Dang, dang, dang!
Yang Yuqing knocked on the door of the private room before pushing it open. Following behind her was a waiter carrying a tray. After she entered, she took the tray from the waiter and waved to signal that he could leave.
One serving of grilled lobster, one serving of fried fish fillet, one serving of boiled fish balls, accompanied by a vegetable salad, and a bottle of red wine.
"Boss, you can start eating now!" After placing the food on the table, Yang Yuqing sweetly called out.
Li Zhi threw away his cigarette and stood up from the sofa.
Yang Yuqing remained seated at the dining table. Instead, she sat across from Li Zhi, propping her chin on her hands, and staring at him with wide eyes.
"Why are you staring at me?" "Do I have something on my face?" Li Zhi said irritably while cutting a large piece of lobster meat with his knife and fork, chewing forcefully.
"No!" Yang Yuqing, unafraid of Li Zhi, shook her head with a smile. "I think you've been feeling melancholic lately." Is there something on your mind? "You can tell me; I'll be your listener, free of charge!"
Melancholic? This is nonsense. Li Zhi was just scared by an assassin today. But no one would believe him if he said it, so he simply ignored her and focused on eating.
He hadn't eaten lunch, and now he was really hungry. Fear consumes a lot of energy and can easily lead to feelings of hunger. When a person is full, their mood improves, and they also develop resistance to fear.
The unknown is the most frightening. If Li Zhi knew who wanted to kill him, perhaps he wouldn't be so cowardly.
"Is it delicious?" Li Zhi didn't respond, and Yang Yuqing, at a loss for words, asked.
"Do you have nothing else to do?" Li Zhi said with a stern face.
Yang Yuqing blinked and said with a playful smile, "Yes, I have nothing to do today." The entire restaurant has been booked by a guest tonight, so we don't need as many staff members. Therefore, I specifically asked Sister Ruping for permission to come and serve you. "If it's not enough, I can go get more for you!"
Facing a lively and beautiful girl, Li Zhi couldn't get angry. If it were a more reserved server, they might have been a bit restrained in front of Li Zhi, but she had no reservations, even in front of him.
"Have some too!" Li Zhi said.
"I'm afraid you won't eat enough," Yang Yuqing said softly.
Seeing her playful demeanor, Li Zhi couldn't help but smile and said, "Could you bring another serving, please?"
"Hehe, I wouldn't dare without your permission, Boss!" Yang Yuqing said, and she actually ordered another set from the kitchen downstairs. After all, if the boss is treating, she wouldn't refuse. A meal like this would cost several thousand yuan in a typical restaurant, and her monthly salary wouldn't even cover two such meals.
"Have you thought about when you're going home?" Li Zhi didn't stop her. Inviting her to dinner was just a trivial matter, especially in his own restaurant. Yang Yuqing was a girl he "picked up" along the way. She was a rebellious runaway girl. If it weren't for Li Zhi picking her up, who knows what might have happened to her.
She had a fight with her family and ran to Haicheng by herself. Li Zhi anonymously reported her safety to her family. He planned to let her play outside for a while and then send her back!
"Why go back?" There's good food and fun here, working here isn't tiring, and the pay is good. "I don't plan to leave!" Yang Yuqing said, rolling her eyes.
When Li Zhi first saw her, he knew she wasn't from an ordinary family. She had an ID, but she hadn't shown it to Li Zhi. Before bringing her back, they had agreed on three things: Li Zhi couldn't inquire about her background, he couldn't make her do things she didn't like, and he couldn't contact the police or her family behind her back, or she would run away to another city. Before bringing her back, they had agreed on three things: Li Zhi couldn't inquire about her background, he couldn't make her do things she didn't like, and he couldn't contact the police or her family behind her back, or she would run away to another city. ###
Li Zhi believed that as a young girl, it would be preferable for her to remain in Haicheng rather than move to another city. At least in the Falling Star Tower, she wouldn't encounter any accidents.
"Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?" Li Zhi asked. Inviting her to dinner was just a trivial matter, especially in his own restaurant. Yang Yuqing was a girl he "met" halfway. She was a rebellious runaway girl. If it weren't for Li Zhi picking her up, who knows what might have happened to her.
She had a fight with her family and ran to Haicheng by herself. Li Zhi anonymously reported her safety to her family. He planned to let her play outside for a while and then send her back!
"Why go back?" There's good food and fun here, working here isn't tiring, and the pay is good. "I don't plan to leave!" Yang Yuqing said, rolling her eyes.
When Li Zhi first saw her, he knew she wasn't from an ordinary family. She had an ID, but she hadn't shown it to Li Zhi. Before bringing her back, they had agreed on three things: Li Zhi couldn't inquire about her background, he couldn't make her do things she didn't like, and he couldn't contact the police or her family behind her back, or she would run away to another city.
Li Zhi believed that as a young girl, it would be preferable for her to remain in Haicheng rather than move to another city. At least in the Falling Star Tower, she wouldn't encounter any accidents.
"Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?" Li Zhi asked.
"I think Haicheng should be fun, so I came here." I plan to continue working as a waitress at the Falling Star Tower. The people here are nice, especially Sister Ruping and the others. They take good care of me. I feel like I'm in a big family here, with everyone being like my brothers and sisters. It's much better than being at home. "I like being here," Yang Yuqing said with a smile.
"But this isn't your home after all." Do you really want to never contact your parents and family again? "It's better to resolve any issues sooner rather than later," Li Zhi said, pausing slightly before adding, "When I was young, I was very rebellious and often clashed with my parents." They wanted me to do something, but I refused. "But later, when I wanted to listen, there was no one to guide me."
"Why?" Yang Yuqing blinked, looking puzzled.
Li Zhi shrugged and said with a smile, "Because they're both dead." There's no one to guide me. I had to survive in this world alone, gradually breaking free from my dependence on others and becoming stronger. Many things, from nothing to something, from gaining to losing, and then from losing to gaining again, are the most challenging for a person's mind. But some things, once lost, can never be regained. "So, it's best to cherish them while you still have them because all that's left when you lose them is regret!"
Yang Yuqing bit her lip and said softly, "I don't know how to communicate with them." I don't like the things they want me to do, and they don't want me to do the things I want. All my paths have been predetermined by others since I was young, and I don't like that feeling. "I want to break free and do the things I like, walk my own path!"
"Leaving aside the debate on whether your path is right or wrong, will your actions ultimately guide you towards the path you have chosen?" Li Zhi paused for a moment and then said with a smile, "Don't tell me your chosen path is to be a waitress at the Falling Star Tower for the rest of your life." "A beautiful girl like you should not waste her life serving others, pouring tea and water for them."
"Who wants to serve others for a lifetime?" I don't want to work as a waitress, serving tea and water to others. Is there no other choice? Yang Yuqing grumbled.
"What do you want to do then?" Li Zhi asked.
"I want to go to film school and become a star," Yang Yuqing said earnestly, looking at Li Zhi.
Li Zhi didn't expect that the girl's dream was to become a star. Well, everyone has their own dream of becoming a star. Given the opportunity, she would be well-suited for this path based on her appearance.
"I've heard that the entertainment industry is very chaotic." Women who aspire to advance in their careers often feel pressured to engage in inappropriate relationships with investors, producers, and directors, creating a toxic and unethical work environment. Is that the kind of life you want? Li Zhi asked calmly.
Yang Yuqing didn't refute Li Zhi's words, indicating that she was aware of some rumors in the entertainment industry.
"But not everyone in the entertainment industry is like that." There are also stars who remain untainted by the chaos. I just want to make movies and become a star. Is that wrong? Yang Yuqing's eyes were slightly red as she gazed at Li Zhi and inquired.
Li Zhi shook his head and said with a smile, "No, there's nothing wrong with that." Anyone can pursue the life they desire as long as they work hard; success is not far away. In fact, many people start with the same mindset as you, but what happens in the end? Aren't they all the kind of people they once looked down on? "People change!"
"I won't change!" Yang Yuqing pouted.
"How about you make me your godfather?" As long as I protect you, no one in the entertainment industry will dare to mistreat you. "What do you think?" Li Zhi suddenly smirked.
Yang Yuqing widened her eyes. "What did you say?"
"I said, 'Why don't you make me your godfather?'" Li Zhi said.
"Get lost!" Yang Yuqing rolled her eyes at Li Zhi and said angrily, "You barely know me, and you want me to be your godfather?" "Ridiculous!"
"Hehe!" Li Zhi wasn't angry and said with a playful smile, "Instead of finding an old man to be your godfather, wouldn't it be better to find a younger one?" At least I have energy, good looks, and money. "I'm much better than those old men, right?"
"Have you not heard that to succeed, you need a godfather?" Li Zhi continued.
"Get lost!" I'm really angry now. "Don't talk to me anymore, or I'll stab you with this fork!" Yang Yuqing grumbled.
Li Zhi shrugged, lowered his head, and ate his food, muttering to himself, "I should give them a call." They miss you too. "They're family, and there's nothing you can't talk about!"
Yang Yuqing didn't respond.
Li Zhi didn't say anything more. Everyone has their own path to walk, and while Li Zhi might be able to assist her for a while, he couldn't support her for a lifetime.
He believed she would figure it out on her own!
The most forgiving, selfless, and loving people in the world are those who give without expecting anything in return, namely your own parents. There won't be anyone else like them.