Chapter 82: Three Matches quit smoking, quit being arrogant, quitting to make his girlfriend happy...
Luo Shu swore that in her twenty-plus years of life, she had never eaten a meal that left such a lingering taste in her throat as tonight's. The atmosphere should have been a joyous gathering, but it was surprisingly strange and abnormal.
Everyone seems to have his or her own little calculations in mind.
On her left was Xia Yimo, who was calm and composed, tapping the wall of the cup with her fingertips, as if she was thinking about something.
Arranged clockwise, they are: Zhuang He, who was enjoying serving food to his sweetheart while helping his brother bluff.
Fang Qingzhuo and Shen Qianshu, who are separated by a vast river between Chu and Han, are disgusted with each other.
Unaware of her own embarrassment, she showed no respect for any of the fried delicacies, only Zhai Xiaowen, who was hungry for gossip.
Fu Ze was thinking about how to break the deadlock, while secretly fighting against Shen Qianshu.
The last one is Tang Tang, who did something wrong and chewed rice with a guilty conscience.
During the meal, Xia Yimo asked Luo Shu about her plans for the weekend. Luo Shu told her the truth that she was busy with the company's anniversary celebration and couldn't get away.
Apart from this, there was no other conversation.
After much difficulty, the party finally came to an end. As one of the organizers, Fu Ze, in line with the traditional virtues of harmonious coexistence and parting amicably, racked his brains to think of the right opening remarks. He chatted casually for a few words, and then ended the party smoothly. Everyone went home happily.
He placed his hopes on Zhai Xiaowen next door, winking and hinting, "Xiaowen, didn't you have something to ask before you came?"
"Is that possible?" Unfortunately, Zhai Xiaowen didn't understand his good intentions at all. Instead, she secretly sighed that the elderly were more caring, so she shamelessly made a request, "I want a limited edition Chi Yuan two-year anniversary photo card."
When it came to their own game, Zhuang He, the chatterbox and Zhuyou's PR representative, couldn't hold back any longer and subconsciously chimed in, "My sister likes Chi Yuan?"
Zhai Xiaowen jumped up in delight when her name was suddenly called. She knew Zhuang He, a familiar face to players familiar with the game. Combined with the figure next to him, Fang Qingzhuo, who usually worked behind the scenes, it was clear he was the real deal. "Hello, my name is Zhai Xiaowen. I've been a loyal player of Chaos since its launch, and I'm also Chi Yuan's wife fan. I used to know about the game through my phone, but I didn't expect to see you in person today. Oh, and my phone is full of your photos. Don't get me wrong, they're all prank emoticons made for you by other players. Also, can you add some more open world subplots to the third anniversary bonus? After all, we're also krypton gold players..."
The upward curve of Fu Ze's lips gradually leveled out as a bunch of opinions came up. He pulled Zhai Xiaowen to sit down again, and smiled bitterly to smooth things over: "Haha, she was joking."
"It's okay. It's only right to listen to the players' opinions. However, my sister's train of thought is really..." Zhuang He racked his brains for a long time but couldn't find the right words to describe it. In the end, he could only say, "Cute."
"I'm serious." Zhai Xiaowen became increasingly excited as she spoke, not wanting to give up. "For example, there's a level in the open world that I've never quite gotten to."
"Which level?" This time it was Fang Qingzhuo who took over.
Zhai Xiaowen was overjoyed: "There's a three-matchstick task that I can't pass."
"Once you get that person's forgiveness, you can get through it." When saying this, Fang Qingzhuo seemed to have a hidden meaning and glanced at Luo Shu.
Zhai Xiaowen exclaimed, "Ah!" "Is it that simple?"
"It's not easy." Fang Qingzhuo said in a heavy tone, "The three matches are like flowers in the mirror and moon in the water. Each time you light one, it means going back to the past and facing your mistakes again. Some players can pass the level with just one match, while some players can't pass the level even if they light all three. The key is not to complete the story mission, but to sincerely repent, it is..."
He paused, and this time looked directly at Luo Shu, "Can we let go of the past and start over?"
The eyes of those present who understood his implied meaning coincidentally focused on the same spot.
The highly anticipated protagonist acted calm and unfazed, tucking one side of his hair behind his ear and slowly savoring the half mouthful of food left in the bowl.
After enduring for a long time, Shen Qianshu taunted: "It's easy to get forgiveness in the game, but people can't live in the game all their lives."
"People can't live in games all their lives, but some people don't even have the qualifications to participate in the game's internal testing." Fang Qingzhuo's fork pierced into the half tomato used for decoration, and then made a sharp scratching sound.
"Hearing the tone, someone who didn't know would think it was one of the world's top 500 companies." Shen Qianshu retorted again.
Fang Qingzhuo said bluntly, his lips curled slightly, and he used his usual trick of making a big move to finally rub salt into the wound: "It all depends on the players' favor. We're not a Fortune 500 company, but not just anyone can get in. For example, with your qualifications, if you work hard, you can at least get into Zhuyou and work as a security guard."
After so many fights, Shen Qianshu didn't get annoyed. It was like some mechanism in his brain was automatically activated. He delivered a powerful punch as soon as he moved his lips: "Now that you mention it, I'm curious what the security guards of Zhuyou are protecting. Are they trash or scum?"
Unexpectedly, the consequence of his momentary verbal pleasure was to offend the three people present.
Zhuang He was immersed in watching the fun, and his face darkened when he reacted. Fang Qingzhuo, on the other hand, had no expression on his face and sat upright.
Tang Tang, who was caught in the crossfire, couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable: "This isn't targeting anyone. Zhuyou doesn't recruit externally for core positions. The founding team members are all competitive students from top universities in my country. This isn't to exclude those who are different. Some returnees from overseas are desperate to get into Zhuyou, but without real talent, they really can't get in."
These heartfelt words helped Fang Qingzhuo win back a game.
Shen Qianshu's eyelids drooped when he realized that he had said the wrong thing. After two seconds of mental struggle, he decided to make up for his mistake. He ignored the person next to him, glanced at the two people from Tangzhuang in turn, and apologized very readily.
After finishing, his dark eyes turned right and remained fixed for a long time. As if not satisfied with the silent contempt he gave the rubbish, his thin lips opened and closed as he repeated his old trick: "Sorry, I didn't express myself accurately enough. Scumbags don't need protection."
In an instant, a strong smell of gunpowder spread in the air.
Fu Ze had not expected that his small initiative would trigger a butterfly effect. On one side was his girlfriend's immediate superior, and on the other side was his younger brother whom his boss had personally asked him to take care of. He could only pray to God in despair not to torture him anymore.
The current situation is more or less developing out of control. Everyone at the table is watching the developments somewhere, either openly or secretly, and they all agree that the other party is planning something bad.
In fact, Fang Qingzhuo was quite wronged. He was used to showing a cold face. This was also his social protection color in front of a bunch of strangers. Ask yourself, have you been offended by Shen Qianshu? The answer is disdainful. How could it be possible? After all, comparing to him is child's play. He can say more harsh and heartbreaking words.
He was a penny-pinching businessman, but that didn't mean he was calculating everything. That kind of life was too tiring. He prioritized everything, especially weighing opportunity costs. For example, right now, compared to the insignificant disdain he was receiving, he was more concerned about the lotus root with foie gras sauce to the diagonal right, one of Xian E Zhuang's signature dishes. Why didn't Luo Shu take that dish? He specifically turned to it. Why? Was she having a poor appetite? Or was there something wrong with the dish? It didn't make sense. Back then, she loved eating it.
His mind was completely occupied with this question, and he was about to ask what was wrong with the food.
Suddenly, a muffled cough interrupted all his subsequent actions and thoughts.
Looking in the direction of the sound, I saw Luo Shu coughing with her fist against her lips. Their eyes met briefly, but with deep meaning.
Fang Qingzhuo understood instantly and warned others not to make personal attacks.
Suspicion escalated into jealousy.
What kind of drug did Shen Qianshu give her to make her protect him like this, even though he was the one who initiated the fight.
The pettiness in his bones flared up, and Fang Qingzhuo threw down the silver fork that reflected half of his sour face, and left the table angrily without looking back.
"Where are you going?" Seeing this, Zhuang He called him in confusion, and with his neck stretched straight, he turned 90 degrees to follow his back.
"Pay the bill and go wherever is cooler." Fang Qingzhuo stopped and kept walking, turning his head slightly. Although he was answering Zhuang He, his eyes were actually on Luo Shu.
One second, two seconds, three seconds, she remained indifferent, preferring to stare at the broken bowl in front of her rather than even give him a glance.
Fang Qingzhuo brought disgrace upon himself, and with almost no other options left, he withdrew his gaze and left the scene dejectedly.
After looking at the whole situation, Xia Yimo chuckled softly, picked up a piece of lotus root with foie gras sauce with her serving chopsticks and put it into Luo Shu's bowl.
Seeing an extra piece of food in the bowl that had been empty for a long time, Luo Shu was puzzled and responded with a puzzled expression.
Xia Yimo didn't answer but asked, "Don't you like it? I saw you glance at this dish several times."
After the show, Luo Shu took a ride home with Zhuang He.
Xia Yimo sat in the back row with Luo Shu and chatted. The topic was very diverse, ranging from a detailed account of the changes in Shenzhen over the years to the old talk about mutual friends. Zhuang He tried to interrupt several times but failed.
"What? Jiaqian is getting married?"
"Well, on the 30th of next month." Xia Yimo's eyes lit up with a smile, and she flipped through the chat history on her phone for her to review. "Then we'll go together."
Luo Shu was somewhat surprised and suddenly fell silent. She began to reflect on whether it was her own problem. She knew that Gu Jiaqian had a boyfriend and their relationship was stable. They often posted on WeChat Moments to show their love, but she didn't know that she had already set a date.
Rows of streetlights along the way illuminated the dim carriage. Xia Yimo seemed to see through her self-blame and gently comforted her, "Jia Qian didn't mean to not inform you. If someone hadn't informed Zhuang He, we would have thought you didn't come back."
"Yes, I can testify to that." Zhuang He raised his hand and added appropriately, "The last time I met her, she kept talking about you."
Having the right to speak, he also did not forget to sound out the rumors for his good friend, "By the way, Luo Shu, when is your wedding so I can prepare a big red envelope in advance."
Luo Shu was confused: "Why do you say that?"
Zhuang He held the steering wheel with one hand and pretended to be surprised: "Ah, that handsome boy just now wasn't your new boyfriend?"
"no."
At this moment, Zhuang He seemed to be rushing to achieve sales during the New Year, and he was trying to match people up with others against his conscience: "I think you two are a good match."
Luo Shu said without hesitation: "No, he and I are just good friends."
Zhuang He nodded in satisfaction, feeling relieved, and spoke eloquently, "That's right. Our junior sister Luo Shu is so outstanding. She has to be discerning when looking for a man. At the very least, she has to follow my buddy's example. He remembers his girlfriend's dietary restrictions, doesn't play ambiguity, is loyal in relationships, and corrects his mistakes immediately. To make his girlfriend happy, he quit smoking, being arrogant, and being irritable. He's been annoyingly busy with daily reporting calls. In the early days of his business, he was so busy with coding and meetings every day, yet he still managed to squeeze out time to eat in the cafeteria and play on the playground with his girlfriend."
Under the barrage of criticism, Luo Shu's small movement of picking her fingers froze, her eyelashes blinked twice subtly, and indescribable complex emotions ran rampant in her heart.
Her hearing was particularly sensitive in the quiet of the night. The details of the interactions that others casually mentioned sounded as if they were from another world to her, as if she were an audience member watching a long, unfinished movie.
"Zhuang He, you're the only one who talks too much." Looking at Xiang Zhuang's smooth sword dance in front of her, Xia Yimo crossed her chest, half poking at him, half leaving room for him, "So your buddy has never made any mistakes."
Zhuang He touched his nose guiltily: "Ah, I just feel that the meal tonight is not satisfying. Let's meet alone some other time."
"Not full or not full?"
"no."
"Then just focus on driving your car."
"Dele."
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