Chapter 184: I Like Them All
Lu Huaiyu’s voice was deep and collected, like the sound of someone plucking on a cello, which could easily stir one’s heart.
Ning Li held her bowl with both hands and looked down. The tips of her ears inexplicably tingled.
When Yu Pingchuan heard Lu Huaiyu praising Ning Li, he was so elated and proud that he did not notice the way this man addressed his star pupil.
“Lili, how was your physics compet.i.tion?”
Yu Pingchuan had not seen Ning Li for a while and had originally wanted to ask her about the painting. However, since Lu Huaiyu’s presence made it a little inconvenient, he found another topic.
Ning Li replied, “The results will be out tomorrow.”
Yu Pingchuan nodded.
“By the way, I heard that if you do well in this exam, you’ll have to go to the Capital for some intensive training?”
At that, Lu Huaiyu raised his eyebrows slightly.
Ning Li nodded and said, “The top five in the province will be sent to the Capital to partic.i.p.ate in the intensive training during the winter holidays for two weeks. The national finals will be held at the beginning of March.”
“Two weeks?”
Yu Pingchuan was interested.
“Coincidentally, I’ll be back in the Capital during that time. Why don’t you stay at my place?”
Ning Li smiled helplessly and reminded him. “Master Yu, the provincial results aren’t even out yet, so I’m not even sure if I’ll be going. Besides, that intensive training is a full-board program, so we’re not given the option of staying in our own accommodation.”
“Oh, I see…”
Yu Pingchuan was a little disappointed.
“I just thought of taking you…”
His voice suddenly stalled before he continued, “Never mind then. That can wait until you’re done with the compet.i.tion.”
It seemed like he was not at all worried about Ning Li failing the exam.
Ning Li suddenly said, “Oh, right! I saw that many fruits in your refrigerator weren’t very fresh, so I cleared them out for you.”
Yu Pingchuan’s heart thumped.
‘Oh no! My apple, longan, and cantaloupe!’
Yu Pingchuan’s hand trembled slightly.
“But…but I just bought them yesterday, it should be fresh…”
“Oh? Did you buy that much yesterday?”
Ning Li smiled and continued, “It looks like you’ve been taking in quite a bit of sugar lately…”
Yu Pingchuan knew that he had made a slip of the tongue and immediately sat upright.
“No, it wasn’t me! It’s all Lil Lin’s fault. He bought it himself! He just likes to buy a bunch of things all at once… I’ve tried telling him several times, but he just…”
“Then I’ll tell Uncle Lin not to buy so much next time. Otherwise, it’s too wasteful.” Ning Li took a bite of the shrimp. “After all, you can’t eat them, and Uncle Lin certainly can’t eat all of it by himself, right?”
Yu Pingchuan said, “You’re absolutely right! We’ll scold him later!”
Lu Huaiyu watched their interaction from the side and found it quite amusing.
Yu Pingchuan was well-respected in the industry. He seemed mild-tempered, but he was actually a straightforward and aloof man.
He was never interested in such mundane matters.
Many in the industry wanted to get in his good graces, but in the end, they were unmercifully rejected.
Due to this, even if his place of residence was known by many, no-one dared to visit him without permission.
Lu Huaiyu had known Yu Pingchuan for many years, yet he had never seen the old man treat anyone else the way he treated Ning Li.
He was so eager to cook for Ning Li and would not stop praising her. Even when Ning Li controlled his diet, he listened to her.
If this scene had been witnessed by those who were rejected by Yu Pingchuan, they would surely be shocked senseless.
Previously, Yu Pingchuan said that he and Ning Li had met in Lincheng.
The old man was always more generous and nice to children, but the way he treated Ning Li was completely different.
Lu Huaiyu smiled and said, “Mr. Yu, Ning Li’s words seem to be more effective than Mr. w.a.n.g Yan.”
w.a.n.g Yan was Yu Pingchuan’s only apprentice, and they were as close as father and son.
Even so, it seemed as if even w.a.n.g Yan might not be able to persuade Yu Pingchuan as well as Ning Li did.
Yu Pingchuan grunted. “What’s the point of mentioning him? How can he even compare to Lili?”
Lu Huaiyu’s eyes hovered over both of them for a while. He smiled and teased unintentionally.
“For those who didn’t know better, they would think that Ning Li is your new apprentice.”
Ning Li jumped a little.
Yu Pingchuan choked violently and waved his hands repeatedly.
“How could you think that?”
Lu Huaiyu saw how quick his denial was and gently raised an eyebrow.
“I noticed that Lili seems to be interested in art. Haven’t you ever considered her before?”
Yu Pingchuan choked for a moment.
“Have you seen Lili’s artwork?”
As he said that, he darted a glance at Ning Li.
“No, I haven’t.” Lu Huaiyu shook his head.
Yu Pingchuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Ning Li smiled and said, “Master Yu is very picky. It’s not that easy to become his apprentice.”
This was the truth.
Over the years, countless people had wanted Yu Pingchuan to be their teacher, but apart from w.a.n.g Yan, the old man had not accepted anyone else.
Lu Huaiyu’s phone lit up.
He looked at it and saw that it was a call from Gu Tinglan.
Since he was almost done eating, Lu Huaiyu answered the call.
“h.e.l.lo?”
Gu Siyang’s sulky voice came through from the other end.
“Second Master Lu, what couldn’t we discuss before you blocked me?”
Lu Huaiyu’s expression did not change as he looked at his watch.
“Alright, I’ll go over soon.”
Gu Siyang was puzzled. “No, wait…you…”
Beep…
Lu Huaiyu hung up the phone.
Gu Siyang was baffled. ‘What the h.e.l.l is going on?!’
Gu Tinglan took his phone back and said, “It seems like he’s done with whatever he was occupied with, so you can make your way to wherever you agreed to meet him before. Take this phone call as your driver’s fee.”
As he said that, Gu Tinglan pushed open the car door and got off.
Gu Siyang was left confused and alone.
‘Why was everyone in Yunzhou so difficult to deal with?!’
….
“Second Brother, are you leaving?” Ning Li asked.
Lu Huaiyu nodded.
Yu Pingchuan said, “Lili, please send Huaiyu off. I’ll clear these up.”
Although his house was old, it was fully equipped with a dishwasher, so it did not take much effort.
Ning Li agreed and got up to leave with Lu Huaiyu.
Lu Huaiyu took his jacket and draped it on his arm.
Ning Li followed him downstairs.
When they reached the stairs, Lu Huaiyu stood still and gave her a sideways glance.
“Alright, you can go back inside now. It’s quite cold outside.”
Ning Li then waved her hand obediently.
“See you later, Second Brother!”
Lu Huaiyu looked at her and suddenly lifted his hand to flick her forehead. “Good job with the cooking, but…”
He leaned down slightly and lowered his voice, but he could not hide his smile.
“Next time, you don’t have to go through so much trouble. I’ll like everything that you cook.”
Before Ning Li could react, he had already withdrawn his hand, turned around, and walked away.
The man’s tall and upright figure faded away.
Ning Li rubbed her forehead. Only then did she feel embarra.s.sed.
When she had swapped her bowl of soup with Lu Huaiyu, she had not thought much of it. She had done it subconsciously.
She had thought she was being subtle enough, but Lu Huaiyu had still noticed.
Ning Li had not felt it at the time, but looking back now, it seemed like…
“Sister Li!”
Wei Songze’s voice suddenly rang out.
He kept looking back as he walked up the stairs.
“Sister Li, I think I saw your second brother?”