Chapter 31 [31]
check
In the office, Luo Qingyue and Lu Mingxiao sat facing each other, separated by a large desk.
In front of her was a white insulated food container, while in front of Lu Mingxiao was her takeout, still unopened—caught red-handed.
They stared at each other in silence, Luo Qingyue's face cold and indifferent.
She stormed in, still not saying a word, and Lu Mingxiao didn't dare to utter a sound either, just quietly watching her.
Whether it was her imagination or not, Luo Qingyue noticed that Lu Mingxiao's gaze towards her was a little strange.
When the words "tenderly affectionate" and "casting flirtatious glances" popped into Luo Qingyue's mind, her body trembled.
She told herself to stay calm, rational, and clear-headed, not to be blinded by the dark forces, and not to forget the fact that the takeout food had been poisoned.
They remained deadlocked for five minutes, but Luo Qingyue was too hungry to hold on any longer.
From Lu Mingxiao's perspective, her aggressive approach must indicate that she was determined to take the takeout back.
With this in mind, she decided to do the opposite, refusing to compromise herself. She opened the insulated food container, picked up her chopsticks, and glanced at him.
"I'll settle the score with you after I've eaten my fill."
Lu Mingxiao raised his hand, gesturing for him to proceed.
The little girl ate with gusto, taking one bite after another; it was clear she was truly hungry.
He hadn't eaten yet, and her words had stirred up his craving for food.
"My lunch has vanished; it turned out it went to your place."
Lu Mingxiao feigned surprise, then continued with a hint of regret, "Since you've eaten it, I can only reluctantly eat yours."
Listen to these people; they can do bad things without batting an eye and give grand and righteous reasons.
Luo Qingyue smiled slightly: "If you're feeling so wronged, then go to the cafeteria." After a pause, she added her title: "President Lu."
With permission, Lu Mingxiao opened the insulated bag and said, "I wouldn't have this much of an appetite in the cafeteria."
After saying that, he took out the food container inside, which contained an eel and foie gras rice bowl and a lemon shredded chicken.
The shredded chicken had some small red chilies added.
Luo Qingyue was eating shrimp balls when she suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled one of the food containers away from Lu Mingxiao.
She didn't say anything and continued eating.
Lu Mingxiao was deeply moved: "Besides my dad, you're the only one who remembers that I can't eat spicy food."
"I have a boyfriend, so don't get the wrong idea."
Luo Qingyue looked up at him and emphasized seriously, "You don't have any doctor friends around you. I was worried that you would have a stomachache and asked me to call an ambulance. I was just trying to save myself the trouble."
With such a strong sense of conviction, you'll succeed at anything.
Lu Mingxiao couldn't help but praise in his heart: "First of all, I don't have a stomach problem. Secondly, aren't you afraid your boyfriend will be jealous if you eat with me?"
"My boyfriend is very generous."
Luo Qingyue remained unfazed. "He will know that I didn't sit here voluntarily, but to unravel the mystery of the missing takeout orders."
Lu Mingxiao picked up a piece of eel: "I got it myself, without calling Xiao Xie."
Luo Qingyue was surprised: "So proud?"
Lu Mingxiao smiled and said, "Nobody knew anything, and Master Yuan didn't even notice."
"..."
Master Yuan is the gatekeeper.
Luo Qingyue relayed Li Heng's words to Lu Mingxiao: "You really have no bottom line."
With rib sauce on his lips, Lu Mingxiao handed a tissue to Luo Qingyue: "Sometimes I don't really want to be a human being either."
To utter such inhumane words while wearing such a noble face.
"A beast in human clothing." Luo Qingyue labeled Lu Mingxiao with this tag, and then heard him say, "I just want to tell you that Li Heng's cooking is definitely not as good as mine."
Lu Mingxiao once said that blacklisting someone is a particularly childish act.
He blocked Li Heng, who was his handpicked spokesperson, and now they're competing with each other again. Doesn't this mean that her and Li Heng's plan has achieved initial success?
"That's because he didn't want to do it."
A slight smile played on Luo Qingyue's lips as she took the tissue. "If we really got down to business, I could easily beat you in seconds."
She wanted to eat something more, but was surprised to find that the insulated food container was empty. She put down her chopsticks, feeling that she hadn't had enough.
Luo Qingyue didn't know if Li Heng was a good cook, but Lu Mingxiao... even if he didn't become the president of Mingyue, he could still apply for a job as a chef at a five-star restaurant.
Lu Mingxiao said "Oh," drawing out the last syllable: "It's clear you really like him."
Luo Qingyue: "Of course."
"However, love can easily blind people, causing them to overlook many objective matters."
Lu Mingxiao said, "How about this, let me know next time you two go on a date. If I'm in Dongchuan, I'll help you choose the best one. I'm your boss and also your brother's friend, so no need to thank me, it's just my job."
Gatekeeping? The situation is starting to get interesting.
Luo Qingyue was very curious about what Lu Mingxiao was really up to.
After leaving the president's office, she immediately contacted Li Heng.
[Li Heng]: The big fish has taken the bait, congratulations!
[Li Heng]: However, this is a trap. If Yi Mingxiao beats me to death, you'll have to save me.
Luo Qingyue typed a reply on her phone.
【Crescent Moon】: You are his spokesperson. There is a competition next week. He is sensible and will not touch you.
[Li Heng]: Lu Mingxiao works out all year round and is as strong as an ox. As long as we don't fight, I might not lose to him in other aspects.
【Crescent Moon】: He's too outstanding, so even if you lose, it's not shameful.
[Li Heng]: Luo Qingyue, you not only have no bottom line, but you also betray your own people.
[Li Heng]: So I'm just playing along with you two's romantic games, huh?
Luo Qingyue sent a pitiful emoji.
【Crescent Moon】: Please, when you get married, please sit at the head table.
【Crescent Moon】: In the future, when others ask me who my favorite race car driver is, I will definitely say your name.
【Crescent Moon】: Li Heng is a handsome guy. (gif)
Li Heng sent a disdainful emoji.
[Li Heng]: How many race car drivers do you actually know?
[Li Heng]: Fine, I'll just consider it good luck for the upcoming matches.
[Li Heng]: Send me the time and place once you've decided.
Li Heng spent both days of the weekend training at the racetrack, while Luo Qingyue scheduled the training for Saturday night.
Li Heng and Lu Mingxiao are both prominent figures, and she dared not imagine the kind of trouble she would encounter with them. A public setting was definitely out of the question. Luo Qingyue nestled on the sofa for a moment, then chose her uncle's winery as the location.
Luo Qingyue's aunt and uncle also each have a son and a daughter.
Besides Luo Hanzhou, Luo Qingyue also has two older brothers and two older sisters.
She was the youngest in the family and had been showered with love and affection since birth.
Luo Qingyue immediately called her uncle, Luo Hongtao.
Upon learning that she was going to have dinner with friends, Luo Hongtao warmly welcomed her and arranged for two top chefs to be there for her.
With the preparations finalized, Luo Qingyue sent the time and location to Li Heng and Lu Mingxiao respectively.
Lu Mingxiao said she would arrive on time, but Li Heng made a request of her.
[Li Heng]: Since you asked me for help, I should enjoy the treatment of a VIP.
[Li Heng]: I've been training too hard lately, it's not worth me driving for such a small occasion. You can pick me up.
Luo Qingyue recently retrieved her Pamei from the 4S store.
She sent Li Heng a smiling emoji, her attitude very respectful, and replied, "No problem."
The following day, in the evening, Luo Qingyue went to the hotel where Li Heng was staying to pick him up.
As the car sped along the city avenue, Li Heng said, "You really adore Lu Mingxiao. You even opened the car door for me and invited me to sit in the passenger seat. He probably doesn't get such good treatment, does he?"
Luo Qingyue gripped the steering wheel, staring straight ahead at the road conditions.
"You may only ride in my car once, but he will ride in it many, many times in the future."
"Moreover, Lu Mingxiao is quite gentlemanly. He always opens the car door for me and thoughtfully reminds me not to bump my head."
The winery is located at the border of Dongchuan and a neighboring city. As the car drove through the gate, night had already fallen.
On both sides of the road, the vineyards were utterly silent, the scene obscured by the dim light. Continuing onward, the view quickly opened up, revealing a European-style castle bathed in brilliant light, illuminating the surrounding space as if it were daytime.
Luo Qingyue parked the car in the open space in front of the castle, turned off the engine, and unbuckled her seatbelt.
Li Heng got out of the car before her, opened the driver's side door, put his hand on the top, and invited, "Princess, please get out of the car."
She was very sensible; it was worth it for her to drive him the whole way.
Luo Qingyue thanked Li Heng and got out of the car. The familiar black SUV was parked right next to her, two parking spaces away.
Lu Mingxiao has arrived. Luo Qingyue shared the news with Li Heng.
As they entered the castle and ascended the spiral staircase, Li Heng extended his arm to her.
Luo Qingyue was confused, and Li Heng continued, "If you're going to put on an act, then take my arm and let's go inside."
Luo Qingyue shook her head: "Forget it, I'm afraid Lu Mingxiao will cut off your arm."
"Didn't you say yesterday that he wouldn't touch me?"
"I can't read his mind, what if?"
"..."
Li Heng was speechless and choked with emotion. "Then you'll have to sit next to me later. From Lu Mingxiao's perspective, we'll look like a couple deeply in love."
During our casual conversation, we arrived at the restaurant on the third floor.
The door opened halfway, and Luo Qingyue and Li Heng walked in one after the other. They saw Lu Mingxiao sitting alone at a long rectangular table. When they approached, he raised his hand and pointed to the seat opposite him: "Please sit down, both of you."
This is my uncle's territory. How dare you act like the owner?
Luo Qingyue opened her eyes wide and sat down at the same time as Li Heng. The atmosphere was strange and serious. Lu Mingxiao scrutinized them with piercing eyes, just like an interviewer, making it clear that he was "no pushover".
The waiter poured white wine into their glasses.
Lu Mingxiao told them they could serve the dishes, then looked at Luo Qingyue and said, "Your uncle just came by, and we chatted for half an hour. He didn't know you had a boyfriend, so I made up an excuse to send him away."
Perhaps the hospitable uncle even said to him, "Mr. Lu, just make yourself at home, eat well, and have fun."
Although this was just Luo Qingyue's guess, the truth was indeed quite similar. Sending her uncle away was a brilliant move; Lu Mingxiao really knew how to think of her.
Li Heng raised his wine glass: "Thank you, President Lu, for your care and love for me and Xiaoyue. This glass is for you."
Lu Mingxiao raised his glass and clinked it with his: "I watched Xiaoyue grow up, this is what I should do."
Luo Qingyue: "?"
He could lie without batting an eye; Lu Mingxiao's skill was far more profound than she had imagined.
He acted like an elder, and she even saw a resemblance to Luo Hanzhou in him.
The waiter brought the dishes one by one.
Lu Mingxiao picked up a piece of beef rib, deboned it, and put it into Luo Qingyue's bowl.
"Many people like Xiaoyue, so what's your advantage that allows you to stand out?"
Following suit, Li Heng placed a piece of crispy fried capelin on Luo Qingyue's plate.
"Young and energetic, unlike some people in their thirties who are mediocre, boring, and even bully others."
Luo Qingyue glanced at Li Heng, then at Lu Mingxiao.
We've only just started eating, how come the tension has escalated so quickly?
To her surprise, Luo Qingyue received another potato pancake from Lu Mingxiao.
Immediately afterwards, he turned his gaze to Li Heng: "Out of 365 days a year, you're not in the country for 300 days. Do you want Xiaoyue to follow you around everywhere?"
“You’re away on business trips for twenty days a month, you’re not much better off than me.”
Li Heng brought Luo Qingyue a cheese crepe, saying, "During breaks from work, I can take Xiaoyue around the world in my private jet. You definitely can't do that; when you're busy, you won't have time for her."
Whether or not you can afford to take care of it is not up to you.
Lu Mingxiao scooped a spoonful of fruit salad for Luo Qingyue and looked at Li Heng again, "I know that Xiaoyue's favorite brand is M&D, she likes to sleep lying flat at night, loves to read shoujo manga, is intolerant to caffeine, and has a record of gaining 80,000 followers on a self-media platform in a week."
Li Heng didn't back down, offering Luo Qingyue pan-fried scallops, meeting Lu Mingxiao's gaze.
“I know that her feet hurt when she stands in high heels for a long time and she needs to find a place to sit down. She really likes small cakes, and she wants to try every single one of the cakes on the dessert table.”
Luo Qingyue turned her head to look at Li Heng: "How did you find out?"
Li Heng proudly told her, "This is the conclusion I drew from my observations at Lü Shuyi's birthday party."
Li Heng and Lu Mingxiao kept talking back and forth, showing no sign of stopping.
The food in the bowl was piled up like a small mountain. Luo Qingyue rested her chin on her hand and said with an annoyed look, "You guys aren't tired of talking, but I'm tired of listening. Why don't we just stop talking and have a duel? That would be faster."
Lu Mingxiao looked directly at Li Heng: "Fine, I'll give you a chance to fight me one-on-one."
Fair competition, that's what makes a man.
Li Heng suddenly became interested: "I am a civilized person and I never fight."
Lu Mingxiao poured wine into Li Heng's glass: "Who isn't?"
Li Heng raised his glass to him and said, "Then what do you want to compete in? If it's in an area I'm not familiar with, then your victory would be unfair."
Curiosity arose.
Luo Qingyue watched as Lu Mingxiao raised his glass and clinked it against Li Heng's.
After the crisp sound, Lu Mingxiao smiled and said, "I don't bully young people."
Li Heng: "?"
Lu Mingxiao's gaze was deep, and his voice was firm: "Go to the field you are familiar with, racing."
[Author's Note]
Moon: Let's fight! Let's fight! How exciting! [eating melon seeds][eating melon seeds][eating melon seeds]
Xiao: Acting is actually a kind of fun! [Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers][Sprinkling flowers]
Li Heng: We young people are still very motivated! [Angry][Angry][Angry]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
