Cheng Zhou was straightforward and didn't think much of it. When he heard Shang Wu say her stomach was upset, he immediately asked with concern, "Stomach upset? Is it serious? Do you need to...?"
Before he could finish speaking, Lu You's foot gently nudged him from under the table.
Cheng Zhou turned to look at her in confusion, only to see Lu You shake her head at him, giving him a look that said, "Don't ask any more questions."
Although Cheng Zhou didn't understand, he always trusted Lu You's judgment, so he immediately shut his mouth and changed the subject.
Shang Wu and Lu Rang both noticed this subtle interaction.
Shang Wu was surprised.
Had he been found out? Lu Rang remained calm and composed, placing a piece of steamed sea bass, which Shang Wu had recently found palatable, on his plate without changing his expression, as if nothing had happened.
After dinner, and seeing Lu You and Cheng Zhou off, Shang Wu leaned against Lu Rang and asked uncertainly, "Do you think... Sister guessed it?"
Lu Rang put his arm around her and smiled, "My sister is so shrewd, she probably figured something out, but since she didn't say anything, it means she respects our wishes."
On the other side.
As Cheng Zhou drove, he finally couldn't help but ask Lu You, who was in the passenger seat.
"Why didn't you let me ask just now? Shang Wu's stomach wasn't feeling well, I was just showing concern."
Lu You looked out the window, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
She said slowly, "You're such a blockhead. Didn't you notice that A-Wu looks especially good today? Her skin is glowing. And the reason she declined to drink was because the doctor advised it. Lu Rang was so nervous, his eyes never left her. He was even afraid that she would get burned or cold when he poured her juice."
She turned to look at Cheng Zhou, a confident smile in her eyes, and said, word by word, "Based on my woman's intuition and my understanding of the two of them, Shang Wu is most likely pregnant."
Cheng Zhou was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what was going on.
"Oh yeah! How come I didn't think of that! Morning sickness! No wonder I couldn't stand the smell of flowers and even threw up! Ugh!"
A happy smile appeared on his face as he expressed his joy for them. "This is great news! Why were they keeping it a secret?"
Lu You rolled her eyes at him: "They must have their own considerations. As for what happened last time... they probably want to wait until things stabilize before talking about it. Let's just pretend we don't know anything and not put pressure on them."
Cheng Zhou nodded repeatedly, but in his heart he was already planning what kind of big gift he should give when his little nephew or niece was born.
In the darkness, the car drove smoothly, and the two people inside were looking forward to the new life that was about to be born.
...
Ever since Lu You became certain that Shang Wu was pregnant, Cheng Zhou's gaze towards Lu Rang has taken on a mocking tone.
That afternoon, just after the restaurant's lunch service, Cheng Zhou was wearing an apron and enthusiastically researching a new dessert in the kitchen.
It is a refreshing plum mousse with a slightly sour taste.
He claimed it was to prepare for a future customer, but in reality, he secretly wanted to cater to Shang Wu's needs when she came next time.
After finishing processing several emails sent from the dock, Lu You strolled into the kitchen.
Cheng Zhou was looking down, intently sketching on the mousse with a piping bag. His serious profile revealed a maturity beyond his years.
Lu You remained silent, crossed her arms, leaned against the doorframe, and quietly admired the scene for a while.
It wasn't until Cheng Zhou put down the piping bag with satisfaction and looked up that he saw her. His eyes lit up instantly, like a large dog seeing its owner come home.
"Youyou, when did you arrive? Try this!"
He picked up the exquisite mousse cup as if presenting a treasure, scooped out a corner with a small spoon, and held it to Lu You's lips.
Cheng Zhou's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I specially adjusted the acidity to make it appetizing without being greasy."
Lu You took a bite from his hand.
The cool, silky mousse melts in your mouth, with the slight tartness of the plum just right.
It's really good.
She nodded and gave a fair assessment: "Hmm, not bad, Mr. Cheng's skills have improved."
Cheng Zhou, flattered by the praise, practically strutted around like a whimper. He took a step closer and asked with a grin, "Is there a reward?"
Lu You raised an eyebrow, extended her index finger, and pressed it against his forehead as he tried to lean in, pushing him away slightly.
Her tone was languid and unquestionable: "A reward? Chef Cheng, this is working time. Besides, I remember you spilled a jar of top-grade caviar yesterday, and we haven't settled the score yet."
Cheng Zhou's smile froze, his shoulders slumped instantly, and his tone became pitiful: "That was an accident, I promise it will never happen again! Sister You..."
He started using that drawn-out, slightly coquettish way of addressing her again.
"Calling for ancestors won't help."
Lu You remained unmoved, turned around and walked towards the rest area, picking up her laptop.
"Since you asked me to help manage the accounts, let's do it strictly by business. The losses will be deducted from your share of the profits. Also, the supplier's contract will be renegotiated next week. They've offered a price that's three percent higher. Go and handle that."
"Huh? It's me again?" Cheng Zhou followed closely behind her. "Those old foxes are so troublesome..."
Lu You sat down without looking up: "The capable should do more. Or is it that Chef Cheng can't even handle a few suppliers?"
This seemingly harmless provocation always worked on Cheng Zhou.
He immediately straightened his back: "Who says I can't handle it! Leave it to me! I guarantee I'll drive the price down until they cry!"
“Very good.” Lu You finally raised her head and gave him an approving look, like a queen rewarding her loyal knight.
"Go ahead and clean up the kitchen, then contact the supplier. I need to see the prepared negotiation points by five o'clock."
"Alright!" Cheng Zhou turned around and immediately threw himself into the battle.
The other employees in the restaurant were already used to their dynamic of giving orders and having the other execute them resolutely, occasionally mixed with a bit of coquetry and a bit of domineering.
After closing that night, Cheng Zhou was so exhausted from dealing with the supplier on the phone for a long time and personally checking all the ingredients to be used the next day that he collapsed on the sofa in the rest area, not even wanting to move a finger.
After Lu You finished checking the final accounts and shut down the computer, she looked up and saw him looking like a large doll that had been drained of its strength, with his eyes closed and his brows slightly furrowed.
She sighed silently, got up and went to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm honey water, then walked to his side.
"Get up and drink this." Her voice was much gentler than during the day.
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