NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: The Cafeteria Lady's Parkinson's Mysteriously Cured
Chapter 16: The Cafeteria Lady’s Parkinson’s Mysteriously Cured
In the second semester of his junior year, there weren’t many classes left. Su Mu mainly practiced piano at home for the competition, only occasionally coming to school when needed.
Though the Su residence wasn’t really his home anymore – he wouldn’t be able to stay there much longer.
“I don’t want either,” Su Mu pouted.
Chu Hanting laughed, “Then where do you want to go?”
“Let’s eat,” Su Mu’s eyes sparkled as he looked at him, clearly expecting Chu Hanting to join.
Chu Hanting uncomfortably looked away, but still felt the burning gaze fixed on him.
He wanted to refuse – every minute of his time was precious, and spending too much time on one person meant losing deals worth hundreds of millions.
But facing Su Mu’s clear, bright eyes that reflected only his image, the words of rejection caught in his throat.
Fine, just this once. He’d need to make things clear with Su Mu later that they were just putting on a show for their elders, not actually dating.
He sighed, “Alright, my treat.”
“No. Join me.” Su Mu firmly corrected.
Chu Hanting could accept anywhere – whether an upscale Western restaurant with wine and foie gras, or a Chinese restaurant with imperial cuisine.
However, when Su Mu led him to “First Cafeteria,” Chu Hanting rarely found himself questioning life.
He awkwardly said, “Su Mu, you want to take me to the school cafeteria?”
“Mm-hmm,” Su Mu nodded obediently, tugging on Chu Hanting’s sleeve and pulling him inside.
The cafeteria contractor, chosen from many bidders, proved their worth. The place was spotlessly clean, without the usual greasy smell – instead, the appetizing aromas of various dishes filled the air.
Two handsome men in the cafeteria naturally drew attention. Su Mu wore casual clothes but had an exceptional face.
Chu Hanting, even more so – a mature man in a suit suddenly appearing on campus caused squeals from hormone-filled female students.
Su Mu pulled him to line up properly. Girls behind them giggled behind their hands, while male students glared resentfully at these two who had captured all female attention.
When it was Su Mu’s turn, he ordered potatoes, braised chicken chunks, and celery. Chu Hanting lazily pointed at a few dishes without speaking.
The cafeteria lady had never seen such behavior. Even the most troublesome students would sweetly say “Auntie, steady hands” when getting food.
But when this man waved his hand, she somehow felt like a court official being directed by an emperor.
Zhang Gong’s sudden entrance cut short Su Mu’s enjoyment of watching how a high-powered CEO would handle cafeteria food.
The cafeteria lady’s hands were miraculously steady as she heaped enormous portions onto Chu Hanting’s tray, not spilling a drop, making other students watch enviously.
When Chu Hanting received his tray, it was heavy with each compartment piled high like little mountains.
They found a clean, spacious spot by the window. As soon as they sat down, Su Mu couldn’t help laughing at Chu Hanting’s mountain of food.
He gave a thumbs up. “Just by showing up, you’ve cured the cafeteria lady’s Parkinson’s. Impressive.”
Chu Hanting looked at his overflowing tray speechlessly, unsure where to begin.
“Su Mu, you bullied Lin Xiang, didn’t you?”
The sudden loud voice called out Su Mu’s name from afar.
Zhang Gong swaggered over with his gang. Other students quickly moved away as the delinquent-looking group entered, though they watched curiously from a safe distance.
“Isn’t that the gang leader from the vocational school next door?”
“Shh, keep it down. You know them?”
“I’ve heard of them. Apparently Zhang Gong has a crush on our school’s beauty and keeps making a show of pursuing her.”
“Who’s our school beauty?”
“You don’t know? It’s Lin Xiang from the directing department. I heard she has a crush on someone from our school. Word is she was seen crying and running away today after being rejected.”
The boys watched excitedly while the girls looked worriedly at Su Mu’s group.
Zhang Gong studied martial arts at the vocational school and was known for starting fights with his gang to show off. Somehow he always escaped serious punishment, getting off with just written apologies and public readings.
With his dyed yellow hair, brass rings, and upturned brows, Zhang Gong had an intimidating presence.
He aggressively approached and surrounded them, speaking in a thuggish tone, “Which one of you is Su Mu?”
Zhang Gong sized them up, figuring Su Mu was the one in the wool sweater and vest, but unsure about the man in the expensive suit and shoes. Since they were sitting together, he wasn’t sure if this other man would get involved.
His instincts told him the man in the suit was not someone to mess with.
Chu Hanting watched silently, curious to see how Su Mu would handle this.
Su Mu deliberately wiped his mouth with a napkin before slowly turning to face the group.
Though he didn’t recognize them, he could see the anger in their eyes and their apparent desire to fight.
Clearly here to cause trouble.
But why now of all times? After not appreciating when Chu Hanting eagerly sought him out before, now when he’d finally managed to get a meal with him – not even knowing if there’d be a next time – they were being interrupted.
“This better be important. Speak.”
Su Mu’s icy tone landed like a bomb in a lake, creating explosive ripples.
Zhang Gong and his followers were bewildered.
This wasn’t going according to plan. The normal reaction was like the other students keeping their distance.
At minimum, they expected a nervous “What do you want?”
Instead, they somehow felt like they were the ones being humiliated. How had their attempt to cause trouble turned into them being questioned?
Chu Hanting chuckled, his lips curving up in amusement.
He wanted to see if Su Mu was a house cat pretending to be a tiger, or a fanged Siberian battle cat.
Zhang Gong gritted his teeth, laughing in anger. He’d come to avenge his crying goddess, but now, beyond Lin Xiang’s situation, he wanted to punch this guy just for his attitude.
That casual arrogance in front of him – if he didn’t teach him a lesson, he wouldn’t be Zhang Gong.