Chapter 128: Rare Leisure
Seeing Pang Qiang fleeing in panic with his girlfriend, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted in the Patek Philippe store. Everyone present felt an immense satisfaction at witnessing Pang Qiang's retreat; after all, no one in this world likes an utterly arrogant and uncivilized person.
Watching Pang Qiang flee, Lu Yu smiled slightly, then gently took Xia Bing's delicate hand, and said, "Let's go, after all this fuss, we should go grab a bite to eat."
Upon hearing Lu Yu's words, Xia Bing's face blushed slightly. She reached out to take off the expensive women's watch from her wrist and said, "No, this watch is too valuable; I can't accept it."
"Don't take it off,"
Lu Yu said firmly, a touch of certainty in his tone: "This watch is my return gift. If you take it off, it'll be like slapping me in the face, and besides, didn't you also give me a watch?"
"But the value of the watch you gave me is far greater than the one I picked for you, isn't that a bit unfair..." Xia Bing said shyly, looking extremely cute.
"You can't buy willingness with money"
Lu Yu replied with an easygoing tone, "To me, the watch you gave me is of equal value to the one on your wrist, so we're even now. Later, you must remember to treat me to a meal."
Pfft!
Xia Bing couldn't help but laugh at Lu Yu's words. She was puzzled about where Lu Yu had picked up such expressions, which made her chuckle uncontrollably.
Thinking of this, Xia Bing looked at Lu Yu and smiled slightly, then said, "Lu Yu, thank you."
"Thank you for what? We're just exchanging courtesies," Lu Yu replied as he looked at Xia Bing.
From the beginning, he wasn't someone who cared about money. Although the watch Xia Bing gave him wasn't very expensive, she was the first person other than his parents to sincerely gift him something. So, in Lu Yu's mind, the watch Xia Bing gave him truly held the same value as the over two-million-dollar watch.
Upon hearing this, Xia Bing smiled and stopped refusing. She said, "Alright then, I'll treat you to a nice meal at the Peace Restaurant."
Lu Yu nodded and said, "Great, I'll look forward to it then."
With that, Lu Yu and Xia Bing stepped out of the Patek Philippe flagship store and drove towards Peace Restaurant.
...
Peace Restaurant, located by the sea in LA City, is one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city. Especially the top-floor observation restaurant, which combines gourmet food and stunning views, is quite popular in the wealthy circles of LA City.
Lu Yu and Xia Bing arrived at the top floor of Peace Restaurant, where the crystal dome sparkled brilliantly, surrounded by various plants emitting a delicate fragrance. The dining tables placed among them seemed not at all out of place, on the contrary, they appeared very harmonious.
Lu Yu and Xia Bing sat at a table, with a vast, endless sea before them. It was noon, the sunlight was not glaring, and the distant sea stretched infinitely wide, which lifted everyone's spirits!
With Lu Yu by her side, Xia Bing ordered a few unique dishes. The two of them chatted as they ate. Initially, Xia Bing seemed a bit reserved, but she gradually relaxed, laughing and conversing with Lu Yu, resembling a couple.
Of course, it was mainly Lu Yu who was talking, using the personality and skills he honed in various clubs during his early years. Xia Bing was amused by Lu Yu's jokes, and her face turned as red as a ripe apple, making one want to take a bite.
"Lu Yu, I think you're different from what they say," Xia Bing said softly, cutting a piece of steak elegantly as she spoke, looking at Lu Yu.
"Oh? How so?"
Lu Yu also ate his steak with great care, showing no signs of devouring it.
"They said you were a delinquent five years ago, recklessly indulging in vices..."
Xia Bing said, her cheeks blushing, "But I think you're a good person."
"Really?"
Lu Yu gently cut a piece of beef, chewed it carefully, and then spoke.
"Yes!"
Xia Bing nodded vigorously, affirming her words.
From the first time she met Lu Yu, he had been helping her. So now, in Xia Bing's heart, Lu Yu was an exceptionally good person.
"Actually, they're not wrong,"
Lu Yu smiled slightly, "Five years ago, I indeed wasn't a good person, a prodigal son who learned nothing."
"Later, I encountered a shipwreck, was missing for five years, and learned and saw many things during that time—some cruel, some terrifying, even some bloody..."
As he spoke, Lu Yu shook his head, seemingly recalling those five years, a hint of helplessness passed across his face: "Honestly, after these five years, I don't even know if I'm a good person or not."
In those five years, Lu Yu experienced so much terror, not just memories of the deserted island but many past events he would rather not remember.
"Well, now everything will be over, after all, you've come back, right?"
Xia Bing smiled warmly at Lu Yu.
Seeing her smile, Lu Yu smiled back and said, "Yeah, I'm back after all."
"Yeah, since you've returned, good things are bound to happen, right?" Xia Bing said as she raised her glass of red wine towards Lu Yu, "To good things to come, cheers!"
Listening to the gentle and charming Xia Bing, Lu Yu smiled faintly, raised his glass, and clinked it with hers, saying, "To good things to come, cheers!"