Chapter 30 [VIP]

Han Shu got into the car, fastened his seatbelt, combed his messy hair with his fingers, and then opened the mirror to wipe his tear-stained face. The car hadn't started moving yet.

Looking to the side, I saw the driver sitting upright, holding his phone in one hand and his lap in the other.

"Aren't you leaving?" she asked, puzzled.

"Wait a moment." Wen Zhiyu cleared his throat and then spoke clearly and precisely, "Question: When the moon collides with the Earth, what can stop it?"

"..." Han Shu was speechless but chose to answer, "The Avengers Alliance?"

Wen Zhiyu waved his hand dismissively, “Wrong. The correct answer is: Blue Moon laundry detergent.”

Han Shu: ………

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Wen Zhiyu looked her over carefully, and seeing that she wasn't very interested, he waved his hand and said, "Question: Why did an orange turn into juice when it was taken out of the room?"

"...Because this house is called the Juicer?"

"Wrong. Because when orange leaves, it becomes a cup of juice."

Han Shu: …………

Wen Zhiyu then asked, "Question: An orange went out and encountered a mushroom, then it died. Why?"

"..." Han Shu sighed, "Just give me the answer."

"Because the bacteria want the orange to die, the orange has no choice but to die."

Han Shu: …………

Has this person lost their mind? Or have they been possessed?

What collection of lame jokes are you reading?

Why aren't you smiling?

The two spoke at the same time.

Han Shu rolled her eyes. "Are you kidding me?"

"Hmm." Wen Zhiyu put down his phone in frustration.

He doesn't have that talent.

He not only doesn't know how to comfort people, he can't even make her laugh. How can he compare to her husband?

Why!

Han Shu leaned forward, his face scrutinizing her. "Hiss! You're so concerned about me?"

Wen Zhiyu turned his face away, the veins on the side of his neck throbbing as he swallowed clearly visible. "Hmm, a friend who's a bit unfamiliar."

Han Shu's facial expression twitched. "So, friend, do you find lame jokes funny?"

Wen Zhiyu replied conservatively, "It's alright."

Han Shu immediately asked, "Then why aren't you smiling?"

Wen Zhiyu raised his lips, keeping the upper half of his face still, and said, "Hehehe."

"Pfft!" Han Shu couldn't help but break his composure.

"You smiled." Wen Zhiyu nodded in satisfaction, turned left and started the engine. "You treated me to Hou'an noodles last time, so it's my treat today."

"Thank you, friend." After laughing enough, Han Shu leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach, feeling quite hungry.

I thought we would be eating something like coconut chicken with vinegar, but to my surprise, Wen Zhiyu drove straight into the basement of a well-known hotel, and the elevator took us directly to the rooftop sea-view restaurant.

Han Shu glanced at her outfit in the spotless mirror of the elevator: sporty sandals and a plain, forest-style linen maxi skirt—she looked like a child who had wandered in by mistake. Then she looked at Wen Zhiyu's attire: a gunmetal gray casual shirt and black relaxed trousers, perfectly suited to this fragrant, high-speed, silent elevator.

She shrank into the corner. "Isn't it a bit too expensive to eat here?"

Two gazes met in the mirror. Wen Zhiyu leaned against the elevator handrail with one arm, his posture languid. "You've cried for so long today, let's eat something expensive. You shed tears, I bleed."

Han Shu mimicked him, gripping the elevator handrail and feigning seriousness, "Those few tears probably aren't enough; I need to cry some more."

"Please don't." Wen Zhiyu raised an eyebrow dramatically, then his voice dropped sharply as he muttered to himself, "I finally managed to coax him..."

The restaurant truly lives up to its name, boasting a sea view.

Settling into a comfortable seat by the floor-to-ceiling window, the sun was obscured by the rolling sea of ​​clouds, the sky and sea both appearing a greyish-blue. Guantou Ridge was laid out before us, the sea rippling in the wind. When the wooden Chinese-style chandelier, along with its pale yellow light, reflected on the glass, it resembled a lighthouse suspended in mid-air, adding warmth to the bleak, overcast scene.

Wen Zhiyu opened the menu, rotated it 180 degrees, and pushed it in front of Han Shu. "Take a look and see what you want to eat. The seafood is good, as are the fresh beef shank and the dried mushroom fried rice."

Han Shu flipped through two pages, then handed the book back. "I don't have any dietary restrictions, so you can have it."

Wen Zhiyu didn't refuse anymore, closed the menu, and recited the names of several dishes.

Han Shu gulped down a glass of mint lemonade. "Come often?"

"Hmm." Wen Zhiyu picked up the glass pot and filled it for her.

"Dating?"

"Um?"

Han Shu held up his index finger and twirled it a few times. "This kind of atmosphere is perfect for a date."

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but he came with my agent. He's male."

"oh."

It's not surprising at all.

What girl would like someone who says things like, "If I shoot someone, who will I kill?" or "If Orange takes a step back, it'll be a cup of juice"? That's crazy.

While waiting for the food, Han Shu picked up her phone and continued scrolling through social media apps. Da Mi was about to be discharged from the hospital, but still hadn't found an adoptive family. Her posts were flooded with upvotes, but no one had contacted her. The unlucky car owner was in a similar situation.

She was so worried that she dreamed of the Cat Kingdom every night.

suddenly,

"How.

Will it?

His tone was indifferent, without any particular emotion, yet...

The phone slipped from her hand and smashed against the glass tabletop, the quiet restaurant erupting like a thunderclap. Her eyes darted around nervously, careful not to disturb the other customers, while she whispered, "What?!?!"

Wen Zhiyu calmly moved her cup to the other side, avoiding the danger zone. "You just said this place is suitable for dates. You and I, a man and a woman, do we count as a date?"

"A man and a woman are a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition!" Han Shu waved his arms exaggeratedly. "I'm married, my friend!"

Wen Zhiyu frowned. "I know, no need to emphasize it repeatedly."

Han Shu: ...

That makes me even more scared.

Just then, it was time to serve the dishes. As the names of the dishes were announced one by one, the two stared at each other, one astonished and the other calm. One seemed to want to devour the other with his eyes, while the other observed the other's expression with great interest.

Please enjoy your meal.

Wen Zhiyu nodded without looking away, "Thank you."

As soon as the waiter left, Han Shu immediately asked, "What do you mean?"

"Just saying." Wen Zhiyu ladled a bowl of mushroom soup for her. "Drink up, my friend."

Han Shu didn't answer, staring intently at him, "Dating specifically refers to an emotional relationship!"

"I see." Wen Zhiyu placed the bowl directly in front of her. "Are you on a date with your husband?"

"Of course!"

Wen Zhiyu didn't say anything more and slowly started eating. Han Shu also picked up a soup spoon, but his heart was still pounding.

What does he mean? Did he discover something was wrong with her lying and is testing her?!

Behind every lie lies a whole host of lies.

After drinking half a bowl of incredibly delicious mushroom soup, she wiped her mouth and said, "Before we got married, my husband and I often went on dates. We'd go to the movies, have meals, and sometimes even go to the arcade. If you want to ask me about relationship issues, feel free to ask me anytime."

Wen Zhiyu automatically ignored the second half of the sentence, "Before marriage, what about after marriage?"

Han Shu replied naturally, "With a child, how can I have time for dating?"

"When you're on Hainan Island, does your husband take care of the child?"

"He's no good at taking care of children! Of course, it's his parents who take care of them."

Wen Zhiyu held his chopsticks and remained silent.

Han Shu secretly wiped away a cold sweat. Sure enough, he was suspicious; otherwise, why would he ask such detailed questions! Fortunately, she was prepared and answered fluently.

The fresh beef shank was tender yet firm, with the fennel adding a perfect finishing touch. The dried mushroom and pork crackling fried rice was fragrant but not greasy, already incredibly aromatic even without any additional seasoning. Add to that a few dishes of blanched or pickled seafood, and Han Shu quickly found himself immersed in a world of culinary delights.

Wen Zhiyu didn't ask any more questions, but would hand her a tissue when she reached for it, or pour her a glass of mint water when she was slurping from the spiciness.

After she finished eating and drinking, wiped her mouth, and slumped back in her chair, Wen Zhiyu put down his chopsticks and said, "I'm going to the restroom."

Han Shu was feeling dizzy from eating and waved at him.

Wen Zhiyu walked towards the restroom, but turned left at the last fork in the road and headed straight for the restaurant terrace.

At the height of 20 stories, the sea breeze was beyond frigid. He turned around, leaned against the railing, and dialed Qin Jianling's number.

"We're in a meeting right now, is there something you need, Professor Wen?" Qin Jianling asked in a low voice.

Wen Zhiyu had no choice but to raise his voice because of the wind, "Yes, it's urgent."

The faint sounds of footsteps and doors opening and closing could be heard from the other end; they must have come out of the conference room. Qin Jianling quickly regained his composure and said, "Speak."

"Besides movie theaters, restaurants, and arcades, where else can we go on a date?" Wen Zhiyu thought for a moment and added, "She just cried and is in a bad mood. Where can we go to cheer her up?"

"..." Qin Jianling hesitated, "We're talking about the plot of the novel, right?"

Wen Zhiyu coughed lightly, "Reality."

Qin Jianling was shocked, "Who are you dating?"

"A tenant. Of course, it wasn't a very formal date, just between friends—"

"Friends??? What tenant, new? Male or female?"

"...The same one, she rented it long-term."

Qin Jianling was speechless for a full half minute before her voice cracked in shock, "You're really planning to become a mistress by renting a long-term apartment to a married woman for dates?!"

“No,” Wen Zhiyu said firmly, “I just want to beat her husband.”

"Beating her—no, what are you comparing yourself to her husband for?!"

"Because we live under the same roof now. Her husband doesn't treat her well, and I just want to beat him." She finished the sentence with a hint of gritted teeth.

Qin Jianling frantically pounded the wall, yelling, "It's over! It's over! You're finished!!!"

Wen Zhiyu asked, puzzled, "What's over?"

"Mr. Wen, who's never been in a relationship, if you want to win, it means you care about this girl; if you want to win, it means you're jealous; if you want to win, it means you want to fight for her!!! Do you understand what I mean?!"

Caring? Jealous? Fighting? Wen Zhiyu scoffed, "You're overthinking it."

Qin Jianling's tone turned serious, "Zhiyu, do you dare say you don't care whether she cries or laughs, is sad or happy? Do you dare say you won't take responsibility if she's sick or injured—"

The sound of shattering glass drew Wen Zhiyu's attention.

He glanced at it casually, then his thick eyebrows suddenly furrowed.

"Quick, get some burn ointment!"

"Get some ice!"

"Madam, I'm so sorry, could you please stand up? I'll take you to the restroom to rinse off."

Han Shu squatted on the ground, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

pain.

My entire arm felt like roasted lamb on a campfire, burning with pain.

She gritted her teeth, waiting for the initial excruciating pain to subside, only to be met with a hand encircling her waist and back.

Wen Zhiyu scooped the person up, his voice taut with anxiety, "Back kitchen, lead the way."

The waiter jogged over, "Sir, this way."

Han Shu was led along in a daze, his steps faltering and he almost tripped.

"Be careful." Wen Zhiyu tightened his arms, steadily supporting her entire weight.

It wasn't until the scalded area came into contact with flowing water that Han Shu's throbbing head gradually cleared. As her nerves, except for those that could feel pain, resumed functioning, she suddenly realized that her shoulders and back were pressed tightly against Wen Zhiyu's chest.

She almost fell into his arms.

The man supported her waist with one hand and held her soup-stained wrist with the other without any disgust, staring at the wound that was getting darker as the water washed over it, his eyes dark.

Han Shu shifted uncomfortably, then shrank back in the opposite direction. "I... I can do it myself."

Sensing her resistance, Wen Zhiyu slowly released her hand, and after confirming that she was standing firmly, he took two steps back, his gaze never leaving her.

The water pressure at the kitchen faucet is unstable, occasionally accompanied by a hissing sound as the water jet accelerates.

Wen Zhiyu's hand, stained with oily soup, hung limply at his trousers, while his other hand clenched into a fist in his pocket with extremely slow speed and great force.

The childish desire to win, the repeated breaking of rules, the impulse to make her happy, seemingly ordinary yet unforgettable moments...

Wen Zhiyu touched the metal edge of his phone with the back of his hand, only then realizing he had forgotten to hang up. He took it out and saw the call had ended a minute earlier.

In that instant, he had only one thought.

He's finished, really finished.