Chapter 50
Xia Wansheng couldn’t find a reason to refuse now. He felt that even if he said he wanted to stay, Yu Congyan wouldn’t leave him alone.
Perhaps this bankruptcy had truly hit him hard.
Xia Wansheng thought, even changing his lifestyle was so difficult for the CEO, there must be many other things he wasn’t used to, but he wouldn’t tell him.
He made up his mind and crumpled the queue number in his hand.
“Let’s go then.”
Meeting a friend wasn’t a big deal, he could always come back to this restaurant another time.
Xia Wansheng decided to remember this day forever.
Out of concern for the CEO’s feelings, he had given up his spot in line for authentic Sichuan Mala Tang, the kind that would boost his happiness by ten points.
[Host, wuwuwu , this is the top-rated restaurant in the area based on my big data analysis, and all the reviews are genuine!] The system also lamented.
“Next time, for sure. It doesn’t seem possible today.” Xia Wansheng replied in his mind.
He started to anticipate their destination, wondering what new venture Fu Yan had embarked on after his high-end jianbing guozi chain.
They walked side by side, but Xia Wansheng couldn’t shake the feeling that this route was very familiar.
Wasn’t this the Mala Tang restaurant he had just waited in line for?!
He quickly lowered his head, afraid Yu Congyan would see the shock in his eyes.
He hadn’t expected these CEOs to have such down-to-earth gatherings. Could the Fu family also be bankrupt?
He instinctively wanted to ask, but considering Yu Congyan’s recent bankruptcy, he felt it wasn’t appropriate to poke at his wounds.
Although a Mala Tang chain didn’t seem like the usual style for CEOs, its popularity suggested it was quite profitable.
“Have you been here before?” Yu Congyan, seeing Xia Wansheng stop and stare at the sign in disbelief, asked.
Or was he wrong, was Xia Wansheng not interested in Mala Tang at all?
“This is my first time,” Xia Wansheng quickly replied.
He discreetly smoothed out the crumpled queue number in his hand.
If they had to wait in line, he would say the staff forced it on him as he passed by, definitely not his own initiative.
Xia Wansheng subtly hid behind Yu Congyan.
He didn’t dare to look at the manager, hoping he was too busy to remember him.
But on the contrary, the restaurant’s success was due to the manager’s excellent social skills and attentive service.
Having a good memory was a basic requirement for a competent manager.
The manager instantly recognized Xia Wansheng, who had been lingering at the entrance earlier. Seeing him return after disappearing for a while, he naturally assumed he had gone to pick up his friends.
He must be eager to know about the queue, he couldn’t let his customers be kept waiting!
He had to quickly inform his valued customer, making them feel at home!
So despite Xia Wansheng’s attempt to hide behind Yu Congyan, he couldn’t escape his notice.
“Sir, you’re finally back! Is this your friend? Please wait a moment while I check the progress… What a coincidence, your table is ready!”
The manager gestured, bowing and ready to lead them inside.
Yu Congyan, who had just replied to his friend’s message: ???
Hadn’t Fu Yan said he would be a few minutes late and asked them to wait in the private room?
What was going on?
Xia Wansheng frantically tried to signal the manager, but to no avail.
The manager, mistaking it for discomfort with his enthusiasm, nodded and stepped back slightly.
Xia Wansheng inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, praying Yu Congyan hadn’t noticed anything amiss.
But just as they entered, the manager called out from behind: “Sir, could you please show me your queue number? We need to scan it.”
Xia Wansheng quickly turned around, reluctantly pulling out the crumpled piece of paper.
He should have just thrown it away, now he was caught in this embarrassing situation.
Who would go for Mala Tang after a dramatic confrontation with their parents?
“Alright, it’s correct, this way please.” The manager smiled, confirming the number, and led them inside.
Yu Congyan seemed to have heard their exchange and probably realized what had happened.
Xia Wansheng remained silent all the way to their table, as if silence could erase this awkwardness.
Just like the other topics he didn’t want to discuss.
“There are no rules about how you should feel, making a difficult decision is worth celebrating.” Yu Congyan sighed, not letting him dwell on his negative emotions.
“You already know about my parents.” Xia Wansheng mumbled.
Even after bankruptcy, the CEO still had connections in the media, the video had reached him immediately.
“If you need my help…” Yu Congyan offered tentatively.
This matter depended on Xia Wansheng’s wishes.
He couldn’t use the excuse of helping him to hurt his family, although judging by their attitude, they didn’t deserve to be called family.
“No need, I can handle it myself.” Xia Wansheng quickly said.
He didn’t dare to let Yu Congyan do anything other than making a comeback, what if it caused a butterfly effect and completely changed the plot?
Besides, he was close to enacting his own plan. He had already gathered enough evidence with the system’s help, it was time to choose a good day to “sever ties.”
“Why did you suddenly come here? To relax?” Xia Wansheng changed the subject.
He had assumed so, but it seemed Yu Congyan wasn’t just here by chance, he wasn’t surprised or suspicious of his presence, and had even invited him naturally.
He couldn’t have come here specifically looking for him, could he?
“You didn’t come back, I was worried something might have happened.” Yu Congyan didn’t intend to hide it.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Fu Yan, a few minutes late, finally arrived, pushing open the door with a tired look, seemingly having just come from the clinic.
“Good evening, my dear friends, you wouldn’t believe what I just experienced.” He looked like he had been through a lot, eager to share his story.
Then he was abruptly interrupted by Yu Congyan, “I’ll lose my appetite if I hear it.”
And Fu Yan’s stories were always long and rambling, Xia Wansheng probably hadn’t had dinner yet.
“Alright, alright, we’ll talk about it later, you’ll regret not hearing it now.” Fu Yan said playfully, turning his attention to Xia Wansheng.
“You look much better than last time.” He observed Xia Wansheng’s demeanor, noticing the earlier anxiety seemed to have disappeared.
Could it be the power of love?
“Thank you, perhaps because my wish came true.” Xia Wansheng replied.
He had to admit, the system’s big data analysis was accurate, this delicious food had greatly comforted his hungry soul.
He even considered risking his persona to come here again.
Yu Congyan’s heart stirred upon hearing this. He decided to tell Assistant Zhong to pay close attention to Xia Wansheng’s actions and offer any necessary assistance.
“I saw the news about you two, I was skeptical at first, but now it seems even gossip rags can be reliable sometimes.” Fu Yan observed the distance between them and concluded.
“When are you planning to go public?” Seeing they didn’t respond, he pressed further.
“！！！” Xia Wansheng’s chopsticks slipped, dropping the luncheon meat back into the bowl, startled by his words.
He looked up at Fu Yan, who met his gaze with a cheerful smile, seemingly genuinely interested in their relationship.
The lie he was about to tell was stuck in his throat.
“You should be more concerned about your chain store’s performance last quarter, lest this venture fails as well.” Yu Congyan, used to bickering with Fu Yan, knew he was just teasing.
“No way, I think I’m a natural entrepreneur!” Fu Yan said, pressing his temples, dropping the previous topic.
Yu Congyan was reading a message from Assistant Zhong and didn’t notice Xia Wansheng’s reaction.
A belated sense of unease washed over him.
Xia Wansheng suddenly lost his appetite, mechanically eating, trying to grasp at the only straw in his chaotic thoughts.
[Host, you have transmigrated into a book.]
These were the system’s first words to him.
How could he forget this?
All the happiness he felt was just an illusion, a beautiful dream.
The ringing in his ears started again.
Xia Wansheng took the offered warm milk, vaguely hearing Yu Congyan ask if he was lactose intolerant.
He shook his head and took a sip.
A faint sweetness touched his tongue.
The door opened, and the manager entered apologetically, saying there was a matter requiring Fu Yan’s attention.
“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” Fu Yan stood up and left.
The door closed with a click, and silence returned.
“Thinking about the earlier question?” Yu Congyan asked suddenly.
He sensed the other person’s low spirits.
Xia Wansheng remained silent.
“Fu Yan always makes these jokes,” Yu Congyan reminded him that the kelp in the pot was overcooked, “He went too far, I’ll make him apologize later.”
“It’s not about that,” Xia Wansheng pressed his fingers into his palm, forcing himself to speak, “I’m just wondering if I’m even qualified to answer that question.”
This wasn’t his world, he would eventually have to return and face everything alone, he couldn’t be attached to this fleeting happiness.
“Qualified?”
Just as Yu Congyan was about to ask, the door was pushed open again.
“I’m back!” Fu Yan entered, holding two souvenir plushies.
Xia Wansheng quickly picked up his glass, pretending to be busy, avoiding Yu Congyan’s gaze.
The tense atmosphere dissipated.
Fu Yan paused, feeling like he had interrupted something, but the two across from him clearly didn’t intend to tell him.
Seriously, they didn’t treat him like a friend at all!
