Ch. 23 - Lunchtime

The truth was, whenever Tang Xin smiled quietly without speaking, there was a very high chance that she was seriously thinking about something.

Or more accurately... Probably plotting something again. What a troublesome woman.

"Still, there haven't been many truly outstanding titles in recent years."

Chen Yu continued the conversation, his voice carrying a hint of regret.

"People say it's because players' tastes have become more Westernized, but honestly, I think Japanese game developers are slowly running out of ideas."

"Yeah."

I nodded in agreement. I was a little surprised. While his opinion wasn't particularly uncommon or profound, the regret in his voice was unmistakably genuine. That was the tone of a real gaming enthusiast.

"Brother Chen Yu's family owns businesses related to the gaming industry."

Tang Xin smiled as she continued fanning me. Chen Yu smiled back at her and nodded. Then he looked at me expectantly.

"And I'm a die-hard fan of the Firebearer series."

"Really? Me too!"

I blurted out excitedly.

So not every rich young master was impossible to get along with. Chen Yu was completely different from those arrogant people I'd met before. He actually had the potential to become a friend.

***

The three of us continued walking. Gradually, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Those few comments from Chen Yu had eased much of the awkwardness. This was the power of a social superstar.

Without anyone noticing, he'd seamlessly inserted himself into the dynamic between Tang Xin and me, becoming both the source and center of conversation. He constantly brought up interesting topics. Everyone had opportunities to speak. Even Tang Xin smiled more often. He treated both of us equally. No favoritism. No awkwardness.

The three of us strolled through the old streets together while a cool breeze drifted by. It honestly felt like a group of old friends hanging out.

If not for this unusually harmonious atmosphere—or if it had been anyone else—I might have thought he was intentionally interrupting my interactions with Tang Xin.

***

The morning wasn't exactly early anymore.

Although the old district wasn't particularly large, touring the entire area still took quite a bit of time. We passed through aging streets and crossed two small parks. Before we realized it, we'd already explored most of the old district.

It was midsummer. The sun hung high overhead, blazing mercilessly. There were very few pedestrians on the streets.

"You two must be getting hungry."

Chen Yu checked his watch and looked at Tang Xin and me.

"I know a good restaurant nearby. Why don't we have lunch there?"

Only then did I realize it was already lunchtime.

Tang Xin didn't answer immediately. One hand held her hat in place while the other used a tissue to wipe the sweat from my forehead.

Then she asked me:

"Ah Qiao, do you want to go?"

Chen Yu, who had been looking at Tang Xin, immediately shifted his gaze toward me. There was a clear question in his eyes.

I was supposed to be an extra today. So how had I somehow been promoted into the protagonist who survives all the way to the final episode?

"Uh... I don't mind."

I answered awkwardly.

After receiving my approval, Chen Yu nodded and took the lead.

***

After passing through a couple of intersections and leaving the old district behind, we didn't walk very far before stopping in front of a building that looked like an ordinary house.

However, the large sign hanging above the entrance read:

Private Kitchen Cuisine

Clearly, this wasn't an ordinary residence. This was the private restaurant Chen Yu had mentioned.

"We're here."

Chen Yu pushed open the wooden door and gestured for Tang Xin and me to enter first.

"Mm. Ah Qiao, let's go."

Tang Xin gave Chen Yu a meaningful glance before grabbing my hand and pulling me inside.

The interior looked remarkably similar to a normal family home. A television. A framed peony painting symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Various ordinary decorations.

The cozy arrangement naturally created a feeling of warmth and familiarity.

Only the dining tables scattered throughout the room—and the customers seated at them—revealed that this wasn't actually someone's house. The entire layout had simply been designed to create a homelike atmosphere.

"How many guests?"

A waitress approached us.

"Three."

"Right this way."

Under her guidance, we arrived at an elegant square table. Decorative partitions subtly separated our area from the rest of the dining hall. Even though we were technically sitting in an open space, it felt surprisingly private.

Tang Xin removed her hat and naturally sat down beside me. Across from us sat Chen Yu.

"You two first."

Chen Yu picked up the menu and placed it before us.

"Anything Ah Qiao likes is fine with me."

Tang Xin's meaning couldn't have been more obvious. At this point, Chen Yu had shown absolutely no dissatisfaction toward all of Tang Xin's intimate gestures. Didn't that already prove he wasn't interested in her? And yet this woman was still acting. Wasn't she exhausted?

I nodded and picked up the menu.

After only two pages, cold sweat immediately began streaming down my forehead. Were these prices real? Had the printer accidentally added an extra zero to everything?!

"U-Uh..."

My hands trembled slightly as I pushed the menu back toward Chen Yu.

"Maybe you should order. I've never been here before."

Good grief. Who would've thought this seemingly ordinary restaurant was hiding such terrifying prices? I'd seriously underestimated it.

"Alright."

Chen Yu smiled.

"Then I'll choose a few dishes."

Picking up the menu again, he ordered several specialties from the waitress.

After finishing, he added:

"And one bottle of your house-made wine."

"Certainly. Please wait a moment."

The waitress nodded and left.

"Um... Chen Yu, is it really okay for us to drink alcohol?"

I asked cautiously. Putting aside whether minors should even be drinking... I still needed to attend Bai Lu's performance this afternoon.

If I showed up smelling like alcohol and Bai Lu noticed...The consequences were too horrifying to imagine.

"It's fine."

Chen Yu immediately understood my concern.

"The homemade wine here isn't like commercial alcohol. It's very sweet and tastes almost like a soft drink. The alcohol smell is barely noticeable."

"I see..."

Unable to come up with a good excuse, I subtly nudged Tang Xin's hand beside me. I hoped she'd understand my silent plea.

Unfortunately...

The woman who was normally as cunning as a fox somehow failed to grasp my meaning completely. After I touched her hand, her cheeks actually turned slightly red.

Then she shot me a seductive glance.

...

This woman couldn't possibly think I was trying to initiate some weird romantic play, could she?!

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