Chapter 37 Ambiguous Postures
Given the dramatic scene that happened here last time, the two felt a little awkward when they met.
Sitting together on the bluestone, Lu Jinlan took the initiative to start a conversation, saying, "No one's in charge of the cafeteria today, are you feeling much more relaxed?"
Rin: "Yes, with the students' help, we cleaned up faster than usual, and no one scolded us. However, the dean is already recruiting a new boss. When the new boss arrives, he might not need us kitchen staff anymore. At that time, I might not be able to stay here."
Lu Jinlan leaned closer, looked at his worried face, and laughed, "No, you have to stay here, otherwise why are you clinging to me like a ghost?"
Lin Cheng gritted his teeth in anger, grabbing her wrist with one hand and covering her mouth with the other. Lu Jinlan fell backward onto the bluestone, with Lin Cheng pressing down on her, saying urgently, "Don't say those crazy things anymore."
Looking at the ambiguous posture, Lu Jinlan smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Aren't you afraid of being seen by others now?"
Rin's ears turned red, and he quickly got up and straightened his clothes.
Lu Jinlan sighed, hugged him from behind, rested her head on his shoulder, and said seriously, "Actually, I've wanted to tell you for a long time that you shouldn't care about those worldly views. You can follow your heart and do whatever you want."
Lin Cheng was silent for a moment, then said in a muffled voice, "I want to, but I can't do it."
"Then let's look at it another way. Let me ask you, do you care more about what the world thinks, or what I think?"
He lowered his head and answered with certainty, "I care about you."
"What would you do if my preferences conflicted with conventional standards?"
"For example what?"
"For example, I like men who take the initiative."
Lu Jinlan's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then she subtly touched the corner of his mouth with her warm fingertips.
The evening breeze rustled through the woods. Rin Cheng gazed at her, his dark eyes reflecting the hazy moonlight, like a campfire slowly burning in the night.
Lu Jinlan looked at him calmly. Lin Cheng hesitated for a moment, then finally leaned forward and expressed his feelings according to her preferences.
The gentle kiss grew more passionate, their breaths mingling, their lips and teeth rubbing and touching, licking and exploring, until their breathing became heavy.
Lu Jinlan stroked his neck, her forehead pressed against his, finally feeling that it was time to solidify this relationship.
"When the new boss arrives, you'll go outside and stop working as a cook."
"Then what should I do?"
"I'll support you without you doing anything. If you stay with me, I'll never let you down."
Lu Jinlan took out the translucent white jade hairpin from her sleeve. Holding the hairpin, she said to him solemnly, "I can't guarantee you anything right now, but I can tell you that I will never wrong you."
Rin Cheng hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "Okay, I believe you."
"Ding! You have captured my heart. Health +9999"
Lu Jinlan smiled and inserted the white jade hairpin into his hair, then gently hugged him back.
Three days later, the college cafeteria finally found a new operator.
The students who got the news first rushed into the classroom excitedly. "Have you heard? The new cafeteria owner has already brought the chef to the cafeteria. We can eat the new chef's food at noon. I heard that we don't have to pay for meals. She only charges the college a subsidy of 300 taels a month, and she guarantees quality and quantity. Every meal will be delicious and plentiful."
Xiang Ruzhen suddenly felt strange. "How is that possible? If that's the case, the new boss won't make any money at all. Why would she lose money to gain publicity? What's she after?"
Lu Jinlan pursed her lips. "If it's not for charity, then it's malicious and they definitely have ulterior motives."
Yan Wuxin immediately became interested, "Then we have to go and see later. If the new boss causes trouble, we'll make a scene in the cafeteria again."
The three of them chatted amongst themselves, imagining all sorts of things. But when they finally met the new boss, they were all stunned, and immediately understood why.
They certainly had ulterior motives, but it shouldn't be malicious; rather, it was a well-intentioned effort.
Because the new owner of the canteen is none other than Ping Xiyu, the shopkeeper.
Ping Xiyu stepped forward with a smile, "Greetings, young master, young mistress Yan, young mistress Xiang, we meet again."
Lu Jinlan was surprised: "When did the Lu family start a cafeteria business?"
Ping Xiyu smiled and said, "We don't usually do these small businesses, but since the young master is here, it's worth doing them. You have to pick up the food delivered from outside every day, and the journey is a bit of a delay, so it will also affect the taste. It's better to make it fresh here."
"You complained before that the food in the cafeteria was bad, and I've been trying to find a solution, but unfortunately I haven't been able to get it right. A couple of days ago, I heard that they were recruiting people to set up shop here, so I immediately had people poach a few good chefs. Your dean personally tasted the dishes, and not only did our food taste good, but we also only charge a subsidy of 300 taels a month. We finally stood out and won the right to operate the cafeteria."
Lu Jinlan nodded repeatedly, "Thank you for your trouble."
"Not at all, it's all my duty."
Lu Jinlan glanced around the stall, but didn't see a single cook.
Ping Xiyu hurriedly said, "I didn't know anything about the previous cooks, so I fired them. However..."
She lowered her voice and whispered in Lu Jinlan's ear, "I heard from Qing'er that there's a cook here that you like, so I kept one."
Lu Jinlan was taken aback. "How did you know which one I liked?"
Ping Xiyu smiled and said, "Even if my old eyes are failing me, I know what kind of person the young master prefers. It's the most outstanding and handsome one, isn't that right? I've arranged a private room for him, and he's currently tidying up in the back. From now on, he'll just be in charge of supervising and managing the accounts. Don't worry, I'll take care of the person you like."
Lu Jinlan looked pleased; Manager Ping was truly capable.
Lu Jinlan was initially not very comfortable at the Royal Academy, but after several twists and turns, he finally felt comfortable.
She trains at night, attends classes as usual during the day, and has the chef cook whatever she wants for her three meals. After class, she goes on dates with Rin-seo to have heart-to-heart talks.
Xiang Ruzhen worked part-time at the library as a librarian. Yan Wuxin came to keep her company during her shift, and they copied homework under the lamp.
Just as Xiang Ruzhen finished tidying up a shelf of books, Lu Jinlan called out from the skylight: "Ruzhen, get me two copies of 'Strategies for Defeating the Enemy'."
Xiang Ruzhen tossed the book up through the skylight, and Lu Jinlan caught it. He then turned and handed one to Lin Cheng.
The two lay on the roof of the library, with the bright moon hanging high above them, their figures nestled together under the moonlight.
Before she knew it, it was time for her day off again. Lu Jinlan had promised Yu Mian that she would visit him during her day off. But lately she had been spending every day with Lin Cheng, and Lin Cheng didn't have any other friends in the capital. It would feel awkward to bring him along, but how should she phrase it if she didn't?
Lu Jinlan was pondering how to phrase her words when Lin Cheng spoke up, "I'm going horseback riding in the suburbs tomorrow."
"Uh, horseback riding sounds good, go ahead, do you want me to come with you?" Lu Jinlan asked rather insincerely.
She had already decided that if Lin Cheng said he would use it, she would pretend to suddenly realize something and say, "Oh, I almost forgot, I have an appointment with Wu Xin and Ru Zhen tomorrow."
As a result, Rin Cheng gave her a meaningful look and said, "I don't need you to accompany me. You go ahead and do your thing. I'm afraid you'll be overwhelmed."
Lu Jinlan awkwardly rubbed her forehead. "It's alright, not too busy."
Lin Cheng sighed, "Actually, you should go see him too. I've experienced the torment of wanting to see someone. He must be counting down the days, hoping you'll come."
Lu Jinlan blinked in surprise, "I never expected you to be so considerate, so understanding, and so tolerant! I've made up my mind, I'm going to write home, I want to marry you, I want to make you my legal husband!"
Lin Cheng didn't believe it. "Really? You didn't even ask about my family background, or whether I'm good enough for you?"
"I don't care, I've made up my mind, I'm going to marry you!"
Lu Jinlan left excitedly, while Lin Cheng sat alone on the large blue stone, looking up at the sky with a melancholy expression.
*
On their day off, Lu Jinlan spent half a day choosing a house with Lou Yumin. They actually found a luxurious mansion near the academy, right behind the dean's house. It was spacious, complete with pavilions and waterside terraces, a five-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), which could be moved into after only a little renovation.
The original owner was moving his entire family to the south and was in a hurry to sell the property. The price was reasonable, only four thousand eight hundred taels. Lu Jinlan readily paid the money, received the deed, and delivered it directly to Jiu'an Hall, asking Manager Ping to have someone help with repairs and cleaning.
Lu Jinlan sighed inwardly: "I finally own a house in Beijing! Life is finally so easy." It proves that being born into the right family can bring a life without worries.
She was happy and took Lou Yumin for a stroll. They happened to come across the vicinity of Yaju Bookstore, and she couldn't help but take another look.
Lou Yumin hurriedly asked, "What's wrong?"
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "This is the place where I helped Lin Cheng borrow books when we first met."
Lou Yumin immediately pulled her over, "Come on, I want to read a book too, can you borrow one for me?"
Lu Jinlan was both amused and exasperated. "I didn't bring my student registration certificate today."
"We should still go in and take a look."
"All right."
Lu Jinlan reluctantly agreed, intending to just browse around inside, but she was surprised to find the store packed with people, a stark contrast to the deserted place she visited last time.
The two squeezed in and casually flipped through a bookshelf when they heard several people whispering behind them.
One person said, "This is the shop where Lu Jinlan borrowed books? Nothing special."
Another person said, "That's right. I think this shop is just like her. All she can do is write some poems and essays. Her reputation is undeserved."
Lou Yumin found it grating and was about to speak when Lu Jinlan pressed his wrist down and shook her head with a smile.
She never cared about these rumors and would just laugh them off.
Lou Yumin was about to leave when she overheard someone say, "She's not just good at poetry and prose; she also writes excellent policy essays. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have chosen her to come to the capital to take the imperial examination."
The two men paused for a moment. "By the way, you and Lu Jinlan were classmates. I heard she was relatively unknown in Yunzhou. How did she suddenly become so powerful? Could it be that her wealthy mother used some tricks?"
The man said, "If her mother were willing to use underhanded methods, she wouldn't have always been at the bottom. However, she studied hard before the graduation exam, so it's reasonable for her to get good results. Besides, she was the center of attention during the martial arts exam, and she made a name for herself, didn't she? If you don't like her, just don't mention her. Why make malicious speculations?"
The man who spoke earlier said unhappily, "Why are you bringing up the two of us? Don't you have a grudge against her? Why are you taking her side?"
The man retorted angrily, "I've had a falling out with her before. How can she be a gentleman while I can only be a treacherous villain? You underestimate me. We don't see eye to eye, so let's not talk anymore."
The man turned to leave, but Lu Jinlan quickly said, "Wait a minute!"
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