Tang Xiaolong rushed over with a fawning smile, looking for all the world like a lapdog that had spotted its owner.
He first shot a fierce glare at Manager Li, who stood utterly dumbstruck, then bowed to Chen Lin with an apologetic expression.
"Chen! Why didn't you let me know you were coming? These clueless idiots have neglected you. Please don't take it to heart!"
He called out to Chen Lin with heartfelt sincerity, his voice strong and clear.
Manager Li's knees went weak on the spot.
His young master, the future heir to the Tang Group, was several years older than this young man, yet he was addressing him as an older brother?
Liu Ruyan and Song Qiuya were completely stunned as well.
They exchanged a glance, each seeing profound shock in the other's expression.
Somewhat amused by Tang Xiaolong's behavior, Chen Lin waved a hand. "Enough. Quit putting on a show. Your business is too good-we circled twice and still couldn't find a parking space."
"You're joking, Chen! Your coming here is an enormous honor!" Tang Xiaolong bowed even lower, then straightened and unleashed a torrent of abuse at Manager Li.
"Are you a pig? You couldn't even recognize Chen? Hurry up and open the Heaven-Class private room I reserved!"
"Yes, yes! Young master, I'll do it right away!" As though granted a pardon, Manager Li scrambled ahead to lead the way.
Only then did Tang Xiaolong put his smile back on and gesture invitingly. "Chen, ladies, please come inside!"
Under the envious gazes of countless diners, they crossed the lobby, and Tang Xiaolong personally escorted them into the Heaven-Class private room, which had the best location and widest view in the entire restaurant.
"Chen, please take a seat, all three of you. I'll make arrangements in the kitchen. The food will be out shortly!"
After speaking, Tang Xiaolong personally brewed top-grade Da Hong Pao for them before respectfully withdrawing.
The moment the private room's door closed.
Two burning gazes landed squarely on Chen Lin.
"Mr. Chen, you really are becoming harder and harder to figure out." Liu Ruyan lifted her teacup and gently blew on the steam. "Young Master Tang of Peach Blossom Island actually treats you like an older brother?"
Song Qiuya said nothing, but she too stared straight at Chen Lin, making no attempt to hide her curiosity.
Just how many more secrets was this guy hiding?
From the priceless Imperial Green jade at their first meeting, to his barehanded disarming of a gunman at their second, to today's Gold Star Rosewood worth over a hundred million.
Now even the young owner of one of Yicheng's finest restaurants had to address him with such deference.
It seemed... she knew nothing about him.
This almost-boyfriend of hers was far too mysterious.
"Ahem." Their stares made Chen Lin a little uncomfortable. "It's just... we had a little business dealing before."
That explanation was clearly unconvincing.
Liu Ruyan gave a meaningful smile and did not press him further.
Song Qiuya gave a soft huff and quietly shifted closer to Chen Lin, unmistakably staking her claim.
Tang Xiaolong was exceptionally efficient.
Less than twenty minutes later, the private room's door opened again, and he walked in carrying a tray himself.
"Chen, I know you're not short of money, but today's meal has to be my treat!"
"These are two bottles of 1990 Romanée-Conti from our winery's own cellar. Please try them with the ladies!"
As he spoke, he set two bottles of red wine with slightly yellowed labels on the table, deftly opened them with a corkscrew, and poured them into decanters.
He had casually given away wine worth over a hundred thousand a bottle-and two bottles at once.
Even Liu Ruyan was taken aback.
Soon, the servers began bringing dishes in a steady stream.
Braised bream, steamed Sharp-Snout Fish, fish slices in spicy broth... all four of the outrageously expensive fish dishes that had driven Yicheng's gourmets wild were brought to the table, not a single one missing.
In addition, there were five of Peach Blossom Island's original signature dishes, filling the entire table.
"Chen, enjoy your meal! I won't disturb you. Just call me if you need anything!" Once everything was arranged, Tang Xiaolong tactfully withdrew again.
"Try it! This fish is absolutely incredible!" Liu Ruyan could hardly wait. She picked up a large slice of fish from the spicy broth, and the moment it entered her mouth, her shrewd eyes lit up with exactly the same glow Song Qiuya's had the day before.
"It's delicious! The fish is so tender and silky, with this indescribably fresh, sweet flavor!"
Song Qiuya was beaming as she ate too. She kept putting food into Chen Lin's bowl, soon piling it into a little mountain.
Watching the two women turn into complete food enthusiasts, Chen Lin did not know whether to laugh or cry.
He sampled a few of Peach Blossom Island's other specialties. They were indeed good, but compared with his own vegetables watered with spirit spring water and the poultry he raised, they still fell a little short.
As for this fish...
Never mind. Better not spoil it for them.
The meal lasted more than an hour.
Every dish on the table was polished off.
The two expensive bottles of red wine were drained as well.
Chen Lin finished an entire bottle by himself, while Liu Ruyan and Song Qiuya shared the other.
With his physique transformed by the Taiyin Breathing Technique, drinking a bottle of red wine was no different from drinking grape juice to Chen Lin. He did not feel even slightly tipsy.
Liu Ruyan and Song Qiuya clearly had excellent alcohol tolerance too, but after half a bottle each, the alcohol still painted a lovely flush across their fair cheeks.
Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, Liu Ruyan got up to pay at the front desk.
Naturally, Tang Xiaolong refused to let her. After several rounds of back-and-forth, Liu Ruyan had no choice but to give up.
"Qiu Ya, Chen Lin, it's still early. Shall I take you somewhere nice to hang out?" Liu Ruyan suggested.
Song Qiuya hesitated.
She had grown up under strict parental supervision, her life a routine between two places. She had never actually been anywhere like a bar.
But after glancing at Chen Lin beside her, that little bit of hesitation vanished instantly.
With him around, anywhere was fine.
"Sure."
Chen Lin did not mind either. He had nothing else to do anyway.
Liu Ruyan hired a designated driver to drive her Mercedes-AMG C63 and lead the way, while Chen Lin followed with Song Qiuya.
The cars passed through the bustling city center and finally stopped before a street with a distinctly chic, leisurely atmosphere.
At the end of the street stood a bar called Gone with the Wind.
It was Yicheng's most exclusive lounge bar. There was no deafening music and no wildly dancing crowds. With spending starting at three thousand per person, its patrons were either wealthy or influential.
The three followed a server to the booth Liu Ruyan had reserved in advance.
The booth was ideally situated, directly facing the stage while maintaining just the right distance from those around it.
The bar's atmosphere was relaxing. Gentle blues music drifted through the air, and onstage, a resident singer with a deep voice cradled a guitar, singing softly.
The three chatted casually and ordered a few more expensive bottles of imported liquor.
After an indeterminate stretch of time, the music onstage changed.
When that familiar introduction, tinged with world-weariness, began, the already quiet conversations in the bar fell completely silent.
It was "Anhe Bridge."
Even a dog would have to shake its head after hearing this song.
The singer's husky, magnetic voice broke the stories and regrets in the lyrics into fragments and scattered them into every corner of the bar.
Liu Ruyan's hand stopped in midair as she raised her glass.
She stared blankly at the amber liquor in it, lost in thought.
Just then.
A male voice, playful and a little flippant, suddenly came from beside the booth.
"Ruyan! It really is you!"
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