Chapter 4: Not on the Same Path
Cheng Xiao Xiao, who had been lazily leaning back in her chair sipping tea, suddenly leaned forward, placing her hand in front of Lu Xiao Shan. Seeing him look up, she tapped his teacup, smiling meaningfully, “Mr. Lu, our relationship isn’t close enough to share a teacup, is it?”
Lu Xiao Shan paused, staring at Cheng Xiao Xiao impassively for a moment, slowly setting down his teacup. His fingers tapped the table, calmly asking, “Didn’t you say you were quite satisfied with me?”
“I was very satisfied!” Cheng Xiao Xiao withdrew her hand and sat back down, smiling brightly, unaffected by his imposing aura, calmly replying, “But I’m a bit picky, I’m not that casual. AndāI’m sorry, I overheard your phone call, and found out your business is incredibly large, far beyond my imagination! I said earlier, I’m timid and can’t handle such a large scale. I feel completely inadequate, I wouldn’t dare to presume to get close to you.”
“Cheng Xiao Xiao!” Lu Xiao Shan held his teacup, unmoved, showing clear impatience with Cheng Xiao Xiao’s evasiveness. After a long moment, he coldly called her name, “Speak plainly!”
Finally, a normal reaction?
Cheng Xiao Xiao blinked, taking a deep breath. The perfunctory smile on her face vanished, replaced by the earlier ease and composure. Leaning back in her chair, she looked at Lu Xiao Shan calmly, spreading her hands, asking bluntly, “Let me ask again, are we continuing this blind date?”
She asked the same question again, but her tone was vastly different, tinged with boredom and a hint of resentment ā who had arranged this? She had withdrawn, yet he was still persistent! He was annoyed, but blaming her!
Lu Xiao Shan set down his teacup. The cold aura around him was dispelled by Cheng Xiao Xiao’s resentful tone. The sharpness seemed to vanish, and he suddenly seemed more human, a few different emotions showing on his previously tense face. He glanced at Cheng Xiao Xiao, coldly humming, unexpectedly uttering a harsh remark, “Fine, then forget it!”
It should have been a cold warning, but it was filled with an indescribable irritation.
The cold, aloof CEO suddenly transformed into a domineering man with a more down-to-earth demeanor, a sudden change that brought back memories, resembling the Lu Xiao Shan of years ago.
Cheng Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Her teacup tipped, nearly spilling again. She hurriedly set it aside, leaning on the table, laughing so hard she gasped for air.
Lu Xiao Shan watched her silently, with little anger in his eyes. He moved her teacup further away, frowning irritably.
Before Cheng Xiao Xiao could catch her breath, Lu Xiao Shan’s phone rang again.
This time, Lu Xiao Shan remained motionless, clearly unwilling to answer.
“Answer it,” Cheng Xiao Xiao finally caught her breath, laughing with tears in her eyes, nodding towards Lu Xiao Shan, “Should I leave?”
“No need.”
Lu Xiao Shan replied lightly, answering the call.
“Xiao Shan, it’s meāOld Yu, Happy New Year, I hope I’m not disturbing you? There’s something urgentā¦ Lin Yi told you about Xinhe, right?”
This caller was clearly older than the previous one, his tone normal, without the previous carefulness, but clearly seeking a favor.
Howeverāthe question was a bit off.
Cheng Xiao Xiao leaned back, shaking her head sympathetically and amusedly, watching Lu Xiao Shan.
Sure enough, Lu Xiao Shan didn’t mince words, replying directly, “Vice President Yu, I’m on a blind date.”
“Ah?” After a moment of surprise, there was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a rustling sound, as if something had fallen, accompanied by a voice full of apology, andā¦a hint of surprise and relief, “Then you’re busy! You’re busy! This is more important! We’ll talk about Xinhe later!”
Many people were concerned about Lu Xiao Shan’s personal life.
Cheng Xiao Xiao idly wondered what kind of life Lu Xiao Shan led. A billionaire, young, successful, handsome, and with a bearable personality. With such conditions, if he wanted to get married, he could choose from many excellent women. Why bother with a blind date?
Experiencing life? Or…some unspeakable secret?
Ah, that secret was impossible to say! As a part-time author, Cheng Xiao Xiao’s imagination was rich, so rich that she unconsciously started to think wildly, and the more she thought, the more interesting it became. A new novel idea suddenly emerged in her boundless imagination, even with visual imagery!
Was this an unexpected bonus?
Cheng Xiao Xiao wanted to laugh. She saw Lu Xiao Shan had hung up, and just as she was about to speak, she remembered that Lu Xiao Shan had a girlfriend beforeāthough not very good in her opinion, but he was certainly devoted. Coupled with his wealth, others wouldn’t easily give up such a catch! Especially since he was in such a position…So, Lu Xiao Shan had dumped her?
Indeed, successful CEOs don’t stay loyal!
Lu Xiao Shan put away his phone, coldly watching Cheng Xiao Xiao shake her head and sigh, looking at him suspiciously, with a hint ofā¦disdain?
“What kind of look is that?”
“Do you need me to explain?” Cheng Xiao Xiao shook her head, sighing, dismissing the thoughts in her head, leaning back in her chair, saying leisurely, “I think it’s better if I don’t, to avoid any unpleasantness.”
“So you do know the meaning of the word ‘pleasantness’!” Lu Xiao Shan looked at her, humming slowly.
Cheng Xiao Xiao looked innocent, sighing helplessly and curiously, “I’m just curious, you’re a self-made billionaire, never mind your past relationships, even if you want to find someone again, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a girlfriend, right? Why do people around you seem so worried about your personal matters?”
Lu Xiao Shan raised an eyebrow, a hint of coldness in his eyes, looking down at her, “What’s it to you?”
Cheng Xiao Xiao resisted the urge to roll her eyes, saying helplessly, “See, I said it’s better not to mention it, to avoid unpleasantnessāMr. Lu, don’t feel obliged to answer. But as a recently concluded blind date partner, I’d like to offer a suggestion, your blind date requirements are a bit off-putting. Consider being more subtle?”
Although the title remained the same, the tone was more teasing, more casual than her previous polite responses.
“Since you’re an ex-blind date partner,” Lu Xiao Shan looked at Cheng Xiao Xiao, emphasizing the word “ex,” replying impolitely, “Does subtlety matter to you?”
Well, she seemed to have offended him badly! Her attempt at diplomacy had failed, and the casual conversation was over!
“Yes, it’s my fault, I apologize.” Cheng Xiao Xiao was speechless, spreading her hands, not feeling angry, but bored, preparing to leave, “It’s all my fault, we’re not on the same page, I shouldn’t try to understand your thoughts with my own standards! I see that Mr. Lu is busy, I won’t waste your time today.”
Politely taking her leave, ignoring Lu Xiao Shan’s return to his coldness, Cheng Xiao Xiao resumed her cheerful demeanor, standing up in the midst of Lu Xiao Shan’s piercing gaze, opening the door, and calmly walking out.
…
In short, this blind date started with a clichĆ©, took an unexpected turn, and ended with Cheng Xiao Xiao’s decisive statement. The whole process took less than half an hour, even including the introductions; less than forty minutes!
This astonishing speed stunned both sets of parents waiting in the adjacent room. They didn’t even try to hide their astonishment, their four eyes fixed on the couple emerging from the room ā one beaming with happiness, the other cold and tense. The contrast was obvious, making it hard to understand.
Did it work out or not?
The other four were puzzled, not daring to ask directly, could only exchange glances, muttering to themselves. Lu’s mother was the first to recover from her shock, suspiciously glancing at her son, then smiling at Cheng Xiao Xiao, warmly inviting her to sit down, gesturing to Lu’s father to order food.
Cheng Xiao Xiao responded with a smile to their kindness, politely answering their tentative questions, but politely declined their invitation, “Thank you, Uncle and Aunt, but I won’t disturb you any longer. I see Mr. Lu is busy. Perhaps I can visit you another day?”
As for the other protagonist, besides the initial cold nod, he remained silent and gloomy.
Lu’s parents couldn’t gauge their son’s attitude. He seemed reluctant. Knowing their son’s temper, pressing her to stay would be embarrassing. Hoping for a good relationship in the future, they didn’t press her, giving Cheng Xiao Xiao a New Year’s red envelope and warmly sending her off.
As soon as they left, Cheng’s mother couldn’t hold back, looking at Cheng Xiao Xiao’s face uncertainly, “What happened? You only met for twenty minutes, didn’t even get to know each other well? I saw the eldest Lu’s expression was off, did you say something to offend him?”
“Mom, do you think I have the status to offend him?” Cheng Xiao Xiao linked arms with her mother, smiling cheerfully, evasively asking, “Besides, you said it yourself, in that short time, what could I say? He’s a busy CEO, he doesn’t have time to listen to my rambling!”
Cheng’s mother looked at Cheng Xiao Xiao skeptically, clearly not believing her, but understood the other meaning in her words, sighing, somewhat regretful yet relieved, “If he didn’t like her, then it’s fine…” The eldest Lu had a somewhat intimidating aura, a bit unsuitable as a son-in-law.
Seeing her mother’s expression, Cheng Xiao Xiao understood her mother’s hesitation, and couldn’t help but laugh, linking arms with her mother, walking home happily.
She had been very satisfied with the beginning of this blind date, reciprocating appropriately, believing she had maintained a good balance. However, a bit of history had hindered her mid-game performance, and his reaction was unexpected. She hadn’t expected Lu Xiao Shan to endure it for so long! He even tried to pick a fight with her, and if she hadn’t left decisively, he might have continued to target her ā time really is a knife, sharper with every sharpening. The last time Lu Xiao Shan had been so impolite in severing ties with her was when they “parted ways”! His temper was becoming increasingly unpleasant…no wonder he didn’t have a girlfriend!
…
On the other hand, Lu’s parents sent them off cheerfully, then expressed their bewilderment, exchanging glances. Lu’s mother approached Lu Xiao Shan, tentatively saying, “I think that girl is pretty good. I met her when Xiao Lin was in middle school, and I heard she went to a good university. Today, she’s easygoing and friendly, great in every way, what do youā¦think?”
Lu Xiao Shan looked at Lu’s mother, his gaze dark, his emotions unreadable, “Mom, where did you see that she’s easygoing?”
What did that mean?
Lu’s mother was stunned, frowning, instinctively looking at Lu’s father.
Lu’s father was equally puzzled, unable to understand his son’s inexplicable anger ā the girl was clearly very good, polite and friendly, not at all offended or intimidated by his coldness. What a great choice for a daughter-in-law!
Lu Xiao Shan looked away, ignoring their puzzled faces, walking back silently.
He hadn’t intended to participate in this farce, but the blind date partner being Cheng Xiao Xiao was unexpected ā he hadn’t had the chance to examine her when she entered, but once the crowd dispersed, he saw her cheerful smile, and the coldness hidden beneath it!
They weren’t on the same path, and she dared to ask him to take an IQ test?
Just because of a blind date requirement, she had made such judgments?
Was this her view of him?
As always, only looking at appearances and not at the person!
“Old and new grievances” combined, Lu Xiao Shan’s eyes were filled with indescribable anger, his aura even colder in the winter wind.
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