The restaurant manager glanced at the young girl next to Si Yechen. They were holding hands, so it was undoubtedly Si Yechen's wife!
Immediately, the manager respectfully bowed and said, "Madam Si, please come this way."
"I'm not Madam Si."
The manager took another look at their joined hands and hurriedly nodded, "Right away! This is the first time Mr. Si has brought a girl here, and you are the first!"
"..."
"Do you have any dietary restrictions, Madam Si?"
"No restrictions. Just change the way you address me. Call me Qingyan."
"Even if I had ten thousand times the courage, I wouldn't dare to address Madam Si directly..." The manager forced a smile and whispered into his collar microphone, "Quick, clear the area! As fast as possible!"
Qingyan glanced at Si Yechen, as if asking, "Is it necessary to make such a fuss over having a meal?"
"This is our first time," Si Yechen said, not letting go of her hand, and they walked into the restaurant together.
On the other side...
Lumuyao held onto Gaoyang's arm and happily said, "Brother Gaoyang, this restaurant is so expensive, and you still brought me here... You're so good to me!"
Gaoyang looked at her affectionately, "You are my fiancée. Of course, I have to treat you well."
The two of them walked to the entrance of the restaurant, and the greeter bowed apologetically, "I'm sorry, but the restaurant has been booked for a private event today."
"Booked? I didn't receive any notification on my phone..." Gaoyang's brows furrowed, clearly displeased.
"It was a last-minute notice... We're truly sorry. You can reschedule a new date through our app, and next time you visit, the restaurant will offer a 50% discount on the total bill..."
Upon hearing this, Lumuyao's eyes widened. A 50% discount? Such a generous offer!
You see, this restaurant is ridiculously expensive. Even a simple fruit tea costs over two thousand... And you're not guaranteed to get a reservation even if you're wealthy. Gaoyang had to secure a spot half a month in advance...
And that was for a table in the main dining area! Don't even think about the top-tier private rooms!
Whoever managed to book the entire restaurant today must be an incredibly influential person! So extravagant!
"Fine."
Gaoyang was about to leave, but to his surprise, Lumuyao immediately spotted a familiar figure walking towards the VIP elevator inside!
That elevator goes straight to the top-tier private rooms!
Isn't that Qingyan?!
She wouldn't mistake that silhouette!
Lumuyao hurriedly pointed inside and asked, "Why is she allowed in?"
"Who are you referring to?" The greeter turned around and didn't see anyone, gently explaining, "The only people allowed in here, aside from tonight's distinguished guests, are the restaurant's staff."
"Lumuyao, whom did you see?" Gaoyang curiously looked over but didn't recognize anyone.
Lumuyao whispered in Gaoyang's ear, "I think I saw my sister."
"Are you sure you didn't mistake someone else?"
People who can come here are either rich or privileged, and it's clear that Qingyan's spending level doesn't match this place! Besides, this restaurant is booked for exclusive events. How could she possibly get in?
"Maybe my sister is working here to stay in the city?" Lü Muyao sighed mockingly. "Gaoyang, can you use your connections to help my sister find a job? I'm afraid these wealthy people here might take advantage of her. My sister used to be proud, but she might compromise herself to stay in the city..."
"Whether she lives or dies, it's no longer our concern," Gaoyang said, holding Lü Muyao's hand. "Let's go eat at the restaurant across the street."
"Okay." Lü Muyao deliberately chose a window seat to get a better view of Qingyan's predicament. She wanted a clear view when Qingyan finished her shift at the Starry Sky Restaurant.
"Sir, madam, please have a seat."
Inside the spacious and luxurious private room, they could see the outside scenery. This was a high-end restaurant located on top of a mountain, with an open ceiling that revealed the real starry sky.
Siyechen sat next to Qingyan, holding her hand without letting go. He pushed an iPad in front of her and asked, "What would you like to eat?"
Qingyan glanced at the menu and randomly ordered a few dishes. Siyechen added a few more. When the manager left the room, Qingyan raised her eyebrows playfully. "Can you let go now?"
Siyechen asked quietly and earnestly, "Can I hold it a little longer?"
"..."
"Just a little longer."
"..."
"The daytime view here is also nice. Shall I bring you here next time?"
"..." Qingyan didn't say anything, and in a little while, the manager brought several dishes personally.
During lunch at the Li family earlier today, Siyechen noticed which dishes Qingyan didn't eat and which ones she took more bites of, so he had a general understanding of her taste. He ordered dishes she would enjoy.
"So much food. Can we finish it all?" Qingyan looked at the table filled with over twenty dishes.
"Take your time," Siyechen said, holding her hand with one hand while using the other to pick up his chopsticks and serve her food.
"Can you let go now?"
If he didn't let go, she couldn't eat!
Si Yechen naturally released her right hand and smoothly took hold of her left hand, as if it were a seamless connection throughout.
Qingyan: ...
"Are you sure about eating like this?" Qingyan wasn't accustomed to this posture.
"Mm."
"Si Yechen, I think we need to have a serious talk."
"After we finish eating." Si Yechen picked up a peeled shrimp and brought it to her lips. "Give it a try?"
"Put it in the bowl, I'll eat it myself."
Upon hearing her speak, Si Yechen directly placed the shrimp meat into her mouth.
Qingyan warned him with her eyes, but Si Yechen remained unruffled, asking gently, "How is it?"
"Not that great!"
The foreign chef on the side was frightened and asked in broken Chinese, "Madam Si, I'm not sure what doesn't suit your taste in this dish. Please tell me, and I'll fix it right away."
"I was referring to a person, not the food."
The foreign chef was a bit confused and didn't understand the meaning.
"You all can leave."
Hearing Si Yechen's words, the chefs and the manager hurriedly left as if they had been granted a second lease on life.
"Are you angry?" Si Yechen tenderly looked at the young girl in front of him. "I acted too hastily."
"Can you sit across from me?"
In simple terms, can you sit farther away from me?
"I want to sit with you."
Looking at Si Yechen's serious face, Qingyan was speechless.
After finally finishing their meal, the lights in the restaurant dimmed, and the ceiling opened up, revealing a beautiful starry sky.
Qingyan didn't expect such a breathtaking view at the mountaintop, and she looked up, suddenly remembering her childhood days in the countryside.
Back then, when Lu Zhenhai and Xu Aiqin's careers hadn't taken off, they rarely came home and were busy with their work outside. It was Grandma Lu who accompanied her through countless nights.
In those days, the countryside was filled with stars, just like now.
However, the people from back then had long changed beyond recognition.
A violinist stood in a corner of the private room, holding his instrument and playing a romantic melody.
As the music ended, the night sky suddenly burst into brilliant fireworks, and Qingyan looked up at the fireworks while Si Yechen lowered his head to look at her.