I'm Just Getting Your Luck - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Tableware For Two

Yu Chaonan’s birthday was coming up, so Yingyu needed to make a reservation at a restaurant.

Monsters can eat raw meat once they return to their original forms, but if they eat it while human, it can cause stomachaches.

Japanese cuisine was well-balanced and unfamiliar to Yingyu, who had only been exposed to it briefly.

Yu Chaonan mentioned wanting to dine at the place he saw the Jin Cheng Landmark Tower “fly.” Yingyu looked it up and found only one Japanese restaurant in the tower—Tenglan.

She called, but they only accepted bookings through referrals from regular patrons.

With no other options, Yingyu turned to the wealthy He Xini, even offering a chocolate ice cream as a bribe.

“Assistant, have you been to Tenglan, the restaurant across from the Twin Flying Towers?”

He Xini, who was busy arranging Zhou Chenyi’s business trip tickets, brought her a drink and replied, “Yeah, I’ve been there. The food’s decent. Want to go?”

“I want to invite someone for dinner. Can you help me book?”

Yingyu was hesitant about spending so much on a fancy hotel—really, it was quite pricey and intimidating. But since Yu Chaonan requested it, she tried to accommodate.

He Xini cheerfully said, “No problem, when?”

“For two, next Thursday. That’s the only time we’re free.”

“You’ll probably be paying most of your salary for it,” He Xini teased while proceeding to make the reservation. Half-jokingly, he added, “Who could possibly make little Yingyu go through so much trouble?”

“A friend. It’s his birthday.”

The restaurant was known for strict etiquette, and the best seats were by the glass window in the middle—two seats side by side.

Too intimate.

Yingyu told He Xini, “Book the furthest seats apart. We definitely won’t sit together!”

After wrapping up a big project, Yingyu hummed a tune as she left. He Xini thought how strange this all was—everyone knew Zhou’s birthday was at the end of the month, and that he’d be traveling on business during that time. Yingyu specifically chose the last day before his trip!

He Xini suddenly changed his mind: he’d order the double seat, a couple’s package with just one spoon.

—

The restaurant was bustling after work hours.

Zhou Chenyi calmly put his hand in his pocket and followed Yingyu. A yellow dinosaur keychain in her backpack got stuck between the bag and her clothes. Zhou Chenyi gently freed the toy.

Yingyu noticed and looked back, puzzled. Zhou Chenyi raised his eyebrows and asked, “Going home together?”

“No, I’m taking the tram.” Suddenly recalling something, Yingyu asked, “Did you see the wooden carving I left at home? The little policeman figure. I clearly put it on the second-floor windowsill but now it’s gone.”

Before the wood carving arrived, Zhou Chenyi touched his nose. “No, maybe Zhou Fan took it. Are you in a hurry to find it?”

Seeing the damaged carving always reminded her of her family’s past.

“No.” Yingyu shook her head.

Behind them, a group of men and women heading to dinner whispered among themselves.

Zhou Chenyi glanced over.

The leading young man asked, “Mr. Zhou, still working?”

“Waiting for the driver.”

“Mr. Zhou, you work hard! Goodbye!”

The driver arrived, Zhou Chenyi got on first, Yingyu followed.

“Where’s your little eDonkey?” Zhou Chenyi raised an eyebrow.

“Flat tire.”

This never happened before. Yingyu gave him a resentful look. Zhou Chenyi silently meant, “Not my fault.”

“…I didn’t poke your tire.”

After dinner, Yingyu glanced at her phone while eating. Zhou Chenyi peeked over and saw she was watching “The Way to Make Money,” even bookmarking videos and earnestly asking questions in the comments.

“This looks reliable.” Zhou Chenyi said after listening a while. Even if he couldn’t make money selling grilled sausages on the street, at least it would prevent hunger. Three meals guaranteed.

Yingyu shot him a fierce glare.

“Is your salary not enough? Your internship should be ending soon.”

“I had a big payout all at once and need a temporary transition.”

Yingyu felt the video’s advice wasn’t very trustworthy. Being a police officer, she often saw fights at street stalls and rarely made any money, sometimes even losing it.

“I think making wood carvings suits you. Live streaming and video recording are popular now. You could try it.”

Passing by Yingyu’s room, Zhou Chenyi noticed wood carvings scattered everywhere, even filling a suitcase. To keep Zhou Fan from meddling, Zhou Chenyi bought a glass cabinet to store them.

The food in the human world was so good. If she earned more, she could visit the demon world occasionally without relying on others, like Brother Ma.

Yingyu was touched. Zhou Chenyi picked up a piece of rice cake gracefully and said, “Do you know how to operate the streaming platform?”

“I do.”

Zhou Chenyi smiled. Within minutes, Yingyu came down and called him, “Zhou Chenyi, are you free?”

Yingyu rarely used social media, mostly just WeChat. She spent much time making wood carvings but wasn’t very familiar with live streaming.

She was curious but nervous, unsure what to say on camera.

Zhou Chenyi patiently showed her how to set up an account. When the platform auto-suggested accounts to follow, he advised canceling it to avoid future complications.

Yingyu nodded seriously and followed the steps. When choosing an avatar, she hesitated.

“Hold still.”

Zhou Chenyi held up a large carved tree he made.

“What are you doing?”

“Look at me.” Zhou Chenyi, unfamiliar with photography, took a random picture and thought the indoor lighting made it look good.

The tree was painted red with black leaves, giving it an artistic vibe. Only half of Yingyu’s face and her golden hair were visible.

“Let’s start.”

The live stream began. Yingyu briefly introduced her work—a large rectangular wood carving. She drew a villain figure, leaving a big empty space on one side.

Her workbench held many carving knives. Zhou Chenyi didn’t know their names but saw how precious they were to her.

“The most common carving knife is this one, also called a universal knife.”

“This handle shaped like a leaf is a trimming knife.”

“These two, round-mouth and flat-mouth knives, I don’t have yet.”

“You don’t need too many knives, only a few basics. But I can’t stop buying; they’re heavy when moving.”

When she first started the channel, a few viewers came by. Yingyu focused on carving and spoke occasionally. The camera mainly showed her hands working on the wood.

Though the room had lights, Yingyu also turned on a small bright desk lamp over her workspace.

Dressed in a loose black-and-white striped autumn top, she rolled up her sleeves, revealing part of her wrist.

When focused, she clenched her chin and worked hard, but her voice was gentle—different from how she usually spoke to Zhou Chenyi, where she’d poke him and argue back.

Her live stream fans were more polite.

Zhou Chenyi watched for a while until Yingyu suddenly called out, “That—”

“Huh?”

She turned around wearing gloves and looked at him for help, avoiding calling his name during the stream.

“Is that my name?” Zhou Chenyi walked over quietly, “What’s wrong?”

“Can you tie my hair up? It’s hot.”

Her hair was tangled in her clothes, and she was moving around a lot, sweating at the neck.

There were leather bands everywhere. Zhou Chenyi grabbed one, tied her hair twice, and succeeded.

He stroked her hair with satisfaction, then pulled it down again.

“?”

“Trying my best.”

Zhou Chenyi noticed how much hair had fallen out. “How did you lose so much?”

She said, “I shed a lot when it’s hot.”

Yingyu didn’t want to explain, “Don’t talk, privacy.”

Thoughts rushed through Zhou Chenyi’s mind, but before he could speak, the doorbell rang.

The butler arrived with a late package.

Zhou Chenyi opened the door to see familiar faces.

“Grandpa, grandma, why are you here?!” Zhou Chenyi said loudly. He hid Yingyu’s bag in the cabinet, trying to buy time for her to close the door.

“Lower your voice, don’t disturb the neighbors,” Grandma scolded and nudged him inside.

Zhou Chenyi glanced around, alarmed. Traces of Yingyu’s presence were everywhere—water glasses on the table, clothes on the balcony, a red bow on a tree, and unfinished potato chips.

Grandpa Zhou was unhappy, tapping his cane, “What’s going on? We came, but you didn’t let me in and stopped Grandma too.”

“No, the place is messy. I tidied it up.”

Zhou Chenyi couldn’t stop people or dogs. Yuanbao, the husky, happily ran inside to eat leftovers on the plate.

“Yuanbao, that’s not for eating.”

The grandparents took advantage and walked in while chatting.

They noticed the two-person tableware on the dining table. Zhou Chenyi quickly said, “Jiang Jiuji just came over for dinner.”

“Xiaojiang took me for a hospital check-up last time. He’s a good boy.” Grandma saw the pink cat-shaped water glass and asked, “Is this for Xiaojiang too?”

“Yes, he’s older now and likes these a lot,” Zhou Chenyi joked about his friend’s changing tastes, showing Grandma Jiang Jiuji’s skirts and small bags on the balcony.

“Good for him… Just be happy.”

“No other kids can take care of him.” Grandma looked at Zhou Chenyi with mixed feelings.

Zhou Chenyi nodded, and Yu Guang pulled Zhou Chuanfu downstairs quickly. “Use the stairs on the second floor; it’s better for your knees. Sit on the first floor.”

“Ouch.” Grandpa Zhou stood up, picking a crystal hairpin tangled in his pants, diamond wrapped with yellow hair. “What’s this?”

“A decoration I bought for Yuanbao,” Zhou Chenyi said, grabbing it and calling the dog’s name.

Yuanbao barked, footsteps raced upstairs.

Yingyu ran down panicked, followed by the dog.

“Help Zhou Chenyi! The dogs can open the door!”

Yingyu jumped into Zhou Chenyi’s arms, burying her head in his shoulder and holding his waist tightly.

Under the gaze of the elders, Zhou Chenyi blushed deeply.