Since Liu Jianbai’s high-profile “Family Recognition Meeting” at the banquet, the once mysterious and rumored to be frail and sickly young master of the Zhu family in A City was now fully exposed to everyone.
Because of his twin sister, Zhu Xin, although Zhu Tong in A City was mysterious, it wasn’t as if people knew nothing about him. Even an AI face-editing program could roughly guess what he looked like. His identity as a young master of the Zhu family was attractive enough, but those with ulterior motives ultimately stopped at his “illness.”
For those who prioritized their own interests, no one would want to bring back a sick person and have to provide for him.
It was more worthwhile to choose Zhu Tong’s twin sister instead.
But a single banquet changed their inherent impressions of Zhu Tong.
At the banquet, Zhu Tong, despite his junior status, stood side by side with Xia Weiyi, facing off against him with no signs of illness, even though he was younger than Liu Jianbai. Where was the slightest trace of illness?
After some inquiries and investigations, they came to a conclusion: Zhu Tong’s illness might have been healed long ago.
So, some people couldn’t sit still anymore.
Many of the prominent families in A City had their eyes on Zhu Tong, but he left A City right after the banquet, making it difficult for them to find an opportunity.
To come to a small county town to find someone? Not willing to demean themselves and too deliberate.
But some were not afraid of being deliberate.
Kong Lu was one such person who came for Zhu Tong.
Originally, she just wanted to strike up a conversation during the New Year holiday, but the moment she saw Zhu Tong, Kong Lu changed her mind.
After a brief moment of surprise, Kong Lu showed a restrained smile.
Kong Lu was quite good-looking. She has black, straight hair, wearing a short woolen coat, dress, and boots. All in all, she looked like a trendy young lady.
Zhu Tong subconsciously glanced at the counter, where several people were crowded around, although not queuing up. He thought they were customers who didn’t want to wait in line, so he nodded lightly and continued to focus on his papers.
Kong Lu wasn’t embarrassed by his indifferent attitude, and she didn’t care about others who were busy studying, showing a lack of perception. “You’re Zhu Tong, right?”
Zhu Tong looked up again.
“I saw your photo in the comments section of my cousin’s Weibo. I originally thought you were a local from E City, but I didn’t expect you to be from A City. I’m from A City too. Do you mind if we get to know each other?”
“…”
Zhu Tong asked, “Your cousin?”
“Yes,” Kong Lu was somewhat proud. “My cousin is Zhuo Yunan. You should know her, right?”
That was also why Kong Lu dared to come directly to the milk tea shop.
Zhuo Yunan had helped clarify rumors for the milk tea shop before. Everyone in Gongshui County who used the internet knew her.
As Zhuo Yunan’s cousin, Kong Lu had been admired and flattered by many people at the school in A City. She always had fans of her cousin trying to curry favor with her.
Speaking of which, her cousin was also a benefactor of this milk tea shop. She had inquired about it. Zhu Tong almost came to this milk tea shop every weekend. Approaching Zhu Tong as Zhuo Yunan’s little cousin1表妹 biao mei, specifically, maternal younger female cousin. should be easy.
She was hoping to see a surprised expression on Zhu Tong’s face.
However, Zhu Tong just looked at her calmly and then lowered his head calmly, “I know her, but I’m not a star-chaser.”
So he didn’t need to know a celebrity’s cousin either.
Zhu Tong politely said, “Sorry.”
He continued doing his mock exams, and Kong Lu didn’t expect this reaction.
Even if he didn’t chase after celebrities, shouldn’t he be a little surprised to hear that she was the cousin of Zhuo Yunan?
Feeling unwilling to give up, she paused for a moment and asked again, “Do you often come to this milk tea shop?”
Zhu Tong absent-mindedly replied, “Yeah.”
“So you must be very familiar with the drinks here, right?”
Zhu Tong’s hand, writing down problem-solving steps, paused for a moment, feeling a bit impatient.
Didn’t this girl see that he was doing his homework?
He looked up again.
Kong Lu seemed to be unaware of his displeasure and continued, “It’s strange. My cousin never used to drink milk tea, but that time she actually posted on Weibo about a milk tea shop. I’ve never seen her share anything about daily life before except for business-related posts. I think she must really like the milk tea from this shop, so I came here specially to check it out. But I have decision-making difficulties, and I really don’t know what to choose. Do you have any recommendations?”
She said a lot, both implicitly and explicitly expressing her cousin’s special relationship with the milk tea shop.
Zhu Tong’s originally calm face gradually turned cold.
Even if Zhuo Yunan had helped the milk tea shop and benefited from it, what did it have to do with her being her cousin?
Was this girl trying to take advantage of it?
Zhu Tong put down his pen and said, “You have decision-making difficulties?”
Kong Lu, seeing him finally looking at her directly, felt a surge of joy in her heart, but on her face, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. “Yeah, I…”
“Do you have any difficult options right now?”
Kong Lu’s face stiffened.
Zhu Tong continued, “After you entered the milk tea shop, have you even looked at the menu?”
A person who is afraid of blood will only feel dizzy when they see blood. Does this girl have this level of decision-making difficulties, fainting before even looking at the options?
Kong Lu was stumped by Zhu Tong’s unusual train of thought.
She had originally come to see Zhu Tong, but since Zhu Tong wasn’t at the counter, she forgot to put on an act.
She didn’t know how to explain for a moment, and Zhu Tong didn’t want to hear her explanation either. He said directly, “Miss, I don’t know what you’re here for at the milk tea shop. If you’re here to buy milk tea, go to the counter. The people there wearing uniforms are more professional than me. If you don’t want milk tea, you can go wherever you want. If you still insist on staying here, it’s basic courtesy not to disturb others when they’re busy. Don’t you understand?”
Kong Lu: “…”
Zhu Tong finished speaking and began to tidy up his test paper, intending to find a quieter place.
Seeing this, Kong Lu hurriedly said, “I just want to get to know you…”
“You already know me,” Zhu Tong said. “My name is Zhu Tong, from A City. I don’t think you got that from Weibo comments. And I need to remind you, your cousin’s Weibo post helping the milk tea shop clarify things was months ago. The fan activity has already ended. Miss, are you here to challenge the weather, coming here when the temperature hits single digits? Should I praise you for being different or should I praise you for your deep sisterly bond, not fearing wind and snow?”
“……”
Kong Lu forced a smile and said, “You… Did you misunderstand something? I’m here now because I’m accompanying my sister to shoot a variety show in E City and came here to take a look.”
Finally, Zhu Tong picked up his pen, got up indifferently, and said, “That has nothing to do with me. I don’t want to get to know you.”
He walked towards the counter without looking back.
Kong Lu watched him leave without any hesitation.
She couldn’t understand where the problem lay.
Didn’t Zhu Tong like this milk tea shop very much? Her cousin had done such a big favor for the milk tea shop, and this was his attitude towards her? Who was being rude?
Kong Lu couldn’t help but turn to look at the counter, only to see someone who had walked a distance suddenly turn back.
She was surprised and somewhat delighted. She racked her brains to say something, but then saw Zhu Tong take a cup of sago pudding milk tea he had forgotten from the table without saying a word to her, then turned and left without a glance.
Kong Lu: “…”
Zhu Tong took the milk tea and went straight to the back of the counter.
Shao Ming had just brought out several bags of new fruit powder from the warehouse, only to see the person who had been sitting at the dining table doing his work had already moved to the back of the counter.
And he was frowning.
Zhu Tong felt annoyed, very annoyed.
Although the words just now weren’t explicit, he could tell that the girl had come for him, and she had a purpose.
He wasn’t stupid. Coming all the way from A City just to meet him, it was most likely because of Uncle Liu.
He sucked on his milk tea with some annoyance.
‘Were those people in A City too idle?’
Shao Ming placed the fruit powder under the counter and walked over to him, asking, “Who made our Little Young Master angry?”
Before Zhu Tong could speak, Luo Suo, who was eager to join in the fun, spoke up, “Young Master had some rotten peach blossoms today. He was disturbed while doing his homework.”
Shao Ming caught on quickly and squinted, asking, “Rotten peach blossom?”
Zhu Tong immediately looked at Luo Suo.
Intimidated by his gaze, Luo Suo faltered, “Um, it’s that girl over there. But who is she? She looks familiar, like someone…”
Suddenly, Zhu Tong remembered that Luo Suo had said he was also a fan of Zhuo Yunan.
Just as he was thinking about how to avoid this issue, Kong Lu had already walked up to the counter and introduced herself to Luo Suo, saying, “Hello, I’m Kong Lu, I’m Zhuo Yunan’s cousin.”
Luo Suo: “…”
Zhu Tong: “…”
It was as if there was a loud bang, and Luo Suo’s jaw dropped to the ground.
Kong Lu seemed quite pleased with Luo Suo’s reaction and looked triumphantly at Zhu Tong.
She hadn’t approached Zhu Tong because she liked him. With the identity of a celebrity’s cousin, even the sons of prominent families in A City treated her with kindness and friendliness. When had she ever been humiliated like she was today?
Not wanting to endure any more embarrassment, she regained some face and smiled gently at Luo Suo, saying, “Can I place an order?”
Luo Suo’s mind was filled with “Zhuo Yunan’s cousin.”
Which Zhuo Yunan? Was it the one he knew?
Why was Zhuo Yunan’s cousin coming to the milk tea shop? What did she want with Zhu Tong?
With no other customers in the shop at the moment, his professionalism made him nod unconsciously. “Of course, what would you like to drink?”
Kong Lu smiled satisfactorily and turned to Zhu Tong. “I’ll have the same thing he’s holding.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Luo Suo hesitated as he followed her gaze.
He couldn’t quite figure out what this girl meant.
After a moment’s pause, Luo Suo said, “Sago pudding milk tea? Alright, please wait a moment.”
As Luo Suo turned around to prepare the drink, Kong Lu spoke up again, “Wait.”
“…”
Kong Lu shifted her gaze towards Shao Ming, who was closest to Zhu Tong, and pointed towards him. “I want him to make it for me.”
Luo Suo turned his head in the direction she indicated, his expression slightly changing.
If he couldn’t see that there was a problem here, then his IQ must be zero.
Zhu Tong, who had been avoiding eye contact, lifted his head at her words and frowned.
Wasn’t this clearly picking a fight?
He said directly, “He won’t take your order.”
Kong Lu retorted, “Why? Does this shop belong to you?”
Zhu Tong started to respond, “I…”
“The shop doesn’t belong to him,” Shao Ming interjected, cutting him off with a smile. “But for me, he does have the final say.”
“…..”
Zhu Tong glanced at him sideways, his face slightly flushed, but he didn’t argue.
Seeing the ambiguous atmosphere between the two of them, Kong Lu’s expression changed slightly as she asked, “Are you saying you won’t take this order? Is this your service attitude, to pick and choose your customers?”
Shao Ming replied, “If the customer is not satisfied, the door is behind you. Feel free to leave.”
“…”
Kong Lu suddenly chuckled. “Well, since this shop is just for show anyway, you obviously don’t care about customers. With a wealthy father in A City, even if you’re a bastard, you don’t need the money from a few cups of milk tea, right?”
