Chapter 40

"Good, then. Let's team up and play together next time."

Lin Yu was just about to nod when she suddenly remembered that her account and Chen Lüli's were already linked as a couple. She was instantly at a loss for words and glanced at him instinctively.

Chen Lüli watched her search for an excuse, both annoyed and amused. When she glanced his way, he straightened up and said to Jiang Yingshan, "We've finished testing it, so we'll be going."

Jiang Yingshan kept up the act. "All right, my turn to test it."

Chen Lüli looked back at Lin Yu and fetched her bag. She hurriedly took the small bag and followed him out of the holographic space. Behind them, Jiang Yingshan asked mischievously, "It's this late already. Want to have lunch together?"

Chen Lüli tucked his hands into his trouser pockets, his tone casual. "No, I'm taking her home."

Jiang Yingshan smiled. "All right, then."

He leaned against the doorframe and watched them walk toward the elevator. Looking at Lin Yu's retreating figure, he recalled the look in her eyes when she had glanced at him in the dim light.

No wonder Jiang Yan'an seemed to have her on his mind too.

Only after they entered the elevator did Lin Yu breathe a sigh of relief. They had almost given themselves away. She glanced at Chen Lüli and asked, "Can you only have one account in Extreme Survival?"

Chen Lüli glanced at her and took her hand. "Without an invitation, you can only apply for one for now."

Lin Yu: "..."

Then there was hardly any chance of teaming up.

One look at her expression, and Chen Lüli knew what she was thinking.

He gave a soft huff.

That's what you get for keeping our relationship underground.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked, taking out his phone to browse restaurants.

Lin Yu thought for a moment and leaned closer to his phone. "What's there to eat nearby? Most places are closed for the New Year, aren't they?"

Chen Lüli held the phone a little closer to her and scrolled. "A few private kitchens are open. Want to eat at one of those?"

Lin Yu watched the restaurant names scroll past. "Sure."

She wasn't picky and could eat anywhere.

Chen Lüli picked one, switched to WeChat, and found the restaurant manager to ask for a table. The manager agreed. Chen Lüli put away his phone and took her hand as they went to get the car.

When they had come to the company, the sun had just begun to emerge. It was midday now, but the sun was hidden behind the clouds, only faintly visible. By the time they reached the private kitchen, it was completely covered, and it was even a little cooler than it had been that morning. They got out of the car, and Lin Yu pulled her coat closer. Chen Lüli glanced at her. "You didn't wear a scarf?"

Lin Yu looked up and smiled. "I forgot."

"It'll be warmer inside the restaurant."

Lin Yu murmured in agreement.

Chen Lüli was about to take her hand when her phone rang, followed by several messages in quick succession. Lin Yu had to open her small bag and take out her phone.

Chen Lüli lowered his gaze and waited while she checked it.

Just then,

a woman's voice called out, "Lüli? Yuyu? Are you here to eat?"

Lin Yu looked up and met Tan You's gentle gaze.

She froze for a moment, then promptly said, "Hello, Auntie."

Two elegant, dignified women accompanied Tan You. At a glance, they looked like friends, close friends, or relatives. Chen Lüli wasn't surprised to see his mother. He greeted the other two aunties, then said to his mother with a calm expression, "Yeah, I came to eat with her."

Tan You looked at Lin Yu with a smile. "Yuyu, you look lovely dressed like this today."

Lin Yu was a little embarrassed.

Chen Lüli glanced at her and saw the phone in her hand. One second later, and they wouldn't have been able to hide it. The corners of his lips lifted slightly. Tan You turned back to her son. "Have you booked a table? If not, Auntie Xiao and the others and I can eat somewhere else and give you ours."

Chen Lüli looked at his mother. "No need. We've already booked one."

"All right, then."

She turned to Lin Yu. "Yuyu, come on, walk with us."

Lin Yu glanced at Chen Lüli. He raised his brows slightly, signaling that she didn't need to be afraid. She blinked and obediently stepped forward, letting Tan You take her by the wrist as they climbed the steps.

She drew a small breath.

Chen Lüli walked behind them, up the steps and through the door.

Tan You and her two companions had booked a table on the second floor, while Lin Yu and Chen Lüli had a private room for two on the first floor, so they had to part ways at the turn.

Holding Lin Yu's wrist, Tan You asked softly, "What do you like to eat? The roe crab noodles here are good. Have Lüli order them for you."

Lin Yu smiled. "All right, Auntie."

Tan You patted her hand.

Gentle and quiet, Lin Yu walked over to Chen Lüli once Tan You let her go.

Tan You and the other two watched them enter the private room. Chen Lüli pushed the door open for Lin Yu, and the two looked exceptionally well matched: one handsome, the other beautiful, and their heights suited each other too.

What was rare was the hint of gentleness in Chen Lüli's expression. It wasn't very obvious, appearing and disappearing; he still looked as cool and aloof as ever.

But as his mother, she knew him.

Xiao Xi asked, "Is that Lüli's girlfriend?"

Tan You shook her head. "Not yet."

Li Li said, "It's rare to see a girl by Lüli's side, let alone have him come out to eat alone with her."

She glanced at Tan You. "There's no way Lüli doesn't have feelings for her, is there?"

Tan You smiled faintly and took the two of them upstairs.

Chapter 40

The private room for two was next to a bamboo grove, and the view through the window was like a poem or a painting. The room's decor was fairly classical too. This was Lin Yu's first time at this private kitchen. In the past, she and her parents had often eaten at another one, which had mountains and flowing water; while eating, they could hear water running over the rockery.

Chen Lüli put her bag away, sat down across from her, and handed her the menu. "Still nervous?"

Lin Yu pressed her lips together and took the menu. "How could it be such a coincidence?" she asked softly.

Chen Lüli picked up the teapot and poured tea. "We're in the same city, and people tend to follow the same routines. It's perfectly normal to run into each other. That's why I asked you whether we really had to keep our relationship underground."

Lin Yu looked at him in the dim light and nodded.

Chen Lüli studied her face and tapped the tip of her nose with a finger. "Then act natural when you run into them."

Lin Yu blinked. "I was very natural."

Chen Lüli raised a brow, the corners of his lips curving up slightly.

True enough.

Aside from that little intake of breath, there was nothing to fault.

"What are this restaurant's signature dishes? The roe crab noodles?" Lin Yu asked as she looked down and flipped through the menu. As for the prices, they were so expensive. Still, it wasn't as though she had never eaten at a restaurant in this price range. Her parents were strict with her, but they were very generous when it came to food and clothing.

In a way, Qin Jialan was right.

Chen Lüli took a sip of tea. "I've ordered seafood noodles from this place for you before."

Lin Yu looked up in surprise. "You have?"

Seeing that she had no recollection of it, Chen Lüli set down his teacup and narrowed his eyes. "Last summer, Jiang Yan'an and I went to Nan City to see a friend. After we came back, we had dinner here. I passed your shop and brought you an order of seafood noodles on the way."

Realization dawned on Lin Yu. "So those really delicious seafood noodles were from this restaurant?"

Chen Lüli looked at her. "Yes."

"Then I'll order those."

"What about the roe crab noodles?" he asked.

Lin Yu looked at him and smiled. "Next time?"

A hint of a smile appeared in Chen Lüli's eyes. "All right, next time."

Besides the noodles, Chen Lüli ordered several dishes to go with them. As he ordered, he thought back to what Lin Yu liked to eat and ordered each one for her.

When the food arrived, Lin Yu picked up her chopsticks. After a few bites, she noticed that most of the dishes on the table were things she liked. She paused and quietly raised her eyes.

She glanced at the man eating his noodles.

It was probably just a coincidence.

Otherwise, how could everything be to her taste? Two of the dishes were even unpopular ones at the restaurant.

"Oh, right." Biting into her noodles, Lin Yu asked, "You're staying at home. Did you take Xiao Diu back with you?"

Chen Lüli took her cup and poured her some tea. "No. I haven't been staying at home the whole time either. Xiao Diu's been at the pet shop for a bath these past two days."

"Didn't Xiao Diu just have one before the New Year?" Lin Yu remembered the fur that had been trimmed off Xiao Diu.

Chen Lüli set the tea beside her hand and looked at her. "How long has it been since then?"

Lin Yu blinked, remembering his obsession with cleanliness. Living with him, Xiao Diu got more baths than other kitties. Chen Lüli took a sip of tea and said, "Perfect timing. Come with me to pick Xiao Diu up later."

Lin Yu's eyes lit up. "Sure!"

Chen Lüli looked at her and put some food on her plate.

After leaving the private room, Chen Lüli learned that his mother was still on the second floor, so he went up to say goodbye before leaving. Lin Yu naturally didn't go up and waited for him downstairs.

After Chen Lüli came down, the two went to the parking lot, got in the car, and headed to the pet shop to pick up Xiao Diu.

The sun came and went, and a little after two, it emerged completely, spreading warmth everywhere. When they reached the pet shop, Chen Lüli took Lin Yu's hand as soon as he got out of the car.

Lin Yu moved her hand slightly.

He tilted his head and gave her a sidelong glance.

"There's no one we know around here, is there?" he said.

Lin Yu pressed her lips together. "What if there is?"

Chen Lüli laughed in exasperation. "What if? If there is, we'll say you fell and I helped you up."

Lin Yu: "..."

That excuse would work too.

Besides, among the relatives, friends, and elders around them, Chen Lüli was the only one who had a cat. She and Jiang Zao both wanted one but couldn't manage it, while Ming Yu didn't like pets. Jiang Yan'an liked large dogs, but his mother was reportedly allergic to dog hair, so he couldn't even keep one in either of his two separate homes. As for her parents, they had even less time to care for cats or dogs.

So there was nothing to be afraid of.

She would hold his hand, then.

She was happy.

When they entered the shop, the pet groomer was drying Xiao Diu's fur. Xiao Diu lay listlessly on the table. Having another bath after such a short time had worn this kitty out.

The moment Xiao Diu touched water, Xiao Diu wanted to jump up, only for the groomer to press Xiao Diu back down. Once, Xiao Diu's owner had stood outside the glass window with his arms folded, watching Xiao Diu bounce around.

As soon as Xiao Diu saw his eyes, Xiao Diu settled down and obediently let the groomer hold Xiao Diu in the water.

This time, the owner wasn't there, and Xiao Diu jumped really high. But after matching wits and courage with the groomer, Xiao Diu was tired after the bath too and wanted nothing more than to fall asleep right there.