As more large dishes and staple foods were served, Jiang Muzhou reached the point where he was seven or eight tenths full, and his eating pace slowed down considerably.
A commotion drifted up from downstairs as a group of people stepped onto the stairs, chatting about the day’s menu.
Passing by the open area, Jiang Muzhou glanced over.
One of them was tall and lean, with striking looks.
No, striking didn’t quite cover it; his appearance possessed a vivid, arresting beauty that Jiang Muzhou rarely ever encountered in real life.
Noticing the gaze, the man turned his head and looked right at him.
He only paused for a fraction of a second before shifting his gaze to Shang Shiru, coming to a halt.
With a smile, he greeted Shang Shiru casually, A-Xu, you are here today?
As the person drew closer, Jiang Muzhou widened his eyes in disbelief. This person was none other than the top-tier celebrity, Li Xuan.
The very same Li Xuan who could trigger multiple trending hot searches simply by sneezing.
While Jiang Muzhou didn’t follow entertainment news closely, his younger sister Jiang Muxue was a massive fan, owning plenty of Li Xuan’s posters and merchandise.
Shang Shiru stood up to make introductions. This is my good friend, Jiang Muzhou. And this is…
Before he could finish, Li Xuan had already extended a hand, looking at Jiang Muzhou with curious interest. Hello, I am Li Xuan.
Jiang Muzhou hurriedly stood up and shook his hand. Hello, hello! My younger sister is a huge fan of yours.
Li Xuan’s pretty, phoenix-like eyes curved into a smile as he looked at him. Thank you.
Shang Shiru and Li Xuan seemed quite familiar with one another. After exchanging a few quick remarks, Li Xuan gestured toward the group waiting by the doorway and casually said his goodbyes to Shang Shiru. I have things to take care of, let us catch up another time.
With that, he nodded once more toward Jiang Muzhou.
As soon as the group left, Jiang Muzhou let out an excited whisper. Was that really Li Xuan just now?
Watching Jiang Muzhou look happier than a person who had just tasted world-class cuisine, Shang Shiru couldn’t help a skeptical look. Is it really that big a deal?
It is my first time seeing a celebrity in person! He looks even better in real life than on video, absolutely flawless. Are you two close?
Pretty close.
I forgot to ask for an autograph just now. Could you help me get one?
Meeting Jiang Muzhou’s bright, eager eyes under the warm lights, Shang Shiru took his time before leisurely responding, Depends on how well you behave these next few days.
Ah, what a stingy person.
Since you are so close with him, those rumors in the news a while back about Li Xuan dating Luo Shi, are they true?
If Li Xuan was Jiang Muxue’s idol, then Luo Shi was undeniably Jiang Muzhou’s goddess.
He was genuinely burning to know whether his goddess was actually in a relationship.
Shang Shiru ignored the question, continuing to eat the food in front of him.
President Shang, humor me a little.
Shang Shiru swallowed his bite, raising his eyes to look at him.
The urge to uncover the truth reached its absolute peak for Jiang Muzhou. Are those two real or not?
Eat your food.
Oh.
By the end of the meal, Jiang Muzhou went to settle the bill, only to be informed that it had already been paid for.
Jiang Muzhou turned back in surprise.
Shang Shiru looked at him calmly. Let us go.
As they headed out, Jiang Muzhou craned his neck to peer into the reception counter, but it was too far away to see clearly.
We agreed I was treating you today. Why did you sneakily pay the bill behind my back?
Shang Shiru walked toward the exit. Forgot.
How could you possibly forget something like that?
Shang Shiru clicked his car key to unlock the doors. You can treat me next time.
Jiang Muzhou slowed his pace for a second before catching up, his tone dropping a fraction. It took me forever to build up the resolve to treat you to something you actually like.
Pulling open the driver’s side door, Shang Shiru looked at the slightly exasperated young man, amused, and drawled unhurriedly, This restaurant belongs to me. If you want to eat here, just say the word and put it on my tab.
Jiang Muzhou: ?
He only had a vague sense of just how massive Shang Shiru’s business empire was, with no real grasp of the actual scale.
Interacting with someone from a completely different social strata required adaptation, and Jiang Muzhou felt he was doing a fine job, at least the meal had been delicious.
As for whether Shang Shiru could adapt to him, well, that wasn’t something he could control.
Next time he played host, he was definitely taking the reins. A restaurant of this tier was simply too high-end; the financial pressure would give him ulcers.
Cycling through various thoughts, he resolved that future outings would stick strictly to places averaging one or two hundred per head, three hundred max.
Noticing Jiang Muzhou fell silent after climbing into the passenger seat, Shang Shiru spoke in a gentle tone, Do not overthink things when you eat with me. Just be comfortable. Whether you treat me or I treat you, it does not matter. The point is getting to eat together.
Jiang Muzhou muttered inwardly: Be comfortable? It was comfortable alright, but you didn’t even touch your food last time.
Seeing that he was still quiet, Shang Shiru brought up a piece of gossip he would normally never touch: Those two are fake. I will get you that autograph in a few days.
Just as he was pulling his seatbelt across, Jiang Muzhou heard this and instantly abandoned all his mental calculations regarding restaurant pricing. I knew it was just tabloid nonsense written for clicks.
Watching Shang Shiru start the engine, he deliberated for a moment before asking, If you knew the whole time, why didn’t you just tell me earlier?
Shang Shiru turned the steering wheel to the left, guiding the car out of the alleyway as a soft chuckle escaped him, leaving the question unanswered.
Seeing Shang Shiru occupied with driving, Jiang Muzhou pulled out his phone, beginning to scout for affordable, highly-rated local eateries costing only a few dozen yuan.
Comfortable? Comfortable is nice.
By now, the car had merged onto a wide thoroughfare. The brilliant glow of streetlamps washed through the windows, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across their faces.
Shang Shiru reached out to switch on the car stereo. Feel free to change the station if you want something else.
A foreign track was playing softly through the speakers; Jiang Muzhou recognized the melody but couldn’t recall the title.
Since the music was pleasant, he left it alone.
Noticing him sitting idly, Shang Shiru asked, What are you thinking about?
I was just thinking about what you said earlier about being comfortable. If you stick with me, you might have to give up fine dining for a while.
It is fine. I will eat whatever you treat me to, I am not picky. Shang Shiru paused for a brief second. As long as it is clean.
It carried the distinct vibe of letting Jiang Muzhou take complete charge, adapting to whatever came his way.
After the car had been driving for half an hour, Jiang Muzhou realized this wasn’t the route leading back to Shang Shiru’s company.
Where are we heading?
Riding a motorcycle at night isn’t safe. I am dropping you off.
Hearing this, Jiang Muzhou slumped completely against the comfortable leather backrest, shifting into a relaxed posture with his hands resting casually on his stomach. He glanced sideways at Shang Shiru, his tone lazy and teasing, President Shang, you are really something else.
Shang Shiru’s refined conduct radiated a quiet gentlemanly grace at every turn, leaving Jiang Muzhou genuinely curious about what kind of family background could cultivate someone so exceptionally well-rounded.
Yet Shang Shiru practically never spoke of his family affairs, barely even mentioning his cousin Dong Qianwen.
Instead of accepting the compliment, Shang Shiru countered, You are picking up your motorcycle tomorrow, so we will have lunch together. You still owe me six meals, you pick the place.
Six meals? He remembered the count with terrifying precision. And so much for being comfortable.
That might not work, Jiang Muzhou said, a hint of schadenfreude coloring his voice. Our company is having a team-building trip tomorrow.
Shang Shiru glanced sideways, as if verifying the truth of the statement.
Jiang Muzhou chuckled. Do not look at me like that, even Zhang Ning knows.
You told him?
Yeah. When he heard we were doing a team-building getaway, he helped me pick out a spot and even got us a thirty percent discount.
Guessing the venue instantly, Shang Shiru asked, Tianrun Leisure Manor?
How did you know? Oh right, you and Zhang Ning are that close.
Shang Shiru replied, If you drop my name when you get there, you can get a seventy percent discount.
Won’t the owner of that manor take a massive loss?
He won’t. Shang Shiru navigated through a traffic light. You actually know the owner.
I know him? Jiang Muzhou looked perplexed; he had no idea he was acquainted with anyone who owned a resort manor.
The exact same person you were just asking for an autograph.
Li Xuan?
If he owned a luxury resort like that, why on earth was he still bothering to work as an idol?