Picking Someone Up

"You're actually letting me drive it? Is there something wrong with your car?"

Tang Chao's eyes widened. "I'm your brother. The elder brother is like a father. Even a tiger wouldn't eat its cubs, right?"

"You only say that stuff to fool Dad."

"Look at my eyes, how sincere are they? Little brother, we can't live in our own world. You need to step out, embrace the world, love the world. Otherwise, how will the world love you?"

Tang Zhi Chu took the key from Tang Chao's hand. "Enough. I'll take good care of this car. After all this messy stuff is over, you can just sell it to me."

Tang Chao smiled and patted Tang Zhi Chu's shoulder. "That's more like it. I'm your brother. The elder brother is like a father, no need to be so formal. But if you like driving it, selling it to you isn't impossible. It's just that this car has been with me, your big brother, for three or four years. I've grown attached to it. I really love this car. Look, it's almost brand new."

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

Tang Chao slung an arm around Tang Zhi Chu's shoulders and chuckled. "It's a habit. I wouldn't trick you. I know things aren't easy for you, otherwise, why would I lend you the car? You shouldn't keep everything bottled up. Call me if you need anything. Though I'm not the most perceptive, so I might not be able to give you good advice. How about I introduce you to a sister-in-law? They're more detail-oriented."

"They?"

Tang Chao gave an awkward laugh. "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. Your brother here is very devoted. It's just that one can't help themselves when they're out in the world, getting caught up in the hustle and bustle? It's quite reasonable to have a few dalliances, right?"

As he said this, Tang Chao suddenly pushed Tang Zhi Chu away and tidied his clothes.

Tang Chao suddenly pointed in a direction. "See that? A Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. I only caught a glimpse, but the driver is definitely a beauty. Look at that parking skill, she clearly knows this car well, knows the G-Wagon. A genuine rich woman, 100%."

"What if it's not a beauty? Let's not be picky, rich is enough. What's she doing parking here? In this area for two hundred li, your shop is the only one with a bit of class."

"It's this time again. Eighty percent chance she's here to eat. If you want to strike up a conversation, what should you do? Today, your brother will give you a live demonstration. Watch carefully, learn well, pay attention."

Tang Chao finished tidying his clothes and immediately jogged over.

As soon as the G-Wagon finished parking, Tang Chao stood by the car door, opening it with a gentlemanly air.

"Welcome!"

Tang Chao didn't look at the driver immediately. After opening the door, he naturally glanced over.

The moment he saw her, he was instinctively stunned.

Damn! She's so fine!

The woman was still in a professional OL suit. Her form-fitting slacks hugged her voluptuous legs tightly. Her white shirt was clearly not cheap, but that wasn't the important part. The important part was her figure – a flat stomach that curved upwards, full but not exaggerated.

Looking at her face, Tang Chao felt it was comparable to the fleeting glimpse he'd had of a certain boss's wife years ago when he was still in sales.

She possessed a mature, intellectual beauty with a gentle aura, like a fresh, full bloom at its most beautiful moment.

The woman thanked him and got out of the car, asking softly, "Do you have a greeter at your shop?"

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

In fact, he wasn't sure. What if she wasn't here to eat?

That would be even better. He'd lead her to where she needed to go with the most sincere attitude.

Tang Chao smiled. "We don't exactly have greeters. We have professional training. Even the chefs in the shop can act as greeters if they see a customer."

The woman looked slightly surprised. "Not bad, not bad. Your boss is quite capable."

Tang Chao made an inviting gesture. "Our boss really emphasizes this kind of training and treats us all very well, so you can dine with us with confidence."

Tang Chao didn't mention anything about himself or his identity. It was like fishing; you had to cast your bait. The fish weren't caught by you, they bit the hook themselves.

To leave an impression, Tang Chao had to first highlight the place she was going or the task she needed to accomplish. This would put her at ease and emphasize the taste and correctness of her choice.

Once she went inside, he'd make a suave exit, then go back later to serve a signature dish, further highlighting the shop.

As for his identity, she would naturally ask the waiters. Wouldn't it be even more intriguing if she knew he was just the boss's brother?

Why is he serving so diligently if he's neither the boss nor a waiter?

Wouldn't that build up his image?

If they were to talk, he could even play the sympathy card with his cousin's family, not exaggerating, just stating the facts. How difficult things were, right? And as an elder brother, he naturally had to help his cousin's family.

That's how the strategy would come together!

A man with good character and kindness, where could she find such a person?

Just as Tang Chao finished formulating his entire strategy, he noticed the lady in front of him hadn't moved forward.

Tang Chao was momentarily stunned, but his expression didn't change. So, she wasn't here to eat? He couldn't falter now; he had to let her speak first, then he'd make his move.

The woman's voice suddenly boomed, "Pretending you don't know me, are we!"

Her gentle voice, now amplified, had a hint of playful petulance. Tang Chao felt his heart beat faster. Today is really lucky, he thought.

"Pretending?" Tang Chao instinctively prepared to respond, but then he froze. What did she say?

By the time Tang Chao regained his senses, he saw the lady's profile. Following her gaze, he saw his cousin standing not far away.

His cousin walked over slowly, his expression calm, and said, "What are you doing?"

It was clearly a questioning tone, but the lady didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled. "Eating. What, you're not doing business?"

Tang Chao touched his forehead, feeling utterly bewildered.

What is wrong with this world?

The person who had arrived was Jiang Lan. Their meeting was scheduled for the afternoon, but Jiang Lan thought Tang Zhi Chu didn't have a car and decided to pick him up.

Jiang Lan was a little curious about Tang Zhi Chu, so she thought she'd just come to his restaurant to eat and then take a picture to show him. He'd be very surprised, right?

She hadn't expected to run into a strange person outside, and it looked like this strange person was actually one of his employees. The employee, upon closer inspection, was clearly the type who had received proper training.

Jiang Lan felt that Tang Zhi Chu really did have something special about him. Even if it was just a small restaurant, he'd trained his employees so professionally.

Why was Tang Zhi Chu questioning her?

In Jiang Lan's opinion, it was normal. The people in the villa all had impressive resumes, except for Tang Zhi Chu, who only owned a small restaurant.

It was fine in the villa; at least everyone was communicating on the same level.

But it was different in this small shop; it was equivalent to breaking some kind of balance.

Jiang Lan also felt she might have been a bit rash, but since she'd already run into him, what could she do?

She appeared to be smiling on the outside, but inwardly she couldn't help but call him a little man!

The reason Tang Zhi Chu spoke to Jiang Lan with a questioning tone was that the situation today was a bit special, with his family members present.

However, since she had already come, he couldn't just turn her away, could he?