Stealing The Wind But Not The Moon [Completed]

125. I See You Have Discovered My Secret.

After concluding the call, Shen Ruozhen changed his attire and stepped out of the apartment. He had been cooped up indoors for the past two to three days, and the glistening sunlight momentarily blinded him as he emerged from Bomanjia's building.

He strolled down the street, turned into an adjacent road, and entered a restaurant. As it was outside of business hours, the establishment was devoid of customers. Thankfully, the manager recognized him and warmly greeted him as "Mr. Chu."

Shen Ruozhen chose a seat by the window, allowing him to observe the busy flow of cars on the street outside. At this particular hour, the traffic was congested. When the Chu family's vehicle slowly approached, he motioned for two cups of coffee.

Mrs. Chu arrived alone, still immaculately dressed and with neatly combed hair. However, upon closer inspection, one could discern a slight puffiness in her eyelids, and her makeup couldn't entirely conceal her weary countenance.

Shen Ruozhen rose from his chair and awaited Mrs. Chu's approach, the two of them now facing each other. In just three days, his emotions and circumstances had undergone a complete transformation.

The waiter served them two glasses of fragrant Yirgacheffe coffee. Mrs. Chu took her seat and surveyed the restaurant, asking, "Why did you choose this place?"

Shen Ruozhen responded, "This restaurant is owned by Qian Hua."

Mrs. Chu gave a soft "oh" in acknowledgment.

Qian Hua was Chu Zhichen's close friend, a person who had accompanied him on numerous ventures both domestically and internationally. She had scolded and persuaded them countless times, but the two spendthrift sons couldn't be easily parted. The toll it took on her heart was immense.

Taking a sip of her slightly sour coffee, Mrs. Chu mused, "Since Qian Hua is the owner, it's no wonder he brought you here for a meal."

Shen Ruozhen had visited the restaurant two or three times before, each visit engraved in his memory. He recounted, "The first time I came here was during the trial period, and I met the owner of the yacht company who wanted Qian Hua to stir up trouble. Because I knew that Chu Zhichen hadn't been rescued, I grew suspicious and decided to investigate the incident."

Upon hearing the name "Chu Zhichen," sadness washed over Mrs. Chu's face. Though she may not have grasped the full picture of the investigation, she couldn't help but ask about irrelevant details, "What delicious dishes did Qian Hua prepare for us?"

The meal had been lavish, and Shen Ruozhen answered, "We had roast beef, and it was a sizable portion."

Mrs. Chu nodded knowingly, remarking, "Xiaochen always loved beef."

Shen Ruozhen interlaced his fingers, conscious of the fact that he had intruded not only upon Chu Zhichen's familial bonds but also upon his friendships. Qian Hua had always regarded him as a dear friend, yet he now had no recollection of their bond.

Mrs. Chu didn't complete her sentence, saying, "But you don't enjoy beef or lamb, and you avoid anything with a strong flavor. Grilled or fried foods aren't to your liking. You follow a vegetarian diet for four days a week, and you always drink hot coffee regardless of the season."

Shen Ruozhen sighed, "Yes."

"Clothing should be loose-fitting, comfortable rather than extravagant," Mrs. Chu continued. "The measurements you provided to Aunt Tang were incredibly detailed. It's evident that you're accustomed to wearing suits."

Aunt Tang and Sister Xiu took care of his food and clothing needs, and Shen Ruozhen admitted, "So you found out."

Mrs. Chu remarked, "You've grown three centimeters taller; how could it be a lie? When I look up at you, I can sense it. You stand tall and straight, whereas Xiao Chen could never maintain such posture."