In that moment, Xu Zhi learned from him what it meant to be natural.
The barbecue restaurant was buzzing with noise. Xu Zhi’s ears were filled with the clinking of beer bottles, mixed with the boastful chatter of friends and family that reeked more than foot odor, as well as the flattering voices of subordinates talking about “one set in the city, one set in the suburbs.”
Chen Luzhou stood there, completely at odds with the detached world around him. His smile was like dew-covered pine needles in a morning forest – fresh as spring water, yet carrying a brilliant sharpness.
Xu Zhi recalled a line of dialogue:
“Cowardice imprisons the soul, hope can set you free.”
Although his sharp-edged flamboyance was undeniable, he was indeed a person who filled others with hope.
But he was also not easily fooled.
Xu Zhi quietly put away her phone and took the candy, deliberately avoiding the part he had touched. “… You art students waste a lot of paper. That whole pack was used up by just the two of you.”
Chen Luzhou chuckled, not denying it. His gaze pointed back, “Still want to eat?”
Xu Zhi unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth, shaking her head.
So, he shamelessly pointed at the counter, “Then you pay the bill.”
Although it was agreed that Xu Zhi would treat them, the cashier who didn’t know the context couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his brazen tone of eating for free.
Chen Luzhou turned and left after speaking. Xu Zhi watched him walk back and carelessly toss the pack of paper on the table. She couldn’t hear clearly what he said, only vaguely catching him teasingly saying to Zhu Yangqi, “Save some, bro. If it doesn’t work out, let your dad switch to planting trees.” Then he picked up his jacket that he had taken off placed it on the chair at some point and walked out.
She had heard that Zhu Yangqi had repeated a year, so he should be older than the rest of them. Calling him “bro” wasn’t wrong, but why did it sound so sarcastic?
Zhu Yangqi exploded, “Damn, look at what’s in front of you! People might think you’re up to something indecent here!”
“…”
Xu Zhi paid and walked out, just as her phone popped up with a WeChat message from Old Xu.
Guangji is a good doctor: Your grandmother says she wants you to bring back a roasted field mouse when you come back tonight.
Gardenia doesn’t want to bloom: ??
Gardenia doesn’t want to bloom: Are you using question marks because you also think this thing is hard to catch?
Guangji is a good doctor: Oh, it’s roasted sweet potato. Have you had dinner? Around what time will you be back?
Gardenia doesn’t want to bloom: Cai Cai is still having a late-night snack, don’t know what time.
Guangji is a good doctor: Then forget it, I’ll just lock the door. You can sleep at Cai Cai’s tonight. I’ll have the sweet potato flash-delivered to your grandmother.
Gardenia doesn’t want to bloom: … No, Dad, it’s not certain if Cai Cai can go home tonight.
Xu Zhi sent a photo of Cai Cai dyeing her hair in the afternoon.
After a while, Old Xu replied: Will be high.
Xu Guangji habitually used the Wubi input method, often resulting in a flood of typos. Xu Zhi knew her dad all too well: Yeah, isn’t Cai Cai good at this?
Guangji is a good doctor: I mean Director Cai’s blood pressure will be high!!
Gardenia doesn’t want to bloom: … Cai Cai says she supports you becoming the director!
**
Qingyi City was a port city. In recent years, the provincial government has made bold moves, and the urban area has already been thoroughly modernized with towering buildings. The commercial districts were even more tightly packed than the Olympic rings. Yifeng Lane was in the city center, and back then, the east and west ports had fought tooth and nail for this piece of land, even resulting in casualties.
In the end, neither side benefited. Yifeng Lane retained its original appearance, and this alley with the most primitive features of the 80s/90s stood alone amidst the bustling commercial streets, instead becoming a popular spot for internet celebrities to check-in. As a result, even the nearby barbecue restaurants were thriving. Otherwise, how could it be so lively at this hour in the past?
Outside the barbecue restaurant, there was still a long queue. The waiting line was like a set of dominoes, one push and they all fell. As soon as Xu Zhi went out, she saw Chen Luzhou idly crossing his arms, leaning against the rotating wooden horse waiting chair outside the door, bullying a child.
He looked down at the little kid who barely reached his thigh, provocatively saying, “Let’s play rock-paper-scissors. If you win, I’ll give you the seat.”
The child refused to leave, insisting on sitting, “No, I’ve already lost to you five times. You’re cheating.”
He smiled, “Such a sore loser, huh? Calling others cheaters when you lose.”
“Then how come you win every single time?”
“Because you’re stupid.”
The child was on the verge of a breakdown. Xu Zhi was afraid his next words would be “Do you believe I’ll call Ultraman to deal with you?” At times like these, Xu Zhi always felt helpless, because every time she was confronted by kids like this, she wanted to say there’s no such thing as Ultraman in this world. But Old Xu said they needed to protect children’s innocence. Ultraman was the ultimate weapon, a tool even more effective than police uncles.
Sure enough, “Big brother, are you afraid of Ultraman?”
“Terrified,” Chen Luzhou said.
“Then do you believe I’ll call Ultraman to deal with you? Mebius, the darling of the Ultraman world.”
“Is that so? Isn’t the darling usually the weakest one?”
“…” The child was about to cry, “Shameless, big brother, how old are you? Still fighting with us for chairs.”
“No matter how old I am, I get tired standing too,” Chen Luzhou said shamelessly. “If you don’t mind, I can call you big brother too.”
What kind of monster is this? The child wailed loudly, finally unable to bear it anymore, and angrily turned to run away.
…
Xu Zhi walked over to remind him, “I think he’s gone to get his parents.”
Chen Luzhou leaned against the wooden horse chair, his gaze lightly falling on her for two seconds. Perhaps there was no emotion, but Xu Zhi always felt that there was an invisible fuse in those eyes, concealing a mysterious and enormous power.
He lazily replied, “Oh—”