The Useless Heiress Is Actually A Bigshot

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: Invitation

Seeing Lu Yichen’s arrival, Zhong Niangyao’s heart was filled with nothing but shock, not joy, especially recalling how just a few days ago Lu Yichen had sent things over to the Zhong family without saying a word, forcing her to rack her brains to smooth things over, which made her even more irritated.

Sitting in the car, Lu Yichen naturally also noticed the expression on Zhong Niangyao’s face, and he chuckled, “It seems you don’t welcome my visit!”

Zhong Niangyao didn’t deny it but simply nodded, “It appears you’re quite self-aware!”

“Oh!” Lu Yichen raised an eyebrow, “I thought at least we would be considered friends by now. I didn’t expect to have become annoying to you. But, I don’t think I’ve offended you, have I?”

On the contrary, he hadn’t kept to himself the items they had found in the General’s Tomb previously, but had sent a portion to Zhong Niangyao.

“You have the nerve to say that,” Zhong Niangyao rolled her eyes, “Bringing things over so boldly, have you considered how I’m supposed to explain this to my family?”

Hearing her words, Lu Yichen was taken aback for a moment, but quickly apologized, “Sorry, I hadn’t thought about that, and I’ve caused you trouble. This won’t happen again.”

With Lu Yichen being so amiable, Zhong Niangyao felt a bit embarrassed, as if she were being overly petty. She shook her head, “It’s alright, something like this likely won’t happen again.”

Then, as if she remembered something, she continued, “Why have you come here? You can’t possibly be here to see me, can you?”

“Indeed,” Lu Yichen nodded, “I came here specifically today to invite you out to eat, I wonder if you would do me the honor?”

Upon hearing Lu Yichen’s invitation, Zhong Niangyao was startled, a hint of wariness rose in her heart, and she shook her head, “Let’s not, I—”

“I think, by now, we should at least be considered friends,” Lu Yichen interrupted Zhong Niangyao’s words, “Or do you feel I’m unworthy of your friendship?”

His words were somewhat heavy, leaving Zhong Niangyao truly at a loss for a retort. Surely she couldn’t just say there was no reason, she simply didn’t want to be friends with Lu Yichen!

Though that was the truth, she couldn’t just bluntly state it!

In the end, Zhong Niangyao reluctantly got into Lu Yichen’s car.

She couldn’t just keep confronting Lu Yichen at the school gate, could she? That would draw far too much attention, and if gossip started it would make her even more notorious.

Especially with what had happened today, if news of her and Lu Yichen broke at this point, it would be truly annoying.

Once Zhong Niangyao got into the car, the understated luxury vehicle quickly drove away from the school entrance.

And in a corner Zhong Niangyao had not noticed, someone was holding a cellphone, continually taking photos in the direction of her getting into the car.

In the backseat, just Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao were present. Neither of them spoke, both absorbed in their phones. The atmosphere in the car was exceptionally silent.

However, it was clear neither of them found it awkward; on the contrary, there was a bizarre sense of harmony.

Moments later, Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao were seated in a private room of a family-style restaurant.

Zhong Niangyao began to survey the decor of the restaurant.

She found herself quite taken with the place’s interior design. She didn’t know if it was due to the personal taste of the owner or designed to attract customers, but the family-style restaurant was decorated with an antique charm that seemed to exude a special flavor.

Even in this modern society, she found she still missed the decorations and arrangements from her time in Lai Country—after all, that was where she had spent twenty years.

“It seems you quite like this place!” Lu Yichen didn’t miss the spark of satisfaction in Zhong Niangyao’s eyes, he handed her the menu while continuing, “The dishes here are excellent too, have a look at what you’d like to eat.”

Zhong Niangyao took the menu without hesitation and began to look through it, then she called over the waiter and started ordering. She made all the decisions without consulting Lu Yichen’s opinion.

She was deliberately unapologetic, not only because she was unhappy with Lu Yichen’s actions but also to dissuade him from inviting her out again.

But as for Zhong Niangyao’s behavior, Lu Yichen appeared completely indifferent, even indulgent.

Once the waiter left the room, Zhong Niangyao looked at Lu Yichen, who was sitting not far from her, and directly addressed him, “Out with it! You’re in such a good mood today, inviting me to eat. Is there something you want?”

It’s often said that uncalled-for favors can imply ulterior motives. Especially since she and Lu Yichen didn’t have much to do with each other, even after that tomb-robbing incident, they hadn’t had any contact. Lu Yichen suddenly showing up didn’t seem at all like good news.

“Heh!” Lu Yichen couldn’t help but chuckle, “Does there have to be a matter for me to seek you out? Can’t I simply want to treat you to a meal as a gesture of thanks?”

“Fine, I accept your thanks,” Zhong Niangyao nodded, continuing, “But after this gesture of thanks, let’s not meet again. After all, we’re scarcely more than strangers to each other.”

Lu Yichen arched an eyebrow but didn’t utter a word, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Soon, the waiter filed in, one by one serving the dishes they had ordered.

After tasting a dish, Zhong Niangyao’s eyes lit up. She thought that Lu Yichen had indeed not lied to her; the flavors in this family-style restaurant were truly exceptional.

Or rather, she shouldn’t merely deem them exceptional—they were excellent.

In particular, the spiciness of the dishes here appealed to her. Her palate leaned toward the stronger, spicier side. However, usually at the Zhong family’s household, to accommodate Old Sir and the lady’s preferences, meals were generally more mild.

As far as her food choices were concerned, she wasn’t overly selective. But she did prefer stronger flavors, often eating spicy foods when not at home.

She particularly enjoyed the spicy dishes here, finding them to her taste.

Watching Zhong Niangyao enjoy her meal with such gusto, Lu Yichen shook his head with a smile, then picked up his chopsticks.

The two dined pleasantly, and the atmosphere between them was unusually harmonious for a change.

But there’s always someone who likes to disrupt the harmony.

Just as the two were enjoying their meal, suddenly there came a knock on the door.