Qi Su watched helplessly as his best buddy climbed into the passenger seat of the luxury car he had just been admiring and drove away right before his eyes.
As the car passed him, the man inside gave him a slight nod.
Only after the car disappeared from sight did Qi Su recover from his shock.
Seriously, dude, I know you deserve the best, but not this kind of better!
Reading the stream of complaints Qi Su sent into their chat, Cheng Yue's eyes curved with delight.
Was there anything more satisfying than making your best buddy lose his composure?
Ji Huaijin glanced over out of the corner of his eye, and a faint smile rose to his lips as well.
With wicked delight, Cheng Yue told Qi Su that he had not only ridden in the luxury car but driven it for a few days, too. Once he had successfully sent his friend into a jealous frenzy, he put his phone away in satisfaction.
"Where are we going?"
It was the weekend, and the roads were packed with traffic. Perhaps the black Mercedes-Benz was simply too conspicuous, because not a single car dared cut in front of it. Everyone obediently gave it a wide berth.
Ji Huaijin glanced at the rearview mirror and drove through a red light without a hint of concern. "I'm treating you to dinner."
His stated reason was to thank Cheng Yue for taking such attentive care of him during his hospital stay, as well as for his soup made with love.
To that, Cheng Yue declared, "That was food for a patient!"
All this talk of love was embarrassing. He had simply had too much free time and wanted something to do.
Whatever excuses he made, Ji Huaijin merely smiled without comment and parked outside Ding Sheng Lou.
The decor was understated yet luxurious, but there was none of the excessive noise at the entrance. Plush carpeting ran from the steps all the way into the lobby, a jaw-dropping display of extravagant wealth.
As mentioned before, Ding Sheng Lou was renowned in Capital City. Besides being difficult to book, its atmosphere and service were also top-notch.
Cheng Yue glanced at the man calmly following the server, sidled closer, and whispered, "Didn't you say we needed to book in advance? When did you make the reservation?"
"I didn't," Ji Huaijin replied unhurriedly.
Unsatisfied with such a dismissive answer, Cheng Yue glared at the back of his head. He was about to say more when the server happened to turn around, forcing him to swallow the words for now.
They took the elevator all the way to the top floor, where the atmosphere was even more tranquil. Following the server around a corner at the far end of the corridor, they suddenly found the space opening up before them.
Auspicious Life Pavilion.
Cheng Yue did not understand what the name signified. He merely marveled to himself at how little outsiders truly knew about Ding Sheng Lou.
The enormous private room was divided into dining and reception areas. The moment they stepped inside, the graceful, lilting notes of a guqin reached their ears.
A young woman in traditional Han clothing sat in the corner, playing with elegant concentration. Beside her, a tea specialist handled the tea utensils in fluid, practiced motions.
For a moment, Cheng Yue wondered whether he had stumbled into the world of some young nobleman.
Ji Huaijin handed his suit jacket to the server and made a casual gesture. The guqin fell silent, and the young woman and tea specialist quietly withdrew.
Once only the two of them remained, Cheng Yue plopped down at the tea table and struck a tea-making pose. "Professor Ji, do you think I'm qualified for this job?"
Lounging against the sofa, Ji Huaijin made a show of crossing his long legs at that, his expression hovering between amusement and a smile. "Make me a cup first so I can try it."
Cheng Yue gave a small, graceless roll of his eyes, his mood changing in an instant. "Spoiling yourself will only be your downfall. Try treating yourself a little worse!"
Ji Huaijin chuckled, poured a cup of tea himself, and pushed it over. "See what you'd like to eat."
Whatever incense they were burning in the room smelled delicate and sweet. Cheng Yue picked up the menu, flipped through it page by page, and ordered a few dishes that caught his fancy.
There were only two of them, so they could not eat too much. After looking over the order, Ji Huaijin added a sweet soup.
The dishes arrived quickly. Only then did Cheng Yue understand why Ding Sheng Lou had managed to stand out among so many long-established restaurants.
Its facilities were simply too high-end. Who had ever heard of each private room having its own little kitchen?
It was truly an eye-opener.
With such top-tier facilities, nothing fell short, from the decor to the ingredients. Cheng Yue ate to his heart's content.
After swallowing the last mouthful of soup, he wiped his mouth in satisfaction, only to hear Ji Huaijin ask, "Full?"
Looking at the pile of rib bones in front of him, Cheng Yue felt a rare flicker of embarrassment.
But could anyone blame him? The food was so delicious that he had stuffed himself without even realizing it.
"Professor Ji, have you ever heard this saying?"
Ji Huaijin listened attentively. "What saying?"
Cheng Yue took a sip of tea to moisten his throat first, then said with perfect seriousness, "For a chef, a diner's empty plate is the highest praise."
So he had merely wanted to give them his approval.
"You have a point." Ji Huaijin chuckled softly, his gaze a little indulgent. "If the chef heard you say that, I imagine he'd be moved to tears."
There's really no need. That'd scare me.
After resting for a while, they got up to leave. Cheng Yue still held a green plum, munching on it as he followed Ji Huaijin out.
"You know, these are pretty sweet."
Ji Huaijin glanced sideways at him, looking resigned. "Don't eat so many."
Plums were cooling, and he had already eaten quite a few. He had even drunk a cup of cold tea when Ji Huaijin was not looking.
Cheng Yue nodded, his words muffled. "Last one."
Despite saying that, he still clutched another plum tightly in his hand, unwilling to throw it away.
Ji Huaijin saw it clearly and turned to forcibly put a stop to him. Then his gaze swept across something in the distance, and he stopped abruptly.
Cheng Yue did not notice anything amiss. Caught completely off guard, he nearly tripped over him. "Hey!"
Fortunately, Ji Huaijin reacted quickly and caught him.
Cheng Yue was just about to complain when someone suddenly appeared beside them.
Chu Jiye wore a black shirt and black trousers, his shirt brazenly unbuttoned down to his chest. His dark eyes swept over them before he abruptly smiled.
"Why didn't you say anything when you came back?"
As though he had not seen him, Ji Huaijin helped Cheng Yue steady himself and took the plum from his hand. His tone was indifferent. "There was no need."
Chu Jiye stared straight at him, his gaze unreadable. "No need, or no courage?"
The air suddenly went still. Standing beside them with no idea what was happening, Cheng Yue looked over curiously and met a pair of icy eyes.
Barely a second later, someone stepped in front of him.
Ji Huaijin tossed the plum into the trash, looking utterly unruffled. "Let's go."
Only once they entered the elevator did Cheng Yue feel that unsettling sensation cut off.
The lobby was much busier than when they had arrived. Several guests stood chatting in the passage by the main entrance, so the attendant who had shown them in opened the side door for them.
"Take care, Young Master."
Cheng Yue turned to the man beside him in astonishment. "Was he just talking to you?"
Ji Huaijin took out his car key and unlocked the car, perfectly casual. "He probably mistook me for someone else."
Cheng Yue said, "...I'm not deaf!"
Nor was he blind. There had only been two of them there, and the staff at a restaurant like this must have undergone strict training. How could they possibly mistake someone's identity?
Cheng Yue climbed into the car in a daze. "No wonder I never saw you pay the bill."
He really had stumbled into royalty.
Before you continue