The boy's voice was clear, youthful, and forgetful; by now, he had long forgotten the time Autumn James had kicked him.
Seeing Autumn James here, his eyes lit up, and he instinctively called out.
Autumn James turned to look.
Liam Carter stood there, eyes bright, instinctively filled with surprise.
Autumn James frowned, not understanding why Liam Carter had that expression. Back when she had cared for him, he had been so disdainful toward her.
Ignoring Liam Carter, she turned to Summer Lin and Peter Edward awkwardly: "I think I lost my membership card. Shall we go to Han Ting Pavilion instead? They have electronic membership there."
Summer Lin didn't object, and neither did Peter Edward; both nodded in agreement.
But Liam Carter didn't agree.
He quickly walked in front of Autumn James, blocking her path.
"Why are you ignoring me? I have a Yipin Pavilion membership! I can get you in!"
As he spoke, Liam Carter fumbled in his pocket, searching for the card.
Autumn James frowned and stopped his actions, saying softly, "No need, thank you."
Liam Carter froze mid-motion, looking up at Autumn James, his eyes full of confusion with a hint of hurt.
"Why are you being so polite to me?"
"Is it because of the meal I brought you before? But I already paid you for it—what more do you want?"
At first, Liam Carter felt aggrieved, but as he spoke, his tone inexplicably carried impatience.
Autumn James felt a pang in her head—how could such a little cutie cause her this kind of trouble?
She didn't want to deal with him and turned to leave.
Instinctively, Liam Carter grabbed her arm.
At that moment, a sweet and clear voice came from behind.
"Autumn Sister!"
"Autumn Sister, you're here!"
The voice was cheerful, distinct, and lively.
Recognizing who it was, Autumn James's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to leave quickly, but Liam Carter still held her wrist tightly.
She glared at Liam Carter. As the footsteps behind grew closer, she gave up struggling.
Peter Edward, however, noticed Autumn James's difficulty.
He grabbed Liam Carter's hand firmly. Liam Carter felt the pain and instinctively let go.
Autumn James was free and gave Peter Edward a grateful nod.
"Autumn Sister, did you come because you knew Ethan James is holding a celebration here today?"
"But why didn't you tell us earlier? Yipin Pavilion is membership-based; you wouldn't have been able to get in on your own!"
"Come on, Autumn Sister, everyone's waiting for you!"
"But… these two… Ethan James doesn't know them, right? Would it be… awkward if they came along?"
Anna Hawthorne spoke as if she was concerned for Autumn James, but in reality, she was portraying her as a shameless person trying to freeload on a meal.
Liam Carter listened, suspicious, looking at Autumn James with doubt.
So she wanted to bring these two to freeload at Yipin Pavilion?
He knew Autumn James's background; she could easily be used by someone with ill intentions.
Liam Carter decisively stepped forward.
He positioned himself between Autumn James and Peter Edward.
"Autumn James, if you're going in, go alone. The D-Class No.1 private room—these two, I won't let them in!"
Autumn James pressed her lips tightly, suppressing her anger.
Are these two seriously crazy?!
One following the other—why don't they just form a little troupe and put on a play?!
She wanted to curse, but outside, she had to restrain herself.
"These two are my friends. It's my fault for not bringing the card. I never intended to freeload in your room, got it?!"
Before Liam Carter could respond, Anna Hawthorne laughed first.
"Autumn Sister, it's not your fault for not having the card, but being too vain isn't good."
"A family only has one card anyway, right? That card is with Ethan James—how would you have one?"
"If you really want to try Yipin Pavilion's food, come in with us. If you miss today, who knows when you'll have another chance."
Almost at the same moment Anna Hawthorne finished speaking, Autumn James realized what had happened.
Ethan James had stolen the membership card she had in her bag.
Angry but laughing, she eventually calmed down.
"Is that so? You should ask your brother where he got the card from."
Anna Hawthorne froze, instinctively wanting to defend herself, but didn't get a chance to speak.
She was interrupted by Liam Carter, who was already impatient.
"Enough, stop sulking. Come in with us, but only you can go inside. It's still a D-Class private room after all. As for these two… forget it. If you have a chance later, you can bring them for a meal, but don't let them take advantage all the time…"
Summer Lin, listening on the side, glanced herself over subconsciously: …This isn't shabby at all.
Autumn James couldn't tolerate Liam Carter's words any longer.
"Stop talking. Are you out of your mind? I already said they're my friends—didn't you hear me?!"
Before she could finish, a calm and gentle voice, clearly professionally trained, came from the side.
"Hello, Mr. Edward has arranged a Heaven-Class private room for you. Shall we take you there now?"
It turned out Peter Edward had quietly arranged the Heaven-Class room at the front desk without anyone noticing.
Unlike other private rooms, Heaven-Class doesn't require a reservation—there's always a spot available.
The front desk attendant walked over to Autumn James.
She had been watching for a while.
Apparently, this lady forgot her membership card and was mocked by the man and woman behind her.
The attendant was furious but had to maintain professionalism.
Fortunately, the gentleman accompanying her had a membership card.
Who knew how excited she was when he presented the Heaven-Class card?
It was as if a wish-fulfillment story had come to life!
The attendant politely looked at Autumn James, waiting for her response.
Autumn James's gaze fell on Peter Edward.
She lightly smiled, her eyes curved, and said, "Alright."
Then she, along with Summer Lin, was led by the attendant to the Heaven-Class private room.
Anna Hawthorne and Liam Carter were left standing there in shock.
So they had a membership card… and it was Heaven-Class…
Hadn't he just looked like a clown?!
Liam Carter gritted his teeth. It was all Autumn James's fault! She knew the truth but didn't say anything.
In that man's eyes, he must have looked like a complete fool…
The more Liam Carter thought, the angrier he got.
And now Anna Hawthorne came forward again.
"Shall we go back and eat first? If we don't, they'll be anxious."
Liam Carter glared at Anna Hawthorne: "Eat, eat, eat! You only think about food! Why don't you just choke?!"