After all these years, Song Yun had still never encountered someone daring to scorn him like this. The corner of his lips turned up in an incredibly sinister arc as he stood up from his seat.
Sun Lin's face bore a trace of a cold smile. This world was all about money; no one would feud with money. At this moment, he too felt a bit frustrated with himself for acting impulsively just now, thinking that he could have just dropped five hundred yuan and spared himself the hassle.
But to Sun Lin's and everyone else's disappointment, Song Yun, who had risen to his feet, showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he took a cigarette from his pocket and leisurely pulled out a lighter.
Just when everyone thought he was about to light the cigarette, he picked up the five notes on the table and used the lighter to ignite them before lighting his cigarette. He then took a deep drag, looking incredibly satisfied.
"How exhilarating. The ancients say that a cigarette after a meal is heaven-sent. They truly didn't deceive me." Song Yun lit the cigarette with the banknotes, as though he was simply smoking.
In the hands of an ordinary takeout, a fifty-cent Lanbaisha became, in Song Yun's hands, a five hundred yuan luxury.
Wu Xin, who was beside him, was captivated by Song Yun's graceful act of lighting his cigarette. There was a mix of infatuation in her gaze. Was this the so-called indefatigable spirit, unmovable by money? The man's action of lighting a cigarette was really cool; he was truly manly.
At twenty-eight, Wu Xin was no longer one of those girls living in an idealistic ivory tower, nor did she entertain delusional fantasies about a Prince Charming coming to whisk her away. She had stopped believing in such romantic notions right out of university. If a person couldn't even satisfy their hunger, what romance could there be to speak of?
In her eyes, a man worthy of a woman's life-long commitment had to possess his own charm—humble in conduct, distinguished in deeds, taking responsibility without playing the hero.
Thus, her gaze towards Song Yun held a shred of doubt. In a society flooded with goods and capital, nobody would cross money. Yet, Song Yun seemed to defy this norm. Could it be that five hundred yuan held no appeal to him?
"He was a mystery in and of himself…" Wu Xin praised Song Yun in this way years later, but of course, that's a story for another time.
"Damn it, you little punk, that's five hundred yuan, how could you just use it to light a cigarette?" Sun Lin was close to losing his mind. Though his monthly salary, combined with gifts he received, totaled over ten thousand yuan, he would never burn money to light a cigarette like Song Yun did.
"I was just about to light a cigarette when you handed me money to do so. Why should I reject your kind gesture?" Song Yun said, his lips curling into a sly smile.
Hearing this, Sun Lin felt completely helpless. This brat was shirking responsibility. He definitely was. That bastard was using his own money to light a cigarette and then claiming it was freely given to him, a silver-tongued devil.
Song Yun's words caused quite a stir among the patrons outside. Five hundred yuan might not seem a lot or too little, but losing it or using it to show off like a cigarette lighter still hurts.
The patrons outside had a clear view of everything that was happening. The chattering that reached Sun Lin's ears felt like a slap to his face, painfully burning.
"You look pale and unsteady on your feet, buddy. You should do less work these days and visit a men's health clinic to check on your kidneys," Song Yun said disdainfully.
"Damn you, you scoundrel. You use my money to light your cigarette and still have the nerve to mock me? Are you asking for death?" Sun Lin roared.
Song Yun sat back down, took a bite of his food, and mumbled, "Idiot, knowing that I was about to light a cigarette, you still stuffed money into my hand. I really thought you were a big spender, letting me use money to light up," Song Yun said indifferently.
This humorous comment made everyone laugh. The laughter, along with Song Yun's sarcasm, made him even less stable. Immediately, someone grabbed a stool for Sun Lin to sit down on.
"Can't handle it already? Forget it, forget it. I'm in a good mood today. I'll give you back your money and even throw in an extra two hundred for your medical expenses. Bro, you've got to treat that kidney deficiency," Song Yun said as he took out seven hundred yuan from his wallet and nonchalantly tossed it onto Sun Lin, sneering.
"You… you just wait and see!" Even a fool like Sun Lin realized he'd gain nothing more today. He mumbled a few words, then led his followers away in a dejected manner. However, he didn't forget to pick up the seven hundred yuan on his way out—a sum equating to a tenth of his monthly salary.
Sun Lin's actions drew disdainful glances from many customers in the hotpot restaurant. Even his subordinates felt embarrassed, their faces reddening, but as he was the boss, they had no choice but to follow him out of the restaurant in a hurry.
"Sister, the way you threw that money just now was so cool. Hmph. I knew that fat uncle was no good, probably one of those leeches my dad always talks about, sucking blood from the common people," Xiao Qing, with stars flickering in her eyes, looked up to Song Yun in admiration. In her eyes, Song Yun's earlier demeanor was on par with the spirit of ancient heroes.
Upon hearing this, Song Yun couldn't help but inwardly groan. He'd played it cool, but after that display, his wallet was empty. He glanced at the remaining few tens of yuan with a desire to cry. Damn it, all I wanted was a simple meal. Why can't you people be more observant?
After dinner, it was time to settle the bill. Before Song Yun and Xiao Qing could even stand up, the hotpot restaurant's manager, Wu Xin, approached them.
"Hello, sir. My name is Wu Xin, the manager here. It's a pleasure to meet you," Wu Xin said, extending her delicate hand for a shake.
"Hello, Miss Wu. I'm Song Yun. May I ask what brings you over?" Song Yun responded with what he thought was a dazzling smile.
"I'm so sorry for the disturbance during your meal today. This is our restaurant's VIP gold card. From now on, whenever you dine with us, it's on the house. I hope you can forget the unpleasantness of today," Wu Xin said, holding the gold card with a look of sincere regret.
"Aren't you afraid I'll come every day and eat your restaurant out of business?" Seeing the genuine look in her lively eyes, Song Yun chuckled and jokingly took the gold card.
"Ha ha. Don't worry about that. Even if you came every day, you wouldn't break our restaurant," Wu Xin replied, her cheeks blushing as she noticed Song Yun's gaze traveling up and down her body and she shyly nodded.
"Haha, since you say so, I'll be sure to visit often. After all, there's also a pretty manager to please the eye here," Song Yun laughed, giving one more glance at the woman who exuded a mature and intellectual beauty before turning to leave the restaurant.
Behind him, Wu Xin watched Song Yun's retreating figure, her mature face alive with a flirtatious charm. She couldn't help but admit that the departing young man had brought a touch of green back to her long-barren heart.