Chapter 47: The Cannon Fodder in a Dogblood Novel (47)
Inside was a bracelet.
Shen Tangqing took the bracelet out of the box.
As soon as he touched the chain, he sensed the differenceāit wasn’t common silver or alloy. The metal carried a warm coolness, feeling indescribably delicate in his palm.
His gaze fell on the bracelet, examining it closely.
The body of the chain was an extremely thin black rope knot. Every short distance, a grain-sized bead was strung on it. The beads glowed with a faint azure-gold luster. Without looking closely, it was easy to mistake them for ordinary agate.
“These beads…”
Shen Tangqing picked one up with some confusion and brought it closer to his eyes. Only then did he see the extremely shallow water-wave patterns on the surface of the bead. Turning it in the sunlight revealed a hint of ethereal fluorescence.
Zhou Shuli’s hand on the steering wheel paused. He didn’t look at Shen Tangqing, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
His tone was casual. “It was made by an old craftsman in S City. The beads are ground from old-pit lapis lazuli, and the rope knots are hand-woven. They say it can be worn for a long time.”
What he didn’t say was that although this bracelet looked inconspicuous, just those lapis lazuli beadsāeach one was selected from hundreds or thousands of raw stones to find ones without gold flecks or white spots. The material selection alone took over a month.
The master who wove the rope was a famous old craftsman in the area. The manual labor fee alone was worth half a year’s salary for an ordinary person.
“Is that so…”
Shen Tangqing didn’t know what the lapis lazuli beads Zhou Shuli mentioned were, but it was very unique, and he quite liked it.
Of course, with gifts, the thought counts the most! If Zhou Shuli had really given him something extremely expensive, he would have been embarrassed to accept it.
He brought the bracelet to his nose and sniffed. Apart from the fragrance of the wooden box, he could smell a trace of extremely faint cold scent, like pine branches after snow.
He couldn’t resist trying it on his wrist. The length of the rope knot was just right, fitting neither too loosely nor too tightly against his wrist.
The black rope knot made his wrist look even fairer. The lapis lazuli bead was hidden on the side of his wrist; unless he deliberately raised his hand, the uniqueness couldn’t be seen at all.
While waiting for a traffic light, he shook his wrist at Zhou Shuli. “Brother Zhou, this actually looks pretty good!”
Zhou Shuli’s gaze swept over his wrist, the desire in his eyes almost overflowing.
So muchā
Want to touch… that section of white wrist.
He quickly lowered his eyes, his Adam’s apple rolling for a moment. “En, it suits you very well.”
“Thank you, Brother Zhou.”
“It’s just a worthless trinket. As long as you like it.”
Zhou Shuli finished speaking, withdrew his gaze, and started the car. “No need to be so polite.”
Shen Tangqing didn’t act pretentious anymore, calculating in his heart what to give Zhou Shuli as a return gift next time.
Hexia Yan wasn’t far from Shen Tangqing’s home.
After passing the next traffic light, they arrived after just over a hundred meters.
It was eleven-forty when they arrived at Hexia Yan.
The two sat in an antique-style private room.
Zhou Shuli’s gaze fell on Shen Tangqing, who was looking at the menu, and he spoke at the right moment.
“Their Squirrel Mandarin Fish is quite good. If you like sweet flavors, you can try it.”
Shen Tangqing narrowed his eyes and smiled at Zhou Shuli. “I actually do like sweet flavors! Then let’s have one…”
Zhou Shuli’s gaze rested on Shen Tangqing’s smiling face. He gave an “En” and lowered his eyes, lifting the teacup in front of him to take a sip.
It was precisely because he knew Shen Tangqing’s taste that he brought him to this restaurant… Of course, Zhou Shuli couldn’t possibly tell Shen Tangqing that.
“Brother Zhou, do you have any other recommendations?”
“Their specialty dishes are all quite good. Order a portion of each to taste. If you like them, I’ll bring you here again next time.”
Shen Tangqing didn’t notice the last sentence. “Forget it, the two of us can’t eat that much. Ordering too much is wasteful.”
Zhou Shuli’s fingertips slid carelessly across the dish names on the menu. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a bit wasteful. It’s rare to have a meal together; tasting a few more dishes is good.”
After speaking, he looked at the waiter. “Bring one of each signature dish.”
“Brother Zhou, just the two of us can’t eat too much…”
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Zhou Shuli.
“It’s not much. Their portion sizes aren’t large. Most are on the sweet side; you should like them.”
Shen Tangqing: “…”
Is this how unpretentious rich people are when they eat?
…
The dishes were served quickly.
But when Shen Tangqing saw the person serving the dishes, he froze for a moment.
Xiao Yu!
Holy crap!
Why is he everywhere?
Today he’s “cosplaying” as a waiter again… only this time it’s a restaurant waiter.
Xiao Yu also froze for a second when he entered the room with the tray and saw Shen Tangqing.
He hadn’t expected to meet Shen Tangqing here either.
Could it be that he and Shen Tangqing really were fated by heaven? That he could run into him wherever he worked part-time?
But when his gaze swept over Zhou Shuli, his eyes suddenly darkened.
Who is this person? Can he eat alone with Young Master Shen… Is he also someone coveting my Young Master Shen?
Xiao Yu felt his heart was soaking in a vinegar jar, sour and uncomfortable.
I am too weak.
Is it true that only by returning… and fighting for a “human” status will I be qualified to stand beside Young Master Shen?
…
Shen Tangqing came back to his senses and silently glanced at Zhou Shuli sitting opposite him…
In his heart, he silently gave the original plot a thumbs up.
Awesome!
Sure enough, where there is Xiao Yu’s “husband,” there is Xiao Yu!
However, Zhou Shuli’s attention wasn’t on Xiao Yu. He didn’t even give him a glance.
Shen Tangqing felt a trace of doubt. Shouldn’t the heartthrob script be love at first sight?
Why did these husbands of Xiao Yu have no reaction upon seeing him for the first time?
Of course, this thought only surfaced in Shen Tangqing’s mind for an instant before he suppressed it.
Maybe people rely on personality charm in the later stages.
After Xiao Yu placed the dishes in his hand on the table and was about to leave, Shen Tangqing stopped him. “Xiao Yu…”
Xiao Yu’s turning movement stiffened. He thought Shen Tangqing would pretend not to know him. After all… he hated him.
He raised his eyes to look at Shen Tangqing. “Young Master Shen.”
“Aren’t you working part-time at the cafe? Why are you here?” Shen Tangqing couldn’t resist voicing his soul-searching question.
Xiao Yu’s originally sour heart was instantly healed by Shen Tangqing’s words.
Young Master Shen still remembers I work part-time at the cafe. He still has me in his heart…
His fingertips hanging by his side couldn’t help but curl, trying his best to suppress the excitement in his heart. His Adam’s apple rolled for a moment before he spoke. “The cafe doesn’t need temporary staff this week. This is a new part-time job I found…”
Amazing. Finding a new part-time job and running into Zhou Shuli on the first day. How can this not be considered fate? It’s simply a marriage predestined by heaven!
Shen Tangqing nodded slightly. “Got it. Go busy yourself.”
Xiao Yu took a deep look at Shen Tangqing before leaving the private room.
After he left, Zhou Shuli spoke politely. “Is he your friend?”
Although the way Xiao Yu addressed Shen Tangqing didn’t sound much like a form of address between friends.
“Not a friend, just… an acquaintance.” After Shen Tangqing finished speaking, he narrowed his eyes.
He secretly mused in his heart: Zhou Shuli is actually a really nice guy. Should I give him a hand?
After hesitating for a moment,
Shen Tangqing suddenly looked up, looking at Zhou Shuli with a hint of probing in his eyes. “Brother Zhou, what do you think of Xiao Yu?”
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