Chapter 208

Chapter 208: Shura Field Lu Shuci chose a Western restaurant with a great atmosphere. The interior was decorated primarily in warm tones, with soft light spilling through exquisite chandeliers, creating a cozy yet dreamy glow. Several colorful vintage-style oil paintings hung on the walls, adding a touch of artistic vitality to the tranquil space. Lu Shuci held Gu Tian's hand, and Ruan Chutang held Ruan Jiaojiao's hand. The waiter led them to a seat by the window with an excellent view. A small, delicate bouquet of fresh flowers sat on the round glass table, emitting a faint fragrance that was refreshing and soothing. The two children sat down next to each other. Lu Shuci and Chu Tang also sat down. The round table wasn't large, so they ended up sitting close together as well. Gentle classical piano music flowed slowly through the air, rippling outward. Lu Shuci ordered the children's meals first, then handed the menu to Ruan Chutang. The moment Chu Tang looked up, she unexpectedly met a pair of dark, deep eyes. Her expression froze, and the smile on her face disappeared. Jiang Shixu stood not far away, his gaze spreading wide, his eyes profound. Beside him stood a beautiful woman with wavy hair and a slender figure. Even though they hadn't seen each other in years, Chu Tang recognized the woman at a glance—it was Shu Mingyue. Remembering what Zhou Xueluo had told her—that Shu Mingyue had returned to the country this time with her sights set on Jiang Shixu—Chu Tang felt a tightness in her chest and quietly averted her gaze. Lu Shuci also saw the man and woman. He cast a meaningful look at Jiang Shixu, a smile on his lips as he said, "What a coincidence, President Jiang. Is this your girlfriend?" Jiang Shixu's expression darkened, his voice as cold as winter frost. "No." Shu Mingyue smiled and greeted them, "Hello, I'm Shu Mingyue, and I'm A-Xu's..." Her gaze paused subtly on Ruan Chutang for a moment before she continued, "...friend." Chu Tang's expression remained calm on the surface, but ripples stirred within her heart. She called him "A-Xu." Chu Tang lowered her eyes to hide the fleeting emotion that flashed through them. "Chu Tang, long time no see. Do you still remember me? We've met before." Shu Mingyue raised a bright smile and said to Ruan Chutang. Ruan Chutang nodded and replied flatly, "I remember. It's been many years, hasn't it? I hope you've been well." Jiang Shixu walked toward their table with a cold face. Shu Mingyue followed. "Lawyer Ruan, how are those cases for the Jiang Group coming along?" Jiang Shixu pulled a chair from the neighboring table and sat down beside Chu Tang. Chu Tang's tone was indifferent, her face expressionless. "Don't worry, President Jiang. I've been organizing the cases your company entrusted to me recently. I've already gone through the evidence materials twice." The table wasn't big to begin with, and with Jiang Shixu sitting down, there were now five people at the table—somewhat cramped. Shu Mingyue stood to the side and said with a smile, "A-Xu, it's after work hours now. You can discuss work another day. Let's go sit over there. Chu Tang still has her date—we shouldn't disturb them." Jiang Shixu's gaze turned even colder. He looked at Chu Tang with a half-smile. "A date?" Chu Tang frowned slightly. "We're just out for a meal." Her instinctive explanation softened Jiang Shixu's eyes a little. But his heart still ached with jealousy. The moment he let his guard down, Lu Shuci had already asked Tangtang out to dinner. Glancing at the two children sitting across from them, Jiang Shixu understood—Lu Shuci was using the kids as an excuse to invite Chu Tang out again. "Come on, Chu Tang, I know you're shy and thin-skinned." Shu Mingyue reached for Jiang Shixu's sleeve. "Shixu, let's go." Jiang Shixu sidestepped to avoid Shu Mingyue's touch, not letting her come into contact with him. The man said coldly, "Since Lawyer Ruan and Lawyer Lu aren't on a date, then you shouldn't mind if I join your table, right? We're all old acquaintances. Besides, I haven't seen Lawyer Ruan in quite a while—this is a good opportunity to discuss those cases for our company." Shu Mingyue's expression stiffened. Lu Shuci let out a very soft laugh. "President Jiang, I'm afraid that won't be convenient. Lawyer Ruan and I have the children with us today." Jiang Shixu looked at Ruan Jiaojiao across the table, put on a gentle smile, and asked, "Jiaojiao, would you mind if your big brother sits here and eats with you?" Ruan Jiaojiao recognized Jiang Shixu. In the past, she used to call him "brother-in-law" cheerfully all the time. Jiang Shixu had been very good to her, buying her lots of toys. Of course, she didn't mind this "brother-in-law" eating with them. Ruan Jiaojiao said crisply, "I don't mind." A smile spread across Jiang Shixu's lips as he turned to look at Lu Shuci. "Jiaojiao doesn't mind, so why is Lawyer Lu being so petty?" Lu Shuci met Jiang Shixu's gaze without backing down, smiling warmly. "President Jiang came here today to have a date with a beautiful woman. If you squeeze in with us, what about Miss Shu here?" Jiang Shixu's expression didn't change. He said to Shu Mingyue, "Sorry, something came up. You go ahead first. We'll discuss the project another day." He deliberately mentioned the project, intending to explain to Chu Tang that he wasn't here for a date today, but to discuss business. He and Shu Mingyue were merely business partners. When Jiang Shixu said this, he stared at Chu Tang without blinking. However, Chu Tang did not look at him, and her face showed no expression, as if she didn't care at all. A faint sense of disappointment stirred in Jiang Shixu's heart. Lu Shuci smiled and said, "President Jiang, this is rather unbecoming of you. How can you just leave Miss Shu behind like that?" Jiang Shixu's eyes were cold. "That's none of your concern." With that, he took the menu and added two dishes for himself, looking completely at ease, as if he had come with Chu Tang all along. Chu Tang pressed her lips together, glanced at Shu Mingyue, and jealousy spread through her heart. "Since President Jiang came with Miss Shu, it really isn't right to leave her behind. Let's discuss the case another day. It's not working hours now, and I don't want to talk about work during my time off." Jiang Shixu raised an eyebrow. "Don't want to talk about work during your time off? That's not like you, Lawyer Ruan. As I recall, in your living room, you were chatting about work with Lawyer Lu with great relish." His gaze turned cold, and his tone carried a hint of jealousy. "Why is it that when it comes to me, you don't want to talk about work?" Chu Tang gave him a cold glance, her eyes seeming to say, "Don't make a scene." Seeing Shu Mingyue's awkward expression, Chu Tang sighed helplessly and got up to move to another large table. "Since President Jiang wants to share a table, let's move to a bigger one." Jiang Shixu raised an eyebrow. After Ruan Chutang sat down, Ruan Jiaojiao and Gu Tian obediently walked over and took their seats at the large table. Jiang Shixu smiled and sat down beside Chu Tang. Shu Mingyue, seeing there were extra seats, sat down next to Jiang Shixu. Lu Shuci had no choice but to follow along. What had been a perfectly good date was now completely ruined by Jiang Shixu's intrusion, the romantic atmosphere gone without a trace. Lu Shuci shot Jiang Shixu a hostile look. Jiang Shixu curled his lips and returned a triumphant, provocative smile. Shu Mingyue noticed the tension and subtle gestures between the two men, and her fingers tightened around her coffee cup.