Li Zhen and Su Nian exchanged a glance, both visibly relieved to have escaped their ordeal.
"Just seeing her kills my appetite. I don't feel like eating anymore." Li Zhen put down her chopsticks, dabbed at her lips with a napkin, and glanced at the time on her phone. "It's still early. Want to go for a stroll?"
Su Nian gently shook her head, her voice soft, "I'll pass."
"Alright then, I'll head out first. Don't worry about the bill—I've already informed the front desk." Li Zhen hooked her handbag with a finger and picked up her car keys.
Su Nian responded with a delicate smile, masking the glint of cunning that flashed briefly in her eyes. "Got it, boss lady."
This restaurant had been acquired by Li Zhen just last year. From the interior design to the menu, she had overseen every detail with personal care.
Once she left, Su Nian's smile slowly faded. Her red lips parted as she murmured under her breath, "Fancy running into you like this... Leaving without a word—isn't that a shame?"
Her chopsticks tapped lightly against the rim of the plate, producing a crisp sound that seemed to tremble in the air.
Stepping out of the restaurant, Su Nian noticed a beggar by the roadside, filthy and in tatters. She approached and kicked him.
The boy, who looked rather young, raised his head.
"Want to make some money?"
…
In the elegant private dining room, the air was scented with pleasant incense. The dim bluish light cast an intoxicating, almost romantic glow.
Su Wanwan sat on the sofa, her slender fingers sliding across the tablet screen, adding dishes to the shopping cart.
"I've picked a few. See if there's anything you'd like?"
"Mhm." A voice responded from behind.
A tall figure suddenly leaned in close, closing the distance between them. A large, well-defined hand settled beside Su Wanwan, the other naturally reaching over to select dishes.
Fu Liangmu stood behind her, his arms forming a circle that enclosed her entirely.
Su Wanwan's heart rate spiked. She panicked and tried to get up, only to find herself trapped—blocked in front by the table, behind by Fu Liangmu, and his arms sealing off both sides.
"Y-you… could you let me out first…"
"Just a second. Almost done picking."
His crisp breath, tinged with refreshing mint, mingled with the warmth of his embrace, sending Su Wanwan's mind into a foggy whirl.
Fu Liangmu casually selected a few more dishes, added some desserts, then finally released her and returned to his seat. His expression remained indifferent, completely unfazed.
In contrast, Su Wanwan's cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.
"By the way…"
"Your friend—Xia Kelan, was it?" Fu Liangmu cut her off.
Su Wanwan paused, caught off guard by the question. She nodded. "Yes… Why?"
Fu Liangmu took a sip of tea, his long lashes casting shadows over his unreadable gaze.
"No reason. Just thought we might invite her to join us for a meal."
Then he added, "Along with Xie Cheng."
Su Wanwan blinked, confused. "Huh?"
Fu Liangmu tapped his fingers lightly against the table. Though he disliked how Xia Kelan always intruded upon his moments with Su Wanwan, she was still her best friend. And everyone knew: once a girl entered a relationship, her best friend had to evaluate and approve the guy.
As a man, he couldn't expect Su Wanwan to bring it up first. He needed to take the initiative.
Watching Fu Liangmu deep in thought, occasionally nodding to himself, Su Wanwan blinked twice, bewildered.
Weren't they just a fake couple? Did they really need to put on such a detailed performance?
Still, Fu Liangmu had helped her a great deal, and with her grandmother scolding her earlier today, she found it difficult to say no.
"…Alright. You decide the time."
Hearing her agreement, Fu Liangmu grew more certain that this was the right move. He failed to notice the faint sigh of resignation on Su Wanwan's face.
A chime sounded at the private room door. A waiter entered with a smile and began serving the dishes.
Fu Liangmu picked up his chopsticks and began plating food for Su Wanwan.
"You don't need to serve me. Just eat," she said hurriedly.
"Mhm." Fu Liangmu responded, but with each new dish, he would serve her first.
Ding dong—
The door chimed again as the waiter brought in another dish.
Su Wanwan frowned, pointing at the newly arrived plate.
"This dish?"
The waiter looked puzzled. "Is there an issue with it, miss?"
Su Wanwan paused, then spoke calmly, "Sorry, but the color, texture, and aroma aren't right. I'd like to request a redo, if that's possible."
The waiter's smile stiffened—this was going to be trouble. She hadn't even tasted it and was already nitpicking?
"Our chefs are some of the finest in the world," he began defensively. "Every dish follows strict standards. Please trust in our culinary expertise and the reputation of our restaurant. We've been open for two weeks now, and every customer has praised our food. There shouldn't be any problems."
Fu Liangmu remained silent. He knew Su Wanwan wasn't someone who nitpicked without reason. Her cooking skills were outstanding—better than the professional chefs at home—and she always finished her meals without complaint.
Clearly, something was truly wrong with this dish.
"Others are others. I am me," Su Wanwan said coolly. "Even chefs can make mistakes, can't they?"
The waiter sighed, his smile now forced, his tone growing testy. "Are you questioning us, miss? You haven't even tasted it and already decided it's bad—don't you think that's being overly difficult?"
A sharp glint appeared in Fu Liangmu's eyes as he raised his gaze coldly.
"Is that how you treat your customers?"
The waiter clenched his fists. "Sir, it was the lady who started this. I…"
Su Wanwan remained composed and handed him a new, unopened pair of chopsticks.
"If you don't believe me, feel free to try it."
"I will!" the waiter snapped, snatching the chopsticks.
As soon as they were unwrapped, Su Wanwan turned to Fu Liangmu. "Stand by the door for a moment."
He wasn't sure why but obeyed anyway. Once he was in place, the waiter took a generous mouthful of the dish.
The moment it touched his tongue, an overpowering, bizarre taste exploded in his mouth.
"Urgh—!"
He couldn't last three seconds before gagging.
Salty. Sour. Bitter. Rotten.
The flavors clashed like chaos incarnate, attacking every nerve of his palate.
"Well? Tasty?" Su Wanwan asked, her tone serene, as if she'd predicted this outcome.
The waiter's jaw trembled. He was just about to respond when his eyes widened in horror.
He pushed through the dish with his chopsticks, trembling. Whatever he saw there made his stomach revolt again—and this time, he couldn't stop himself from vomiting.