C6 A Girl next Door!

Ye Tingyu adjusted her coat collar and gave Lee Wen a look of surprise. She didn't show any resistance or displeasure, but instead chuckled and said, "Let's go. After all, we're friends who've been through tough times together. Let's grab a bite to eat."

"This..." Lee Wen gripped the meager forty yuan in his pocket, responding uneasily, "Okay, okay..."

The entrance to Antique City was bustling at night, with an array of hotels and restaurants. Ye Tingyu led the way into an opulently decorated Sichuan restaurant. Once seated, Lee Wen grew even more tense. Despite his current down-and-out status, his male pride made him feel that he should be the one to pay for a meal with a beautiful woman. Yet, given the circumstances, he feared she might think less of him.

"What would you like to eat?" Ye Tingyu took the menu, dismissed the waiter, and noticing Lee Wen's anxious demeanor, she burst into laughter. "You faced down a bunch of thugs without batting an eye, and now you're nervous? Relax, will you? You're making me feel tense! Take a look and see what you'd like to order."

"Anything, I'm not picky!" Lee Wen managed a strained smile, then muttered under his breath, feeling that things were not going as he had anticipated, leaving him internally disoriented.

He had envisioned, after discovering his newfound physical abilities and his uncanny skill in discerning authentic antiques, that he would strike it rich at the perfect moment. Then, with some wealth to his name, he would be on equal footing with Ye Tingyu and could properly pursue her.

But the arrival of those thugs had thrown his plans into disarray. He hadn't imagined that during his first solo meal with the woman of his dreams, he'd only have forty yuan to his name! Clearly, he was going to need her to pick up the tab.

This frustrating and pride-damaging predicament made Lee Wen exceedingly uncomfortable.

As Lee Wen wrestled with his thoughts, Ye Tingyu efficiently ordered four dishes and a soup. With the food yet to arrive, she poured a cup of tea and looked at Lee Wen with a teasing smile, asking, "What's on your mind? You don't really think I invited you out to dinner just for the sake of it, do you?"

"Ah? So, Ye, are you suggesting..." Lee Wen gathered his courage and looked up at Ye Tingyu, asking.

"Aren't you going to share with me how you managed to take down those thugs with such ease?" Ye Tingyu propped her chin in her hand, her large eyes blinking at Lee Wen.

Too engrossed in the conversation, her chest pressed against the table, drawing attention. Lee Wen fought the urge to gulp and offered a dry laugh, lying without a hint of embarrassment, "Well... Ye, I've always been into fitness, and I joined the Tai Chi and Sanda clubs in college. So... I've got a bit of brute strength. I was also pretty fired up at the moment... I should be thanking you, actually. Any other girl probably wouldn't have stepped in to help me!"

"Help is a strong word. I'm just glad I didn't make things worse!" Ye Tingyu was somewhat doubtful, pausing before asking, "How did you know this morning that what Zhou Ziqiang brought was a counterfeit?"

"Sister Ye, as you know, I studied archaeology in college..." Lee Wen had rehearsed various explanations in his head, and now they came in handy. "Plus, I've done quite a bit of research since I was young, so..."

"I see!" Ye Tingyu nodded, her expression one of realization. Though she was only two or three years older than Lee Wen, she carried herself with a seasoned air, which had its own allure. "Then it seems we're lucky to have someone with your expertise apprenticing at Tingyu House!"

"Not at all, I have so much more to learn..." Lee Wen was about to elaborate when the dishes began arriving. Both were famished, particularly Lee Wen, who upon seeing the aromatic and vibrant Sichuan cuisine, felt as though he hadn't eaten in days. He recognized this as a side effect of overusing his abilities. Initially cautious about his table manners, he soon gave in to his hunger, devouring the food with gusto.

Ye Tingyu's perception of him shifted as she watched his voracious eating, occasionally teasing him. By the end of the meal, their relationship had evolved beyond the formalities of employer and employee, resembling more the camaraderie of friends, growing increasingly warm and friendly.

Feeling the timing was right, Lee Wen cautiously inquired, "Ye, about that shattered vase... could you let me have it? I'd like to take some time to see if it can be repaired. I'll compensate you for it, of course, but it's worth a shot to try and salvage what I can, right?"

"You and your guilty looks," Ye Tingyu teased with a chuckle. "I've been so swamped these past few days I'd forgotten all about it. Had you not mentioned it, I would've brought it up myself. But just so you know, that vase won't be an easy fix. The best Restorer I know is out of town on a trip. Once he's back, I can introduce you to him. Still, even with a repair, selling it will be tough, and the value will definitely take a hit."

"Thanks so much, Sister Ye!" Lee Wen expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "Regardless, I want to at least try."

After continuing their conversation for a bit longer, they rose to settle the bill. Lee Wen stood by, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, as Ye Tingyu took care of the payment.

Concerned about potential retaliation from Hu San's associates, Lee Wen escorted Ye Tingyu to her upscale residential area before turning to leave.

Ye Tingyu was not only stunning but also incredibly sharp. Somehow, she had perceived Lee Wen's predicament and insisted on driving him home.

With no other option, Lee Wen reluctantly climbed into her white Mercedes.

About ten minutes later, Lee Wen reached the doorstep of his rental. He thanked her profusely before getting out of the car and watched as Ye Tingyu drove away. Then, he turned to walk into the yard.

"Halt!" As he stepped through the gate, a white figure leapt out like a specter.

Startled, Lee Wen stumbled backward and upon closer inspection, realized it was just the landlord's daughter playing a prank. He rolled his eyes and snapped, "Liu Jiajia, have you lost your mind? Trying to scare me half to death in the middle of the night?"

"Look at you, Lee Wen, you turncoat!" Liu Jiajia retorted, pinching his arm and launching into a tirade like her mother's. "After all the kindness I, Liu Jiajia, have shown you, always sweetly calling you by name, now that you're cozying up to a wealthy lady, you start barking at me, a simple girl from the Old Quarter?"

"Ouch, that hurts! Please, let go..." Lee Wen pleaded with a sheepish grin as he tried to wriggle free. "Jiajia, the belle of Oklark University, the most sought-after beauty on campus, how could I ever raise my voice at you? If I did, I'd be a goner, wouldn't I? Your admirers would have me lying in the street faster than you can say 'duck'. So, come on, release me!"

"Hmph, just remember that," Liu Jiajia warned, hands defiantly in her pockets. She leaned in with a sly look and whispered, "Lee Wen, spill the beans. You're not actually down on your luck and turning into a gigolo, are you?"