The host led Li Na and Fu Lei to the private room. However, Li Na's head was spinning, she had finally pieced together who Fu Lei was from the drama a few minutes ago. 'Isn't Fu Lei the undisputed king of the underworld in the future? How on earth did I get tangled up with this hot potato? It's true that his gang didn't commit any serious crimes and actually cooperated with authorities behind the scenes, but I refuse to believe that they were spotless.'
"Here you are, Young Master, if you need anything please let us know." The host held the door of the private room open while bowing to Fu Lei. Li Na and Fu Lei entered the room and sat down across from each other.
"Order whatever you want," Fu Lei said while handing the menu to Li Na.
"I don't need the menu, what I want is probably not on there." Li Na knew that the restaurant would later become famous for its western cuisine although it was already a well-established restaurant. However, the chef that made that possible should only be a small assistant at the moment. She only knew this because she had uncovered this talent when she had purchased the restaurant in her past life. She was determined to enjoy her favorite dish though since she had this chance. She figured why not see how serious this Fu Lei was.
"If it's not on the menu, we probably don't have a chef that can make it." Fu Lei hesitated. "We try to add as many options as possible so if a chef can make something that is at the standard of the restaurant it's added to the menu."
"Oh? Shall we have a wager then?" Li Na smiled provocatively.
"Sure, what are the terms," Fu Lei replied casually.
"If I win, sign over this restaurant to me. If you win I will agree to any request you have."
Fu Lei smiled confidently. 'Well, she just made it easy for me to invite her to the banquet tonight.' "Sure." Fu Lei wasn't worried even if he did somehow lost the bet. His family didn't really care about the food industry, this was just an establishment that they had set up on a whim years ago. His grandmother had already handed this place to him to do with as he saw fit. "So what were you planning on ordering?"
Li Na was astonished that he agreed so casually. 'The rich really do just do whatever,' she thought. "I was thinking spicey chicken alfredo."
Fu Lei's casual grin faded. If he wasn't mistaken, this would be one of the signature dishes of the restaurant in the future. It then hit him what happened to this restaurant in his past lives. He had sold the place off for a remarkable price, and the buyer was Li Na. He had forgotten because he hadn't personally overseen the sale. His manager had called him about the buyout offer and he had agreed to it over the phone. 'She really did get stuck in this cycle,' he thought as he resolved to get closer to her. "Let's call the server then." He then pushed the button on the table to call the server.
Less than a minute later a serious and stern waiter entered the room. "Young Master, are you ready to order?"
"Yes, please check with the staff in the back if anyone can make spicey chicken alfredo."
"Make sure you include assistants when you do your inquiry," Li Na added.
Hearing their requests the server was shocked, but he wouldn't question his Young Master or his Young Master's guest. "Right away, Young Master." The waiter turned and left. A few minutes later the waiter returned, "Young Master, there indeed is an assistant that can make the dish, however, he is a new hire and only started last month."
"That is fine, we'll have that," Li Na spoke instead. Fu Lei just nodded in agreement when the waiter looked to him. After the waiter left again, Li Na smiled triumphantly. It seems like I've won the bet.
Fu Lei was speechless, not because of the bet, but because of Li Na's radiant smile. This was the first time he had seen her smile and he lost himself in it.
"Hey, you don't plan on backing out of our bet do you?" Li Na's smile was gone replaced with the usual cold glare that Fu Lei had already become used to.
"No, I was just astonished that you knew someone here could make it. How did you know?" Fu Lei quickly recovered and decided to inquire about her foresight.
'I can't tell him that I reincarnated right?' She was puzzled about how to answer the question. "Instinct," she lied.
Fu Lei let out a boisterous laugh as he easily caught her lie. "Well, with that level of instinct, maybe you should invest in the stock market."
Li Na frowned, it wasn't a bad idea, but she needed money first. It'd be a while before she could profit off of the restaurant. Due to her lack of personal funds, she'd be forced to recycle all of the profits straight back into the management of the restaurant. It was definitely well off enough to be self-sustaining. However, she would have to sacrifice her personal income in order to achieve that. "I would if I could," she mumbled.
"Would you like an easy job to make some quick seed money?" Fu Lei jumped on the opening as this would probably be his best chance to convince her to accompany him tonight.
"What kind of job?" She was interested, but only if it didn't involve anything shady.
"I have to attend a banquet tonight and I need a companion. If I show up alone my grandmother will try to introduce me to all those snobby rich girls. All you would need to do is attend with me, I will handle your attire and appearance. I can pay you the money upfront if you'd like. Once the banquet is done, I'll take you back to your house. There will be no additional requirements other than attending the banquet. I will ensure that you will remain untouched and unharassed throughout the night." He emphasized the 'no additional requirements' and 'untouched and unharassed' to ensure her that he had no ulterior motives. He severely hated those wealthy young women who only saw him as a means to climb higher in society. Someone with wits and courage like Li Na would suit him much better if he had the time to get in a relationship. He had avoided trying to enter a relationship once he realized he really was stuck in this cycle of death and rebirth. Even before he only entered relationships half-heartedly as a shield to keep admirers off him.
Li Na pondered his offer. If she could make some connections now, it would speed up her process of building her empire. Not to mention she really needed money. "How much?"
Fu Lei smiled, he knew that if she had reincarnated she wouldn't be willing to turn down this offer. "Two million in addition to wardrobe and styling costs." He offered an exorbitant amount because he wanted to see what she could do if she was given the opportunity to establish herself now.
"Deal." She chose to agree because if she wanted to save her mother, she really needed the money now. "Now, about the bet." She brought the topic back to the pressing issue because she really wanted this restaurant.
"Let's handle the legal procedures tomorrow. Tomorrow is an off day so we'll have the time to handle all the turnover procedures immediately."
"Very well." With that negotiations were concluded. After a few minutes of awkward silence, the waiter returned with their meal. The two happily ate as the dish was as good as Li Na remembered.