You Call This a Green Tea? - Chapter 5

He Zhen looked at Zhuo Luyuan, who was standing at the mall entrance in a cap and black sunglasses, and couldn’t fathom what he was playing at. Who dresses like this to go shopping?

Perhaps He Zhen’s silent stare was too intense. Zhuo Luyuan adjusted his sunglasses, revealing half an eye from behind the lenses. “Drop it. This is my first time accompanying a grown man to a mall. If my friends find out, they’ll laugh themselves to death. It’s embarrassing.”

He didn’t know what kind of hobby this was. If it were horse riding or drinking, it would be one thing, but shopping was a first.

He Zhen didn’t push it, though he felt Zhuo Luyuan’s outfit was actually more conspicuous than his usual clothes. He had spent quite a while identifying him from a distance, only confirming it was him when he saw the figure pull out a phone after He Zhen called.

Suppressing a laugh, He Zhen didn’t warn him, deciding to let him figure it out on his own. “Won’t Young Master Zhuo show me around? I just got back and I’m unfamiliar with the area.”

The mall wasn’t crowded yet. Zhuo Luyuan walked ahead, lowering his voice as he pointed out shops. “These stores are decent—high-end brands that have done well domestically lately. Those two over there are for accessories; I really like their cufflinks.”

Based on his familiarity, He Zhen knew he’d asked the right person. Hearing that he liked the cufflinks, He Zhen suggested, “Why don’t we go in and take a look?”

Zhuo Luyuan was just there to accompany him, so he offered a non-committal “whatever.” But before they could step inside, a female voice interrupted them:

“Luyuan-gege!”

He Zhen found the voice familiar. A second later, he saw Zhuo Luyuan turn around with a headache-inducing expression, attempting to hide behind He Zhen. He Zhen dug him out from behind his back and whispered, “You’re a grown man, where exactly do you think you can hide?”

It was a case of “speak of the devil.” Zhuo Luyuan irritably pulled down his sunglasses and snapped at Zheng Xi, “Something wrong?”

Zheng Xi’s pleasantly surprised expression curdled into a bitter scowl the moment she saw He Zhen. She looked at him with pure suspicion. “Why are you here? Are you trying to cling to Luyuan-gege again?”

He Zhen looked at Zhuo Luyuan. Zhuo Luyuan blinked, signaling him not to mention that he had agreed to this outing. He turned back to Zheng Xi with feigned impatience. “Just out for a stroll. Are you monitoring me?”

Zheng Xi muttered a reluctant “no,” but her eyes never left He Zhen. She felt a sting of jealousy; she couldn’t understand how this “Green Tea” had managed to get Luyuan-gege to go shopping with him when she had failed so many times.

Refusing to back down, Zheng Xi tried to push He Zhen aside to stand between them. After two failed attempts to budge him, she squeezed herself in anyway and looked up at Zhuo Luyuan expectantly. “Luyuan-gege, if you want to shop, you should ask me! I come here all the time.”

Zhuo Luyuan glanced at He Zhen, his eyes flicking toward Zheng Xi as if to say: Why did you give her space?

He Zhen gave a helpless shrug. Zheng Xi’s previous breakdown had traumatized him; he was afraid that if he didn’t yield, she’d start wailing and make things even more embarrassing.

Zhuo Luyuan noticed people starting to stare. Fearing she’d make a scene, he relented. “You can follow, but no talking.”

Zheng Xi nodded vigorously. She tried to grab his arm, but he stepped aside. He had zero interest in the men or women surrounding him. She pouted and hurried into the store ahead of He Zhen.

The shop assistant clearly recognized Zhuo Luyuan, though the sunglasses seemed a bit much. “Mr. Zhuo, what a coincidence. We just received new accessories. Please, follow me.”

As Zhuo Luyuan walked further in, Zheng Xi leaned toward He Zhen and whispered a warning: “The fact that you slandered me last time isn’t over. Just you wait!”

Because she was short and whispering, He Zhen didn’t catch it. He leaned down and asked, “What was that? I didn’t hear you.”

Thinking he was mocking her, she glared. “Nothing!”

The shop assistant, seeing He Zhen’s unfamiliar face, offered a flattering guess: “Is this your daughter? You two have such a lovely relationship.”

Zhuo Luyuan turned back and laughed shamelessly at the both of them, finally finding some joy in the day.

He Zhen: “…” He hadn’t said a word. It wasn’t his fault Zheng Xi looked like a child.

Zheng Xi flew into a rage, screaming at the assistant and swinging her clutch bag. “Are you blind?! Who is this damn Green Tea’s daughter!”

He Zhen reached out and grabbed the back of Zheng Xi’s collar, lifting her away from the assistant and depositing her onto a sofa.

Zhuo Luyuan watched the move. It was, for lack of a better term, like picking up a little chick.

Zheng Xi didn’t even have time to struggle. By the time she realized what happened, she was sitting on the sofa. Seeing Zhuo Luyuan and the assistant’s expressions, she was on the verge of exploding.

Sensing a disaster, Zhuo Luyuan dropped the cufflinks he was holding and grabbed He Zhen to leave. “I just remembered I have company business to discuss with him. Leaving now!”

Zheng Xi immediately forgot her anger and chased after them, but in her high heels, she was no match for two men with long strides. She could only watch their backs and curse He Zhen.

Once they were clear, Zhuo Luyuan apologized. “Sorry. Looks like shopping is off the table today.”

He Zhen smiled and walked toward the elevator. “It’s not your fault. You probably haven’t eaten yet. Let me treat you—as thanks for the shopping trip.”

The first half was He Zhen; the second half was the (heavily edited) plot node. He refused to do “girly and shy.” Not in this lifetime.

Zhuo Luyuan found He Zhen could be quite forceful. Even though he asked, he pressed the elevator button without giving Luyuan a chance to refuse. This sparked a flash of annoyance; he hated being managed. He walked into the elevator with a sour face.

He Zhen looked at him—face practically screaming “I’m pissed”—and thought he looked exactly like the Jalapeno from Plants vs. Zombies. He truly lived up to the description: “Gorgeous looks, explosive temper.” A typical spoiled young master.

However, the fact that he’d apologized for Zheng Xi’s behavior made He Zhen appreciate his gentlemanly side.

They went to a private kitchen with light Huai City flavors. While waiting for food, He Zhen discovered that despite his playboy reputation, Zhuo Luyuan had sharp insights into business. Remembering the future plot about a construction scandal involving the Zhuo family, He Zhen tested the waters: “I’ve heard about a lot of corners being cut in construction lately. Many people just keep it quiet and hope for the best. What do you think?”

Zhuo Luyuan’s face filled with disgust. “What’s there to say? It’s immoral. I wouldn’t touch that kind of money; it’d shorten my lifespan.”

Exactly, He Zhen thought. In the original story, Zhuo’s father was framed by rivals while hospitalized, missing the chance to clear the company’s name. That’s why the company became so desperate.

Zhuo Luyuan, finding the question suspicious, added, “You aren’t thinking of making money that way, are you? If you are, stay away from me.”

He Zhen chuckled and refilled his tea. “Far from it. I agree with you—it’s not worth the karma. Since our views align, I’m sure we’ll be great partners.”

Zhuo Luyuan relaxed, but as he looked at the tea in his cup, he hesitated.

Green tea again? Was he cursed this year? He’d heard of people offending the Zodiac gods, but never the Green Tea gods.

He shook off the thought and asked, “What are your plans now?”

He Zhen wanted to say “taking over the company,” but the System’s notification chimed. He Zhen gripped his teacup, steeled himself, and forced a “shy” tone: “Yuan-yuan Gege…”

Zhuo Luyuan shuddered as if ants were crawling over him. He cut him off immediately. “Stop. Change the name.”

He Zhen nodded, following the script. “Your parents were very kind to me when I was young. It’s only right that I visit them. Now that the move is settled, it’s time.”

Zhuo Luyuan agreed to check his parents’ schedule. His mother had always treated He Zhen like a second son (without telling Luyuan he was a boy).

As the food arrived, Zhuo Luyuan asked, “When do you plan to come over?”

He Zhen forced a strained smile and said the line he hated most: “The day after tomorrow. I’ll bring some cookies I made by hand.”

Zhuo Luyuan, who was just about to swallow a mouthful of tea, sprayed it right out:

“Pfft! You—you’re bringing what?”