Star Picking Restaurant

The Star Picking Restaurant is located in the center of the main street in the western part of the city. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Sacred Family. It has gray bricks, green tiles, and vermilion corridors with painted walls, totaling two floors. The lower floor is the lobby with a counter for serving meals, and the upper floor has private rooms.

A large plaque with the words "Star Picking Restaurant" hung high on the black main door. Groups of food carts and seafood stalls were set up at the entrance, waiting for the Star Picking Restaurant to purchase their goods.

Tie Kuang slung an arm around Xian Wu's neck and walked into the lobby of the Star Picking Restaurant. A waiter, responsible for serving, enthusiastically greeted them with a beaming smile. "Welcome, honored guests, please come in--"

The waiter flicked a white cloth over his shoulder, swiped it across the tabletop, and served Tie Kuang and Xian Wu as they sat down.

"What would you like to order?" the waiter leaned towards Tie Kuang. In this line of work, one had to have good judgment; it was pointless to ask the plainly dressed child, who clearly couldn't make the decision.

Tie Kuang was a regular at the Star Picking Restaurant and ordered without thinking. "Two jin of braised beef, a pot of sweet potato liquor, a plate of braised lion's head, a plate of peanuts, a plate of stir-fried greens, and two large bowls of rice. We'll eat here." Considering Xian Wu came from a commoner background and rarely ate meat, Tie Kuang deliberately ordered two meat dishes.

"Certainly, please wait a moment, your food and drinks will be out shortly." The waiter jotted down the order and hurried towards the kitchen.

Not long after, two jin of braised beef, a pot of sweet potato liquor, a plate of peanuts, and two large bowls of rice were served.

They were all ready-made and came out quickly.

The braised lion's head and stir-fried greens needed to be cooked on the stove, so they would take some time.

Tie Kuang handed Xian Wu a pair of chopsticks and said with a smile, "Eat to your heart's content, there's plenty." Although he was a noble, he never looked down on commoners and was happy to befriend them.

As the saying goes, more friends mean more paths, and more enemies mean more walls.

Xian Wu nodded without saying much, picked up a slice of braised beef, and put it in his mouth. He noted this meal as a favor and vowed to repay it when he became successful.

"Eat slowly, don't choke. Want some wine?" Seeing Xian Wu shake his head, Tie Kuang gave him a disdainful glare. Not knowing how to drink was a disgrace to manhood. "If you don't drink, I'll drink myself."

As they were eating, they suddenly heard the waiter call from the entrance, "Welcome, ladies, please come in--"

Ladies?

Xian Wu's interest was piqued, and he looked towards the entrance of the restaurant.

"Her, again!" Xian Wu's eyes widened like a mouse seeing a cat. He quickly averted his gaze, lowered his head, and buried himself in his meal, silently praying that the other party wouldn't notice him.

Tie Kuang curiously turned his head towards the entrance and saw Hu Yan Lan Ruo, the daughter of the Hu Yan Family, entering the restaurant with a group of female companions.

"Miss Hu Yan, you're here for a meal too?" Tie Kuang enthusiastically greeted Hu Yan Lan Ruo. Hu Yan Lan Ruo was from a prominent family, and it was proper to curry favor with her.

Hu Yan Lan Ruo arrogantly glanced at Tie Kuang and ignored him. People approached her every day, like flies, and it was incredibly annoying.

Hmm???

Hu Yan Lan Ruo noticed someone at Tie Kuang's table, hiding their face. Since their back was to her, she couldn't see their face clearly, but their clothing was very familiar.

"Who is this person? Why are they covering their face?" Hu Yan Lan Ruo asked curiously, pointing at Xian Wu. Others were eager to curry favor with her, so why was this person hiding? Strange, very strange.

Xian Wu wailed internally: Don't come over, don't come over, if you come any closer I'll scream. Mentor Tie Kuang, don't just sit there, help!

"His name is Xian Wu, and he's my class representative. Perhaps Miss Hu Yan is too charming, and he's shy seeing you?" As he spoke, Tie Kuang pulled down Xian Wu's hand that was covering his face.

What's wrong with you, kid? That's the eldest daughter of the Hu Yan Family. If she fancies you, you'll soar to the heavens!

This is a great opportunity, don't mess it up.

With Tie Kuang's forceful removal of his hand, Xian Wu's peerless face was revealed to Hu Yan Lan Ruo.

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

"You guys eat, I've met an acquaintance." She dismissed her female companions, placed a hand on her hip, and swayed gracefully as she walked over, sitting down opposite Xian Wu.

"Uh... you two know each other?" Tie Kuang asked in surprise. This kid Xian Wu is something else, hooking up with the eldest daughter of the Hu Yan Family within two days of school starting. How did he do it? He's amazing!

Xian Wu coughed dryly and stammered a greeting, "Miss Hu Yan..." Damn it, to run into this tigress while just trying to eat a meal, what a curse--

Hu Yan Lan Ruo remained silent, propped her chin on one hand, and stared at Xian Wu with a smile, as if she could be satisfied just by looking at him.

The atmosphere at the table became somewhat awkward.

Tie Kuang drank cup after cup of wine, unsure of how to break the silence. He knew Miss Hu Yan's temper, and disturbing her mood would inevitably lead to a scolding.

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

Vice Dean? Tie Kuang and Hu Yan Lan Ruo both turned to look, and indeed it was him.

Tie Kuang found it strange. Why was Vice Dean Ye Sheng at the Star Picking Restaurant? He always ate at home.

"Xian Wu? What are you doing here?" Ye Sheng, following the waiter into the restaurant, accidentally spotted Xian Wu. An orphan, and yet he had the money to eat at a luxurious restaurant? Ye Sheng felt deceived.

Tie Kuang stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to Lord Ye Sheng, I invited him. Since you know him, why don't we all sit at one table?" The Vice Dean knew Xian Wu? No wonder he was so arrogant usually, he had connections.

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

"Little Lan Ruo? What are you doing here too?" Ye Sheng asked doubtfully. It's not very appropriate for a young lady like you to sit at a table with three men, is it?

Hu Yan Lan Ruo playfully winked at Xian Wu and stood up. "Lord Ye Sheng, Lan Ruo has some matters to attend to, so I must excuse myself." That old man, coming at this precise moment, what a killjoy.

"Alright, off you go." Ye Sheng waved his hand. He picked up a piece of braised beef from Xian Wu's bowl and curiously asked Tie Kuang, "Why did you think of inviting Xian Wu for a meal?"

Tie Kuang scratched his head, patted Xian Wu's shoulder, and grinned broadly. "Xian Wu is my class representative in the beginner Warrior class. I invited him for a meal as a gesture." He wondered what kind of relationship Vice Dean Ye Sheng had with Xian Wu. Could he be an illegitimate son?

No way, Vice Dean Ye Sheng is already that old... still vigorous, though.

Ye Sheng nodded with satisfaction. Xian Wu being able to become Tie Kuang's class representative meant his Warrior talent was quite good.

"Waiter, bring the menu." Ye Sheng called out and took the menu. He patted Xian Wu's shoulder. "What do you want to eat? Order whatever you like, it's my treat."