With the arrival of the waiter came a natural segue into the conversation between the two men. The waiter's hands held a delicate tray with a carefully prepared dinner. His pace is steady, and his demeanor is focused on ensuring that each dish is presented to the guest in the best possible condition.
The waiter first placed Emily's order of the expensive, luxurious steak in front of her, the steak emanating a tantalizing aroma on the plate, and the side dishes were colorful and beautifully presented. Emily's eyes lit up with satisfaction at this long-awaited meal.
The waiter then gently placed the classic pasta dish in front of Emily. The pasta was curled and covered with a layer of tangy sauce and freshly chopped parsley, and it looked very inviting.
The waiter politely inquired, "Can I get you anything else?"
Emily smiled and replied, "Not at the moment; thank you. These look perfect already."
The waiter nods in greeting and then takes a few steps back to give the two guests room to dine.
Emily began to savor her steak, then rolled up some pasta with her fork. The two continued their earlier conversation over the food.
As the dinner progressed, Emily savored the food while engaging in light conversation with Rick. She found Rick to be not only attractive in appearance, but his mannerisms revealed a unique charm and intelligence. Emily's laughter echoed through the restaurant as she felt herself enjoying her time with Rick more and more.
While Rick was interacting with Emily, the corner of his eyes swept over his system interface from time to time. He noticed that as the dinner progressed, the system showed that Emily's favorability towards him was slowly increasing. This discovery made Rick secretly happy in his heart, but he didn't show it, only revealing an imperceptible smile.
For this meal, Rick spent 1500 dollars, which was a considerable amount for him. However, he knew that if he was able to increase Emily's favorability by 1,000 points, converting her into someone who loved him, then he would receive a tenth of the amount spent as a reward. This potential reward made him look forward to the outcome of the dinner.
Rick calculated in his mind that if he was able to pull it off, he would be rewarded with 150 dollars. While this may not seem like much compared to his total expenses, for Rick, it was more than just a monetary reward; it was the fact that he would be able to prove his competence and charisma in the process.
Emily's eyes couldn't help but turn to Rick as the waitress handed over the bill. She knew that the meal was expensive, and for most people, it would certainly be a no-brainer. Emily's mind was a little apprehensive; she wasn't sure how Rick would react. After all, the cost was enough to cover a month's salary for one person.
However, Rick's reaction was completely outside of Emily's expectations. He didn't hesitate; he didn't hesitate; he didn't even look at the numbers on the bill more than once. Rick simply took the bill from the waiter, then quickly took out his credit card and handed it to the waiter for payment.
This behavior on Rick's part shocked Emily. She watched Rick, trying to look for any hint of nervousness or reluctance on his face, but she found nothing. Rick's face was nothing but calm and confident, and his eyes revealed a subdued attitude.
Emily's mind was filled with curiosity about Rick. She began to wonder who this man really was. How was he able to pay such a huge amount of money so easily? Emily's mind was filled with questions, but at the same time, she also became more interested in Rick.
Rick was secretly pleased in his heart, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up into a smug smile. As the bill was paid, he felt an unprecedented sense of relief and fulfillment. At this moment, Rick deeply experienced the freedom and power that wealth brought.
After Rick paid the bill, he turned to Emily and said with a smile, "Nice dinner, Emily. Hopefully, we'll have another one."
He mentally muttered, "Haha, isn't it just money? I'm sure the rich have a great life." For Rick, this was more than just the expense of a meal; it was a symbol of the beginning of his new life, a sign that he was moving away from the past and into the future.
Rick's thoughts drifted back to the past, when he was running for his life and finagling to save money. Now, he could pay expensive bills without hesitation and enjoy luxuries that he had once only dared to imagine. The transformation was exhilarating and made him even more determined to utilize the system to achieve greater goals.
Rick knew that the system had given him more than just wealth; it was a life-changing possibility. He began to fantasize about his future life; the trips he had dreamed of taking and the adventures he longed to experience were now within reach.
Emily smiled back as she felt her favor with Rick rising. She realized that Rick was not just a generous man, but a man with a deep background and story.
As dinner came to an end and the two of them walked out of the restaurant together, Emily was in a happy mood, and her impression of Rick had completely changed.
Her attitude had shifted dramatically from before, from being suspicious and wary to being relaxed and pleasant. She began to initiate courtship and opened up a more intimate dialog with Rick.
Emily smiled and said to Rick, "Rick, tonight's dinner was fantastic. I haven't enjoyed a meal this much in a long time." Her voice was soft and full of sincerity and gratitude.
Rick responded, "I'm so glad you enjoyed the meal, Emily. It was an honor to spend this wonderful evening with you."
Emily offered, "We should get out together sometime; maybe we could go to a movie or a concert?" Her voice revealed anticipation and excitement.
Rick nodded his head in agreement. "That sounds like a great idea, Emily. I'm looking forward to our next meeting."
As the two conversed, Emily's favorability grew, and Rick felt a sense of accomplishment like never before. He knew that through this dinner, he had not only won Emily's trust and favor but also laid a good foundation for future relationships.