Chapter 46: The Computer Selection Competition (Part Two)

“My dear senior, you’re too polite. Let’s skip the meal, shall we? We’re just helping each other out, there’s really no need to be so formal.” I secretly wiped the sweat from my palms; honestly, at this point, I was already spoken for. If Su Xin caught me dining with this gorgeous lady, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Fu Ming seemed about to protest when I spotted a middle-aged man approaching us. Wasn’t this Uncle Chu whom I’d met at Su Xin’s house last time? I quickly plastered on a smile. “Hello, Uncle Chu! What a surprise to see you serving as a judge here as well.” Seeing that I had company, Fu Ming bid me farewell and took her leave.

Chu Zhengsheng nodded at me with satisfaction and praised, “Haha, you really are a genius, aren’t you? I, old Chu, have great faith in your computer talents. So, when do you have time to visit my company? Oh, and how’s that SX software coming along? I’m still waiting to buy it.” As he spoke, he suddenly leaned in with a mischievous grin and whispered, “By the way, that girl in your painting is quite the beauty, isn’t she? You’ve got some real game, kid—coming up with a stunt like that. I have to say, I admire your boldness!”

“Oh, it was nothing, really, just a spur-of-the-moment idea,” I replied, feeling a little embarrassed. Honestly, I’d painted Chu Qitong just to mess with the little minx; there wasn’t even a hint of real affection involved.

“A sudden impulse, eh? I get it, I get it—that’s what they call love at first sight, haha! You know, fate really does work in strange ways. What do you say, want your uncle here to play matchmaker for you?” Chu Zhengsheng’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he rolled up his sleeves. I couldn’t help but ask, “Wait, Uncle, you know Chu Qitong?”

“Heh, kid, I don’t just know that beauty from your painting.” He pointed confidently to himself, a smug look on his face. “One day, you might just have to cozy up to me, you know.”

Cozy up to you? As if we’re even that close. Besides, I already sold the SX chat software to MicroSoft; there’s no way I’d need to curry favor with you anymore. I glanced at Chu Zhengsheng’s eager face, half-worried he was still after that software. But since he was Su Xin’s uncle, I decided to come clean. It was my software to sell, after all. He couldn’t really force me, could he? I shrugged, a little regretful, and said, “Sorry, Uncle Chu, but actually the SX software has already—”

“Dad! What are you doing flirting with that jerk? Are you two that close? Hmph! Get over here right now!” A sudden, angry cry rang out from nearby, cutting me off mid-sentence. I looked up to see none other than Chu Qitong herself, hands on her hips, looking ready to bite someone’s head off.

Chu Zhengsheng’s expression instantly turned stern. “What’s with the yelling? Can’t you see your old man is discussing business? It’s hardly proper for a young lady to shout like that!” At his words, Chu Qitong fell silent, pouting in obvious displeasure.

“Dad? You… you’re her father?” I stared in shock at Chu Zhengsheng, who was grinning from ear to ear. I inwardly cursed my own stupidity. Of course—his surname was Chu! Why hadn’t I realized it sooner? Apparently, the fiery-tempered princess was his daughter. It was hard to believe that such a gentle, amiable man could have such a tempestuous child. Truly, there’s always a counterbalance in nature… Only then did I recall that he’d been trying to set me up with his daughter, thinking I’d painted her out of admiration. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Like I’d ever fall for someone as willful and unreasonable as her! I’d sooner bang my head against the wall.

“Haha, kid, you’ve got your eyes on my daughter? Not bad, not bad, you’ve got taste!” Chu Zhengsheng fixed me with a look that made my skin crawl, as if he were sizing up his future son-in-law. I rushed to protest, “Wait, wait! Uncle Chu, you’ve misunderstood. Your daughter and I, we… um…”

“Oh come now, no need to explain. We men understand each other, don’t we?” He clapped me heartily on the back, clearly convinced he’d figured it all out. “You’re a rare talent, and I like you. I’m usually very strict about who my daughter befriends, but for you… Well, let’s just say you have my approval. Come, let me introduce you to the beautiful girl from your painting.” Evidently, he still had no idea about the feud between his daughter and me, assuming I’d used the computer to create that portrait because I fancied her. Embarrassed, I hurriedly made my excuses. “Haha, actually, Uncle Chu, I have something urgent to attend to. I’ll be going now!”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I bolted for the exit. Watching me vanish, Chu Zhengsheng couldn’t help but chuckle. “Ha, the kid’s shy after all. All bark, no bite, unlike me at his age… Tsk, not good enough.” Shaking his head with a look of disappointment, he walked over to Chu Qitong, who was still sulking and fiddling with her skirt. He laughed, “Tongtong, you don’t look angry at me, do you? So, how about it? That portrait—you looked just like a southern beauty, so lovely!”

“Dad! Don’t tease me!” Chu Qitong’s cheeks flushed even redder, and she scolded him, “What were you saying to that Xiao Qiang? Hmph, why are you even talking to someone like that? Even if he won first prize, there’s no reason for you to cozy up to him.”

“Hey now, why can’t I talk to him? I’m just looking out for you…” Chu Zhengsheng started to explain, wanting to say he was paving the way for her future, but then he paused, his eyes narrowing. “Wait—Xiao Qiang? You know him?”

“Know him? Of course I do! I’d recognize him even if he turned to ashes! That guy is my nemesis—I could eat him alive!” Chu Qitong glared furiously in the direction I’d fled, then turned back, puzzled. “Wait, Dad, you know him too?”

“Yes… I met him last time at Su Xin’s place, when he was working on computers…” At that, Chu Zhengsheng suddenly seemed to realize something, leaning in close to his daughter and asking nervously, “Tongtong, don’t tell me the person you cursed and raged about at home last time was… Xiao Qiang?”

“Who else could it have been! Hmph, so Su Xin’s been helping him behind my back all along. And to think I considered her my best friend! Traitor! I’m going to find her and set things straight!” Chu Qitong was beside herself with rage. She’d wanted to win a bet and make Su Xin stay away from me, but now it seemed I’d teamed up with Su Xin to get back at her. No wonder she was furious. “If she’s going to betray our friendship for his sake, then she can’t blame me for cutting ties!”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Chu Zhengsheng’s cheek. After all this, not only had he mistaken the identity of his future son-in-law, but he’d also managed to spark a storm among the girls. He shook his head ruefully, sighing inwardly—ah, these kids nowadays, there’s just no controlling them…