The More You Think, the More Terrifying It Gets

The car stopped.

To Lu Zhou's surprise, he had assumed Madam Yang would take them somewhere that looked exceptionally upscale. Instead, their destination was a small street far from the city's bustle.

The marble-fronted establishment stood deep within an unremarkable street. Yet rather than being swallowed up by the row of shabby little shops, it stood out like a crane among chickens.

Perhaps this was the style of the wealthy?

Lu Zhou didn't really understand.

After getting out of the car, Madam Yang walked ahead and led the group into the restaurant.

The restaurant's interior was a completely different world from its understated exterior. Beneath the marble statue by the entrance, water trickled past. Various potted plants complemented the Western-style landscaping, creating a beauty that blended East and West.

Lu Zhou was certain now. To open such a stylish Western restaurant in an alley this deep, the owner either had to be extremely rich or have more money than they knew what to do with...

"Four people."

"This way, please." The waiter respectfully gestured for them to follow and led them toward a booth on the second floor.

Han Mengqi still refused to sit with her mother and forcefully took the seat beside Lu Zhou.

Just as she had in the car, Chen Yushan sat beside her aunt.

After they settled into the booth, the waiter brought each of them a glass of lemon water and placed two menus on the table.

After opening the menu, Madam Yang smiled faintly. "The food here is quite good, especially since it's quiet and free from the noise of the city. It isn't easy to find a restaurant like this in Jinling City. I recommend the steak, but if steak doesn't suit your taste, the seafood paella is also quite good. It's on me today, so please don't hold back."

"Then I won't be polite..." Lu Zhou smiled awkwardly as he looked at the menu, but his eyebrows twitched violently.

Holy crap, this was fucking expensive!

What the hell was with an 888-yuan steak? Better get fried rice instead... Holy crap? Even the fried rice cost over a hundred?

This was daylight robbery!

But judging by Madam Yang's expression, she didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with it.

Lu Zhou couldn't help sighing inwardly.

As expected of rich people. Their spending habits seemed to exist in a completely different dimension from his.

Han Mengqi, on the other hand, didn't stand on ceremony with her mother. She snatched the menu from Lu Zhou, quickly flipped through it, and pointed at a picture. "I want an applewood filet mignon! And this ice cream too..."

Chen Yushan also ordered naturally.

Then it was Lu Zhou's turn.

Lu Zhou thought about it and ultimately chose the seafood paella.

First, he hadn't tried either dish anyway, so he didn't want to spend too long deciding. Second, using a knife and fork felt too fussy to him. He was used to being casual, so it was better not to embarrass himself.

As for Madam Yang, she only ordered a salad.

Looking at the portion size in the picture, Lu Zhou couldn't help wondering whether that could really fill someone up.

Perhaps because there weren't many people in the restaurant, the food arrived quickly.

Looking at the steaming seafood rice, Lu Zhou's appetite was instantly whetted.

In particular, the mussels and scallops sprinkled with minced garlic looked incredibly appetizing.

Before he could even pick up his spoon, Han Mengqi, sitting beside him, swiftly stole a mussel.

Lu Zhou's eyebrow twitched, but he didn't want to stoop to her level, so he pretended not to notice.

However, Han Mengqi's little move clearly hadn't escaped her mother's eyes.

"Mengqi." As expected, Madam Yang reprimanded her.

The smile faded from Han Mengqi's face. She huffed and looked to the side.

"Madam Yang... I don't think you need to be so harsh. Han Mengqi was probably just joking." Lu Zhou smiled and tried to mediate.

"This is a matter of manners." Madam Yang did not back down, speaking seriously.

Lu Zhou looked helpless and said nothing more.

After all, someone else was disciplining their own child. There was really nothing he could say.

At most, he felt a little sympathy...

After dinner began, the atmosphere became somewhat quiet.

Sensing the Cold War between mother and daughter, Lu Zhou and Chen Yushan exchanged a glance, and both saw helplessness in the other's eyes.

Chen Yushan: Sorry, I didn't know it would turn out like this.

Lu Zhou: It's okay. I actually saw this coming...

Hmm?

Lu Zhou suddenly realized that he seemed to have mastered an incredible new skill.

Could he actually communicate with people using nothing but his eyes?

What was this?

The tacit understanding they had developed through all those days of silently exchanging looks in the library?

Or was it the system...

To confirm it, Lu Zhou looked at Han Mengqi.

Emmm...

It didn't seem to work.

Feeling uncomfortable under Lu Zhou's gaze, Han Mengqi blushed and glared fiercely back at him. "W-what are you looking at me for?"

"Uh, nothing. I just thought you looked like you were enjoying your food." Realizing he had been abrupt, Lu Zhou quickly looked away and casually made up an excuse.

Fortunately, Madam Yang had gotten up to answer a phone call and hadn't noticed their little interaction.

Otherwise, Lu Zhou had a feeling it would have been rather bad if that stern woman had seen it...

In any case, Han Mengqi actually believed Lu Zhou's excuse. She tossed a small piece of steak into her mouth and said vaguely as she chewed, "Well, it's okay... It's still not as good as what you make."

The praise made Lu Zhou a little embarrassed. He smiled and modestly replied, "You won't get anything out of flattering me like that."

"I never lie. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do about it." Han Mengqi rolled her eyes.

"You can cook?" Chen Yushan looked at Lu Zhou, who was sitting across from her, and asked in surprise, "You really don't look like it..."

"Of course he can! His cooking is delicious! Especially that... what was it called... mapo tofu. Anyway, it's super delicious." Before Lu Zhou could answer, Han Mengqi rushed to answer for him.

Her expression made it seem as though she were showing off.

"Just hearing that makes it sound spicy." Chen Yushan shrank back slightly.

The last time Lu Zhou had taken her out for spicy hot pot, it had traumatized her.

At that moment, Madam Yang returned to the booth. Beside her was a refined-looking man.

"Mengqi, aren't you going to greet your uncle?" the man asked with a smile.

"Hello, Uncle. Goodbye, Uncle." Han Mengqi didn't even raise her head as she spoke bluntly.

"You child..." Madam Yang sighed and looked apologetically at the man. "I'm sorry. Mengqi is... like this with everyone right now."

"It's fine." The man smiled awkwardly, nodded to Chen Yushan in greeting, then looked at Lu Zhou. His eyes suddenly lit up. "You're Lu Zhou, right?"

Lu Zhou was somewhat surprised. He had no idea when he had become so famous that someone could recognize him at a glance.

Even when he walked around campus, hardly anyone recognized him.

Although puzzled about how the man knew his name, Lu Zhou still instinctively stood up and politely shook the hand extended toward him. "Hello... May I ask who you are?"

"I'm the manager of this restaurant, and also Madam Yang's friend." The man smiled, shook Lu Zhou's hand, then released it. "You're quite something, young man. You even turned down President Wang's offer."

"It's just that my studies are demanding, and I didn't think I could handle it." Lu Zhou politely demurred, though inwardly he was complaining.

He had only turned down an offer. How many times had this come up already?

"My name is Du Haifeng. Nice to meet you. We can talk another time if there's a chance." Du Haifeng handed Lu Zhou a business card and smiled. "Please enjoy your meal. I won't disturb you any longer."

Perhaps Han Mengqi's coldness had made him uncomfortable, or perhaps he had something to do. In any case, he truly did not linger, turning around and leaving.

After sitting back down in the booth, Lu Zhou picked up the business card and took a look. A shareholder of Haifeng Capital?

Anyway, he might as well keep the card.

Having another connection would never hurt.

If he started a business in the future, he really would need contacts in this area.

Seeing Lu Zhou accept the man's business card, Han Mengqi seemed somewhat unhappy.

Noticing the change in her expression, Lu Zhou began wildly analyzing the situation in his head.

Could this Mr. Du have an unusual relationship with Madam Yang?

They were both adults. One was a capable woman who had suffered family misfortune but was still charming, while the other was a mature, distinguished man. Even if something happened between them straight out of a popular domestic TV drama, it wouldn't really be strange.

Emmm...

It was hard to comment.

When it came to relationships, once family was involved, everything became complicated.

Lu Zhou had no desire to interfere too much in other people's lives. On that point, he was very clear.

Han Mengqi glanced at her mother, lowered her voice, leaned close to Lu Zhou, and whispered, "That Guy isn't a good person. You need to be careful around him."

"Okay." Because of the misunderstanding he had formed on his own, Lu Zhou looked at her with concern, perhaps even a trace of sympathy.

Although she said she didn't want a stepfather, if her parents really remarried, a child would naturally resist it, wouldn't she?

Seeing that Lu Zhou clearly hadn't taken her words seriously, Han Mengqi grew anxious. "I'm serious!"

Lu Zhou looked at her strangely. "I didn't say I didn't believe you."

"You!" Gritting her teeth, as though she had decided to go all out, Han Mengqi's gaze darted around before she subtly looked to the side and continued in a low voice. "I saw it. This Uncle Du..."

Lu Zhou: ???

That last sentence was far too horrifying.

Thinking of that line, "You're quite something, young man"...

Lu Zhou was so startled that he nearly threw the business card in his pocket out the window.