Kun Garden, the most exclusive restaurant in all of Jiangcheng.
It served the most authentic Jiangcheng cuisine, having hosted numerous international celebrities. As a century-old establishment, it had developed its own unique system.
Located in the heart of Jiangcheng, on land worth its weight in gold, the antique-style architecture comprised five interconnected courtyard houses.
Operating on a membership system, it only served fifteen tables per day, ensuring the highest quality of service.
Unless one held a black card membership here, there was no possibility of securing a last-minute reservation.
Bright red lanterns swayed beneath the eaves in the breeze, and amidst the brilliant lights, one could see waitstaff moving along the second-floor balconies.
When Jing Chu pushed Ye Fei inside, he couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of such architecture standing amidst the surrounding modern high-rises.
It truly felt like two completely different worlds.
“Boss, this place looks pretty impressive,” Jing Chu remarked, looking around.
Zhi Yuan seemed like a decent guy, at least he hadn’t half-heartedly invited their boss.
“I’ve heard the food here is excellent, and it’s not easy for just anyone to get a reservation. Having this meal saves us the trouble of applying for a membership card,” Ye Fei replied with satisfaction.
The membership card for this place couldn’t be obtained without spending at least a million or so.
“Boss, we don’t have to be that stingy,” Jing Chu said, exasperated.
Although they had to maintain the boss’s persona of being short on money, there was no need to be this frugal.
“Sacrificing your charm just for a meal,” Jing Chu muttered under his breath.
“What did you say?” Ye Fei narrowed her eyes dangerously.
Jing Chu quickly caught on. “Nothing, I didn’t say anything.”
Zhi Yuan was quite the gentleman, having arrived early to wait. When he saw the young woman entering the courtyard, he stood up with a smile and walked over to greet her.
“Miss Ye.”
Ye Fei nodded politely. “I was delayed on the way out. I hope I’m not late?”
Zhi Yuan shook his head. “I just arrived myself. The timing is perfect.”
After escorting them into the main hall, Jing Chu tactfully stepped aside, watching as Zhi Yuan wheeled Ye Fei into the private room.
“Does Miss Ye prefer light or spicy flavors?” Zhi Yuan asked, handing her the menu.
“I’m fine with either.”
Ye Fei flipped through the menu and casually ordered a few signature dishes. She wasn’t particularly picky about food—as long as there was something to eat, she was content.
Once they were seated, the atmosphere felt a bit dull with just the two of them, so Zhi Yuan began making conversation.
“When I first extended the invitation to Miss Ye, I thought you might not accept.”
Hearing this, Ye Fei raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Do I seem that unapproachable?”
She hadn’t originally planned to go out, but Gu Zhi had been watching her like a hawk, seemingly determined to marry her into the Zhi family.
If she hadn’t accepted Zhi Yuan’s invitation, she would have had to endure Old Mrs. Huo’s endless nagging.
Besides, she had been meaning to find time to visit Kun Garden and try the food here. When she was young, Luo Qishan often brought her here.
There was a dish called Qingchuan Fish with Bamboo Shoots that she used to love.
Now, revisiting this place, she wanted to see if it still tasted the same.
“Not exactly. Although Miss Ye is warm to others, there’s always a sense of seeing flowers through a mist—it feels somewhat unreal,” Zhi Yuan said with a smile.
Ye Fei took a sip of juice from her cup and replied leisurely, “People always need to make friends.”
Her unpretentious demeanor made Zhi Yuan feel as though he had been overly formal.
“That’s right, I hope we get along well.” Zhi Yuan nodded.
Even if they didn’t end up becoming husband and wife, they could still be friends. That would be enough.
During the wait for the dishes to be served, Ye Fei scrolled through her phone, which displayed several messages from different people.
Among them, Chu Xi’s was the clearest, even accompanied by several eye-catching exclamation marks.
The general meaning was that the system couldn’t be breached, and none of the programs she had planted had lured anyone in.
To obtain the files, they would have to try a different approach.
Thinking of this, Ye Fei put away her phone. If she hadn’t been mistaken, the tattoo behind Number Thirty-Nine’s ear was the totemic pattern symbolizing Ker.
Her fingers unconsciously stroked the edge of her phone, suddenly recalling what he had whispered in her ear back at Nanhuang.
Next time…
“Miss Ye?”
Zhi Yuan’s voice pulled her back from her own thoughts.
“Hmm?”
The person across from her didn’t comment on her distraction, instead gesturing for her to try the dessert in front of her.
“The fermented glutinous rice here is the best. I’ve heard many girls really like it. Give it a try.”
Ye Fei picked up a spoon and scooped a mouthful of the fermented glutinous rice. The hot glutinous rice balls instantly burst open, spraying out a rich rose-flavored broth.
Seeing her expression change, Zhi Yuan quickly stood up to hand her a tissue, passing her the water glass as well.
“It’s too hot, isn’t it?”
Ye Fei took a sip of water, easing the stinging sensation on her tongue, and waved her hand at him. “It was my own carelessness.”
Only after calming down did Zhi Yuan realize he was holding her wrist, and he hurriedly let go.
“I’m sorry.”
Ye Fei smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”
Zhi Yuan nodded. The soft touch of her fingertips still lingered as he politely returned to his seat.
As he turned, through the gaps in the carved patterns on the private room door, he seemed to catch a glimpse of someone passing by just then.
Before he could dispel his doubts, a waiter opened the door to bring in the dishes.
Standing at the end of the long corridor, Jing Chu watched the person who had just walked past him, his jaw nearly dropping in shock.
Number Thirty-Nine, why was he here?
And from the look of it, he had just glanced toward the boss’s private room.
After the boss’s instructions last night, he had rushed to Nanhuang overnight to investigate all available information, but no one had contact details for Number Thirty-Nine.
The manager had only said one thing: this person showed up for matches based on his mood and didn’t appear regularly.
Later, after learning that he was the young master of the Zhi family, Jing Chu understood where that air of arrogance came from.
Now that he had appeared here, Jing Chu didn’t hesitate to send a message to Ye Fei.
…
Unlike the polite and harmonious atmosphere in Ye Fei’s private room, the one next door felt somewhat tense.
After instructing the manager to start serving the dishes, Chi Yan looked at the expressionless man sitting across from him.
“At least I’m treating you to a meal. Can’t you look a little happier?”
The man across from him glanced up at his words, and Chi Yan instantly backed down.
Fine, unhappy it is.
But this guy, Chi Yan, never knew when to stop or how to quit while he was ahead.
“I just took a look—those two seem to be getting along quite well. Ye Fei seems to like him. But then again, Zhi Yuan has a gentle temperament and comes from a prestigious background. He’s quite popular among the socialites and ladies of Jiangcheng, even topping the list of the most desirable bachelors in the city at one point.”
Chi Yan, fearless as ever, continued to provoke the man across from him.
When watching a show, the more dramatic it was, the better, right?
“Do you know what piece is being performed at the concert I gave you tickets for tonight?” Chi Yan leaned in mysteriously. “It’s the Fourth Symphony.”
A quintessential ode to love, perfect for couples to listen to together, especially those in the ambiguous stage of a relationship.
“Chi Yan.”
The person before him finally spoke, and Chi Yan stared at him with eager anticipation.
“You seem to have too much free time lately.”
Though the tone was matter-of-fact, Chi Yan inexplicably sensed a threat.
“I’ll shut up.”
Chi Yan made a gesture and sat back properly, looking obedient as he waited for the food to arrive.