The Pickup

"Are you really letting me drive it? There's nothing wrong with your car, is there?"

Tang Chao's eyes widened. "I'm your big brother. An elder brother is as good as a father. Even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs!"

"You can save that stuff for Dad."

"Look me in the eye. Do I look sincere? Little bro, we can't live in our own little worlds. You've got to step out and embrace the whole world. You've got to love the world, or how's the world supposed to love you?"

Tang Zhi Chu took the keys from Tang Chao. "Enough. I'll take good care of the car. Once all this mess is over, you can just sell it to me."

Tang Chao grinned and patted Tang Zhi Chu on the shoulder. "That's more like it. I'm your big brother, practically your father, so there's no need to be so formal. But if you like driving it, I wouldn't be against selling it to you. This car's been with your big brother for three or four years, though. We've got history. I absolutely adore it. Look at it—it's practically brand-new."

"Can you stop using your sales pitch on me?"

Tang Chao slung an arm around Tang Zhi Chu's shoulders and laughed. "It's a habit. I'm not trying to pull one over on you. I know things haven't been easy for you. Otherwise, would I let you drive my car? And you don't have to keep everything bottled up. Call me if anything comes up. Though I'm pretty thick-skinned, so I might not have good advice. How about I introduce you to one of my sisters-in-law? They're more attentive."

"They?"

Tang Chao laughed awkwardly. "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. Your big brother is still a very devoted man. It's just that life's complicated. When you're caught up in the hustle and bustle of the world, isn't it only natural to pick a few flowers along the way?"

As he spoke, Tang Chao suddenly shoved Tang Zhi Chu aside and straightened his clothes.

Tang Chao pointed in a certain direction. "See that? A Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. I only caught a glimpse, but the driver's definitely a beauty. Just look at how she parked. She clearly knows this car inside out. Anyone who knows G-Wagons is a rich woman, one hundred percent."

"And if she isn't a beauty? We shouldn't be picky. A rich woman is good enough. What's she doing parking here? For two hundred li in every direction, ours is the only restaurant with any class."

"And at this time of day, there's an eighty percent chance she's here to eat. If you want to strike up a conversation, what should you do? Your big brother's going to give you a live demonstration. Watch closely, learn well, and pay attention."

After speaking, Tang Chao finished straightening his clothes and immediately jogged over.

As soon as the G-Wagon parked, Tang Chao stood by the door and opened it for her with a gentlemanly air.

"Welcome!"

Tang Chao didn't look at the driver right away. He opened the door, then turned his gaze toward her as naturally as could be.

The moment he saw her, he instinctively froze.

Damn! What a stunner!

The woman was still dressed in an office-style outfit. Her shapely legs filled out her streamlined trousers, and her white blouse was clearly expensive. But that wasn't the important part. The important thing was her figure: above her flat stomach, her chest was full without being over the top.

Then he looked at her face. Tang Chao felt that the only woman who could rival her was a proprietress he'd caught a fleeting glimpse of years ago, back when he was in sales.

She had a mature, intelligent beauty, with a gentle warmth about her. She was like a fresh, full-blown flower that had opened at just the right moment.

The woman thanked him and got out of the car, then asked gently, "Does your restaurant have greeters too?"

Tang Chao's heart leaped. She really was here to eat!

Truthfully, he hadn't been sure. What if she hadn't been here to eat?

That would've been even better. He'd simply guide her to wherever she needed to go with the utmost sincerity.

Tang Chao smiled. "I wouldn't exactly call myself a greeter. We have professional training. Anyone who spots a customer can welcome them—even the chefs."

The woman looked pleasantly surprised. "Very nice, very nice. Your boss must be impressive."

Tang Chao gestured invitingly. "Our boss takes this kind of training seriously and treats all of us very well, so you can feel at ease dining here."

Tang Chao didn't mention anything about himself or his position. It was like fishing: you had to put out plenty of bait. You never really caught the fish yourself; they always bit the hook on their own.

To make an impression, Tang Chao first had to focus on where she was going or what she needed to do. That would put her at ease and reinforce how tasteful and sensible her choice was.

Once she went inside, he'd casually leave. Then, partway through her meal, he'd bring out one of his signature dishes and say a little more about the restaurant.

As for his position, she'd naturally ask the staff. When she found out he was just the boss's older brother, wouldn't that make her even more curious?

He wasn't the boss or an employee, so why was he going out of his way to be so helpful?

Wouldn't that make him look like a great guy?

If they got to chatting, he could bring up his younger cousin's family and tell her how hard things had been for them. He wouldn't exaggerate, just stick to the facts. It really hadn't been easy. And as the older brother, of course he had to help his cousin's family.

There was his strategy!

A kindhearted, decent man like him—where else would she find one?

Just as Tang Chao had worked out his entire strategy, he realized the woman in front of him wasn't moving.

Tang Chao froze for a moment, but his expression didn't change. So she wasn't here to eat? He couldn't let his act fall apart now. He had to let her speak first, then make his move.

The woman suddenly called out, "So you're pretending not to know me, huh?"

Her gentle voice grew louder, taking on a slightly coquettish quality. Tang Chao felt his heartbeat quicken and thought, I'm really in luck today.

"Preten—" Tang Chao instinctively started to respond, then got stuck. What had she said?

When Tang Chao came to his senses, he saw the woman's profile. Following her gaze, he spotted his younger cousin standing not far away.

His younger cousin walked over slowly, wearing an indifferent expression. "What are you doing here?"

The question was clearly accusatory, but the woman wasn't angry. She smiled instead. "I'm here to eat. What, aren't you open for business?"

Tang Chao rubbed his forehead. He felt a little confused.

What was wrong with this world? What was wrong with it?

The woman was Jiang Lan. They'd arranged to meet in the afternoon, but Jiang Lan figured Tang Zhi Chu didn't have a car, so she'd decided to come pick him up.

Jiang Lan was a little curious about Tang Zhi Chu, so she'd thought she might as well eat at his restaurant and send him a photo. He'd surely be surprised, wouldn't he?

She hadn't expected to run into a strange man outside. It looked like the man worked at his restaurant, and he certainly seemed to have received the proper training.

Jiang Lan thought Tang Zhi Chu really did have something going for him. Even though it was only a small restaurant, he'd trained the staff to be so professional.

Why had Tang Zhi Chu questioned her?

From Jiang Lan's perspective, it was understandable. Everyone else in the villa had impressive résumés, while Tang Zhi Chu had nothing but a small restaurant.

In the villa, at least, they'd all been on equal footing.

But here in this little restaurant, things were different. It was as if some kind of balance had been upset.

Jiang Lan also felt she might have been a little presumptuous, but now that they'd run into each other, what could she do?

She wore a smile, but inwardly she still grumbled, You little brat!

Why had Tang Zhi Chu spoken to Jiang Lan in such an accusatory tone? Because things were a little special today—his family was there.

But she'd already come all this way. He couldn't exactly kick her out, could he?