Chapter 82 - 82 081 Unplanned Encounter_1

82: Chapter 081 Unplanned Encounter_1 82: Chapter 081 Unplanned Encounter_1 The second monthly test of the last term of senior year arrived as expected. This time, the test was much easier than the last one. Lv Zhong estimated his score could reach 710 points, so he stopped there. You must know, Lv Zhong, in the last subject of foreign languages, still hadn’t filled in the listening part. This listening part was worth 30 points. Lv Zhong only spent less than an hour on this foreign language test, and then he finished and handed in his paper to leave the test venue. Upon leaving the exam venue, Lv Zhong suddenly remembered that tomorrow was Thursday and that he would be attending someone’s eighteenth birthday celebration, the Adult Ceremony. It would be impolite if he didn’t bring a gift. However, they were all students. If he gave gold, silver, or jewelry, not only would it be tacky, but Lv Zhong also did not have the capital to do so. If he gave other things, it would seem too casual. After much thought, Lv Zhong decided to personally write a piece of calligraphy and painting as a gift for Leng Mei. Having grown up under his grandfather’s influence since childhood, Lv Zhong was pretty skilled in calligraphy and painting. Also, his soul energy was now immense, even though it was not comparable to some masters in ancient times, it should be more than enough to deal with some current “experts and beasts.” Having this thought, and seeing that it was still early, Lv Zhong went straight out of the school and hailed a taxi to [Ji Gu Zhai]. [Ji Gu Zhai] was close to Yan City’s Youth Palace, which housed many traditional Chinese objects. Xuan Paper, inkstones, brush and ink, paintings, porcelain, and the sort were all readily available. Even some antiques were managed on the second floor of this shop. Of course, regular customers won’t generally go to the second floor. The reason Lv Zhong chose this shop was firstly, because the goods here were priced reasonably and of reliable quality. Secondly, he had come here several times with his grandfather and was quite familiar with this shop. [Ji Gu Zhai] had already been open in Yan City for several years. Lv Zhong had been here several times with his grandfather when he was a child, and the last time he came here was three years ago. At that time, Old Master Lv Haoran seemed to have been invited here to provide medical treatment for the owner. Lv Zhong remembered that the shop owner was an elder named Zheng Tianle, who seemed to have a good relationship with his grandfather. Furthermore, two years ago, when Lv Zhong’s grandfather passed away, Zheng Tianle seemed to have also come to pay his respects. However, at that time, Lv Zhong was crying heartily and didn’t have a clear impression of Zheng Tianle. Initially, Lv Zhong felt that since he had come to Zheng Tianle’s place, he should visit Uncle Zheng. But he had heard that Zheng Tianle had already retired and didn’t have the energy to manage [Ji Gu Zhai] anymore. Instead, he had left Ji Gu Zhai to his youngest daughter to manage. It seemed unlikely that he would be here now, so Lv Zhong dismissed the thought of visiting Zheng Tianle. By the time he arrived at this shop, it was nearly five in the afternoon. After quickly choosing the appropriate brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, he went to the counter to pay. However, there were three or four customers in front of him, and with no other option, Lv Zhong could only queue up. The cashier was quite fast, and three minutes later, it was finally Lv Zhong’s turn. Putting his things on the cash register counter, Lv Zhong looked at the things in his hand, only to find out they cost nearly two hundred yuan. This made him suddenly feel the pinch: “Damn it, in this world money is not omnipotent, but without money, it’s absolutely impossible. It seems that to better cultivate and enjoy life in the future, I need to make money.” After grumbling slightly, after paying the 178 yuan bill, Lv Zhong picked up the plastic bag, ready to leave. Just then, a genteel old man walked down from the second floor. Seeing Lv Zhong, he suddenly exclaimed with delight, “Eh? Little… Little Zhong, you bad boy came to Uncle Zheng’s place and didn’t even bother to visit me?” It was indeed Zheng Tianle who had arrived. Because the eighteenth birthday of one of his favourite juniors was tomorrow, he had been waiting in the shop these past few days for the arrival of an item he had ordered. While taking care of his granddaughter for his youngest daughter, he didn’t expect to see Lv Zhong with a plastic bag in hand and quickly rushed over in surprise and delight. Today, Zheng Tianle was already sixty-eight years old. However, he formally referred to Lv Zhong’s grandfather, Lv Haoran, as Uncle Lv. Therefore, it was normal for Lv Zhong to call him Uncle Zheng. “Ah, Uncle Zheng.” Lv Zhong looked awkwardly at the elder downstairs, chuckled, and said, “I was planning to visit you. I heard you had retired some time ago, though, so I didn’t expect to find you here at Ji Gu Zhai. What a coincidence…” “You rascal, two years apart and not only have you grown taller, but you’ve also become smooth-tongued.” Zheng Tianle huffed, flicking Lv Zhong’s head and said, “Since you’re here, go with me to familiarize yourself with my home. Boy, you better not refuse.” “Uncle Zheng, I’m afraid I’ll have to pass today because I am attending a classmate’s eighteenth birthday ceremony tomorrow. I’ve rushed to your place because of that. I have to start preparing tonight,” Lv Zhong gave a wry smile and shook his head. “Or perhaps you could give me your address, and I’ll visit when I’m free…” Hearing Lv Zhong’s immediate refusal made Zheng Tianle’s face darken, but when he mentioned attending the ceremony, his mood visibly lifted. A devious smile slipped past his eyes. “You’re not trying to fool me, are you?” Zheng Tianle sternly said, but unbeknownst to Lv Zhong, there was a smile hidden in his eyes. “Uncle Zheng, I’m a senior high school student with a heavy study load. If I didn’t want to give someone a gift, why would I come here to buy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone?” Lv Zhong quickly added. “Well, in that case, I’ll let you go this time. Remember, you must visit within a week,” Zheng Tianle’s expression seemed to calm down, and then he mischievously looked at Lv Zhong before asking, “Is this classmate of yours a girl, Little Zhong?” “She is a girl!” Lv Zhong nodded affirmatively; there was nothing worth hiding about it. “Tsk tsk, a female classmate? Is she beautiful? Tell me, do you like her?” Zheng Tianle suddenly came nearer to Lv Zhong, his expression lively and playful. “I don’t!” Lv Zhong was a bit taken aback by Zheng Tianle’s sudden closeness. Sёarᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although he indeed didn’t have feelings for Leng Mei yet, he emphatically shook his head. “Cut it out, who are you kidding?” Zheng Tianle scrutinized Lv Zhong, clearly disbelieving him. “Seeing the way you’re busy preparing a gift for that girl, it’s obvious that you don’t just like her. You adore her. Humph, you think you can fool me?” At the back of his mind, Zheng Tianle was slightly annoyed and grumbled, “Who is this brat trying to fool? How can any City No.1 student resist my granddaughter Mei Mei’s beauty?” The Mei Mei in Zheng Tianle’s thought was none other than Leng Mei, his granddaughter. He knew all along that Lv Zhong and Leng Mei were classmates. The moment he heard Lv Zhong mention the eighteenth birthday ceremony, Zheng Tianle immediately realized whom Lv Zhong was referring to. After all, it was his granddaughter’s eighteenth birthday ceremony happening tomorrow. Not everyone celebrates their eighteenth birthday with a ceremony. “I’m telling the truth and not deceiving you,” responded Lv Zhong, oblivious to Zheng Tianle’s thoughts. Even though Leng Mei was undoubtedly beautiful, he wasn’t so enamored as to be bewitched by her. Zheng Tianle stroked his snow-white beard, suddenly filled with doubts. He realized that Lv Zhong’s expression did not seem like he was lying. Immediately, Zheng Tianle was displeased. By his standards, Leng Mei was nothing short of excellent in every way: be it her looks or her family background. The fact that Lv Zhong didn’t even like such a girl was immensely frustrating. “Wei Wei, what’s wrong? Don’t scare Mommy…” Just then, a woman’s scream interrupted the conversation between Lv Zhong and Zheng Tianle. Lv Zhong turned towards the sound, and saw that a beautiful young woman was holding a five or six-year-old boy on the stairs to the second floor. The boy’s face was pale, and he was whimpering loudly, clearly very uncomfortable. At this moment, Zheng Tianle’s face turned pale, and he dashed towards the mother and son on the stairs. Lv Zhong never expected to experience this while just buying stationery. He quickly followed after them.