ryethenovel Chapter 936: Xiao Chong Extra Story 25_2
Chapter 936: Xiao Chong Extra Story 25_2
He had absolutely not expected that the other party would actually be a minor who needed a guardian’s signature on the contract.
And as luck would have it, his real name turned out to be exactly the same as that of Xiao Chong of the Great Tang. He couldn’t help wondering whether his calligraphy and painting had started out by copying Prime Minister Xiao Chong’s works.
In any case, for someone so young to have such power in his brush, the boy in front of him was definitely a prodigy.
Lu Shouyue had seen plenty of calligraphy and painting; someone who could reach this level at Xiao Chong’s age, he’d only ever read of in history, never seen in modern times, so he inevitably grew curious.
Hence today’s meeting.
All along, the two sides had worked together smoothly.
This time, their cooperation had accumulated to a certain point, and they decided they wanted to sign Xiao Chong to a management contract; the exhibition to be held on Hong Kong Island was their company’s signing gift to him.
Xiao Chong also hadn’t expected the auction house boss he’d been working with to be so young; he’d assumed that a businessman capable of controlling such a large auction house would at least be middle-aged.
But the man in front of him looked at most like a recent college graduate.
And Xiao Chong had an excellent memory; he immediately recalled that this was the same person they had run into at Lu’s Museum back in his first year of high school.
His surname was Lu, he was this young, owned an auction house, and had appeared at Lu’s Museum—putting it all together, the other party clearly had deep ties with the Lu Family.
With that kind of background, it was no wonder that at this age he had such a career.
Just like the scions of great clans in the Great Tang, born right in Chang’an, naturally one step ahead of everyone else.
The starting line of an aristocratic house might be the finish line a commoner chases for a lifetime.
As soon as they met and exchanged a few words—about calligraphy and painting, antiques, then music—their views as "heroes" were strikingly similar, and they found they had plenty in common.
Though there was a seven-year age gap, Xiao Chong’s conversation showed none of a high schooler’s greenness; Lu Shouyue even felt the other had quite a bit of seasoned air about him.
The back-and-forth between them turned out to be evenly matched.
It had been a long time since Lu Shouyue had met someone this interesting; when dinner time came he immediately invited Xiao Chong to continue the session: "Free tonight? I’ll take you to eat the best food in all Huaxia."
At the mention of good food, Xiao Chong was naturally tempted.
If someone else had said that, Xiao Chong might have doubted it, but coming from Lu Shouyue, he was truly looking forward to it.
From his perspective, Lu Shouyue was not the type to brag carelessly. And as a modern scion of a prominent family, his experience was not something ordinary people could compare to.
So he happily agreed, saying, "It would be discourteous to decline."
The place Lu Shouyue took Xiao Chong to was none other than Jie Yuting’s private restaurant, which had only just opened; Lu Shouyue himself had invested a sum of money in it.
"Don’t let the size of the place fool you—the food is absolutely top-notch."
"Oh? Really? Then I’ll have to give it a proper try."
"Can you drink? Boss Jie’s home-brewed liquor is excellent too, hasn’t even gone on sale yet." Lu Shouyue shook the small bottle of liquor in his hand.
He truly felt that he and Xiao Chong hit it off—tastes and opinions in all sorts of areas were uncannily aligned—so he was willing to part with his good wine.
Fine wine, like a fine beauty, needs to be appreciated together.
Xiao Chong smiled broadly. "Of course. How can fine dishes go without wine? Please."
"The beef brisket for this slow-roast was air-freighted in just this morning. These cattle grow up on the ranch listening to music and bathing in sunshine; the meat is wonderfully springy. Try it."
"Mm, this is indeed good." Xiao Chong gave it a thumbs-up; this brisket actually had a faint taste reminiscent of Great Tang beef.
Although modern times had a greater variety of ingredients, in terms of refinement—be it seafood or mountain delicacies—they were still slightly inferior to those of the Great Tang. This was the first time since coming here that Xiao Chong had tasted that long-lost feeling.
However, while ingredients had been better in the Great Tang, when it came to cooking techniques, Xiao Chong had to admit that even the Imperial Doctor in the Great Tang palace kitchen was three points inferior to Jie Yuting.
By the end of the dinner, both sides had formed an initial judgment of the other, and reached the same conclusion: this was someone worth calling a kindred spirit.
By the time the wine was half drunk, they were in high spirits, and had gone from sitting opposite each other to sitting side by side, arms slung over shoulders, drinking and singing.
If it weren’t for the fact that sworn brotherhoods weren’t really in vogue in modern society, Xiao Chong would definitely have wanted to swear brotherhood with Lu Shouyue as a brother in all but blood.
Since crossing into the modern world thirteen years ago, this was the first time Xiao Chong had met someone he clicked with so well—it was just like back when he first met Prince Bin (Ma Zhou’s courtesy name).
For Lu Shouyue too, it was the first time he’d felt that "High Mountain and Flowing Water, a soulmate is found" sensation. So this was what they meant by having the same "scent."
By the time they parted ways, they already appreciated each other so much it felt like a shame to separate.
Lu Shouyue called his driver over, insisting on personally seeing Xiao Chong home.