Star Picking Restaurant

Star Picking Restaurant stood in the center of West Street, within the territory controlled by the Sacred Family. It had gray-brick walls, blue-tiled roofs, and vermilion corridors painted with murals. The building had two floors: the ground floor held the counter and a bustling dining hall, while the upper floor had private rooms.

A huge sign bearing the words "Star Picking Restaurant" hung high above the black front doors. Groups of vendors carrying baskets of vegetables and loads of seafood had set up stalls outside, waiting for the restaurant to buy their goods.

With an arm around Xian Wu's neck, Tie Kuang walked into the dining hall. A waiter hurried over to greet them, beaming. "Welcome, gentlemen. Please come in—"

The waiter pulled the white cloth from his shoulder and wiped the tabletop twice before ushering Tie Kuang and Xian Wu into their seats.

"What would you like to order, sir?" the waiter asked, leaning toward Tie Kuang. Anyone in this line of work needed a good eye. The plainly dressed boy clearly wasn't the one in charge; there was no point asking him.

Tie Kuang was a regular at Star Picking Restaurant. Without a moment's thought, he ordered, "Two jin of soy-braised beef, a pot of sweet potato liquor, a plate of braised lion's head meatballs, a plate of peanuts, a plate of stir-fried greens, and two large bowls of rice. We'll eat here." Knowing Xian Wu came from a commoner family and rarely got to eat meat, Tie Kuang had made sure to order two meat dishes.

"Certainly. Please wait a moment; the food and wine will be right out." After noting down their order, the waiter hurried off to the kitchen.

Before long, two jin of soy-braised beef, a pot of sweet potato liquor, a plate of peanuts, and two large bowls of rice were brought out.

They were all ready-made, so they arrived quickly.

The braised lion's head meatballs and stir-fried greens had to be cooked over the stove, so they would take a little longer.

Tie Kuang handed Xian Wu a pair of chopsticks and smiled. "Dig in. There's plenty." Though he was a noble, he had never looked down on commoners and was more than happy to befriend them.

As the saying went, more friends meant more paths forward, while more enemies meant more walls in your way.

Xian Wu nodded without saying much and picked up a slice of soy-braised beef. He would remember Tie Kuang's kindness today, and once he made something of himself, he would repay it.

"Take your time. Don't choke. Want some liquor?" When Xian Wu shook his head, Tie Kuang gave him a scornful look. "You can't even drink? You're an embarrassment to men everywhere. Fine, I'll drink it myself."

As the two of them ate, they suddenly heard the waiter call from the doorway, "Ladies, please come in—"

Ladies?

Xian Wu perked up and looked toward the entrance.

"Why is she everywhere!" Xian Wu hurriedly ducked his head like a mouse that had spotted a cat, lowering his gaze and burying himself in his meal. He secretly prayed she wouldn't notice him.

Curious, Tie Kuang turned toward the entrance and saw Hu Yan Lan Ruo, the young lady of the Hu Yan Family, walking into the restaurant with a group of female companions.

"Miss Hu Yan, are you here for a meal too?" Tie Kuang warmly greeted Hu Yan Lan Ruo. She was a member of a Prominent Family, so it was only sensible to curry favor with her.

Hu Yan Lan Ruo cast Tie Kuang a haughty sidelong glance and ignored him. People tried to strike up conversations with her every day. They were like flies—annoying to no end.

Hmm???

Hu Yan Lan Ruo noticed someone at Tie Kuang's table, keeping his head down and trying to hide. Since he had his back to her, she couldn't make out his face, but his clothes looked familiar.

"Who's that? Why's he covering his face?" Hu Yan Lan Ruo asked curiously, pointing at Xian Wu. Everyone else was eager to curry favor with her. Why was this guy hiding from her? Strange. Very strange.

Xian Wu wailed inwardly, Don't come over. Don't come over. If you come any closer, I'm going to scream. Instructor Tie Kuang, don't just sit there like an idiot—help me!

"His name's Xian Wu. He's my class representative. Maybe Miss Hu Yan is so charming that he's shy around you?" As he spoke, Tie Kuang pulled Xian Wu's hand away from his face.

What's gotten into you? That's the young lady of the Hu Yan Family. If she takes a liking to you, you'll rise from a branch and become a phoenix!

What a great opportunity. Don't be an idiot.

With Tie Kuang forcibly pulling his hand away, Xian Wu's peerless face was revealed to Hu Yan Lan Ruo.

What a coincidence, little brother~~~ Hu Yan Lan Ruo's eyes narrowed into slits.

"Go ahead and eat without me. I've run into someone I know." After dismissing her companions, Hu Yan Lan Ruo placed one hand on her waist and swayed over to sit opposite Xian Wu.

"Uh... you know each other?" Tie Kuang asked in surprise. Xian Wu was quite something. He'd only been at school a few days and had already gotten close to the young lady of the Hu Yan Family. How had he managed that? That was incredible!

Xian Wu cleared his throat and stammered a greeting. "M-Miss Hu Yan." Damn it, of all places, he had to run into this tigress while having a meal. What did he do to deserve this—

Hu Yan Lan Ruo said nothing. Resting her chin in one hand, she stared at Xian Wu with a beaming smile, as if she could fill herself up just by looking at him.

The atmosphere at the table grew awkward.

Tie Kuang kept drinking, one cup after another, unsure what to say. He knew Miss Hu Yan's temper. Disturbing the young lady's good mood would earn him a furious tongue-lashing.

"Vice Dean Ye Sheng?" Just then, Xian Wu saw Ye Sheng walk in from outside the restaurant.

Vice Dean? Tie Kuang and Hu Yan Lan Ruo both turned to look. It really was him.

Tie Kuang found it odd that Vice Dean Ye Sheng had come to Star Picking Restaurant. He always went home for meals.

"Xian Wu? What are you doing here?" Ye Sheng followed the waiter into the restaurant and spotted Xian Wu by chance. The boy had no parents, yet he could afford to eat at a luxurious restaurant? Ye Sheng felt deceived.

Tie Kuang stood and cupped his hands. "Lord Ye Sheng, I invited him. Since you know him, why don't you join us?" The vice dean actually knew Xian Wu. No wonder he'd been so cocky all along—he had connections.

Ye Sheng nodded, hands behind his back, and sat across from Tie Kuang, next to Hu Yan Lan Ruo and Xian Wu.

"Xiao Lan, what are you doing here too?" Ye Sheng asked, puzzled. It didn't seem quite appropriate for a young lady to sit at a table with the three of them.

Hu Yan Lan Ruo playfully winked at Xian Wu, then stood up. "Lord Ye Sheng, I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse me." That old man could have arrived earlier or later, but he had to show up right then and spoil everything.

"All right, go ahead." Ye Sheng waved her off, then placed a piece of soy-braised beef in Xian Wu's bowl. Curious, he asked Tie Kuang, "What made you think to invite Xian Wu to eat?"

Tie Kuang scratched his head, patted Xian Wu on the shoulder, and grinned. "Xian Wu's my class representative in the beginner martial arts class. I invited him to a meal to show my appreciation." He had no idea what Vice Dean Ye Sheng's relationship with Xian Wu was. Could he be his illegitimate son?

No way. Vice Dean Ye Sheng was already so old... Still going strong, huh?

Ye Sheng nodded in satisfaction. Xian Wu had managed to become Tie Kuang's class representative; he must have considerable talent in martial arts.

"Waiter, bring me the menu." Ye Sheng called out and took the menu. Then he patted Xian Wu on the shoulder. "Order whatever you like. It's on me."