Chapter 17 Call Me Grandmaster

All the groundwork had finally paid off at this moment.

Lin Lu took the initiative to add Cheng Zhu's WeChat and did so cheerfully.

As for Cheng Zhu, he left many "hooks" during the conversation.

Mentioning not to let the kids study late at night was one such hook.

The hook might not necessarily serve the natural purpose of getting WeChat contact, after all, how Lin Lu would respond was unknown.

But no worries, there were going to be more hooks one after another.

He would say at the right moment, "I don't have your contact info."

It wasn't hard to ask for contact information.

Cheng Zhu could have asked after dinner, which was also fine.

But having Lin Lu take the bait herself would be a little different.

Just like now, Lin Lu not only added him as a friend voluntarily but also found Cheng Zhu quite interesting.

Of course, the premise is that you have a robust comprehensive condition. For those with good overall conditions, that's called a sense of humor in men; for those with poor conditions, that's called the funny or goofy guy.

Jiang Wanzhou and Shen Minglang were both astonished on the side.

Especially Shen Minglang, who was stunned.

He prided himself on being a scumbag, and indeed, he was never short of girls around him.

But for some reason, he suddenly felt quite inferior in front of Cheng Zhu.

"A coincidence? Just happen to chat to this point, and the atmosphere built to here, then he got added?" Shen Minglang thought.

"Right, right, must be a coincidence."

"He's so young, just graduated from high school!"

Speaking of which, Shen Minglang indeed found Lin Lu very cute, full of energy, and also a voice actress with a versatile voice.

But he was clear that he had no chances with Lin Lu.

And this so-called "sister's best friend" was high-risk.

If things went well, it was like blood relatives, if not, it meant animosity with his own sister.

Shen Minglang was clear about this.

Also, his self-perception was very lucid; the girls he flirted with were either after his money or fun. He was just playing around at the moment and wasn't serious, switching girls very fast.

Lin Lu was not the type he could play with, nor would she fancy him.

He dressed up specifically, even buying clothes and styling his hair, purely because he was flippant!

Of course, he didn't believe Cheng Zhu could win Lin Lu over either.

"Lin Lu is way out of his league. If a high school graduate like him could get her, I'd damn wash his underwear for a year!" Shen Minglang thought to himself.

Only Shen Qingning couldn't help but take another thoughtful look at Cheng Zhu at that moment.

...

...

The dinner went well, and everyone had a good chat.

Cheng Zhu played a crucial role in this.

He was still the same, the most "outsider" among this group of people. He wouldn't dominate the conversation but always managed to control the pace of the chat.

After all, he was a bold pioneer who had jumped social classes on his own.

He surely had some dominance.

After dinner, Shen Minglang suggested finding a place to sit.

He needed to go to the bar he owned later because after the World Cup, the business had started to dwindle.

But it was still early, and he needed someone to kill time with.

However, Boss Shen didn't know that this move of his fulfilled another of Cheng Zhu's needs.

Look, a bunch of young people finding a place to sit and just chat is somewhat boring.

Then, they could play some games, like card games, or "Who is the Spy," "Truth or Dare," etc.

That way, Cheng Zhu could naturally suggest to Shen Minglang to create a WeChat group for the five people present.

When playing games, having a group is much more convenient. Links can be sent in the group, or they could play directly in the group. If playing cards involved money, it could also be transferred directly in the group.

Many people may struggle with figuring out how to chat with a girl after getting her WeChat, unsure of how to engage in a private chat.

Silly, right? Why start with a private chat?

If there's a WeChat group, you can start with a group chat!

Eat step by step, and walk step by step.

It's still the same saying, it needs to happen naturally, effortlessly.

"Showing too strong a purpose upfront will make others wary," this was Cheng Zhu's experiential advice.

"Moreover, Shen Minglang, this newly recognized cousin, loves to chat, loves lively scenes, loves to show off...he will also actively interact with everyone in the group later." Cheng Zhu had already treated him like a tool.

Besides, don't forget, Cheng Zhu hadn't added Shen Qingning on WeChat yet.

But once in the same WeChat group, he didn't plan to add this cool beauty in the group, just Lin Lu for now.

Yes, he did it on purpose.

This sly man wanted exactly this effect.

...

...

As it neared nine o'clock, everyone parted ways at a trendy dessert shop.

Shen Minglang drove to the bar, Shen Qingning took Lin Lu home, and Jiang Wanzhou drove Cheng Zhu.

On the way, Jiang Wanzhou could not resist gossiping, "Do you fancy Lin Lu?"

"Why do you keep asking me this? When I chat with Ye Zi, you say I want to date her. Today when I meet Lin Lu, you also say I want to date her." Cheng Zhu was annoyed, "Why don't you say I want to date your cousin?"

"Uh." That did make Jiang Wanzhou feel a bit paranoid lately, but he still said, "I just feel that way. What's wrong with that?"

"Exactly, exactly, your intuition is quite accurate," Cheng Zhu teased, "Why don't you call me 'brother-in-law' to see how it sounds?"

"Get lost, get lost, get lost." Jiang Wanzhou started cursing.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingning drove her white Land Rover to take Lin Lu home.

It has to be said, some domineering vehicles, when driven by women, really add a sense of style.

In school, Shen Qingning and Lin Lu were both campus goddesses of the same caliber.

But those who dared to pursue Shen Qingning were fewer than those who pursued Lin Lu.

No helping it, she had that kind of presence.

Living in Hang City and studying there, she would drive to school in her Land Rover.

Plus, Shen Qingning's naturally cool temperament and cool looks would intimidate most guys.

When they were close to the residential area, Lin Lu spoke in the tone of a CEO's spoiled wife, "Honey, could you take me upstairs? I'm scared to take the elevator alone."

Shen Qingning glanced at her annoyedly, "If I take you upstairs, you'll ask me to sit for a while, sit for a while, and then you'll ask me to stay over at your place, to sleep with you."

"Is hugging me to sleep so bad? Are you tired of me?" she said in a pitiful voice.

"Stop messing around, looks like you're in a good mood today." Shen Qingning ignored her clingy antics.

"I did have a fun day," Lin Lu didn't deny and directly said, "I wasn't wrong, this Cheng Zhu is quite handsome."

"So, did you take a liking to him?"

"I'm not purely about looks, I only care a little about looks," Lin Lu honestly said, "I just think he's an interesting person."

At that moment, the car had just entered Lin Lu's apartment's underground garage.

Shen Qingning put the car in park, turned to look into her best friend's eyes, and asked, "Have you ever heard a saying?"

"What?"

"A so-called interesting soul actually possesses an information density and knowledge level far superior to yours and is willing to stoop down to listen to your nutritious nonsense and interact with you, presenting views you've never heard before, overturning your shallow imagination and values."

Lin Lu digested this comment from Shen Qingning for a moment, her bright, expressive eyes wide open.

Soon, she rebelled, "He's a younger brother, just graduated from high school. You're looking down on me!"

Upon finishing, Lin Lu added, "Your brother Shen, can't give me such a feeling. Shen Minglang, who at least has social experience and has opened several shops, is older than us and is the most verbally playful scumbag."

"Maybe," Shen Qingning responded noncommittally, "Maybe you feel he's relatable because you two are on the same wavelength."

"Maybe I'm overthinking it. If he can resonate with anyone..." Shen Qingning paused and laughed, "My brother, who deems himself a smooth talker, would have to call him 'Grandmaster.'"

...

(ps: Thanks to "Newspaper Salesboy" for the Silver League and also to many new friends for their rewards and votes~)