Chapter 1: Long Time No See
Story: Deliberate Entrapment Author:Velvet Verity Novels words:6626 Update time:2023-07-11 13:37:06
It was already mid-March, and the nights in Yangcheng had become a bit sultry. Standing in front of the zebra crossing, Cen Sidu wiped off the sweat that had trickled down to his chin as he waited for the green light to come on.
The order for tonight's delivery is in the villa area located in the south of the city.
On the other side of the villa area, it was his first time going over there.
Because the hot pot restaurant where he works is located on the food street in the western part of the city.
It's at least a one-hour car ride from the west side of the city to the south side, not to mention the fact that he's riding an electric scooter.
Although the distance was indeed far, Cen Si du was actually a little bit happy.
In case, if the customer is generous, there might be a significant tip for reward.
Zhao Jianjun, who was delivering food with him, was complaining unhappily, "What kind of rich people are these! They could just order abalone and bird's nest! Why did they have to order hotpot from our restaurant, which is so far away? It takes two or three hours to ride an electric scooter back and forth, and that hinders me from accepting other orders! This is ridiculous!"
Cen Sidu pursed his lips, understanding the meaning behind his words. He turned his head and said, "Brother Jun, I'll take care of the collection myself tomorrow."
Upon hearing Cen Sidu's words, Zhao Jianjun's face immediately changed. He smirked and said, "Little Cen, how can that be? With so many things, how can I let you handle it all alone?"
"No need, I can handle it on my own."
Seeing Cen Si Du's insistence, Zhao Jianjun didn't stand on ceremony either and quickly smiled and said, "Alright! Alright!"
As soon as the words fell, the green light lit up, and Cen Sidu rode his bike forward without saying another word.
The villa area in the southern part of the city is different from all the places Bing Sifu has visited before. Here, everywhere exudes the atmosphere and style of wealthy people.
Rows upon rows of villas, not only occupying vast amounts of land, but also having great distances between them.
In short, the place he lived in was completely different here.
After arriving at their destination, he parked the car by the roadside and walked up to press the doorbell.
The person inside the house quickly opened the door. Cen Sidu looked up and saw that it was a auntie wearing an apron who came out.
She first stood at the door and glanced over here before walking across the grass in front of the door to come over and open it for them.
"We are delivery drivers from a hot pot restaurant, here to deliver the order," Zhao Jianjun explained to the other party, sounding quite polite in both tone and attitude.
Auntie glanced at the delivery uniforms they were wearing, without much suspicion, and nodded, "Alright, come in with me."
Cen Sidu turned around and went to fetch the takeout box from the car. After picking up the box, he followed Auntie into the house.
Inside the villa, it was very noisy. There were a bunch of young men and women, holding wine glasses in their hands, sitting or standing, talking and laughing.
Cen Sidu didn't dare to look around. He kept his head down the whole way as Auntie led him deeper inside.
After walking to the edge of the dining table, the aunt pointed to the clean and tidy surface, saying, "Just put the stuff here."
"Okay." Cen Sidu nodded, placing the takeout box down. First, he used disinfectant spray to sanitize his hands, then he put on disposable gloves and a mask.
Zhao Jianjun arranged things on the table while looking around. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow! The place where rich people live is really different! Look at this chandelier! These table and chairs! How much money must they have cost?"
In order to prevent Zhao Jianjun from saying anything offensive that others might hear, Cen Siju simply kept his head down and shuffled things around on the table, without responding to his words.
Zhao Jianjun glanced at the busy and stooped Cen Sidu, knowing that he not only lacked courage and was afraid of trouble, but also disliked speaking. He thought to himself, he really is a taciturn person, never liking to talk no matter where he is.
Cen Sidu just wanted to quickly finish up and leave so he could take other delivery orders. Therefore, when a man stood behind him, staring at his back for a long time, he didn't notice.
Until the man called out his name, he paused for a moment and then stood up straight, turning to see who was calling him.
"Steward? Is that really you?" The man wore a black shirt with rolled up sleeves, revealing his strong and muscular arms.
On his finely carved face, a hint of overwhelming surprise painted a grateful smile.
The unfamiliar smile made Cen Si Du furrow his brow.
Memories surged in his mind, and in an instant, the face of someone he had seen at a certain point in time overlapped greatly. He stammered, his lips trembling, and uttered the person's name, "Huo Chuan?"
"Do you still remember me?" Huo Chuan approached with a smile, placing the glass of champagne in his hand on the table, and reaching out his right hand towards him. "Old classmate, long time no see."
Cen Sidu saw his smile and blushed inadvertently. He took off his disposable gloves, shook hands with him, and stuttered, "Long time... no see."
The temperature transmitted by the hand gradually became scorching hot, spreading slowly and searing his cheeks as well.
He blinked his dry eyes, but his eye sockets suddenly became moist. Sensing something unusual, he quickly withdrew his hand and shifted his gaze away from his delicate and handsome facial features.
After so many years, the youthful aura that once emanated from Huo Chuan has long faded away, replaced instead by the charm expected of a mature man.
Huochuan always had a friendly smile on his face. However, when he noticed Cen Sidu shifting his gaze away, the smile on his face faded slightly. And when he saw a dumbfounded man standing behind Cen Sidu, his smile completely vanished.
When Zhao Jianjun heard this man called Huo Chuan, he knew that he must be the Mr. Huo mentioned by the security guards. He quickly took off his gloves and attempted to shake hands with him, immediately smearing a flattering smile on his face. "Ah! So you're Mr. Huo? Do you know our little Cen? Are you old friends? Look at this fate, what a coincidence!"
Huochuan furrowed his brows in dissatisfaction, his attention fully focused on Cen Sidu. He completely ignored Zhao Jianjun's outstretched hand. He only caught the crucial point and murmured in confusion, "Our... Xiao Cen?"
"I... I and Junge... are colleagues in a hotpot restaurant," Cen Sidu nervously explained, pinching the corner of his clothes, sweat dripping down his forehead, his voice weak.
"Oh, I see." Huo Chuan nodded, somewhat inattentively, before immediately changing the subject. "It's my birthday today, and I didn't expect to run into you like this. Since you're here, why don't you stay and celebrate my birthday with me?"
"Your birthday?"
"Yeah, it's been so many years since we last met. You've even forgotten when my birthday is, right?"
Huo Chuan stared at him, noticing the blush that had spread across his earlobes due to shyness. He discovered that this captivating shade of pink had extended from beneath the collar of his unattractive takeaway uniform.
At this moment, Cen Sidu racked his brains, trying to find reasons to refuse Huo Chuan.
When old classmates reunite after a long separation, what Cen Sidu felt was not joy, but rather a sense of awkwardness and helplessness, as if being at a loss for words.
However, what he showed was just standing there blankly, without saying a word or making any movement.
Huochuan was about to speak when someone next to him called him over.
Impatiently waving his hand, he indicated that he was not available. Then, his gaze returned to Cen Sidu and he asked, "This is the debt you owed me thirteen years ago, right? You wouldn't happen to have not paid it back, would you?"