Xiao Xun, rebuffed, didn't say anything. Just then, his phone rang, breaking the awkward silence.
It was Chu Xiangning calling. Mu Jiahe looked at Xiao Xun, "Is that the girl you said you had a good feeling about?"
Xiao Xun nodded without a word.
Mu Jiahe, having cooled down, got out of the car. As she reached the passenger side, she knocked on the window, "Don't play too late, remember to make me breakfast tomorrow." With that, she took out her key and went inside.
Xiao Xun pressed the answer button, "Hello!"
"Hey! You hung up on me and didn't even call back?"
It was clear she was genuinely angry.
"Okay, okay, my bad. What can I do to make you happy? Besides me quitting my job."
The other side was silent for a moment. "I haven't eaten yet! Accompany me for dinner, and we can chat while we eat. What do you think?"
Xiao Xun checked the time. "Alright, where should I meet you?"
"No need, I'll be downstairs at your company very soon. Just get ready to come out and get me."
Hearing this, Xiao Xun hurried out of the car and ran towards the main entrance.
"Okay, got it. Be careful on the road."
He hung up and picked up speed.
By the time he reached the main entrance, his shirt was already soaked in sweat, and he was panting.
"Quick, someone take me to St. Roman Tower?"
The security guards had already memorized Xiao Xun's face from his comings and goings these past couple of days. Although they didn't know his relationship with General Manager Mu, they knew better than to offend him lightly. They immediately arranged for someone to drive Xiao Xun there.
When they arrived at the tower, Chu Xiangning's red motorcycle was already parked at the entrance.
Xiao Xun quickly said to the security guard beside him, "Quick, to the underground parking."
At that moment, Chu Xiangning's call came through, "I'm here, why aren't you out yet?"
"Coming, coming right now. I still have some work to finish, rushing downstairs."
The security guard stopped the car at the barrier. "I can't get in here."
Xiao Xun opened the car door. "It's fine, I'll find a way to get in. You can go! Thanks." He then leaped over the barrier.
The security guard in the parking lot was dozing at his desk, oblivious. Of course, even if he knew, there was nothing he could say.
He took the elevator to the first floor and eagerly walked towards the exit.
As he came out of the building, Chu Xiangning looked at Xiao Xun in surprise, "Your arm is better?"
Xiao Xun waved his arm in front of Chu Xiangning. "Yeah! It's better."
Chu Xiangning harbored some suspicion but didn't say much. She handed him his helmet. "My treat today. I'll take you to a great place. Their grilled skewers are very special, you'll definitely like them."
Xiao Xun sat on the narrow backseat of the motorcycle. It felt like plastic, and he was always worried it would snap.
With his left arm healed, he could now wrap both arms around Chu Xiangning's waist.
The sportbike sped through the night streets. Xiao Xun looked nervous, keeping his head down, not daring to look anywhere.
When the motorcycle stopped, the inertia sent Xiao Xun pressing into Chu Xiangning's back. His body unconsciously shifted upwards.
"Ah!"
Xiao Xun, his face red, got off the motorcycle. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
Chu Xiangning parked the motorcycle and said it was alright. Then she pointed to the barbecue restaurant in front of them. "This is the place."
Xiao Xun took off his helmet and realized it was the same place he had come to with Mu Jiahe earlier that evening. "Do we have to eat here? How about we go somewhere else!"
Chu Xiangning thought Xiao Xun was worried about her spending money. "It's okay, I just won some prize money the other day, remember? And even though this place looks luxuriously decorated, it's not that expensive." Without waiting for Xiao Xun's agreement, she reached out and pulled him inside.
Xiao Xun could only console himself by thinking that with so many customers, the manager and waiters probably wouldn't remember him.
However, how many people who drive top-tier luxury cars would come to eat barbecue? It was impossible for them not to remember.
The manager saw Xiao Xun from afar. But upon seeing a young girl beside Xiao Xun, he said nothing. He inwardly felt a bit disdainful, guessing Xiao Xun was a professional 'gold digger'.
"This way, please!"
Xiao Xun, seeing the manager's nonchalant expression, thought he hadn't recognized him, so he didn't say anything.
Chu Xiangning led Xiao Xun to a corner table and handed him the menu. "Order whatever you like."
Hearing this further solidified Xiao Xun's identity, as the person who had said the same thing two hours earlier was also a lady.
Xiao Xun said he wasn't very hungry and just ordered a few items. Chu Xiangning, fearing Xiao Xun would hold back, ordered almost everything on the menu.
Xiao Xun reached out to stop her. "Stop ordering, it's too much, we can't eat it all."
"What are you afraid of? If we can't finish it, we can pack it for a midnight snack."
While they waited for the skewers, Chu Xiangning suddenly stood up and came over to Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun looked at her curiously. "What's wrong?"
Chu Xiangning reached out and pinched Xiao Xun's collar. "Is this shirt yours?"
"Of course, I just bought it yesterday."
Chu Xiangning released her grip in surprise. "This is a global limited edition..."
Xiao Xun looked down and suddenly remembered he had bought the shirt at the mall yesterday.
He quickly explained, "It's a high-quality replica, fake. Not worth much."
Hearing this, Chu Xiangning prepared to reach out to check the label again, but Xiao Xun stopped her. "There are so many people here, don't do that."
"But it doesn't feel fake. How can a fake use such good fabric?"
As she was wondering about the shirt, the waiter started serving the dishes. The waiter who brought the food also recognized Xiao Xun.
He said with a look of trepidation, "Sir, please wait a moment, I'll get you an apron."
Chu Xiangning looked at the solicitous Xiao Xun. "I've eaten here several times, but I've never received this kind of treatment."
Indeed, the waiter only brought an apron for Xiao Xun and tied it for him.
After the waiter left, Chu Xiangning leaned in and whispered, "Are you perhaps a hidden rich second generation?"
Xiao Xun laughed. "Don't be ridiculous! If I were a 'rich second generation,' would I have slept in internet cafes for so many days, eaten at those small food stalls, or sold my account?"
Chu Xiangning picked up a lamb skewer. "Who knows! Maybe you like experiencing commoner life, or perhaps you're testing someone. You never know!"
Xiao Xun carefully picked up a skewer of grilled meat. "I wish I was a 'rich second generation' like you said."
After eating for a while, they ordered some drinks.
Chu Xiangning changed the subject. "But judging by your attire, you don't look like a security guard. I thought about it later, how could they let an injured person work as a security guard? So, what exactly do you do in that big company?"
"I just handle computer-related issues for people."
"That must be tiring! Especially in a tech company like that, you'd definitely have to work overtime often. I mean, you should quit as soon as possible. Come work in this position I'm recommending. The pay isn't bad, and it's key to be leisurely. It would be a waste of an opportunity if you don't take it!" She said, looking at Xiao Xun expectantly, hoping he would agree.
Xiao Xun, who had always been thinking about leisurely positions, suddenly had the image of Su Xiang, the internet café manager from Jin Huli Nightclub, appear in his mind.