Emily sat on the soft leather seats and looked around at the luxurious decorations inside the western restaurant. An awkward and grateful smile appeared on her face. She said to Rick, "Rick, I'm so embarrassed that it's your treat twice. You are so generous."
Rick, on the other hand, smiled slightly, a sense of confidence and even some pretense in his gesture. He replied, "Emily, don't say that. He must treat a girl, especially if he's having lunch with a beautiful lady like you. You don't have to take it to heart."
His words revealed a traditional gentlemanly demeanor, even though he had his inner plan - to quickly increase Emily's favorability towards him through these generous gestures. Rick knew that such occasions and treats would be able to make him look even more impressive in this woman's mind.
Although Emily maintained a respectful and harmonious attitude on the surface, she was playing a little game deep inside. She enjoyed Rick's attentiveness and the expensive lunch, thinking to herself that having good looks deserved to be treated well. Emily wasn't exactly rejecting Rick's kindness, but she was also considering her position and her future.
Rick sat on a plush seat in the Western restaurant, his eyes glancing at the system interface from time to time, observing Emily's favorability towards him. With each interaction, he noticed that the value of favorability was steadily increasing. Rick pondered in his mind that this was the right time to strike while the iron was hot.
He decided to take bolder actions as a way to further solidify Emily's favor with him. Rick waved to the waiter, who quickly and respectfully walked over to his table and waited for his order.
"Please place an order for all of your most expensive dishes here - caviar, seafood platter, Kobe beef, and foie gras." Rick said calmly to the waiter, "Also, I need you to prepare them perfectly, as they will be delivered to this lady's home." He smiled and pointed to Emily.
Emily's eyes flashed with surprise and joy as she heard Rick's arrangements." Rick, this isn't necessary, you've already done enough for me." She said, although her tone revealed a hint of politeness, the smile on her face couldn't hide her appreciation for the surprise.
For his part, Rick responded in a relaxed manner, "Emily, it was nothing, I just wanted to make you feel good about the evening." His words were filled with confidence and generosity.
The waiter took note of Rick's order and promised to prepare the dishes as quickly as possible and to the highest standards to ensure that they would arrive at Emily's home in perfect condition.
As the orders for these expensive dishes were confirmed, Rick noticed that Emily's favorability towards him on the system interface had once again increased significantly. A sense of satisfaction surged through him, knowing that his plan was working.
His thoughts drifted as Emily's favorability towards him increased. He observed Emily's surprised reaction to those expensive dishes, and his mind gradually came to its understanding and conclusion.
He muttered in his heart, "Getting a woman relies on money, looks and whatnot are secondary." A smug smile appeared on Rick's face as he began to believe that the power of money was incomparable in some cases. He realized that while society often emphasized the importance of appearance and personality, when it came to attracting the opposite sex, money, and material inputs often produced immediate results.
Rick continued to think darkly in his mind, "I'm good-looking too, though."
Emily sat across from Rick, her eyes occasionally averting from the exquisite dishes and casting them at Rick. Rick's spendthrift operation intrigued her a little, and she wanted to know the story behind the man.
"Rick," Emily spoke., a hint of inquiry in her voice, "You're so generous, I'm curious. What do you do?"
Rick was slightly shocked inwardly at the question. He hadn't expected Emily to ask him so directly about his occupation. He was a bit overwhelmed, but he quickly calmed down as an idea flashed through his mind.
He smiled and replied, "I work for a financial institution." Rick chose a vague and generic answer that could explain his financial ability without revealing too much personal information.
A flash of surprise flashed in Emily's eyes, "Oh, a financial institution, that must be complicated and challenging?"
Rick nodded and continued along with Emily's words, "Yes, indeed. Our job requires a high degree of professionalism and keen market insight." He tried to make his answer sound both truthful and vague so that Emily wouldn't press the matter further.
Meanwhile, another conversation was going on inside Rick's mind. He muttered darkly as his thoughts drifted to that unknown truth.
He thought to himself, "I make money by spending money on women." The thought gave him a twinge of bitter humor. Rick knew that this truth was so outlandish that it would be hard for anyone to believe it if he told it outright.
A self-deprecating smile curled the corners of Rick's mouth, and he shook his head as if to say to himself, "Forget it, it's better not to say such things." He knew that this secret might make him look odd in the eyes of others, and it might even ruin the relationship he was building with Emily.
Rick decided to bury the secret deep in his heart, at least at this stage, he needed to keep Emily's favor with him while maintaining his image.
After Rick's rounds, Emily fell completely under the spell. She no longer kept her distance from him as she had done in the beginning, but began to take the initiative to share her thoughts and feelings with him.
"Rick, I work for a clothing company," Emily said, her eyes revealing pride and passion for her work.
Rick listened intently, his eyes glancing over Emily. He noticed that her clothing choices were both stylish and tasteful, every single item appeared to be carefully chosen and matched just right. Her hair was equally elaborate, complementing her overall look and showing her attention to detail.
"No wonder you're so well-dressed," Rick responded with a smile, his tone full of appreciation, muttering inwardly, "No wonder you're dressed and styled your hair really well together.
Emily had a pleasant smile on her face as she heard Rick's compliment. She was pleased with Rick's insight and recognition of her taste, which made her impression on Rick even more impressive.
Rick felt the change in Emily, and his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. He knew that his efforts had not been in vain and he had succeeded in winning Emily's heart.