Lu Yan chased out of the school gate with the crowd after school, but Shen Kuo was nowhere to be seen.
This guy is too fast.
She returned to school, took her bicycle from the garage, and was going to take a look under the overpass.
As soon as the lock was unlocked, Lu Zhen came over in a hurry and called her to stop: "Mom and Dad booked a private room at the Century City Restaurant tonight, and they want to have dinner together for you to celebrate."
"Ah, yes!"
After Lu Yan finished speaking, she got on the bike and was about to run. Lu Zhen quickly pressed her shoulders with his eyes and said, "Where are you going!"
"It's urgent, let go!" Lu Yan slapped his hand away, got on the car and drove away.
"I know who you are looking for!"
Behind her, Lu Zhen shouted at her: "Don't go! Did you hear me, I don't allow it!... Stinky girl, I'll tell you when you come back and you're done!"
Lu Yan left Lu Zhen behind, and rode to the bottom of the overpass. There was someone at the CD booth under the bridge, but it was not Shen Kuo, but Zhong Kai.
"Uncle Zhong, isn't Shen Kuo here?"
Zhong Kai smiled and said: "Little girl, if you don't know what to call me, you can call me Brother Zhong or Brother Kai. If you really can't, you can call me Zhong Zhong or Kai Kai. If you call me uncle, hahahaha then I will It’s really cheap.”
"That...Brother Kai, has Shen Kuo come back?"
"Did you see the stone arch bridge opposite? When your master Shen is in a bad mood, you will go there to smoke."
"Okay, thank you Kai!"
Lu Yan got on her bicycle again and drove towards the stone arch bridge.
The small bridge spans the city river, and there are relatively retro low buildings on both sides. This area has not been developed in the process of urban modernization, and it retains the original ancient style.
Most of the people on both sides of the river carry burdens and do business, and sometimes even farmers driving cattle and horses can be seen passing by.
Shen Kuo sat on the stone railing of the arch bridge, facing outwards, gazing at the sparkling river, with his heels knocking on the bridge surface.
His beautiful dark brown eyes refracted the sunlight, making them appear clearer and lighter.
Lu Yan parked her bicycle by the bridge and walked over to him cautiously: "Shen Kuo, I'm sorry, I broke my promise."
"Nothing sorry."
Shen Kuo jumped off the railing and turned around to leave.
Lu Yan chased after her and explained: "Because Lu Zhen said that her parents are here, and she wants to say that if there is a chance for them to get back together..."
However, before the words finished, Shen Kuo suddenly pinched the back of her head with his backhand, pulled her closer to him, looked at her pair of peach blossom eyes that resembled Lu Zhen, and said in a deep voice, "Don't be too self-righteous."
"Uh."
"You are Lu Zhen's younger sister, God knows how much I hate you."
Shen Kuo's voice was ruthless, like a stretched rubber band—
"So... don't think that you are so important, you are nothing in my heart."
In an instant, the pitiful expression on the girl's face disappeared, replaced by... a subtle expression of being let down.
"You, you hate me and you play games with me, and...you come to listen to my singing." Her eyes were slightly red, and the pupils were also stained with wet water: "I thought...you could be friends."
"Being friends?" Shen Kuo suddenly clenched the girl's slender wrist: "Your brother is right, I am playing with you."
Lu Yan's eyes widened suddenly. At least, in her limited life experience, no one had ever said such cruel words to her. She is surrounded by love, love from family, friends...
She had never been hurt like this before.
"So...you mean, you hate, hate me."
The girl was choked up, and she couldn't speak clearly intermittently.
Shen Kuo let go of her hand and pushed her away: "Get lost."
He turned around, suppressed the piercing pain in his chest, and closed his eyes.
Lu Yan lowered her head, and groped in the canvas bag with trembling hands. After groping for a long time, she took out a small blue box about the size of a finger, and stuffed it into his hand—
"Happy birthday."
After she finished speaking in a crying voice, she hurried down the bridge, got on her bicycle and left crookedly, wiping away her tears before leaving.
Shen Kuo froze in place, unable to recover for a long time.
He never told anyone his birthday, how could she know...
With his cold and stiff hands, he opened the small blue box, and inside was an extremely delicate mechanical lighter.
Shen Kuo took out the lighter and tried it, and there was a sound of "呵", a tiny flame jumped up and was extinguished by the wind again.
**
Shi Xuexian brought Shi Ya and appeared at the entrance of the Century City Hotel.
Shi Ya looked at the luxurious golden lion at the door of the restaurant, and asked Shi Xuexian tremblingly: "Mom, Uncle Lu didn't let us come, will he be angry if we come here?"
"You have to be angry. I knew that vixen didn't give up on you, Uncle Lu, and wanted to remarry. I will never let this happen."
"Mom, generally speaking, vixen is the name of the original pair's mistress..."
Shi Xuexian glared at Shi Ya, who immediately fell silent.
The well-dressed and courteous receptionist asked Shi Xuexian if she had a reservation. After Shi Xuexian said the name of the private room, the receptionist took them in.
Shi Ya felt that her mother was so capable that she could even find out the name of the private room where they ate.
Lu Zhen had been planning this dinner for a long time, and he was the one who dragged his mother over to have a reunion dinner together.
He asked his mother and father to order food in the private room, and stood at the door by himself, acting as a "doorman".
Lu Yan stood beside him listlessly, looking not very energetic.
"Hey, what's the matter with you?"
"Don't talk to me." Lu Yan turned around and knocked her head against the wall: "I'm hated by people."
Lu Zhen grabbed her shoulders and asked casually, "Shen Kuo?"
"Yeah."
"He's just a slut. He's out of his mind. You shouldn't talk to him."
"Dad, why are you always against Chen Kuo?" Lu Yan finally raised her head and asked him curiously.
"I'm against him, obviously he always has trouble with me!"
Mentioning this person, Lu Zhen was full of anger: "From the first day of junior high school, that guy has always been against me! He framed me openly and secretly! Otherwise, whoever is full of blood will have trouble with him!"
"why!"
"I'm jealous that your brother is more handsome than him."
The corners of Lu Yan's mouth twitched. In terms of appearance alone, she thought that Shen Kuo might be better. It's just that he was not as particular as Lu Zhen, so his skin was not as white as Lu Zhen's, and his clothes were not as fine. Absolutely.
"I think there must be a reason for Shen Kuo to target you. Have you ever thought about having a peaceful chat with him to turn hostility into friendship?"
"Turn into a hammer."
"..."
"Hey! I found out that you girl, you can't do without Shen Kuo in three sentences." Lu Zhen held her collar in circles: "What do you want, ah, have you taken a fancy to him?"
"No, no, just hated."
"If you are hated, you will be hated. People like him are hated by the whole world."
"Woo..."
Lu Yan hit Lu Zhen, and Lu Zhen immediately fought back. Just as the father and daughter were arguing at the door, Shi Xuexian appeared at the door of the private room with Shi Ya.
"Lu Zhen, is your father in there?"
Lu Zhen frowned: "Why are you here?"
Shi Xuexian smiled and said, "Of course I should come over for a family meal."
"Family? Sorry, my parents are celebrating my sister today, it has nothing to do with you."
Lu Yan gently tugged at Lu Zhen's sleeve, approached him and whispered, "Could it be that grandpa called her here?"
"It's not so cruel."
Lu Zhen was also uncertain, but no matter what, he couldn't let this woman ruin their family reunion.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Shi, please go back, today's meal has nothing to do with you."
Shi Ya stepped forward, not to be outdone, and said, "Uncle Lu didn't even tell us to leave, why did you tell us to leave?"
Just when Lu Jian came out, she asked why Lu Zhen didn't come in.
He and Meng Zhining stayed in the private room, the atmosphere was so embarrassing that it was about to explode||explode.
"Brother Jian." Shi Xuexian immediately posted it up, and gently embraced his arm: "I heard that you guys are eating here, so I wanted to rush over here, and our family will treat Miss Meng to a meal together."
Lu Jian didn't expect Shi Xuexian to come over. With an unnatural expression, she pulled her hand out of her arms and said under her throat, "Today's dinner is for Yanyan to celebrate with her mother. What are you doing here?"
"I... I'm also here to celebrate Yan Yan."
"Go back quickly." Lu Jian also seemed to feel that it was not appropriate: "Go back and let the kitchen cook for you."
"Brother Jian, look at me... I'm here."
Lu Jian has always disliked women's self-assessment, so her face darkened: "Go back."
He has an uncompromising temperament, and Shi Xuexian dare not easily annoy him.
At this time, Meng Zhining's voice came from the private room: "It's so hot outside, it's rare that Ms. Shi came here to guard her husband under the scorching sun, she's very energetic, come in and sit down."
Meng Zhining spoke up, and of course Lu Jian didn't have much to say, so she made way for her to enter.
Lu Zhen and Lu Yan looked at each other, and Lu Zhen's brows could hold a pencil together.
Shi Xuexian adjusted a good seat, entered the room and sat directly between Lu Jian and Meng Zhining.
The meal was not as enjoyable as Lu Zhen had expected. Everyone ate in muffled voices, and the atmosphere was once awkward.
Shi Xuexian wanted to show affection to Lu Jian, so she kept picking up food for him. Lu Jian said several times, let her eat by herself, don't pick up food for him. Shi Xuexian said to Meng Zhining: "Our brother Jian is like this, duplicity, hey, why didn't we order What about the braised pork elbow, he likes it the most, by the way, why is there Houttuynia cordata, don’t you know that Brother Jian hates Houttuynia cordata the most?”
Meng Zhining smiled decently and said, "This is ordered by your husband."
After finishing speaking, she picked up a chopstick of Houttuynia cordata and put it in the bowl: "The dishes on the table are all my favorite dishes. If it doesn't suit Ms. Shi's appetite, I'm really sorry."
After saying this, Shi Xuexian's expression turned a little ugly.
Not to be outdone, she continued: "What kind of strong women are admired in society now? I think those are all nonsense. The ultimate destination of a woman is the family. If you don't even know what your husband likes to eat, it's no wonder you're getting divorced now." Why is the rate so high?"
Shi Xuexian smiled at Meng Zhining: "Miss Meng, what do you think?"
Meng Zhining said with a blank expression: "Since Ms. Shi emphasizes the importance of family and believes that women should return to the family, Ms. Shi must be a good cook, wash dishes, mop the floor and tiles."
"I... "
Lu Zhen said in time: "She doesn't do anything well at home, so she goes out to play mahjong all day long."
"That's not what I said. I can make my husband relax after get off work every day, listen to my husband and not quarrel with him. That's enough, right, Brother Jane."
Lu Jian rubbed her forehead, without saying a word, very depressed.
Lu Yan looked at his grandfather's appearance and could understand his current mood. The former and the current were fighting with guns and sticks, and he was caught in the middle. Naturally, it was wrong to say anything, and it was wrong to protect anyone.
After this encounter, Lu Yan's mood improved a lot, and it was interesting to see how Meng Zhining dealt with Shi Xuexian.
"I understand. What Ms. Shi means is that the value of a woman is to be like a canary at home, pleasing her husband. When the husband is happy, he will feed you some snacks, right?"
"Isn't it right?"
"Iser serves people, what if one day he grows old and loses his husband's favor?"
"I, when did I say that I want Israel to serve people, you are too contemptuous of people."
"Don't get excited." Meng Zhining smiled calmly, "Besides, we're just discussing the current social situation, and I didn't mention you by name, Ms. Shi."
Shi Xuexian was breathing, her plump breasts rose and fell, no matter how tactful she was, she was not a match for Meng Zhining because of her street smarts.
"I think it's wrong for women to always fight for their careers outside, disregarding their families and children." Shi Xuexian brought the topic back to the main topic.
"I agree with you, but everyone has their own aspirations. Not all women should be confined to the family and the kitchen. If the husband can't give respect and support, then there is no pity even if you get divorced."
After Meng Zhining finished speaking, she glanced at Lu Jian.
Lu Jian closed her eyes, and there was a ripple in her dark eyes.
Meng Zhining looked at Lu Yan: "Yanyan, you also have to remember that a girl should never lose herself for love, no matter how much you like that man, the first thing you should love...is yourself."
"Well, I remember." Lu Yan nodded obediently.
Seeing Meng Zhining educating her daughter, Shi Xuexian didn't want to be outdone, she turned to Shi Ya and said, "Yaya, from now on, you must put your family first, don't learn from those girls in society, talk about women's rights and independence, otherwise you will be the one who suffers in the end. "
Meng Zhining stood up with her bag in her hand: "In this way, I've almost finished eating, so let's go first, Lu Jian, you have a good meal with your wife. Yan Yan, Xiao Zhen, take mom out."
Lu Yan and Lu Zhen immediately got up from their seats and were about to send Meng Zhining away. Lu Jian raised her head and said to her, "I will talk to you in detail next time I come to the company about the cooperation between the Lu Corporation and the Meng Corporation."
"Make an appointment first." Meng Zhining glanced at him: "I don't know if I'm free yet."
"Yanyan was looking for you, and you said you were free anytime, but I'm not free when I'm looking for you."
"Can you compare with my daughter?" Meng Zhining smiled lightly, and patted Lu Yan's head: "Aren't you a good girl?"
Lu Yan took Meng Zhining's hand. She had to say that she really liked Grandma Meng's style. Even if it was put in the next twenty years, such a feminine charm would be irresistible.
Meng Zhining walked out of the restaurant at a faster pace, stepping on the height of hate, and then showed his true nature, very angry: "Who is your father looking for? I have seen it too!"
Lu Zhen and Lu Yan looked at each other, and said in unison, "You only know."
"Just how she teaches children, ah! It's really terrible!"
Meng Zhining shook his head and said, "No, I can't trust you to stay at your father's house, let such a woman stay by your side, it's okay!"
Seeing this, Lu Zhen quickly said, "Mom, if you remarry Dad, we won't be influenced by her anymore."
Assisting Lu Yan also nodded repeatedly.
"It is impossible to remarry. It will never be possible. Even if that dead man kneels in front of me and begs me, it is impossible to remarry!"
"Mom, don't talk so badly."
"Okay, let's go back, you two..."
She pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll consult a lawyer again, at least I have to win Yanyan back."
Lu Yan immediately hugged Lu Zhen's waist: "I don't want to separate from my father...my brother!"
Lu Zhen cried sadly: "Mom, you only want my sister, don't you want me?"
Meng Zhining patted the back of Lu Zhen's head: "How grown up, it's okay, let's go."
At night, Lu Yan sat alone on the terrace, holding her guitar and playing an unknown tune.
I feel depressed.
I don't know why I care so much about what Shen Kuo said.
In her previous life, she thought that Shen Kuo was a vicious man without any feelings. He was middle-aged, lonely, and all his thoughts and calculations were put on how to get revenge on Lu Zhen.
Such a guy is so scary, Lu Yan couldn't help shivering even if she just took one more look at him.
But going back to twenty years ago, I witnessed his difficulties and struggles when he was young, and occasionally saw a little sincerity in his smile.
Lu Yan's heart was full of many feelings, and these feelings fell to her fingertips, playing a series of clear melodies.
She wanted to write him a song as compensation for breaking her promise.
Just when Lu Yan slowly raised her head, she suddenly saw a tall young man standing alone under the street lamp at the intersection not far away, holding a lighter by his slender wrist under his half-sleeve.
One open, one close.
Flames flickered in the dark.
He raised his head to look at her, his dark eyes were hidden in the shadows under the brows, and he couldn't see clearly.
Lu Yan felt her heart beat a little faster. She stood up, walked to the railing of the balcony, and wanted to wave to him, but thinking of what Shen Kuo said, she shrank her hand back tremblingly.
Shen Kuo said that he hated her.
There is no moon tonight, and the night is as thick as ink that cannot be melted. Through the dense night, Lu Yan looks at him from a distance, and can only see the outline of his figure that is not clear.
A few minutes later, Shen Kuo hung a small bag on the iron fence at the entrance of Lu's house, turned around and disappeared at the end of the wet long street.
Lu Yan quickly put down the guitar, ran downstairs in a hurry, and took off the white bag.
There is a small transparent carton in the pocket, and there is a small strawberry-shaped cake inside.