Chapter 33: Chapter 33 - 33 033 Old Friends Reunite

Chapter 33: 033 Old Friends Reunite Chapter 33: 033 Old Friends Reunite The next morning, Fu Han had someone come to change the locks, and she opted for the best fingerprint locks available, which greatly improved security.

However, ever since He Xing had dinner here, the very next day, Liang Tao sent over a high-end dishwasher, which was delivered when only Nan Qing was home.

Furthermore, Nan Qing had heard some gossip from Liang Tao: after learning that He Xing had moved here, Xia Ning also made a fuss about moving to Huating No.1. However, she was severely reprimanded by Chairman Xia, who insisted that his daughter could only live in a luxurious villa.

Fu Han didn’t know Liang Tao very well; according to Grandpa, Liang Tao had been working for He Xing for almost three years.

Yet she was somewhat puzzled; He Xing was known for his mercurial temperament, and those around him were usually tight-lipped. How come Liang Tao, a chatterbox, wasn’t afraid of being fired?

As it turned out, the fact that Liang Tao was plump and had a thick skin could be seen when, shortly after discussing Xia Ning’s gossip, he casually delivered two baskets of hairy crabs, each weighing a pound.

When Fu Han returned, Nan Qing was painting in the living room. Without looking up, she said, “Young Master He said these are hairy crabs sent by a client. He’s coming over to eat them tonight.”

“Again?” Fu Han rolled her eyes and headed toward her bedroom, saying, “I don’t care, let him handle it himself; I’m not interested.”

When He Xing got off work, he brought two middle-aged women with him who steamed the crabs and prepared the sauce. After everything was set, they left.

In the end, Fu Han was persuaded by the harmonious exchange between He Xing and Nan Qing, and she ended up eating the hairy crabs, albeit with the same cold attitude towards He Xing.

Fortunately, He Xing had grown accustomed to Fu Han’s lukewarm reception. He finished his meal with composure and left after a casual farewell.

Nan Qing took the initiative to clean up the utensils and such.

In fact, Fu Han felt that although Nan Qing and He Xing still found each other’s presence irritating, there was an unspoken agreement between them: if the three of them had a meal together, whoever did less was responsible for washing the dishes.

Of course, with the dishwasher now, “washing dishes” simply meant placing the tableware inside the machine.

…

In the blink of an eye, the announcement day for the preliminary results of the competition had arrived. Fu Han got up early to take the subway to Jiangshan Gallery. But before she could enter the subway station, she received a call from Su Cheng, who offered to drive her there since he was free that day, and also wanted to check out the exhibition.

Moreover, looking at more exhibitions would indeed benefit Su Cheng, and considering Fu Han’s previous unpleasant experience at Jiangshan Gallery, she agreed without hesitation, never one to pass up a free ride.

The usually secluded Jiangshan Gallery was exceptionally crowded today, with the parking lot filled with all sorts of luxury vehicles.

Su Cheng couldn’t find a parking spot for the time being and asked Fu Han to go in ahead.

The preliminary results were posted on the bulletin board inside the Jiangshan Gallery, and Fu Han’s name was prominently listed. Although not at the top of the list, she was already very happy.

“Hey, what’s your name? Did you pass the preliminaries?” A haughty and defiant voice rang above Fu Han’s head, which seemed vaguely familiar.

Her reflex was to look up, and there she saw a pointed chin fringed with fine stubble and exaggerated sunglasses that almost covered half of the man’s face, along with his shoulder-length curly hair.

Fu Han took two steps back in surprise: “It’s you!”

How could she forget? When she submitted her work, she had caught a ride in his luxurious SUV—the Mercedes-Benz Unimog.

The long-haired man’s mouth curved slightly upwards as he said playfully, “You still didn’t answer my question.”

How can someone be so rude, with an arrogance in his voice that was even more obnoxious than He Xing’s?

It took all of Fu Han’s self-control not to let her fist fly at his face, and she spat out two words through gritted teeth: “Passed.”

“It seems you’re not all show and no substance,” the long-haired man lifted his chin and let out another irritating remark.

Fu Han restrained herself again and again, but finally couldn’t hold back: “How can someone as annoying as you talk like this grow up without being beaten to death?”

“You think you can?” The long-haired man looked down at Fu Han, raised his fist to show her, which was twice as large as hers.

Fu Han stared at her own reflection on his sunglasses and repeated in her mind, “He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.”

Just then, Su Cheng squeezed through the crowd while calling out Fu Han’s name, smiling at Fu Han the moment he saw her: “Fu Han, did you see the results? Did you pass?”

“I did.” Fu Han could tell Su Cheng genuinely cared, so her expression softened a little.

“That’s good. I knew you would pass.” Su Cheng smiled like an infatuated fool, sweeping his gaze around until two exclamations arose.

“What are you doing here?”

…

Inside the cafe at Jiangshan Gallery.

Fu Han cradled a hot cup of coffee and stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze fixed on the scenery outside.

In the distance were verdant mountains, which, perhaps because of autumn, were flecked with gold amidst the greenery, like golden patterns on a green skirt, astonishingly beautiful.

In the foreground was a continuous corridor with pavilions at intervals. All the pavilions here were octagonal, many of them adorned with large photos or calligraphy, quite tasteful.

Behind her sat two people, one of whom was Su Cheng, who had come with her, and the other was the long-haired man who had given her a ride.

She never dreamed that Su Cheng would know this long-haired man, and by their demeanor, they seemed quite familiar with each other.

Su Cheng, holding a coffee cup, stared at the man across from him: “Brother Qinghe, what are you doing here?”

“That question should be mine.” The long-haired man addressed as Brother Qinghe also smiled slightly, and glanced at Fu Han’s back: “Su Cheng, so she’s the reason you left home.”

“Not entirely, to be precise, I didn’t leave home for her, but now I don’t go back home because of her.”

Su Cheng’s gaze rested on Fu Han too. The sunlight stretched her shadow long, its head falling just into his embrace. He opened his hands as if to hold her truly in his arms.

“Your parents won’t like this kind of girl,” Luo Qinghe spoke slowly, his eyes intent on Su Cheng, “If you’ve made your choice, then be ready to fight.”

“Haven’t I always been fighting with them?” Su Cheng laughed, his baby-faced features revealing a rare determination.

“Then I wish you the best in achieving your desires,” Luo Qinghe smiled, his voice echoing throughout the cafe, drawing many eyes.

Fu Han had intended to pretend she hadn’t heard their conversation, but the intense stares from behind felt like maggots on a bone, inescapable.

She slowly turned around and, clearing her throat, said to Su Cheng, “Since you’re catching up with an old friend, I won’t intrude.”