Chapter 8 "Lin Che, how is your life?"
The restaurant is located on the top floor of the building, and the lights of the entire city can be seen outside the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows.
When the waiter led them to their seats, Lin Che discovered that Lu Yu had booked a private room in the corner. The semi-enclosed design ensured privacy while allowing for a night view.
"The beef stew in red wine here is good." Lu Yu turned the menu towards Lin Che, tapping the recommended dish with his fingertips. "But if you want something lighter, they also have good seafood."
The light from the crystal chandelier fell on Lu Yu's eyelashes, casting tiny shadows on his stern outline.
Lin Che found that this man looked particularly different under the warm light. He had given her the suit jacket, and was only wearing a crisp white shirt. The two buttons were undone, revealing his collarbone, and the sharp lines were inexplicably softened.
"It's up to you." Lin Che pushed the menu back, revealing her slender wrist as her sleeves slipped down.
Lu Yu's gaze lingered on the wrist for a second, then he closed the menu and told the waiter the names of a few dishes.
After the waiter left, he suddenly said, "There's a family dinner next week."
Lin Che paused as she was arranging her napkin.
"Don't be nervous." Lu Yu tapped his knuckles on the table. "Just a simple meal so my parents can meet you."
He paused. "They're looking forward to it."
These words made Lin Che raise his eyes.
Lu Yu's expression was calm, but there was a deep meaning in his eyes that he could not read.
He remembered the clause in the agreement - "maintaining the image of a partner when necessary."
"I'll be ready." Lin Che replied softly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the rim of the water glass.
Lu Yu suddenly reached out and covered his slightly cold fingers: "It's not a mission."
His palms were warm. "Just taking you home for dinner."
This action was so natural that Lin Che forgot to pull his hand back.
Lu Yu didn't let go until the appetizers arrived, but he placed an appetizing candied cherry on his plate: "Try it, the sweetness you like."
Lin Che was stunned: "How do you know..."
"Guessed it," Lu Yu raised the corner of his lips slightly.
Lin Che didn't dare to look Lu Yu in the eye, and lowered her head to taste the cherries on the plate.
"Not bad," Lin Che raised his head and nodded with bright eyes, and gave a thumbs up with his right hand to show his approval.
Lu Yu looked at the other person's cute thumbs-up, curled his lips, and a low laugh unconsciously leaked out.
"We might go get our marriage certificate together next Wednesday." Lu Yu said it naturally. Lin Che paused with his knife and fork, then nodded naturally.
"That's fine. I'll change my shift in advance."
Lin Che said "anything is fine" lightly. He lowered his head and focused on cutting the asparagus on the plate. His long eyelashes drooped, covering all the emotions in his eyes.
The knife and fork made a slight knocking sound against the bone china plate, which was particularly clear in the quiet air between the two people.
Lu Yu's deep gaze fell on his lowered eyelids, and his long eyelashes paused in the light so slightly that it was almost imperceptible.
"The time is set for Wednesday morning at ten o'clock," Lu Yu's voice was low and steady, as if stating an established fact. "Cheng Yi will send you the necessary materials in advance."
He paused and added, "It won't delay your afternoon outpatient clinic."
"Hmm." Lin Che responded, picked up a small piece of asparagus, put it into his mouth, and chewed it slowly.
Lu Yu looked at him eating quietly, and his Adam's apple rolled almost imperceptibly.
He put down his wine glass, picked up the decanter, and naturally added a little more red wine to the almost untouched glass in front of Lin Che.
"Try this," Lu Yu gestured to him, "It goes well with beef." There was a subtle hint of guidance in his tone.
Lin Che followed his instructions, picking up the wine glass and taking a sip. The rich wine slid across her tongue, carrying the aroma of oak barrels and a perfect sourness.
He nodded slightly: "Not bad, thank you." His voice was still flat, without much emotion.
The atmosphere was subtly silent during the second half of the meal.
Lu Yu didn't seem to care, occasionally commenting on the food or a landmark outside the window, and Lin Che's responses were brief and polite.
The two of them maintained a superficial calm, but Lu Yu's eyes always fell on Lin Che inadvertently.
As the meal was coming to an end, Lu Yu's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen and did not reply. Instead, he raised his hand to signal the waiter to pay the bill.
"Let's go, I'll take you home." Lu Yu stood up, picked up the coat on the back of the chair and put it on Lin Che with a quick movement.
Lin Che stood up as well, and Lu Yu's large suit jacket fell on his shoulders. The familiar scent of cedar enveloped him again, bringing with it a presence that could not be ignored.
After getting in the car, Lin Che reported the name of a residential complex. Lu Yu's expression froze for a moment, but soon returned to normal.
It wasn't until we got in the car that he casually asked, "How long have you lived here?"
"Three years." Lin Che looked out the window at the passing streets. "It's close to the hospital."
Lu Yu hummed and tapped his right thigh with his fingers.
When the car stopped at a slightly old apartment building, his brows furrowed slightly.
The corridor lights flickered, and the elevator doors made a harsh friction sound when opening and closing.
Lin Che stopped on the fifth floor and as she was taking out her keys, she heard Lu Yu ask, "How's the security system?"
"Still..." Before he could finish his words, the sound of a drunk vomiting from the end of the corridor came from next door. Lu Yu's face instantly darkened.
Entering and turning on the lights, the 30-square-meter apartment was in full view. Although neat and tidy, the mold in the corners and the creaky floorboards betrayed the simplicity of the place.
Lin Che was unusually embarrassed: "Would you like some water?"
Lu Yu's tall body sitting on the sofa made the small room seem even more cramped, and the surrounding environment was incompatible with his aura.
"Don't bother, there's water in the car."
"Then please sit wherever you want. I'll go change your clothes for you." Lin Che said and turned to walk towards the room.
Lu Yu stood up and walked towards the desk within his sight. His eyes swept over the neat and beautiful handwriting on the open notebook. It was Lin Che's handwriting.
There were several sticky notes on the desk cover.
"7:30 Ward Rounds (Director Wang)"
18:00 Paper Deadline (No Extension!)
“Purchase: milk, bread, mint leaves”
The handwriting is clear and has a rigid seriousness.
Lu Yu stretched out his finger and gently brushed the edge of the sticky note with "mint leaves" written on it. His movements were very light, as if he was touching something fragile.
Lin Che carried Lu Yu's large suit jacket out of the room and looked at his tall and straight figure squeezed in his small room. He felt that the air was a little thinner.
Lu Yu withdrew his hand, turned around, and his eyes fell heavily on Lin Che's face.
Under the dim light, Lin Che's face looked even paler, and the trace of fatigue under his eyes became more and more obvious.
"Lin Che, how is your life?" Lu Yu's deep voice was extremely moving in the silent room.
Upon hearing this, Lin Che's fingers suddenly clenched the edge of his coat, his fingertips turning blue and white, indicating his embarrassment.
"I don't mean to look down on you. I just want to help you to the best of my ability." Lu Yu looked directly into Lin Che's dark eyes that suddenly shrank, and every word he said struck Lin Che's tense nerves.
Lin Che felt his throat tighten, as if being strangled by an invisible hand. All the calmness he had tried to maintain was crumbling at this moment.
Under the dim light, his pale cheeks seemed even more bloodless, with only a hint of shameful blush spreading uncontrollably around his ears.
He lives here not because he likes it, but because of reality.
He had been chewing on this embarrassment alone for too long and had long regarded it as a part of life.
He would rather keep this small place quiet and peaceful than become materially dependent on anyone, whether it was Lin Zhenbang or Lu Yu.
He alone guarded that little bit of shaky dignity and freedom.
Lu Yu's gaze fell heavily on his face, without moving away, and without any hint of judgment.
He saw the struggle in Lin Che's eyes, her clenched and slightly trembling fingers. It wasn't just a reflection of the embarrassment of the environment, but also a strong resistance to being helped itself.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
