C5 Tang Ge's Encounter
"What kind of car is this? It's hideous. I'd much rather ride in my sister's Maserati."
The ride-share was a very cheap domestic model, and its design left much to be desired. Bai Ling pouted, reluctant to get in.
"Just bear with it for now. Don't you want to eat at Tang Pavilion?"
Zhang Yang cajoled Bai Ling into the car as if soothing a child.
Upon hearing 'Tang Pavilion,' Bai Ling grudgingly agreed to get in the car, but insisted on being carried by Zhang Yang, refusing to sit on the car seat.
Zhang Yang sighed, feeling his own hunger grow, and not wanting to delay any further, he acquiesced and picked her up.
Tang Pavilion.
It was just after one o'clock in the afternoon, and while the lunch rush had subsided, the restaurant was still bustling with patrons. As the country's sole three-star Michelin establishment, it was perpetually crowded.
Xiaoxuan, dressed in a pink dress, was seated at a table in the southern part of the main hall, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
This was her first time dining at such an upscale restaurant. Being an ordinary girl with no significant family background, it was a stretch for her family to even afford her education, let alone splurge on luxury dining.
But then...
She caught Zhao Yu's eye from across the table. He noticed her gaze and returned her look with a smile.
Zhao Yu might not have been much to look at, but his wealth was undeniable. Zhang Yang couldn't have afforded to bring her here for who knows how long. Yet, Zhao Yu's libido was almost too much for her to handle. He had insisted on three rounds just last night, and again this morning, each session embarrassingly brief, not even lasting a minute.
She shrugged it off internally. She wasn't looking for pleasure from him; as long as he was willing to spend his money on her, she was content. In fact, she preferred his encounters to be as brief as possible.
"Hey, you country bumpkin, watch my backpack—that's an MCM!"
Suddenly, a young girl's voice rang out near the entrance, drawing Xiaoxuan's attention.
A brown-haired girl stood at the doorway, indignantly pointing at a man who seemed utterly indifferent to her complaint. He dismissed her with a casual remark, "A broken backpack, how much can it be worth?"
"Hehe, a regular backpack costs upwards of ten thousand, but this one is a limited edition and goes for over a hundred thousand! Could you even afford it if you damaged it?"
"Ten... over a hundred thousand?" The man was taken aback by the little girl's words and, in his surprise, accidentally dropped the bag on the floor.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Their argument caught the attention of many patrons in the restaurant. A waiter hurried over to mediate, picked up the bag, and handed it back to the little girl.
Xiaoxuan was taken aback when she realized that the man was none other than Zhang Yang!
How was it possible? How could Zhang Yang be in such an upscale place?
She couldn't quite believe her eyes and wondered if she was mistaken.
Zhao Yu, seated in front of her, also took note of Zhang Yang's unexpected appearance, his face showing his astonishment. This was, after all, a restaurant where the cost per table started in the thousands!
At that moment, Bai Ling snatched her bag from the waiter and, fuming, made her way over to Zhao Yu's table, eventually sitting down at the one to their right.
Zhang Yang hurried over as well, apologizing profusely as he approached.
"Little miss, I'm so sorry. I had no idea the bag was that expensive."
"Hmph, it's not about the cost. This bag is a gift from my sister! You're in for it; she'll definitely have your job tomorrow."
"Come on, it's just a bag. There's no need for all this..."
Suddenly, Zhang Yang saw an opportunity. If he got fired by this young lady, it wouldn't count as him voluntarily ending the meal, right? That meant he wouldn't lose a thousand achievement points.
So he quickly backtracked, "Yes, yes, you're right. I made a mistake. I deserve to be fired. Please, tell your sister tonight, and I'll be gone tomorrow."
Zhang Yang's eagerness to be dismissed took Bai Ling by surprise. She had never encountered someone so eager to be fired. Was he genuinely remorseful? Did he feel so guilty that he needed to resign as a way to express his apology?
With these thoughts, Bai Ling's resolve softened. She pouted and murmured quietly, "Well, the bag's fine anyway."
"Eh?"
Her voice was so faint that Zhang Yang struggled to catch her words.
"Hmph, it's nothing. Since you've behaved, you may sit down."
Bai Ling's cheeks flushed as she pursed her lips.
Zhang Yang was puzzled. Why had the young lady suddenly forgiven him? Wouldn't this turn of events spoil his plan?
He sighed regretfully, wishing he had scratched the backpack earlier.
Noticing Zhang Yang's look of disappointment, Bai Ling felt a twinge of guilt. Had she been too harsh, frightening him?
If she could read his thoughts at that moment, she'd probably be furious.
"Ahem, Zhang Yang, well done. I'm surprised to see you in a place like this."
Out of the blue, Zhao Yu, who was seated nearby, chimed in.
Only then did Zhang Yang notice that Zhao Yu and Xiaoxuan were sitting next to him. His attention had been so focused on Bai Ling that he hadn't expected to encounter them here.
He had a hunch about what had transpired between Zhao Yu and Xiaoxuan the previous night. Zhao Yu had made a point of loudly telling him that if Xiaoxuan took good care of him, he would take her out...
It looked like his ex-girlfriend had indeed taken very good care of Zhao Yu!
Zhang Yang glared at Xiaoxuan, his eyes ablaze with anger.
"Hey, what's the matter with you?" Bai Ling's voice trembled slightly, betraying her fear. She had never seen someone look so fierce in front of her.
Realizing he had frightened her, Zhang Yang quickly turned to her and gently patted her head, offering reassurance.
"Sorry for scaring you. I promise it won't happen again. Shall we move to another table?"
"Hey, you didn't deceive this young lady, did you? Little sister, tell me, did this guy trick you into treating him to a meal?"
Zhao Yu rose to his feet and leaned in towards Bai Ling with a mocking sneer.
Bai Ling felt bewildered, unsure of what the man who seemed like an uncle wanted from her—she clearly didn't recognize him!
She glanced at Zhang Yang, silently seeking guidance on what to do next.
"Waiter!" Zhang Yang called out abruptly.
Instantly, a waiter who had been keeping an eye on their table hurried over.
"Sir, how may I assist you today?"
"I'd like one of each dish that's over 1,000 RMB from your menu!"
"Sir, our restaurant offers dozens of such dishes. The total would come to 110,000 RMB. Are you certain?"
"Enough talk. Just bring them out as I've requested!"