A Meal Goes Uneaten
The Chinese restaurant was owned by the old master, making Luke half a boss there. Knowing he was supposed to meet his fiancée for lunch, the manager had prepared ingredients early and arranged a huge table of delicacies: Szechuan, Cantonese, Shandong, Americanized Chinese cuisine, and more—all manner of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy dishes, terrified that the arrangements wouldn't be impeccable.
But strangely, after waiting an hour, there was still no sign of Luke.
The head chef mumbled, "Boss, surely the Young Master hasn't stood her up?"
"He shouldn't have. The old master personally arranged this blind date."
The chef pointed at the clock. "It's almost one o'clock. The food will be ruined if he doesn't come soon. Should we call the chairman?"
The manager considered it, then waved his hand. "Wait a little longer, just a little longer."
Another hour passed, and Luke still hadn't appeared. The manager's expression grew serious. He pulled the female server from the VIP room aside. "How is Miss Qu? Is she angry?"
"I don't think so," the server said, sounding unsure. "Her expression hasn't changed. She doesn't smile or cry; she's like someone in a painting."
"What about the food?" the manager asked, his voice anxious.
"None. She hasn't even touched her chopsticks."
"It's over! Everything is over."
The manager looked miserable. If she were angry and cursed a bit, that would be fine. But he feared this silent type; no one could guess what she was thinking.
The female server's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Do you think the Young Master is trying to skip the wedding?"
"Mind your own business and get back to work."
The female server frowned and left with her tray. Soon, the news of the Young Master skipping his blind date spread throughout the restaurant. A group of off-duty servers and chefs huddled together, whispering and occasionally glancing toward the second floor, their eyes burning with the fire of gossip.
Young Master Shaw was a legend in Chinatown. There were countless stories about him, but people were always most interested in what happened below the belt. When it came to being a playboy, Young Master Shaw was in a league of his own. He started womanizing at thirteen, and over the years, the number of beauties he'd dated could form a reinforced company. Even more surprisingly, none of those women would speak ill of Young Master Shaw after being dumped—a truly remarkable feat, making him a model for men and the undisputed Number One among scumbags.
"The Young Master isn't really going to stand her up, is he?"
"It's almost three o'clock, and he hasn't shown up. He definitely doesn't want to see her!"
"That's such a pity. I saw the girl; she looks like a heavenly fairy. What's that poem? Oh, right: 'The lotus emerges clean from the clear water, naturally unadorned.'"
"Seriously? Is she that pretty?"
"See for yourself!"
Someone coughed softly. "She's coming out, she's coming out."
Everyone instantly quieted down, turning their heads away while secretly peeking out of the corner of their eyes.
A faint fragrance wafted past, and a white figure appeared in their view, walking gracefully from a distance, like a celestial being descending from the heavens. Even without seeing her face clearly, they could feel her otherworldly, ethereal presence.
Everyone held their breath, not daring to exhale until the white figure disappeared out the door. Only then did they snap out of it. One chef gave a thumbs up. "Beautiful. She's so damn beautiful. I've never seen anyone prettier."
"But the Young Master probably wouldn't like her."
"Why?"
"Have you forgotten the girls the Young Master usually brings? Which one of them wasn't..."
With that, he gestured toward his chest and then his backside. The chefs caught on immediately, while the servers silently called them perverts.
The manager walked over, his face as black as the bottom of a wok.
"What are you doing? Nothing better to do? Get back to work."
Everyone scattered like birds. The manager had just finished a phone call with the old master, and it looked like he'd been severely scolded.
The Old Master's Fury
Changlin Shaw was angry, extremely angry, so angry that his hair stood up and his eyes flashed red.
"That brat!"
Smash!
His beloved clay teapot shattered on the ground into dozens of pieces.
"How did I raise such a wretched thing? He... he actually made someone wait for three hours for nothing!"
"Bastard!"
Bang!
He struck the armrest with his palm, leaving vertical cracks in the mahogany, showing the depth of his force and the intensity of his rage.
Lin Fu whispered, "Boss, calm down. Don't ruin your health."
"And you!"
Changlin Shaw glared furiously at his subordinate. "Didn't I tell you to bring him back? What good are you? You don't listen to me either now?"
"It's not that..."
"Not what? Speak up!"
The roar was so loud it made the ceiling beams tremble slightly. Lin Fu had no choice but to recount the events of the morning.
"The daughter of the Ferris Aircraft CEO? They've been together for three years?"
Lin Fu nodded awkwardly, mourning for Luke in his heart: You're finished, kid. You are completely finished. This time, the Boss will hang you up and whip you with a salt-soaked leather belt until you're half-dead.
"Good, very good!"
Changlin Shaw took a deep breath, his face cycling from pale to red, from red to green, and finally settling on a purplish-black. He started dating at fourteen, slept around with other girls while he had a girlfriend, and hid it for three years before finally remembering to tell his own grandfather?
Good, this is simply too good!
Changlin Shaw burst into laughter, holding the armrest as he staggered toward the door.
"Boss, where are you going?"
"To kill someone!"
Lin Fu's legs shook. He quickly rushed over to hug the old master. "Please, Boss, don't be rash! Little Luke may be a playboy, but his nature is excellent! He's smart, filial, caring, and sensible. His exploits are just small flaws. Please don't dwell on them."
"I shouldn't dwell on them? Easy for you to say! How am I supposed to face Old Li? He saved my life, and he's not even complaining about that brat's scandalous behavior, yet he's sending his most precious granddaughter to us as a potential granddaughter-in-law! Now this happens! How do I explain this to him?"
"Tell me, Second Brother, where do I put my old face?"
Lin Fu muttered, "How about inviting him over for a drink?"
"Get out!"
Tea and Training
Their voices were so loud that they could be clearly heard dozens of meters away. Linda, who was having afternoon tea, snapped,
"He truly is a scumbag!"
The old beggar nodded repeatedly in full agreement.
"That kid was never any good, even when he was little. Calling him a scumbag is practically a compliment."
Linda pouted. "How dare you call him out, you fraud."
A hint of awkwardness flashed across the old beggar's face, but luckily his skin was thick enough that it didn't show. He put down his teacup and said seriously,
"My good apprentice, listen to me. Stay far away from that boy. Don't let him ruin you."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't like an Earthling!"
Linda raised her head proudly, appearing completely dismissive. What she was thinking inside, no one knew. She paused, then asked,
"When are you going to teach me the Palm of Emptiness?"
"Martial arts must start with the basics. To learn the Palm of Emptiness, you must first master the meridians in your body. There's no rush, no rush."
Linda frowned slightly. "Didn't you say my meridians are different from Earthlings?"
"Yes, exactly. That's precisely why we can't rush it."
Linda narrowed her eyes, and a red glow began to appear in them.
The old beggar felt a pang of bitterness. For the sake of his own safety, he had no choice but to put on the most sincere expression possible. "Trust me, good apprentice, I will definitely teach you my ultimate skills and make you the strongest in the universe."
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