"Shen Lang, thank you for helping me today. This cup is for you."
In less than twenty minutes, Chu Ge and Shen Lang's roasted lamb was served by the waiter, along with a jar of sheep's milk wine.
Chu Ge poured wine for herself and Shen Lang, then raised her cup to thank him.
"It was just a small matter, nothing to mention. However, I accept your toast."
Shen Lang smiled, picked up his wine cup, clinked it with Chu Ge's, and said, "I also didn't expect Zhao Shengtian to collude with the Killing Dao Society, so this was a stroke of luck."
"Regardless, you saved me from the tragedy of a forced marriage with Zhao Shengtian, and for that, I must thank you."
Chu Ge said with a gentle smile.
"Cheers!"
With that, Chu Ge drained her cup, not leaving a drop.
Seeing Chu Ge's hearty drink, Shen Lang followed suit and finished his wine.
As Shen Lang put down his cup, Chu Ge had already picked up a carving knife and sliced off a golden-brown leg of lamb, placing it on Shen Lang's plate: "Shen Lang, try this."
"Thank you."
Shen Lang picked up his knife, cut a piece of meat from the lamb leg, and slowly put it into his mouth.
"Chu Ge, this lamb clearly grazed on grass; there's no feedlot taste. It's fresh, tender, and perfectly roasted."
Shen Lang had eaten many delicious things over the years, so with just one bite, he recognized the unique quality of the roasted lamb.
"If you like it, eat more."
Chu Ge smiled upon hearing this and said, "You're quite tall; you must have a big appetite, right?"
"My appetite is manageable. However, finishing this whole roasted lamb with you doesn't seem like a problem for me."
Shen Lang's childhood experiences of hunger made him resolute about finishing any food given to him, never wasting a single grain.
"Good, then let's both eat heartily."
Chu Ge rarely sat down to eat so casually with anyone, not even her closest friends. Thus, a rare, bright smile bloomed on her face.
"Chu Ge, your smile is beautiful. You should smile more."
Looking at Chu Ge's smile, as radiant as the golden sunlight, Shen Lang was momentarily stunned and said.
"Is that so?"
Chu Ge smiled and replied, "In that case, I'll smile more from now on, but only for you."
"Alright, I'll remember you said that."
Shen Lang stated, "I'm a very serious person. If you go back on your word, there will be consequences."
"What kind of consequences? Spanking?"
Chu Ge asked playfully, a hint of mischief in her tone.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Chu Ge's words made Shen Lang cough repeatedly. He looked at her in shock and asked, "Who taught you that?"
Chu Ge's personality was different from others. She was usually cold and rarely smiled. This sudden playful remark caught Shen Lang completely off guard.
"What… you don't like it?"
Chu Ge looked at Shen Lang, her large, dark, bright eyes blinking.
"Haha, how could I not like it? I like it very much."
Shen Lang looked at Chu Ge, his smile growing wider. "Then I'll remember your words. If I see you not smiling in the future, I'll punish you like this again."
"Shen Lang, you are truly something. You always seem so upright, yet you're a rake who was easily revealed with a simple probe."
Chu Ge gave Shen Lang a sidelong glance.
"Testing me? Chu Ge, that's not fair! What gentleman could withstand such a test?"
Shen Lang retorted, "What you did is called fishing, and it's not a good thing."
"That's because you're bad. Your true nature was exposed with just a few words."
Chu Ge looked at Shen Lang and asked, "Has your wife, Wang Yuyan, seen this side of you where your true nature is revealed?"
"Absolutely not. I can't let her see it, or it would ruin the image I have in her mind."
Shen Lang said, "It's just the two of us here today, so you must keep this a secret."
"You rascal, you have no sense of propriety."
Chu Ge looked at Shen Lang and sighed, "Sometimes, I truly don't know if it's this carefree, flippant you, or the decisive, ruthless you."
"Heh…"
Shen Lang heard Chu Ge's words and looked at her. "Both the ruthless and the carefree are me, but it depends on who I'm dealing with."
"Then what do you consider me to be?"
Chu Ge asked with great interest, "In your heart, am I still the Chu Ge who begged with you?"
"Alas…"
Shen Lang sighed deeply upon hearing this. "The world changes, and the seas shift. That Chu Ge has long since vanished into the river of time. I know I will never see her again in this life."
"You are her, but you are not her. So, sometimes, I don't know what I consider you to be."
"However, one thing I am sure of is that every time I see you, my heart feels happy."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Chu Ge smiled. "I understand, so I don't blame you. When I remember the past, I'll settle accounts with you then."
Speaking of which, Chu Ge looked at Shen Lang and said, "You're a skilled doctor, aren't you? Can you help me figure out why I can't remember anything about my past?"
"According to what you said, I was at least nine years old then. I shouldn't have forgotten everything about that period."
"Hmm?"
Hearing Chu Ge's words, Shen Lang also became curious. "You want me to examine you?"
"Yes, can you?"
Chu Ge looked at Shen Lang and asked.
"Of course."
Shen Lang replied, "I'll examine you after we finish eating. Don't worry, with my medical skills, I'll definitely find out. If there's a problem, I'll cure you."
"Thank you!"
Chu Ge said, "Actually, besides wanting to know about our past, I also want to know why my parents hated me so much. As far as I can remember, they were never kind to me."
"Alright, I'll help you."
Shen Lang looked at Chu Ge and smiled. "Trust me, I can definitely do it."
"Shen Lang…"
Chu Ge looked at Shen Lang, wanting to say something, but hesitated.
Just as Shen Lang was about to ask, his eyelids twitched. A sense of unease emanated from his right side, spreading throughout his body, sending a shiver down his spine.
This was the first time Shen Lang had felt such a profound sense of unease, so he instinctively activated his Chong Tong (Double Pupil Technique).
As Shen Lang turned his head to the right, he saw a bullet, carrying a fierce killing intent, speeding towards him.
This was no ordinary bullet. It was a type of bullet Shen Lang had never seen before. It was as thick as an adult's thumb and as long as a middle finger, glowing a searing red. Even Shen Lang, who feared nothing, felt a threat of death.