Ch. 159 - Forgetting to Eat and Sleep

The next day.

Lu Xing woke up just as the sky was beginning to brighten. He found himself needing less and less sleep these days.

After covering CEO Wen and Nannan with the quilt and checking that the indoor temperature was comfortable, he stepped out of the bedroom.

A true master of time management must learn to maximize every minute.

While brushing his teeth, Lu Xing quickly scanned his messages.

There was one from Little Goldie, but Lu Xing had already blocked her.

There was one from the senior sister, asking about the progress of her clothes alteration.

Lu Xing had actually nearly finished them. Even though the clothes were generally "one-size-fits-all," that didn't account for people with exceptionally "gifted" figures, like the senior sister.

This was where Lu Xing’s specific skills became invaluable.

Since he was busy this week, he arranged to meet her next week instead. She was understanding and didn't press for details.

Very good.

The remaining message was from Chi Yueshan.

She had sent several photos of her grandparents together. The grandfather was wearing a Peking opera python robe, looking vigorous and proud. Beside him, the grandmother wore a full opera costume, complete with an ornate crown.

Seeing the two old folks so happy after trying something new made Lu Xing smile. The old man had always loved traditional culture; it was his one true hobby.

Chi Yueshan had been quite businesslike about it. After a few messages back and forth, they settled on a hundred-yuan rental fee for three days.

Lu Xing grinned at his reflection in the mirror after washing up.

'Mm.'

The appearance was holding up fine.

Today was Saturday. He had to go see Professor Song.

"Let's be extravagant for once!"

Lu Xing "extravagantly" scanned a shared electric bike and set off happily. Even though he wasn't exactly hurting for money now, he believed in saving where possible and spending where necessary.

Riding a bike to a high-end bar? That was living the truth.

"Wait."

As a growing blogger, Lu Xing realized he needed to add one more step to his daily routine. He opened Douyin and checked his private messages.

【Haicheng History Museum V】: Hello. I am a staff member of the Haicheng History Museum. We have recently borrowed several collections from various provinces for an exhibition, which is expected to attract many tourists. We are holding a traditional cultural and creative competition. Would you be interested in participating?

The lesson of the "fishing fan" incident was still fresh in his mind, so Lu Xing carefully verified the account.

Hey! It really was an official account.

Good, good, good.

"I'm actually doing alright for myself now," he mused.

He had started the account just for fun, never expecting it to lead to real opportunities. He searched for the competition details, memorized the requirements, and replied to the staff member.

It was just a casual thing. He simply wanted to contribute to the museum—and of course, he wasn't at all focused on the fifty-thousand-yuan grand prize!

As he rode, he brainstormed ideas. Before he knew it, he had reached the entrance of the mansion. There were still crowds of people outside taking photos.

Just as Lu Xing braked and looked for a spot to return the bike, the main gates swung open.

It was the same two butlers from last time. The exact same scene.

"Mr. Lu, good morning."

'F*ck!'

So cringe again.

Under the curious stares of the bystanders, Lu Xing desperately wanted to vanish.

"Mr. Lu, you can ride your bike right in. We will take care of it for you."

The butlers looked genuinely relieved. Last time, Mr. Lu’s "fuel consumption" was one steamed bun per hundred kilometers. Now he was on an electric bike.

Progress.

Sweating from embarrassment, Lu Xing shakily rode the shared bike inside.

Creak.

The gates closed behind him.

The frozen passersby finally started moving again.

"Rich people are into environmental protection now?"

"I don't know. I've only seen luxury cars go in there, never an electric bike."

"Hey, an electric bike is still a vehicle. That's awesome!"

...

On the other side of town.

In the piano room, the birds were chirping outside the window. Zhao Yeye lay on the floor, completely exhausted, waving a weak hand.

"You psychos. Can't you just say what you mean? You have to do all this crazy stuff. I feel like I'm going to die on the first page of this book."

After staying up all night, Xia Yeshuang’s eyes were bloodshot, but she was still obsessively flipping through the pages.

She had to know. She had to read the entire thing to understand what Lu Xing had been looking at.

She was frustrated. What if he had just been flipping through it casually? What if he was just tidying the shelf?

Finally, as she finished the last page, her mind went blank.

There were no marks. No bookmarks. No folded corners.

Nothing.

Zhao Yeye saw her finish and gave a weak clap.

"Applause for you. I haven't read a book that carefully in three years. My life has just been sleeping and eating."

The power of love was truly terrifying.

Xia Yeshuang felt hopeless. She still couldn't find Lu Xing. She spread the book open on the desk and rested her head on the pages, her vision blurring with tears.

No!

"If once isn't enough, then twice. If twice isn't enough, then three times. I don't believe Lu Xing would just read this book for no reason."

She perked up again, fueled by sheer stubbornness.

"Oh man," Zhao Yeye groaned in despair. "Whatever you want. I'm going to pass away peacefully now."

Zhao Yeye closed her eyes.

Xia Yeshuang read the book again. And again.

It wasn't until her third pass that she stopped on a specific page.

Her finger traced the text as she read it aloud.

"Up until now, what you have loved is the best side of me. Perhaps this is not love. Perhaps only when you love my weaknesses and my flaws do you truly love me."

...

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