At noon on Saturday, Wen Ning arrived at Yuebin Restaurant right on time.
The entrance was already bustling. Dressed in brand-new red clothes, Ma Lanlan stood outside the dining hall greeting guests, her ringing voice carrying down the entire corridor.
The moment she spotted Wen Ning, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over.
"Boss Wen! You're finally here! Come, come, come, right this way. We've saved you a seat. Make sure you eat and drink your fill today!"
Half ushered and half nudged along by her, Wen Ning entered the private dining room. Every relative and friend in the room turned to look at him.
Zhou Ming was surrounded by several relatives, wearing a smile that suggested he was struggling to cope. When he looked up and saw Wen Ning, it was like spotting his savior.
"Boss Wen is here!"
He started squeezing his way toward Wen Ning, only for his mother to catch hold of him.
"What's the hurry? Let Boss Wen sit down first."
Wen Ning was given the seat of honor. Ma Lanlan poured him tea beside him, her movements noticeably more brisk than usual.
Once the banquet began, dish after dish arrived, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat piled high. Ma Lanlan kept placing food in Wen Ning's bowl, as though afraid he wouldn't get enough to eat.
After a few bites, Wen Ning turned to look at Zhou Ming.
The young man wore a white shirt today, and his hair had clearly been styled. He looked much sharper overall. Wen Ning took a sip of liquor and suddenly spoke.
"Zhou Ming."
Zhou Ming was busy gnawing on a rib. He looked up at the sound of his name, a little sauce still smeared beside his mouth.
"Hm?"
There was a teasing note in Wen