What Are Your Tastes? chapter 10

We’re The Same Kind

Pushing open the glass door of the restaurant, Lu Yunchu quickly scanned the hall. A middle-aged woman sitting alone by the window waved at him.

Deputy Director of the Art Museum, Bai Shan, had invited him out for dinner. Bai Shan was a senior he knew from before, almost ten years older than him. She had an art background and later studied art management, working at the art museum ever since. When Lu Yunchu first came to Sen City, she had helped him a lot.

He was a bit surprised that Bai Shan chose an Italian restaurant for their dinner. From his past interactions with her, he knew she preferred Chinese cuisine, especially vegetarian dishes. Though Lu Yunchu had lived abroad, he hadn’t shown much preference for Western food, so his friends wouldn’t usually make such arrangements.

Of course, this slight doubt merely flashed through his mind and wasn’t worth discussing.

“Yunchu,” Bai Shan gestured to him, “please, have a seat.”

After sitting down, Lu Yunchu took another look around the restaurant and noticed that the tables were either four-person or two-person, both quite spacious. Bai Shan had chosen a four-person table.

“Are we…” he hesitated, “isn’t this table too big?”

“No,” Bai Shan smiled, “actually, I’m not the only host today. Someone else is coming.”

“Someone else?” No wonder the choice of restaurant was unexpected. “Who?”

“The son of the chairman of Chen’an Real Estate, and also the person in charge of the Lecheng project,” Bai Shan hinted, “do you remember designing a fountain sculpture for them?”

“Yes.” That was why he was invited to their celebration banquet.

“He was very satisfied with your work and wanted to meet you. Since I know him well, I agreed to invite you,” Bai Shan said apologetically, “you don’t mind that I decided on my own, do you?”

“Not at all.” Expanding his network would only benefit his career, especially with previous clients.

Lu Yunchu had heard gossip about the chairman’s son, who was reputed to be a playboy with a taste for both genders.

However, this wasn’t something he cared about.

“Is work going well?” Bai Shan casually chatted as a server poured lemon water for Lu Yunchu.

“Yes.”

“Still don’t want to join the art museum?” She had once offered him a position, which he declined. “You’re always welcome if you change your mind.”

“Sorry,” Lu Yunchu looked down, embarrassed, “I prefer what I’m doing now.”

Work at the art museum was stable but focused more on management or curation, which didn’t directly relate to his expertise.

“I knew you weren’t someone who seeks an easy life.”

Before Bai Shan could finish her sentence, a male voice abruptly interrupted, “Bai Jie, who doesn’t seek an easy life?”

“Not you,” Bai Shan glanced beside her, realizing another person had arrived, “weren’t you eager to meet Mr. Lu? Here he is.”

Lu Yunchu stood up, silently observing the young man who was about his age. A familiar face immediately triggered his memory of an unpleasant event: he was certain this was the person who had spilled wine on him at a banquet over two months ago.

The other person didn’t seem to remember this, smiling warmly. Lu Yunchu had to feign ignorance: “Hello.”

“Mr. Lu, I’ve heard a lot about you. Please, have a seat.”

“Mr. Lu should have heard of me,” the man said as he pulled out the chair next to Bai Shan and handed over a business card, “my name is Lin Yizhe.”

Lu Yunchu actually hadn’t heard of him, only knowing him as “the chairman’s son” from gossip.

He hadn’t expected another guest and didn’t bring his business cards: “Sorry, I forgot my business cards.”

“No problem,” Lin Yizhe said nonchalantly, “meeting you in person is already an honor.”

Lu Yunchu felt a chill down his spine. Bai Shan also seemed uncomfortable, frowning slightly, seemingly disliking the sudden, slick tone.

“Thank you,” Lu Yunchu said flatly.

“Mr. Lu, did you study in Italy?” Lin Yizhe asked with a confident tone.

“Yes,” Lu Yunchu brushed off the annoyance in his heart, “It was years ago.”

“That’s why I chose this restaurant. It should suit your taste, right?”

As soon as Lin Yizhe finished speaking, both Lu Yunchu and Bai Shan looked at him, but neither could say a word.

In social situations, some people were naturally attentive, making others feel genuinely cared for without any pressure; others’ “attentiveness” seems deliberately staged for show, creating an awkward atmosphere without making anyone feel comfortable.

Lin Yizhe undoubtedly belonged to the latter.

Lu Yunchu couldn’t tell him that he was already sick of it, so he forced a polite smile. Bai Shan realized something and lightly tapped Lin Yizhe’s arm, half-jokingly smoothing things over, “Come on, I think you just wanted to eat here yourself.”

Lu Yunchu timely changed the subject, asking about the Lecheng project. Unexpectedly, Lin Yizhe started praising the design of the fountain sculpture, making Lu Yunchu’s ears itch with annoyance.

Exquisite dishes were served one by one, and throughout the meal, Lin Yizhe hardly stayed quiet.

Lu Yunchu began to understand why Zhou Yanchuan said that mutual flattery in business was meaningless to him.

“Mr. Lu,” Lin Yizhe seemed oblivious to Lu Yunchu’s negative feelings, or pretended not to notice, “I hope we can work together again in the future.”

Hearing this, Lu Yunchu breathed a sigh of relief, not because he particularly wanted to cooperate with Chen’an Real Estate again, but because he saw the end of this dinner approaching.

“I’m looking forward to it too,” he replied, his tone devoid of any emotion.

All three had driven to the restaurant. Bai Shan arrived early, so her car was parked outside the hotel, while Lu Yunchu and Lin Yizhe’s cars were in the underground garage. Lu Yunchu had no choice but to take the elevator downstairs with him.

“Mr. Lu,” Lin Yizhe didn’t rush to find his car; instead, he followed Lu Yunchu to his parking spot, “Can we exchange WeChat contacts?”

Lu Yunchu had no reason to refuse. After all, his WeChat had hundreds of contacts, all sorts of people, so adding one more wouldn’t make a difference. “Sure.”

After exchanging WeChat contacts, Lin Yizhe still lingered. Lu Yunchu was at a loss, unsure whether to stay or leave.

“Mr. Lin?” he asked tentatively, “Is your car here?”

“Mr. Lu,” Lin Yizhe half-closed his eyes and lowered his voice, “I’m sorry about last time.”

Last time… Their only previous encounter was at a party.

“You remember?”

“It seems you do too,” he smiled, “My dad called me away last minute, so I couldn’t wait for you to finish your call.”

As if he really wanted him to stay. Lu Yunchu felt second-hand embarrassment for him and said expressionlessly, “Mr. Lin, I didn’t mind that at all. There’s no need to bring it up again.”

“Alright, let’s forget that little episode,” Lin Yizhe still showed no intention of leaving, “Can we meet again sometime?”

“Is there something I can help with?”

“Not work-related, Lu… Yunchu,” he said slowly, his eyes never leaving the young man in front of him, “We should be the same age. Can I call you by your first name?”

“As you wish.”

“Alright, Yunchu,” Lin Yizhe smiled again, “I hope we can meet in the future as friends, not just as business contacts.”

“Why?”

“You’re smart, you must have guessed,” he leaned slightly closer, “We’re the same kind of people.”