Chapter 27: Picturesquely Beautiful
In a high-end, elegant restaurant outside the Petroleum University, where few students came because of the high prices, Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin looked at each other across a small, elegant table.
When Liu Shang had treated her before, Jiang Ruolin had even suggested they go to the cheapest, most affordable, and noisiest little hot pot place.
Today, it was Jiang Ruolin's turn to treat, so she brought Liu Shang here without hesitation.
Through their usual conversations and observations, the extremely intelligent Jiang Ruolin had discovered something interesting and contradictory about him.
Liu Shang, who came from an ordinary family background and was at an age of voracious appetite, actually preferred lighter, healthier food.
And just like when he had hosted her at Annie's Western Restaurant before, Liu Shang always carried himself with a temperament that was perfectly suited to this kind of elegant environment and occasion.
This was definitely not something that could be faked; it was an ingrained part of him, something that exuded from his very bones.
How could she know that in another world, Liu Shang, as the assistant to the world's top petrochemical expert, had been to countless world-class, high-end banquets and venues?
He was used to seeing too many world-famous celebrities and high-society ladies, and he no longer found these high-end occasions to be anything special.
Just as Jiang Ruolin was pondering Liu Shang's peculiarities, Liu Shang himself was quietly looking at her.
At this moment, she was wearing a sky-blue, high-necked fleece top, which set off her beautiful neck like that of a white swan.
She wore pleated trousers and a pair of stylish leather shoes on her feet.
On her left wrist was a chic, thin-edged watch. Under the light, it blended with her fair complexion, exuding an attractive luster.
She only wore light makeup, a faint layer of lip gloss on her lips. Her naturally long eyelashes fluttered, and her eyes were quiet and bright.
Unable to help himself, Liu Shang stretched out his hand and clasped Jiang Ruolin's pale hand, which was resting on the edge of the dining table, into his own.
Then, looking into her eyes, he said lightly but sincerely, "Wherever you are, it's like a beautiful scroll painting."
"And I am deeply immersed in these beautiful pictures, unable to extricate myself."
"Ruolin, you are so beautiful."
Receiving such a direct gaze from her boyfriend, and such undisguised praise, Jiang Ruolin couldn't help but blush a little. Then, despite her joy, she gave him a gentle, coquettish look.
"No matter how beautiful I am, I'm still in your hands right now, aren't I?"
"If you like, you can keep looking at me like this for as long as you want."
Liu Shang smiled and didn't say anything more audacious, but he was still reluctant to let go of her hand.
Seeing their atmosphere, even the waiter who was preparing to serve their food stopped at a distance, as if he couldn't bear to disturb the impossibly sweet couple.
Perhaps Liu Shang and Jiang Ruolin didn't notice, but at the less conspicuous and quieter end of the restaurant, another table of guests was watching them.
It was Tan Feng, Zhou Liang, and three or four others.
When Jiang Ruolin and Liu Shang had walked into the restaurant side by side and chosen a seat by the window, they had already caught their attention.
Then, when Liu Shang gently took Jiang Ruolin's hand and the two of them began whispering softly and sweetly to each other, the expressions of the people at this table turned extremely ugly.
Especially Tan Feng. At this moment, his expression was as dark as a storm cloud.
Although he already knew that Jiang Ruolin had a boyfriend, seeing it all with his own eyes ignited an anger and an inexplicable emotion that almost made him go berserk.
"Suddenly, I have no appetite. You guys eat. I'm leaving!"
After spitting out the words hastily, Tan Feng got up and left through a side door at the other end of the restaurant.
Seeing him like this, Zhou Liang and the others also shook their heads and followed him out, leaving an unimportant person from their group to pay the bill.
The commotion from their table still attracted the subconscious gaze of Jiang Ruolin, who had a strong sixth sense, but she was a little too slow and didn't see any acquaintances.
...
The short but happy weekend passed, followed by the painful arrival of another Monday morning.
Amid the sighs of Zheng Shiwei, Fu Liang, and Cheng Meng in the dormitory, Liu Shang was already full of energy and had packed his things, ready to go out.
"Liu Shang, leaving so early? Going to have breakfast with your girlfriend?"
Liu Shang shook his head. "Going out to run some errands today. I won't be having breakfast or going to class with you."
"If they take attendance, cover for me."
"Ah? Second Brother! You're not going to class?!"
"Last week, you were called out for missing two classes. If you don't go again, you'll really fail!"
Failing a subject was an extremely serious topic for any college student.
It was a huge hassle. Not to mention the make-up exam, it would also be a black mark on your final transcript, which could directly affect your ability to find a job.
But for Liu Shang at this time, failing courses, academic performance, and even graduating had all become less important.
Now, he was taking firm and steady steps toward a magnificent and beautiful life, according to the plan he had laid out in his heart.
"If I fail, I fail. It's not a guarantee that I will, anyway."
After speaking, Liu Shang walked out of the dormitory without hesitation, leaving the other three staring in astonishment.
***
Today, Liu Shang left the dorm a little late. Normally, he would plan to arrive at the company at nine o'clock.
However, he missed a bus on the way, causing him to arrive an hour later than expected.
While he was on his way, the atmosphere in Mr. Zhong's office was irritable.
According to the original plan, Mr. Zhong and his technical team were supposed to confirm the final draft of the ground dispensing process and related tools this Monday.
So, as usual, seven or eight people had gathered there, discussing nonstop, each expressing their thoughts and opinions.
But for Mr. Zhong, who sat in his huge office chair, the suggestions from the men in front of him were, compared to Liu Shang, a complete waste of his time.
The two were not on the same level at all.
So, after enduring it for nearly an hour, Mr. Zhong couldn't bear it any longer. He suddenly slapped the table. "Alright, that's enough! All of you, get out for now! We'll continue this discussion tomorrow or the day after!"
Seeing that Mr. Zhong seemed to be in a bad mood, everyone discreetly filed out.
Afterward, Mr. Zhong, who was still in a foul mood, had no desire to do any other work, so he went over to Xu Tiande's office for a smoke.
"I say, Old Zhong, you're not in the right mood today!"
"Your technology is about to be finalized. You should be happy!"
Mr. Zhong waved his hand. "Don't mention it. I'm more anxious precisely *because* this technology is about to be finalized."
"Compared to Liu Shang, this group of guys are all useless! The ideas and suggestions they put forward are so crude and immature."
"After communicating with Kid Liu Shang over the past two days, I feel that this technology could even skip the experimental phase entirely. It could be completed overnight, finalized in one fell swoop."
"But today is a damn Monday, and Liu Shang still has to go to class!"
"To tell you the truth, Old Xu, I can't wait to go to the Petroleum University and drag that kid out of there."
On his side, before Mr. Zhong could finish speaking, Liu Shang appeared at the door of the office quite abruptly.
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