Chapter 187: Chapter 187: This Terrible Plotline is the Retribution I Deserve for Getting a Promotion
Lu Qingyan merely smiled without saying a word, the softness in his eyes unchanged.
Jiang Nanshu was visiting such a luxurious Chinese restaurant for the first time. Walking through the Chinese-style gate, the path led along a cobblestone walkway lined with clusters of vibrant flowers and guided by servers dressed in traditional Chinese attire. Passing through a crescent-shaped archway, they arrived at the serene private dining room.
A meal at Zhuyun Pavilion was hard to come by, but Lu Qingyan was a valued guest there, never needing a reservation, always with a place reserved for him.
Jiang Nanshu moved ahead, while Lu Qingyan and Yang Jiashu lagged behind.
Yang Jiashu tutted in amazement, “You’ve really changed a lot. How did you end up with her in just a month? Don’t play with her feelings, Yun Chuan cares a lot about Nanshu.”
The softness in Lu Qingyan’s eyes faded slowly, replaced by a chilly, clear gaze that revealed no affection. He glanced sideways at Yang Jiashu, “I take relationships very seriously.”
Yang Jiashu was at a loss for words.
He didn’t know what to say.
“Just treat her well,” Yang Jiashu sighed, “It’s not been easy for her, so pamper her. There’s nothing wrong with a girl being a little spoiled.”
Lu Qingyan’s lips twitched slightly.
He said no more.
From the beginning, the one playing games with emotions was Jiang Nanshu.
In this game of prey and hunter, Lu Qingyan wanted to be the hunter.
He was very curious to see what it would be like when Jiang Nanshu fell in love with him.
Yang Jiashu didn’t know whether Lu Qingyan took his words to heart. In their circle, sincerity really wasn’t worth much, and love was but a vassal.
Just like Father Lu and Lu Mother, who started out with a high-profile marriage that turned from sweetness to resentment, perhaps there was love between them at some point, but faced with power and desire, true feelings were worthless.
The group navigated through the promenade and entered a wooden private room adorned with windows carved with orchid patterns. Outside was a lush bamboo forest, with half-open windows bringing in the fresh wood scent, delighting the senses.
The server handed over the menu, where even the cheapest dish cost five thousand.
Lu Qingyan skimmed through it quickly, not finding the crispy pork and roast duck, so he passed the menu to Jiang Nanshu and said, “Order whatever you like, I’ll be back soon after stepping out for a bit.”
Jiang Nanshu nodded obediently and without any hesitation, ordered several of Zhuyun Pavilion’s signature dishes, running up a bill of over one hundred thousand.
She was yet to finish when Yang Jiashu watched in astonishment.
Eventually, he politely asked, “Nanshu, can you finish all this?”
Jiang Nanshu then came to her senses and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, I’m wasting Brother Qingyan’s money too extravagantly, he won’t be angry, will he?”
Yang Jiashu was speechless.
Seeing Jiang Nanshu’s guilty face, he suddenly regretted speaking up and cleared his throat lightly, “It’s fine, order away. Even if you want to taste a dish, it’s alright.”
“Really?” Jiang Nanshu’s lips slightly pursed.
“Yep, it’s fine.”
Meanwhile, Lu Qingyan who had stepped outside found the server and made his requests.
The server was very respectful in front of Lu Qingyan, noted down the roast duck and crispy pork, and then left.
Only then did Lu Qingyan turn back.
Not far away, Yan Yidan, who was lazily leaning against a carved pillar, stopped a passing server. The server became tense upon seeing her and was about to greet her formally when Yan Yidan placed a finger to her lips, “Shh, don’t say a word, call me Miss Yan.”
The server was puzzled.
Although he didn’t know what the boss wanted to do, he was sure it was right to listen to her.
He respectfully bowed his head, “Miss Yan.”
Yan Yidan tucked a strand of short hair behind her ear, “Who is Lu Qingyan with in the private room?”
The server hesitated, then spoke, “Apart from the Lu Family Crown Prince, there is a very beautiful girl and the young master of the Yang Family.”
A brilliant smile spread across Yan Yidan’s face, wow, so they’re all here.
Well, then it was time for her plan.
The first course was the crispy pork, deep-fried to a golden crisp, soft on the inside.
Poured into a white porcelain bowl was Zhuyun Pavilion’s special sauce. One dip, and it left an unforgettable taste.
Jiang Nanshu blinked in surprise, her apricot eyes wide. “I don’t believe I ordered this.”
“I did,” Lu Qingyan interjected.
With his refined features and deep-set, peach blossom-shaped eyes that looked at one so tenderly they might drown you in an ocean of love, he held the dish with his distinct, knobbly fingers and set it in front of Jiang Nanshu: “Eat up.”
Jiang Nanshu hesitated, wanting to speak.
[How does he know I like crispy pork?]
Lu Qingyan promptly dispelled her confusion: “The first rule of dating is to understand what your girlfriend likes, so I asked your brother.”
[So that’s it, you’re quite considerate.]
Blush tinging her cheeks with a crimson hue, her voice was soft and teasing: “Thank you, Brother Qingyan.”
Lu Qingyan’s dark eyes twinkled with a radiant mirth: “Although I like it when you call me ‘Brother’, I’d be happier if you called me ‘Ah Yan’.”
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
[Do I really have to be this cheesy? Ah Yan, Ah Yan, I can’t bring myself to say it, ugh.]
She faced what seemed like certain doom and uttered, “Ah Yan…”
Lu Qingyan couldn’t suppress a chuckle, brimming with inexpressible tenderness.
His handsome gaze, like mist dispersing, melted the snow-capped peaks.
His beautiful fingers traced along her black hair, gently lifting a curl as he spoke in a low, coaxing voice: “That sounds nice, Nannan, could you say it once more?”
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
She felt utterly foolish.
In that moment, Lu Qingyan appeared to her as nothing short of a male siren, luring her in.
[Stop it, who could withstand this? The plot didn’t say that he’d turn into this once he’s in love!]
She lowered her head shyly, fumbling her words: “People are watching.”
Yang Jiashu felt his teeth ache; even joining them for a meal meant enduring such a bombardment, and he suddenly found his food tasteless.
Lu Qingyan was truly beyond his expectations…
Perhaps he really was experiencing the throes of first love.
Jiang Nanshu was in agony.
In the original story, it was all about the angst, rife with misunderstandings and pain, and the sweet moments between the leads didn’t span half a chapter.
If the male lead had been like this earlier, would the female lead have run away?!
Lu Qingyan’s eyes flickered with disappointment: “Then call me that in private.”
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
[What’s with that look, as if I’ve wronged you.]
The conversation abruptly ended as the door to their private room was pushed open.
A short-haired girl made her appearance.
Dressed in a traditional light blue Chinese outfit embroidered with irises coupled with a pale white chiffon skirt, she carried a tea tray in her hands, her delicate, fair cheeks graced with a gentle smile, her amber eyes landing on Jiang Nanshu.
“Greetings to our esteemed guests, I am Yan Yidan, the newly appointed tea master from Zhuyun Pavilion.”
Her demeanor was graceful and proper, exuding the aura of a well-bred family’s young lady.
It was only upon hearing her name that Jiang Nanshu smacked her tongue in disbelief.
[Yan Yidan’s making an appearance so early! It’s not even her storyline yet; she’s Su Ran’s romantic rival, another troublesome admirer of Lu Qingyan!]
Jiang Nanshu looked up just in time to meet her eyes as Yan Yidan gave her a gentle smile.
Jiang Nanshu: “…”
[Wait, is she my rival now? Is this lousy plot twist the price I pay for my rise in status, shifting from Su Ran to me facing off against her? She seems like a ‘Sister Ma Jia’ type.]
Lu Qingyan’s gaze drifted up, landing on Yan Yidan.
For someone he had never met before, if he wasn’t mistaken, this must be another one of Lu Mother’s arrangements.