Chapter 398: Chapter 318 Lin Lu’s Confession is charging up

Cheng Zhu hadn’t expected Xu Ruoan to seat herself next to him, and it was clear that this sexily dressed vixen had a keen interest in him.

Although Lin Lu hadn’t really talked to her, based on a woman’s sixth sense, she felt that this little hunk with a naughty charm definitely had something going on with Lu Lu!

I’ve got to keep a close eye on Lin Lu’s behalf.

There are just too many bad guys nowadays!

A few minutes later, the last of the friends Lin Lu had invited arrived: another girl named Ji Shiwen.

She was fairly good-looking too, the durable beauty type, wearing a classic pair of Chanel black-framed glasses that radiated an intellectual air, giving off a somewhat artsy vibe overall.

Cheng Zhu, in his past life, had encountered quite a number of artsy girls. He wasn’t sure if it was just the people he met or if it was common in that group, but all the artsy girls he got to know well turned out to be quite different behind closed doors; some were actually quite wild.

On the surface, they would often share books in their social circles and write some arty copy, occasionally penning a few lines of book reflections. But in private… Tsk tsk tsk!

You might think she’s traditional, reserved, and hard to win over… but it’s actually not the case.

This isn’t to stereotype or generalize, it’s just based on Cheng Zhu’s own past experiences; in his view: artsy girls are a real piece of work!

When Ji Shiwen walked in, she immediately handed over the gift she’d brought for Lin Lu, apologizing, “Sorry, Lu Lu, I didn’t expect the traffic to be so bad.”

While talking with Lin Lu, she couldn’t help but take a surreptitious glance at Cheng Zhu nearby.

“Did your boyfriend not come with you?” Lin Lu asked.

“Don’t mention him, we’re currently giving each other the silent treatment,” Ji Shiwen answered. “We might be back to single status soon.”

Sitting aside, Xu Ruoan said, “I’m tired of watching you guys break up and make up.”

Once everyone was seated, they began to eat.

Such birthday gatherings often involved people from different social circles who might not know each other. Conversations could get awkward, and there was a tendency for everyone to split into their own conversations.

Fortunately, Lin Lu was naturally lively, and the room had Shen Minglang and Jiang Wanzhou, a pair of jokers. Cheng Zhu was also good at making conversation, so the atmosphere never turned cold.

Lin Lu even brought a couple of bottles of red wine from her dad, but nobody wanted to drink.

“Cousin, aren’t you drinking either?” Lin Lu asked Shen Minglang in surprise.

You’re supposed to be a booze hound!

“Why have you started to call me ‘cousin’ like Cheng Zhu does?” Shen Minglang was slightly taken aback at first.

Then, he said, “We’ve still got a second event after dinner, ya know? I need to keep my strength, in case you guys start targeting me!”

For someone like him who often painted the town red, attending several gatherings in one night, he had this bad habit: never drink too much in the first event.

Either find an excuse to stick to not drinking or act like you can’t handle your booze!

In the second or even third event, that’s when he’d go wild and start pouring drinks for everyone.

Cheng Zhu sometimes had this little habit as well.

Actually, once the wine bottle was opened, Jiang Wanzhou and Cheng Zhu would definitely work in tandem, suggesting the oldest present, the cousin, take charge and liven things up, like starting a drinking game.

Shen Minglang: Do you really think I’m an idiot?

The food at this restaurant was quite good, and the presentation was elegant.

During the casual talk, Xu Ruoan was, as Cheng Zhu predicted, a “troublemaker bomb.”

She had specifically asked Cheng Zhu’s age and, upon learning that he was Lin Lu’s junior, she immediately exclaimed, “You’re younger than Lu Lu? Wow–!”

Give me a break with your wow–!

Cheng Zhu couldn’t help feeling a bit helpless.

“Senior and junior! Nice, nice! Interesting!” She began to blatantly size up the two of them.

At the dinner table, Shen Qingning hardly spoke.

Of course, she was always like that in her everyday life, so nobody found it strange.

During the meal, eating with the girls could be a bit challenging. For instance, when Shen Minglang rallied everyone to toast Lin Lu, Xu Ruoan demanded that everyone freeze before clinking glasses so she could take a photo of the moment.

After the meal came the session for group photos with the girls.

This part should have been quite slow.

First, they needed a big group photo, then individual shots with Lin Lu.

The big group photo was for keepsake – not everyone would want to post it since it’s hard to make sure everyone looks good in a big group shot.

But the more intimate shots with Lin Lu were different.

That’s when Cheng Zhu needed to step in.

Lin Lu directly appointed him, “Cheng Zhu, you take the photos!”

He had no choice but to chuckle, step forward, and grab Lin Lu’s phone to demonstrate his photography skills.

Taking the group photo was definitely the hardest part. After taking a few shots, he’d hand the phone back for them to check if the photos were worth editing.

With him, a pro, things moved a lot faster.

Xu Ruoan couldn’t resist to speak up several times, “He Chong, you should watch Cheng Zhu closely and learn from him, see how good he is at taking photos.”

He Chong: “…”

What does this have to do with me? How did I get dragged into this?

He was actually carrying his bag in one hand with his other hand in his pocket, stepping close to Cheng Zhu with an unwilling face, only then to be dumbstruck.

Cheng Zhu was giving directions while taking photos, telling the girls to change their poses slightly.

“No way, man, you must be a pro, right?” He Chong was inwardly shocked.

When did my girlfriend become so photogenic?

Damn, how did you manage to capture her long legs?

Definitely a problem with my phone!

He didn’t realize Cheng Zhu had noticed Ji Shiwen was determined to wear stockings despite the cold weather, so he made sure to capture her legs in a flattering way, figuring she’d be particularly concerned about that.

As for Lin Lu in the group shots, well, Baby Lu could easily outshine her with just a few snaps.

When Cheng Zhu handed the phone to Xu Ruoan to review the photos, she immediately lifted the phone and said, “He Chong! Look! Take a good look! You always screw up when you take photos, insisting that’s just how I look, but I actually look like this!”

He Chong: “…”

He could already foresee that taking photos for his girlfriend was going to get even more difficult.

–You’re upping the ante, bro? I surrender, brother!

Lin Lu, watching this scene, didn’t know why, but felt a small sense of satisfaction inside.

…

…

After dinner and photos, it was nearly eight o’clock.

Lin Lu had booked a private room and invited everyone to go sing and have a few drinks.

Since nobody drank at dinner, no need for designated drivers – everyone just drove themselves.

As Ji Shiwen had come by taxi, she rode with Lin Lu.

On the way, Ji Shiwen took the initiative to talk to Lin Lu about her boyfriend, with whom she was in a standoff, and once again stressed that they might really break up this time, and that she definitely wouldn’t reconcile.

“Oh please, I’ve heard that at least three times already,” Lin Lu retorted.

Every time Ji Shiwen broke up with her boyfriend for a couple of months, she would try to meet new men, but in the end, she’d always cave to his pleas for reconciliation.

There’s no shortage of such women in the world.

And of course, there are just as many men like that.

Reconciliation isn’t because I can’t let you go, it’s just that I really haven’t found someone better.

That said, your pitiful pleas and willing attitude to change also please me.

As they talked, Ji Shiwen even probed, “Lu Lu, this Cheng Zhu… is he single?”

Lin Lu thought she was just being gossipy and replied while driving, “Mm… for now, yes!”

“Did I hear that he opened Youu Tea?” she asked.

“Yeah, that claw machine store I posted about in my social circle before, that was his too, though he’s sold it now,” Lin Lu answered.

“Oh, he’s entrepreneurial while studying and doing so well. Seems pretty ambitious,” Ji Shiwen nodded slightly.

Once Lin Lu started talking about Cheng Zhu, she wouldn’t stop, chatting excitedly with Ji Shiwen.

Ji Shiwen, in the midst of a standoff that could lead to a split, was quite interested in Cheng Zhu. Handsome and entrepreneurial, the guy scored high in her book.

Thus, as Lin Lu continued to mention things about him, Ji Shiwen also listened intently.

But… something felt off the more she listened!

She had never seen Lin Lu like this before; when talking about a guy, her lips would involuntary curl upwards, and those little dimples on her face never seemed to fade!

Ji Shiwen’s nature wasn’t as direct as Xu Ruoan’s, so she didn’t outright ask Lin Lu if she liked him.

However, Ji Shiwen had already dismissed the thought of trying to get to know Cheng Zhu better.

Sure, I’m looking for better options while riding a donkey, trying to ditch my current boyfriend for a new one.

But let’s steer clear of Lu Lu’s vague love interest; Lu Lu is such a lovely person.

Besides, in front of Lin Lu, I definitely don’t stand a chance!

When it comes to looks, body, family background, and such, probably only Shen Qingning could give her a run for her money, right?

Ji Shiwen watched Lin Lu, still talking eagerly about Cheng Zhu, and felt the word “like” written all over her forehead.

“How can he resist not getting involved with her?” Ji Shiwen was puzzled.

“If it were me, upon feeling even a hint of Lu Lu’s liking for me, I’d probably confess in a heartbeat!”

The artsy girl who loved reading in daily life came up with a vivid metaphor in her mind:

“Is he recovering from an addiction? How can he hold back?”

When Lin Lu drove into the parking area, the three fast-driving guys, Cheng Zhu included, had already arrived and were roughhousing.

Didn’t Cheng Zhu say he had other gifts prepared in the car for Shen Minglang and Jiang Wanzhou besides the two apple gift boxes?

Turned out to be two Christmas hats.

Christmas hats are fine, but damn, they were green.

Though red and green are the primary colors of Christmas, you mean to bring us good wishes, right?

“I’m colorblind,” Cheng Zhu defended himself with a laugh.

“You colorblind my ass. Red and green colorblind my ass, I think you’re a pure yellow wolf!” Jiang Wanzhou mockingly cursed while waving his finger.

Red for stop, green for go, yellow means caution.

“Don’t give me that, you’re not even in a relationship, why are you making such a fuss? Cousin here isn’t even as pissed as you,” Cheng Zhu retorted with annoyance.

“He’s just used to being cuckolded from all that green; it’s become a habit,” Little President Jiang went full throttle.

“Ah! You… you… you!” Shen Minglang was furious.

He really didn’t care for such superstitions and had just stretched the hat with both hands, about to try it on when he heard the slander.

Green what? Who’s being cuckolded? Not me! Really not me!

When Lin Lu and Ji Shiwen walked over, Jiang Wanzhou was trying to forcibly fit the green hat on Cheng Zhu’s head.

“Scram, scram, scram! Get lost!” Cheng Zhu smacked Jiang Wanzhou’s face away.

“You’re not dating anyone either, you… what are you afraid of?” Jiang Wanzhou’s face was pressed down, but he continued to struggle, waving the green hat high.

Hearing this, Lin Lu had a thought bubble in her mind, “Well, that’s not entirely impossible, hehe!”

…

(ps: Second update, soliciting monthly tickets.)