Chapter 229: Appatizer

“Hey!” The young man finally stiffened his expression, tapping the steering wheel. “Stop pretending. Here’s a hundred thousand. Go on your own…”

Chu Ge’s gaze rested on him, and he chuckled, “Just a hundred thousand?”

The young man pulled out a check, looking down on them. “Don’t be greedy. I’ll count to three. With each count, I’ll deduct half. After three counts, if you’re still here, you’ll be left with ten thousand. Consider it.”

Qiu Wuji tugged at Chu Ge’s sleeve. “Chu Ge, Chu Ge, it seems like this person has a problem with arithmetic.”

The young man, “…”

Chu Ge rubbed his chin. “His subtraction-only strategy is quite interesting… It’s something to learn from.”

With a stern face, the young man said, “One!”

Chu Ge sighed. “Honestly, my friend, we’re not here to enact any kind of showing off or face-slapping drama… Because it’s normal for people to chase after Qiuqiu. It would be strange if they weren’t. Originally, we wouldn’t be upset about this. But my friend, can you please avoid doing something so awkward? Are you seriously counting out loud like that? Have you read too many online novels? Let me recommend a novel for you to read, ‘Chu Tian Wu Ji.’ Don’t be so cringeworthy in the future.”

The young man was dumbfounded. Did he just get recommended a novel at a time like this? Did he not know what he was doing?

He immediately wrote another check, “One million.”

Chu Ge didn’t even glance at it, and he said with a smile, “By the way, my friend, your appearance just now actually corroborates a topic we were discussing earlier.”

The young man, “?”

I’m trying to poach your girl right in front of you, and you’re discussing topics with me? Is this person’s brain not quite right?

Chu Ge continued, “The solidified preconceptions that have formed in the minds of many people have left them dissatisfied. The revival of spiritual energy is an opportunity for a reshuffle, even though it seems overly random at the moment, the outcome unknown… but that’s enough. It’s not something I can control.”

As he spoke, he walked to the front of the car, placing his hand on the hood. He continued, “When opportunity presents itself, some people want to overthrow you, while others want to become you. These are their considerations. But I don’t have so many thoughts. I just want you guys to stop bothering me. It’s really annoying.”

“Heck, you’re really giving me a lecture on philosophy now…” The young man was speechless, “The car is still moving, and you’re willing to risk your life?”

Indeed, the car had been slowly following Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji’s pace. Chu Ge spoke while retreating. However, when the young man asked that question, he suddenly realized that the car had stopped moving.

Chu Ge stood still, no longer retreating. The engine roared softly, but a palm was pressed against it, preventing it from moving forward by a hair’s breadth.

The young man’s eyes slowly widened.

Chu Ge just smiled faintly. There wasn’t even a bead of sweat on his forehead. He smiled with an insinuation, “See, if it’s not your own strength, then it’s not yours. Can’t rely on it when it’s crucial, can you?”

The young man, in disbelief, pressed down on the accelerator.

The engine roared, reverberating through the night sky, but the vehicle remained rooted, not moving even a millimeter.

The young man stared at Chu Ge ahead, his eyes filled with astonishment. Is this guy even human?

Chu Ge calmly said, “I said, I just want you guys to stop bothering me… If you can’t even meet this basic requirement, then I’ll help you get a little farther away. Considering that you reminded me that the car is moving, as if your intention isn’t entirely bad, I’ll let it slide this time.”

The young man ended up turning off the engine, somewhat helpless. “So, you’re an ability user. No wonder you’re so confident.”

Chu Ge withdrew his hand from the car. “That’s right… The concept of ‘capital’ in people’s eyes nowadays has taken on a new meaning. And people like you, who can’t discern their targets and act recklessly, aren’t easy either.”

“Hey, do you really think I’m afraid of you just because you’re an ability user?”

Chu Ge didn’t answer. Instead, he said, “On the other hand, you don’t need capital or abilities. Anyone who earns their rewards through their own sweat can be confident. It’s embarrassing for those who divide themselves based on family background and for those who don’t even realize they’ve become someone’s pawn.”

The young man sensed something was off and furrowed his brows slightly.

Chu Ge turned to look at the distant night sky and suddenly said with a smile, “Ms. Mi, if you want Mr. Xie to think I’m a troublemaker, tricking around with some rich guy, that’s quite beneath me. In fact, I think it’s better if you personally come down to flirt with me. Maybe I won’t be able to resist. If we release the photos online later, it will be quite a spectacle… But it might be a bit awkward for you to undress first. Sorry about that…”

The night remained silent.

Chu Ge didn’t expect anyone to reply. He turned around, holding Qiu Wuji’s hand, and calmly walked away.

In the wind, the sound of the young couple playing around reached the ears: “So, you really think she’d be interested in flirting with you…”

“It was just a casual comment…”

“You said you wouldn’t be able to resist…”

“Can you focus on the main point?”

“The main point is that you wanted her to undress first! I heard that!”

“Hey, stop pinching. I’ve finally managed to act cool… Wait a minute, isn’t it my turn to get angry today? Who was the one luring bees and butterflies? Damn, I got it now, you’re playing the villain first, right? Damn it…. don’t run!”

The voices faded as two figures, one chasing the other, gradually disappeared under the streetlights.

The young man sat dumbfounded in his car, muttering as if he’d lost his mind, “She’s really beautiful… wu, why isn’t she pinching me…”

Muttering to himself, his gaze turned more sinister, and he whispered, “Mi Xiaolin, you’re tricking me, aren’t you… What kind of third-rate internet writer? You don’t even know he is an ability users? Wanting me to get beaten up, all to tarnish his image in Xie Wenyuan’s heart? So-called… appetizer?”

He couldn’t accept the fact that he, a playboy who thought even looking at poor people would make him dirty, was just a throwaway appetizer in others’ eyes. Not to mention being utterly helpless in front of the ‘poor person’. This ignited a fiery anger towards Mi Xiaolin, even more intense than she could have anticipated.

Of course, even if she had anticipated it, she probably wouldn’t have cared.

Just a pampered heir.

……

Meanwhile, Qiu Wuji turned the street corner and was caught up by Chu Ge. In reality, there was no punishment at all. They continued to stroll hand in hand.

On the bustling street, what kind of punishment could there be? If any, it would have to wait until they got back home….

Qiu Wuji stole a glance at Chu Ge’s expression. He smiled slightly, and it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

She couldn’t resist starting the conversation: “Your strength is really something now. You were able to press down on that car without changing your expression or heartbeat.”

“Acting.” Chu Ge cast her a sidelong glance. “Can’t you see that I used my spatial ability to cheat?”

Qiu Wuji gritted her teeth. “Chu Ge, you don’t know how to appreciate a good opportunity! I gave you a chance to show off, but you’re not even grateful!”

“Oh dear, what’s the point of showing off in this situation…” Chu Ge sighed a little. “Honestly, I didn’t want to use my spatial ability. If it’s discovered, I’ll lose an ace up my sleeve. But if I use other techniques, it would likely draw too much attention, and if I end up blushing and stammering, it wouldn’t be cool…”

Qiu Wuji couldn’t help but laugh and cry, “So, you’re willing to risk your life just to show off?”

“Of course, my hair can be messy, but my hairstyle mustn’t be. When someone’s trying to steal your girlfriend, isn’t maintaining your image the most important thing?” Chu Ge smiled slightly. “Besides, I feel like the theme of this trip is to show off and act fierce. Even if we’re hiding now, we won’t need to hide soon.”

Qiu Wuji nodded. “If it wasn’t for Mi Xiaolin’s interference, I kept thinking we came here for serious business. Mr. Xie and the others are quite nice, and they have innovative ideas and clear understanding. But then, a fly came buzzing around, being gross and all, and I realized we have other things to do here.”

“Then let’s deal with it quickly and head back home.”

Before his words had even faded, Chu Ge’s phone rang.

He answered and heard Old Zhu’s voice, “You two slipped away long ago, why haven’t you returned to the hotel yet?”

“Uh, we’re shopping, took some extra time. Is there something?”

“I got in touch with Zhong Yi. He’s at the hospital. Do you want to go see him together?”

Chu Ge was taken aback, “Is he hospitalized?”

“If he’s not dead, where else would he be if not in the hospital? What kind of hospital would he stay in if he weren’t injured?” Old Zhu laughed on the other end. “He’s taking care of someone else. Guess who?”

Chu Ge’s thoughts raced, and he quickly drew a conclusion, “Du Lianfeng and Qi Chengtai.”

This time it was Old Zhu who was surprised, “Are you a fantasy writer or a detective novelist? How are you so accurate?”

Chu Ge replied with a touch of annoyance, “Because I know only these two people in the entire city!”