Su Huai deduced that he might be angry, hastily explaining, "The painting was placed in his office and was bought by a regular client for thirteen million. He transferred the extra one million to me, but I wanted to return it to him. He refused and suggested treating me to dinner. I politely declined and painted another Ink Lotus to give to him. However, he still insisted on inviting me to dinner. I couldn't refuse, so I had to ask you to accompany me. If you're unavailable, I'll ask Shen Yuan to accompany me."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Beixian's voice came from the phone, "I am available."
Su Huai smiled, "Thank you."
The next day, at six in the evening, Su Huai and Gu Beixian arrived at the private kitchen restaurant reserved by Gu Jinyao.
The owner of this private kitchen was rumored to have ancestors who served as royal chefs in the palace. They only served eight tables a day, each with eight dishes, refusing to take customer orders or prepare extra dishes.
Despite this, business was thriving.
Reservations had to be made three days in advance, and during peak times, it took three months to secure a table.
The restaurant was a renovated small villa from the Republican era, exuding a retro and charming atmosphere.
When they arrived, Gu Jinyao was already there.
Seeing Gu Beixian standing next to Su Huai, Gu Jinyao's eyes darkened momentarily, then he raised the corners of his lips and greeted, "Hello, Mr. Gu."
Gu Beixian's eyes and brows were cold, and he nodded without much expression, acknowledging the greeting.
The three of them took their seats.
Su Huai carefully unfolded the painting in her hand a third of the way and handed it to Gu Jinyao, saying, "Mr. Gu, take a look, are you satisfied?"
Gu Jinyao took it, held it in his hand, and slowly unfolded it, lowering his gaze to examine it carefully.
After viewing it, he moved his gaze away from the painting and looked at Su Huai.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips as he praised, "I didn't misjudge you. This painting is impeccable in form, spirit, and charm. It's truly lifelike. Thank you on behalf of my father."
Su Huai smiled lightly, "It's my pleasure."
As they sat down, Su Huai caught a glimpse of Gu Beixian sipping tea with a cold expression on his face.
She reached under the table and rubbed his leg to comfort him.
Her mischievous hand was grabbed by Gu Beixian, who held it in his palm, gently caressing it.
His complexion improved slightly.
Since they had made reservations, the dishes arrived quickly.
There was Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Orchid Bear Paw, Goji Berry Shark Fin Soup, and Bird's Nest Soup with Rock Sugar, among others.
Gu Jinyao gently turned the revolving glass on the table, positioning the Bird's Nest Soup with Rock Sugar in front of Su Huai, "Miss Su, specially ordered for you."
Su Huai politely said, "Thank you."
Gu Beixian's eyes cooled slightly as he raised his gaze and signaled to a nearby waiter.
The waiter approached respectfully and asked, "Mr. Gu, may I assist you with anything?"
Gu Beixian took out a card from his wallet and handed it to her, "This table is on me, charge it to the card."
Su Huai couldn't help but find it amusing.
Gu Jinyao had offered to treat, but after just one sentence, he wanted to settle the bill. It was quite embarrassing.
The waiter smiled and said, "Mr. Gu, Mr. Gu has already settled the bill in advance."
Gu Beixian's hand, holding the bank card, remained suspended in mid-air, his tone commanding, "Refund his money and charge it to my card."
The waiter was in a dilemma and looked to Gu Jinyao, "Mr. Gu, what do you think..."
Gu Jinyao's lips curved in a faint smile, seeming amused as he said to Gu Beixian, "Mr. Gu, I'll treat this time, you can treat next time."
Su Huai glanced at Gu Beixian.
He remained in his original posture without moving.
Su Huai knew he valued his pride and needed a way out.
She gently took the bank card from his hand and put it back in her wallet.
Seeing that his expression was still not good, she picked up a spoonful of soup and fed it to him, smiling, "You've been busy with work lately, have some Bird's Nest Soup to clear the heat."
Gu Beixian didn't refuse, opening his mouth to accept the spoonful, eating in a refined manner, and his complexion gradually returned to normal.
Su Huai breathed a sigh of relief secretly.
Finally, she managed to get through this.
Before coming here, she never imagined that Gu Beixian, who was usually courteous and composed, would be so sensitive and jealous.
It was quite unusual.
As Su Huai pondered, Gu Beixian scooped up a spoonful of fish soup and handed it to her mouth, gazing at her tenderly, and said softly, "You've been staying up late painting recently, exhausted. Have some fish soup to replenish your energy."
Su Huai felt a bit embarrassed.
Gu Jinyao was sitting across from them, watching.
They weren't very familiar with each other, and it was a bit embarrassing to feed each other like this in front of him.
But Gu Beixian was competitive, and she couldn't deny him face, so she opened her mouth and ate, smiling, "You should eat too."
Gu Beixian nodded and pointed to the Bird's Nest Soup in front of her, "You feed me."
Su Huai was speechless.
But since she invited him to this dinner, she naturally had to give him face, so she complied.
Gu Jinyao observed quietly, shaking his head imperceptibly.
Men understood men the best.
He understood Gu Beixian's thoughts.
This strong sense of crisis was unprecedented.
Next, the couple fed each other like children, ignoring the lavish dishes on the table.
Gu Beixian fed Su Huai.
Su Huai fed Gu Beixian.
Gu Jinyao sat silently across from them, watching the two of them feed each other shamelessly, without saying a word.
Despite the sumptuous feast on the table, he felt no appetite and just wanted to finish quickly and leave.
When they had almost finished eating, Gu Beixian said to Su Huai, "I'll go out for a smoke."
Normally Su Huai didn't like him smoking.
But in public, she gave him face and smiled, "Go ahead, smoke less."
Gu Beixian nodded, glanced at Gu Jinyao, and gestured with his eyes before pushing his chair back and standing up, walking out first.
"Miss Su, I'll go out for a smoke too," Gu Jinyao said to Su Huai, then walked out.
The two of them went to the smoking area one after the other.
They stood by the window.
Gu Beixian opened the window, took out a cigarette from the pack, shook one out, and handed it to Gu Jiny
ao.
Gu Jinyao took it but didn't light it, holding it between his fingers and playing with it.
He casually pulled a chair over, sat down, crossed his long legs, and smiled on his face, but there was a sharpness in his eyes.
Gu Beixian leaned lazily against the window, his gaze coldly fixed on him, raising an eyebrow, "Is your surname Lu?"
Gu Jinyao's dark pupils hardened slightly, and he said without much emotion, "My surname is Gu, I'm Gu Zhengrong's son, who returned to the country this year."
Gu Beixian didn't respond, pursing his lips, and looked at him coolly for a few seconds.
He put the cigarette in his mouth, flicked the lighter, lit it, took a deep drag, and exhaled slowly.
The white smoke lingered, obscuring the handsome contours of his face, making his expression indiscernible.
Neither of them spoke.
The heavy silence filled the room.
After a long, cold silence.