Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Do I Look Like That Narcissistic of a Person? February 14th on the solar calendar was Valentine's Day. Chu Tang was single now, and with her heart fully devoted to her law firm, she had no mind for Valentine's Day. The space she'd rented in the office building was still under renovation. Gu Zechuan, somehow having learned the address of her law firm, made a grand gesture by ordering sixty-six flower baskets to celebrate the opening of her new practice. When the renovation foreman called, Chu Tang happened to be in a coffee shop with Lu Shuci, discussing a collaboration. "Miss Ruan, someone sent you sixty-six flower baskets. They won't fit in the hallway—they're all piled up inside. Could you come clear them out? They're making it impossible for us to work." "Flower baskets? Is there a name on them?" "Yes, a Gu Zechuan." The mere mention of that name gave Ruan Chutang a headache. She took a deep breath and rubbed her temples, looking thoroughly exasperated. "Got it. I'll come over and have someone clear them out in a bit. You all can take a break for now." After hanging up, Ruan Chutang said to Lu Shuci, "Something's come up at the law firm that I need to check on. Sorry, but let's sign the contract next time." "No need to apologize." Lu Shuci rose gently along with Ruan Chutang. "Since it's about the law firm, would you mind if I came along to take a look?" Chu Tang paused, then thought for a moment before replying, "Sure. You'll be a partner at the firm soon anyway—might as well show you around now." "Alright." They arrived at the law firm. Chu Tang looked at the room full of flower baskets and frowned in irritation. She picked one at random and read the ribbon attached to it. [Wishing Tangtang's law firm great success in its opening. —Gu Zechuan] Chu Tang's face twisted with disgust. "Great success in its opening"—it wasn't like she was opening a shop or running a business. Lu Shuci had seen the words on the ribbon too. "Gu Zechuan?" Chu Tang rubbed her brow in frustration. "Yeah. Sorry, you'll have to excuse the embarrassment." "May I ask who this Mr. Gu is?" Lu Shuci's eyes were lowered, his expression unreadable. Ruan Chutang felt that since Lu Shuci was her partner, and this concerned the law firm, she owed him an explanation—to put his mind at ease and keep him from backing out of their collaboration. "He's my ex-boyfriend. We broke up over half a year ago." "Ex-boyfriend..." Lu Shuci murmured softly. "Yeah. Sorry you had to see that." Lu Shuci suddenly asked, "Wasn't your ex-boyfriend Jiang Shixu?" Chu Tang was a bit surprised. "You know about that too?" Lu Shuci adjusted his glasses. "Chen Yuanyuan mentioned it." In truth, he had been keeping tabs on her arranged marriage with Jiang Shixu all along—it just wasn't convenient to say so directly. Chu Tang explained awkwardly, "Gu Zechuan was my first boyfriend. Right after graduation, I went to Haicheng for work and met him there. After we broke up, I came back to Jiangcheng to prepare for the marriage alliance with Jiang Shixu. Then some things happened, and Jiang Shixu and I split as well." Lu Shuci gave an "mm" and said nothing more. Chu Tang added, "I'll take care of these flower baskets right away. Don't worry—I won't let Gu Zechuan affect the firm's normal operations going forward." "It's fine." Chu Tang called a housekeeping service to come clear out the flower baskets. The service was efficient—they had all sixty-six baskets removed in under half an hour. The renovation crew got back to work. Ruan Chutang walked Lu Shuci around the floor, the two of them discussing the design and layout of the office space. During a break, one of the renovation workers said with a smile, "Miss Ruan, so you and your boyfriend are opening this law firm together?" Ruan Chutang had a habit of blushing when embarrassed, and she quickly shook her head in denial. "You've got it wrong—this is my business partner, not my boyfriend." The worker scratched his head apologetically. "Sorry, my mistake. I just assumed he was your boyfriend—you two really look like a couple." "No, no." Chu Tang denied it again. Lu Shuci stood off to the side without saying a word, his expression somewhat cool. Chu Tang glanced at him apologetically, noticing the subtle shift in his demeanor, and said with some awkwardness, "I didn't expect the worker to misunderstand. I'm sorry if that caused you any discomfort." Lu Shuci smiled and said in a teasing tone, "That eager to not be associated with me? You looked pretty quick to deny it." "Huh?" Chu Tang was caught off guard. "That's not what I meant. I just didn't want to cause you any trouble, and I didn't want you to get the wrong idea." Lu Shuci looked at her with a hint of a smile. "Wrong idea about what?" Chu Tang looked away, pressing her lips together without answering. Lu Shuci seemed to see right through her, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Afraid I might think you like me?" The blush on Chu Tang's face deepened, and she gave a hesitant "mm." Lu Shuci found it rather amusing. "Do I look like that narcissistic of a person?" "That's not what I meant." Chu Tang hurried to explain. "It's just... just that I heard from Yuanyuan and Xueluo earlier that a lot of girls like you, and you turned them all down. I thought maybe because you have so much romantic attention, you might be put off by women showing interest in you. So I was afraid you'd misunderstand me... and then refuse to go into partnership with me. Do you understand?" Lu Shuci watched Ruan Chutang explain herself so earnestly, and suddenly laughed. Chu Tang: "..." "What are you laughing at?" Lu Shuci's smile was very handsome, giving people a feeling like a spring breeze. His handsomeness was different from Jiang Shixu's. Jiang Shixu gave people the impression of a flower on a high peak—unreachable, untouchable, keeping everyone at a distance. Lu Shuci was like the warm sun of spring—courteous and humble, refined and easygoing. Lu Shuci: "Nothing. I just think the way you seriously explained that you have no feelings for me is adorable." "..." "Actually, you didn't need to explain. I know you're not interested in me." Chu Tang: "Hmm?" I've known for a long time. That was what Lu Shuci murmured to himself. He almost couldn't stop himself from asking that question. Do you really have no memory of me at all? He thought about it, but held back. If he asked, he might lose the chance to work with her. ... After showing Lu Shuci the law firm's renovation, it happened to be mealtime. Lu Shuci asked with a gentle smile, "May I treat you to a meal? My partner." Chu Tang said generously, "Sure." Valentine's Day didn't even cross her mind—all she thought about was work. She planned to discuss the partnership with Lu Shuci over dinner and sign the contract while they were at it. This was the first formal meal between Chu Tang and her partner. Thinking that she could discuss business at the table and shouldn't be too casual, she chose a high-end restaurant nearby. As Chu Tang and Lu Shuci walked into the restaurant, she looked up and unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance. Jiang Shixu was dressed in a black suit. Even his standard business attire couldn't conceal his noble bearing and strikingly handsome face. The man's gaze paused on Chu Tang's face for a few seconds, then quietly shifted to Lu Shuci behind her.