Chapter 195: A Slap

"Don't be angry, the plump girl isn't your fault."

Lu Cheng squeezed himself into the middle, two on the left, two on the right.

"My mother says it well: a plump woman brings prosperity to her husband and home. She also says that men with taste all like fleshy women. She further says that a good woman with a bit of flesh will see her days rise steadily."

The plump girl lowered her head, so happy she didn't even know what to say; it was the first time she felt confident inside.

"Actually, I want to lose weight."

"Hey, how could you lose weight! The reason I can spot you in a sea of people is because you have distinctive looks."

"If you slim down, you'll blend in with everyone, and then what's the difference from ordinary people!"

The three women beside them giggled, whispering to each other.

"This person really has a sweet tongue."

"He's also good-looking."

"It's just that they didn't fancy us, but they liked Big Ying."

"Oh, Big Ying, you finally found your destined husband!"

The plump girl, embarrassed by the chatter, said, "Alright, you all, stop teasing me; he's just smooth‑talking."

Lu Cheng leaned back: "That's not right; I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart. If you don't believe me, feel my heart—here, go ahead and touch it."

Saying so, Lu Cheng ignored Big Ying's struggle, grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest: "Feel it—does it thump? That's me seeing your excitement."

Big Ying felt his warm chest and shyly nodded.

Lu Cheng added, "Since you've touched my heart, I must feel yours too."

"Oh, you're really annoying."

Big Ying withdrew her hand; seeing the moment was right, Lu Cheng seized her hand again and deliberately said, "Eh?"

"Hiss, something's off with your hand."

Big Ying, puzzled, asked, "What's wrong?"

Lu Cheng pointed to her palm: "Look, the love line is too short."

Big Ying still didn't understand: "What's a love line?"

Lu Cheng kept her hand and said, "See, this line is the love line, this one the life line, this one the career line; clearly your love line is especially short."

Hearing Lu Cheng, the other three women curiously gathered around.

Lu Cheng seized the chance, grabbed all three women's hands, and began a detailed introduction.

"Come, let me give you a proper comparison..."

"Oh, my palm itches from your scratching."

The four girls here laughed happily, while Da Kui and the others sat nearby with dejected faces.

Liu Jian'an muttered, "Weren't we supposed to find a wife for us? Why are we reading palms now?"

Da Kui sniffed, "He just wants to feel people's hands."

Over there, Big Ying, seeing Lu Cheng pull others' hands, calmly placed hers on top.

"You just said my love line is short—what does that mean?"

Realizing it was time for business, Lu Cheng had to give up the other three girls' soft, slippery hands.

"A short love line means future romances rarely reach the end, and even if you marry, you're prone to marital misfortune."

Hearing this so gravely, Big Ying instantly grew nervous.

"Then, what should I do? I've never even dated anyone; hearing you say that makes me even less willing to marry."

Lu Cheng pretended to think, "Actually, there's a way to fix it."

Big Ying's eyes lit up, "How to fix it?"

"Find someone tall!"

"Someone tall?"

"Exactly. After you two marry, the height difference will complement each other, naturally resolving the issue."

"Someone tall?" Big Ying muttered again, first glancing at the ice rink where both tall and short people were, then fixing her gaze on Lu Cheng, who was also quite tall.

And she was very pleased with Lu Cheng.

With that look, how could Lu Cheng not notice? He hurried, "You need to find someone extremely tall."

Saying so, he waved his hand, prompting Zhao Jinzhu to stand.

"Look, he's extremely tall, a perfect complement to you. If you two unite, not only will the love line lengthen, but the life line too, letting you live at least a thousand years..."

Big Ying looked over and saw Zhao Jinzhu standing like a utility pole, grinning foolishly.

Clearly not clever, Big Ying sneered, "Talking all this nonsense, aren't you talking to me?"

"We're not a good match; considering your short love line, you need someone tall like this."

Big Ying hummed, stood, turned and left.

This is being dissatisfied with Zhao Jinzhu, Lu Cheng said helplessly, "Then how about we talk…"

Before he could finish, a "slap" sounded, and Lu Cheng's face was struck.

Lu Cheng was stunned, then slowly turned and realized it was Ox Scythe who slapped him.

"Shameless!"

Ox Scythe cursed, then turned and left.

"Hey, it's not..."

What's going on? Why did I get slapped out of nowhere?

A passerby shouted, "Yo, Lu San'er, the Pick-up Artist just hit a horse hoof; you can't..."

The man, nicknamed Xiao Piqiu, was a notorious troublemaker in the area.

Lu Cheng cursed, "Go to your grandpa, I'm still completely clueless."

Just then Chang Jinbu came over, and Lu Cheng, covering his face, asked, "What's the situation, you? What did you say to them?"

It must be that Chang Jinbu provoked them.

Chang Jinbu stammered, "I… I didn't say anything either?"

"Didn't say anything? Then why did she slap me?"

Chang Jinbu scratched his head, "I… I just said, I want to get you, and then she got anxious."

Lu Cheng's shoulders slumped, "No, why are you so impatient? What do you mean 'I want to get you'? You just saw how I was speaking earlier— you have to proceed step by step; courting can't be rushed. If you go up demanding someone, they'll definitely think you're a thug…"

Seeing Chang Jinbu's aggrieved expression, Lu Cheng didn't dare continue; mainly their own conditions were lacking— if it were him, both would have succeeded earlier.

"Never mind, Pick-up Artist is also a skill that requires diligent practice."

Lu Cheng offered some comfort, looking toward the ice rink: "Actually, taking the first step today is already pretty good; what's lacking is real combat training, so from now on you need to scout yourselves and then start chatting up…"

Just as Lu Cheng patiently explained to the two how to be a Pick-up Artist, Zhao Bin suddenly ran over from afar.

"Lu Cheng, why are you only just arriving!"

"Ah, I arrived early, just teaching them how to be a Pick-up Artist."

Zhao Bin said urgently, "Hey, stop teaching, go take a look. Those Grand Courtyard folks have blocked Ying Ying sister and Qing Yanjie there, won't let them leave; Qing'er got scared and started crying."

Lu Cheng wasn't thinking about fighting today, but hearing Zhao Bin's words, an unnamed anger flared up instantly.

Damn it, it's those Grand Courtyard people again!