Chapter 14: Allow Me to Introduce Myself—My Name Is Shen Mo

“Of course. Who doesn’t like money?” Gu Luosheng thought Shen Mo really spoke without thinking.
“Only with money can you speak with confidence.”
The Shen family was affluent, and Shen Mo indeed found it hard to understand the hardships of being poor. He changed the subject and said, “The day before yesterday, we agreed to meet here, so why didn’t you show up yesterday?”
“I even waited here for quite a while.”
“Really?” Gu Luosheng looked skeptical, but still explained, “Something came up at home yesterday and I couldn’t get away, so I didn’t come out to set up my stall.”
“You really waited here for me?”
“Yes! I had nothing else to do in the evening anyway, so I waited for a bit.”
Her so-called “bit” was actually from six in the evening until eleven at night, though Gu Luosheng had no idea.
Shen Mo took out his phone to pay Gu Luosheng, then suggested, “How about this? Let’s add each other on WeChat. If I feel like having barbecue, I’ll ask you in advance if you’re setting up your stall.”
“Sure!” Gu Luosheng agreed without hesitation. After all, having a loyal customer was nothing but good news.
A glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Shen Mo’s eyes—he had finally gotten Gu Luosheng’s contact information.
After the two became WeChat friends, Gu Luosheng noticed Shen Mo’s username was simply “Mo,” and she asked, “By the way, I still don’t know your name!”
“Let’s do a proper introduction, then. I’m Shen Mo—‘Shen’ with the water radical.” He extended a hand towards her.
Gu Luosheng quickly changed his note in her phone, then slipped it back into her pocket. “No need for a handshake; my hands still smell of smoke and fire.”
Seeing her so earnest, Shen Mo swallowed the words “I don’t mind” that had risen to his lips.
Having spent so long by the grill, Gu Luosheng felt a little warm. She tugged at her collar, revealing a porcelain-white collarbone—though dotted with small red rashes.
Shen Mo’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Gu Luosheng, what happened here?”
Following the direction of his finger, Gu Luosheng noticed the rash on her collarbone. Fearing Shen Mo would misunderstand, she quickly explained, “Don’t get the wrong idea! It’s not some contagious disease.”
“I ate something bad yesterday and had an allergic reaction. I promise there’s nothing wrong with the barbecue.”
Gu Luosheng grew anxious. If this caused a misunderstanding, she’d be in trouble. If Shen Mo made a fuss, she might even have to compensate him!
“You’re having an allergic reaction?” Shen Mo immediately turned around and left, not pausing for a second.
“Hey!” Gu Luosheng was left speechless. Was Shen Mo really leaving just like that? Not even taking his barbecue?
She felt a pang of regret—she’d totally forgotten about the rash on her collarbone.
She finished grilling the skewers and sent a message to Shen Mo on WeChat: “Shen Mo, it really is just an allergy, not something contagious…”

“The skewers are ready, do you still want them?”
Just as Gu Luosheng finished typing and hit send, Shen Mo’s voice sounded behind her.
She turned and saw him holding out a bag. “This is medicine for allergies. Take it, it’ll help.”
“Huh?” Gu Luosheng was baffled, but took the bag instinctively.
Shen Mo picked up the barbecue she’d packed for him. “This is mine, right? I’m going to dig in.”
“Where did you get this medicine?” Gu Luosheng glanced at the bag; the medication was all new and unopened.
“I just bought it.”
Hearing that, Gu Luosheng quickly pulled out her phone. “Thank you! How much did you spend? I’ll transfer it to you.”
Shen Mo waved her off. “No need, it’s nothing.”
“Hey, your barbecue tastes great tonight!”
“I tried a new secret spice blend. Still, I should pay you for the medicine.”
“No need!” Shen Mo glanced at the time, pretending to be busy. “Oh, I’ve got something to do. I’ll head off first.”
Gu Luosheng couldn’t tell if Shen Mo really had something urgent or was just making an excuse, but his concern made her genuinely happy. She couldn’t help but think to herself how truly kind he was.
Meanwhile—
Shen Mo got into his car, out of Gu Luosheng’s line of sight, where Zhou Qiang had been waiting for some time. Zhou Qiang had expected instructions, but Shen Mo simply savored each skewer, eating them all before saying a word.
At last, Zhou Qiang couldn’t help but ask, “Sir, you were so eager to see Miss Gu, why did you come back so quickly?”
“Zhou Qiang, are you married?” Shen Mo didn’t answer but instead posed a question.
Zhou Qiang scratched his head. “Not yet, I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
“Exactly. You can’t rush things when pursuing a girl. At the very least, I can’t let her dislike me.”
After hearing this, Zhou Qiang couldn’t help but silently complain.
Really? Aren’t you single too? Why are you lecturing me?
Wait a minute!
The boss said he wants to pursue a girl?
The boss likes Gu Luosheng!

“Hiss…” Zhou Qiang sucked in a sharp breath. The man known as the cold-faced CEO of the Shen Group actually had someone who made his heart flutter!
“What’s with that reaction?” Shen Mo noticed Zhou Qiang’s eyes were as wide as saucers.
Zhou Qiang quickly schooled his expression and changed the subject. “Sir, these skewers…are they good?”
Shen Mo glanced at the empty skewers and nodded. “They’re quite delicious.”
Then something occurred to him. “Go on, you buy some more barbecue—two of each kind.”
“From which stall?” Zhou Qiang asked halfheartedly.
“Hmm?” The low, commanding note in Shen Mo’s voice snapped Zhou Qiang to attention. What a stupid question—
Obviously, the boss meant Gu Luosheng’s barbecue!
“Yes, sir, I’ll go right now!” Zhou Qiang pushed open the car door and strode off toward Gu Luosheng’s stall.
After Shen Mo left, the flow of customers at Gu Luosheng’s stall surged again. It had happened once before, and Gu Luosheng almost wondered if there was some mystical reason behind it. But more customers was always good news—she certainly didn’t mind.
By the time Zhou Qiang had bought the barbecue, twenty minutes had passed.
As Shen Mo ate the skewers Zhou Qiang had brought back, he kept glancing toward where Gu Luosheng stood.
Zhou Qiang fished a skewer from the bag, but Shen Mo shot him a displeased look. “Why are you eating my barbecue?”
“Sir, I bought these…”
“Doesn’t matter. If you want some, go buy your own!”
Fine, you’re the boss. I won’t argue.
Zhou Qiang could only swallow his grievances and wait quietly by the side.
And so the two of them watched Gu Luosheng until she finished packing up her stall.
“Sir, why do you think Miss Gu is out here selling barbecue? If she wanted to make money, why not work at the Gu Group?” Zhou Qiang finally voiced his curiosity.
Shen Mo realized he had a point and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “You’re right. Look into it later.”
Zhou Qiang: …
Great! If I’d known, I’d have kept my mouth shut. Now I’ve just given myself extra work!