Xu Yanxia truly never expected such a scene to unfold tonight.
Besides, she didn't even accept the flowers he offered her just now. How could this guy be so ridiculous?
She tried her best to ask politely, "You must be joking with me, right?"
Who knew Chu Hao would look completely serious and say, "With so many people here today, if I were joking about this, may lightning strike me down."
Xu Yanxia was so speechless she almost laughed. She tried hard to think of the right words and said, "You might not know this, but I am older than you."
"I know,"
Chu Hao looked as if he didn't mind at all. He even smiled and said, "Didn't you just graduate this year? What does a year or two matter? Besides, I'm very mature."
"That's not it,"
After all, he was a friend of the Lu family's third young master and a guest of the Lu family. She could only try her best to be tactful. "I really appreciate the flattering offer, but I have no intention of becoming your girlfriend."
She thought that after saying it so firmly, the other party would drop it.
Unexpectedly, Chu Hao just smiled and said, "Don't be in such a hurry to reject me. I'm very serious. You can try dating me first; I absolutely won't let you down."
"There's no need."
Xu Yanxia's tone had become somewhat firm. "You don't need to think about it anymore. I won't date you."
"Why?"
The man actually started to relentlessly pursue the matter.
Xu Yanxia almost couldn't hold back the urge to swear.
What kind of 'why' is that?
She just wasn't interested in him!
Did this playboy think that just because he had money, all girls would like him?
But looking at his persistence, if she didn't give him a strong reason now, she feared he would keep pestering her.
So Xu Yanxia hardened her heart and said, "I have a boyfriend."
What?
As soon as these words came out, everyone looked surprised.
Even Lu Jingming, who was nearby, cast a glance at her, an emotion fiercely rippling in his eyes.
But Xu Yanxia didn't have the time to notice. She just smiled at Chu Hao and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you."
"Impossible."
Chu Hao looked completely unconvinced. He stared at her and said, "There has never been any information about a boyfriend on your social media. You just made up an excuse to reject me, didn't you?"
"Not at all."
Xu Yanxia took a deep breath. "My boyfriend is my private matter. I don't really like sharing these things online."
"Then who is he?"
Chu Hao continued to stare into her eyes and asked indignantly, "Where is he right now? What does he do?"
"..."
Xu Yanxia didn't really want to be polite anymore.
But before she could say anything harsh, Lu Jingming, who was standing to the side, suddenly spoke up and said to Chu Hao, "I think you should respect the lady and save some face for yourself. You shouldn't keep pressing the issue."
There was no trace of a smile on his face; he looked very serious.
Chu Hao paused and wanted to say something more, but Lu Jingyao quickly came over and pulled him away. "Did you drink too much?"
"Exactly!"
Lu Tong and Xiao Xu also came up to push him. "How can you get this drunk on sparkling water? What are you making a fool of yourself for instead of eating this delicious whole roasted sheep? If you don't eat it now, it's going to get cold!"
The few of them pressed Chu Hao down into a chair together, stopping him from saying another word.
Xu Yanxia paused for a moment, then also left the lawn.
Lu Jingming gazed at her back, watching her until she walked back into the kitchen.
After thinking for a moment, he took out his phone and sent her a message.
"Are you okay?"
A minute later, his phone buzzed.
He opened it to look, but it wasn't a reply from Xu Yanxia.
It was Wen Jiajun reporting to him, "Everything on President Guo's end is settled. Requesting a day off tomorrow."
Lu Jingming replied with an "Okay."
Wen Jiajun immediately sent back a 'Thank you, boss' sticker.
Exiting the chat, Xu Yanxia's profile picture remained quiet.
He couldn't help but wonder to himself, was she chatting with her boyfriend?
But he didn't see any typing indicator...
Or perhaps she was on a call with him?
No one could give him the answer.
...
He turned off the screen and was guessing cluelessly when his phone suddenly vibrated again.
He hurriedly picked it up and saw that his mother, Mrs. Shen, was calling him via video.
"Mom,"
Lu Jingming answered the call. On the other end, Mrs. Shen was greeting him from a castle in Europe. Bright sunlight spilled over the distant stone walls, which were covered in dark green ivy.
"Son, did you miss your mom?"
"I did,"
Lu Jingming smiled and asked, "How are you doing over there?"
Mrs. Shen looked very relaxed and said, "It's nice to come out and take a look around. Look at how beautiful this winery is."
As she spoke, she turned the camera to show him around.
Not far away on the lawn was a stone fountain pool surrounded by roses of various colors. In the distance stood a medieval tower, a typical centuries-old European castle.
"I just tasted the Pinot Noir here, and it's quite good. I'll bring some back for all of you when I return."
Mrs. Shen continued and asked, "By the way, how is the gathering tonight? Are Jingyao and the others behaving? Are you having fun?"
Lu Jingming said, "It's going well. Tonight is a DIY barbecue. Xiao Xia even made a whole roasted sheep, and they're eating very happily."
Saying that, he also turned his camera. Lu Jingyao and the others immediately waved to greet Mrs. Shen. The lamb on the table looked extremely appetizing.
"Xiao Xu is quite capable."
Mrs. Lu felt relieved and reminded him, "Jingming, keep an eye on these boys. If they drink, make sure to call a designated driver. They absolutely must not drive."
Lu Jingming nodded. "I know, don't worry. Have fun."
"Okay."
Mrs. Shen said goodbye and hung up the phone.
Lu Jingming exited the screen and found that Xu Yanxia had finally replied to his message.
"Sorry President Lu, my phone wasn't with me just now. I'm fine. Thank you for helping me out of that situation, but I don't think it's a good idea for me to go back out there."
Lu Jingming immediately replied, "It's okay, I'm here. Go get some rest."
"I'll have someone else clean up later."
Xu Yanxia also quickly replied to him, "Okay, thank you."
Lu Jingming immediately sent back, "You're welcome."
After a pause, he sent another message, "Do you want me to bring you something to eat?"
Xu Yanxia quickly replied, "No need, there's food in the kitchen too. You go ahead and eat."
Lu Jingming, "Okay."
After thinking for a moment, he typed another sentence to her.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend before. If going out to eat these past two days has caused any trouble for you two, I apologize."
After sending the message, he turned off the screen, picked up the white rum on the table, and took a sip.
It had a sharp bite as it went down.
He had just swallowed it when his phone vibrated again.
He frowned, enduring the crisp burn in his throat, and unlocked the screen.
He saw Xu Yanxia's reply, "Actually, I just made that up on the spot. I don't have a boyfriend, so you don't need to apologize. However, please don't let anyone else know."
...
After reading it word by word, the sharp burn in his throat had dissipated, leaving behind the unique smooth texture and sweet undertone of the rum.
Lu Jingming quickly replied to her with an 'OK' sticker.
Then he started eating the roasted lamb chops on the table.
Delicious.
So delicious that one couldn't help but let the corners of their lips curl upward.
