayed at school for two years to pursue a master's degree, so he could always be by Xu Ruochen's side.

And once you graduate...

"If you don't pursue graduate studies after graduation, what would you like to do?"

"Brother Chen means I should work for Ele.me. He's been quite busy... even busier lately. So he needs someone to share the workload."

"You mean he's too busy dating to have time for her?"

His question only earned him a slight smile from the girl.

"I suggest you have both. Grasp it with one hand and let it go with the other. You can help him share the burden at work, and in your personal life... you can also take care of him." *Ring ring*

He had barely finished speaking when Xue Mingyue's phone rang.

"Um... Brother Lu, she's my cousin."

"Go ahead and accept it."

Lu Yao shrugged indifferently.

"Hey, cousin... huh?"

A look of surprise flashed across the girl's face, then she fixed her gaze on Lu Yao's face.

"I...I'm eating right now. Did you need something, cousin?"

Lu Yao was taken aback.

He immediately noticed the girl's conflicted expression:

"I'm almost finished eating. Why don't you eat it yourself... huh?"

Seemingly having heard some news, the girl suddenly hung up the phone.

"Brother Lu, my cousin is at the school gate and wants to pick me up to go out for dinner."

"..."

Lu Yao paused for a moment, then smiled:

"What? Am I not allowed to see anyone?"

"no no……"

Xue Mingyue quickly shook her head:
"I was afraid... that you'd feel like your cousin was bothering you."

"No, am I that petty?"

Lu Yao said with amusement:
"Why don't you invite her to come along? I haven't seen her in a long time."

"Is this...really okay?"

"Yeah, go ahead and shout."

After receiving confirmation from Lu Yao, Xue Mingyue called again:
"Hey, cousin, what happened? ...Why don't you come find me? I'm having dinner with Brother Lu... Um, I'll send you the address, it's behind the school, not far..."

After hanging up the phone, she said:
"My cousin is very happy. She's even more superstitious about Brother Lu than I am about him."

"why?"

"Because when I had dinner with Brother Chen before, he mentioned Ele.me. She really admires you now. She thinks you just casually did something and yet you've built such a large operation..."

"Ha. I basically don't care about anything at the company. I'm just a strategist, not as capable as you say."

"Hehe, Brother Lu is being modest again. My cousin was so excited when she found out that the money you asked us to raise a while ago was for Ele.me shares that she couldn't sleep."

"what."

Lu Yao smiled and nodded, thinking to himself, "If you can't sleep now, then in the future... you'll probably end up like Cui Yongyuan."

Then, he beckoned to the waiter.

There are three of us, so we'll need to order two more dishes.

When I saw Xue Qi again, she still had that neat short hair and seemed to have changed little.

It gives people the impression that it is "very rich".

She seemed genuinely happy to see Lu Yao and joined Xue Mingyue in calling him "Brother Lu."

Lu Yao quickly waved his hand:

"No, Sister Xue, please don't call me that."

"It's alright, Brother Lu, let's each talk our own thing. Otherwise, calling each other names would be too formal."

Lu Yao smiled slightly.

After the meal turned from two people to three, the atmosphere became lively thanks to Xue Qi's charming and tactful nature.

However, we didn't talk about anything substantial; we just chatted about all sorts of things.

We enjoyed the meal quite a bit.

After the meal, Lu Yao paid the bill, and as soon as they stepped outside, Xue Qi extended an invitation:
"Brother Lu, shall we find a place to have tea this afternoon?"

"Goodbye, I have something to do this afternoon."

Lu Yao smiled and waved the document in his hand.

He needs to see a lawyer this afternoon to review the contract and make sure there are no problems... Even though it's a school contract, it's always better to be safe than sorry. He also needs to tell his parents about it.

Having acquired this researcher status indicates that he has officially begun his work.

This will make everything much more convenient in the future.

It really is time to tell my parents what I've been doing.

Seeing this, a hint of regret flashed in Xue Qi's eyes.

Meeting Lu Yao today was a truly unexpected and delightful surprise.

It's just a pity that it couldn't be continued.

but……

"Is Brother Lu busy this week? I treated Brother Lu to a meal, so I should at least treat him back, right?"

"Haha, is it really that serious?"

This meal cost less than 300 yuan in total.

To be honest, it's definitely not that serious.

But Xue Qi nodded seriously:

"Of course! Give me a chance, please?"

"Hmm... okay then. Let's arrange it another day, we can find a time on WeChat. There's no need to rush this week, whenever you're free, let's eat together, how about it?"

"All right."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Lu Yao waved goodbye to the two men and drove straight to Kunshan.

After watching his car drive away, Xue Qi complained:
"Why didn't you notify me in advance? I could have made preparations earlier. Look at this place you've arranged."

"...Cousin, do you think Brother Lu would care what he eats? Besides, I...have something to discuss with him today."

"what's up?"

Meeting her cousin's curious gaze, Xue Mingyue thought for a moment, then shook her head:

"I'm not going to tell you, so don't ask."

"laugh."

Xue Qi chuckled, took out her keys, and opened the door of her secondhand Porsche, gesturing for Xue Mingyue to get in.

After starting the car, she rolled down the window and said as she reversed:
"I could guess even if you didn't say it. Isn't it because of Zhang Mengxi that you feel you've fallen out of favor?"

"..."

Xue Mingyue's lips twitched.

"You."

Xue Qi sighed:

"I told you long ago, the richer a person is, the more they care about the social standing of those around them. Honestly, the fact that Xu Ruochen hasn't gotten tired of you is already a testament to his loyalty..."

"…Cousin, what are you saying?!"

"I am telling the truth."

Xue Qi spoke with the air of someone who had been through it all:
"The more outstanding a person is, the less likely they are to remain faithful. Take Lu Yao, for example. You don't think Shen Wan was the only woman in his life, do you? Their excellence inevitably attracts countless women like moths to a flame. You think you can tie a man to your side? Don't be naive. You have no idea what those who say they love you in public are actually up to behind the scenes. So, I told you from the beginning that you have to learn to fight for what you have, because only what you have in your own hands is truly yours, understand?"

“What you said is wrong, even fallacious. Although I admit that some of your points are correct, I think your overall understanding is wrong.”

"Don't try to use fancy words with me. You know I'm not very educated, I don't understand them. But I've been in society long enough and seen more than you have."

"Maybe you're making an empirical mistake."

"hehe."

Xue Qi let out a cold laugh:
"The fact that you can say that shows you really don't understand men."

"Can you please not generalize and condemn all men?"

“I didn’t kill him, I’m just saying what I saw.”

"..."

Xue Mingyue fell silent.

It seems there's a sense that we don't see eye to eye and a word too much is unnecessary.

Xue Qi didn't care.

After driving for a while, he said:

"When do you think I should call him this week to ask him out for dinner?"

"...Didn't you realize he was making excuses?"

"Of course I could tell. But... I desperately need to get in touch with him."

"……what?"

Seeing Xue Mingyue's "Are you sure?" expression, Xue Qi smiled slightly:
"Fool, haven't you figured it out yet?"

"……what?"

"His potential is the greatest. Whether I can earn enough money in my lifetime to support a younger man and never have to worry about money again... that might depend on him."

"..."

Xue Mingyue's lips twitched.

He simply turned his head away.

Neuropathy.

she said to herself.

She didn't know what her cousin was planning, and she couldn't be bothered to care. Because every time she gave her advice, her cousin would always adopt that "I've seen more of the world than you've ever known" attitude.

At first, she listened.

But over time, the girl developed her own ideas.

As for her relationship with Brother Lu...

She's too lazy to manage it, and she can't manage it anyway.

Not to mention, she only has a few months left before graduation. Although she got some advice from Brother Lu, how easy is it to do both at the same time?
Moreover, she should be considering that girl named Zhang Mengxi.

That... little vixen!
Thinking of this, I inexplicably recalled Lu Yao's words, "You should learn from Shen Wan."

She felt even more agitated.

(End of this chapter)