"I’ll take them all," Shen Fanyun said.
Chen Feng felt conflicted. Nominally, he was the one treating everyone today. Yet Shen Fanyun had somehow ordered from a private menu and, in one breath, taken every single item. Each one was astronomically priced; he feared the total would be beyond outrageous. Although I’m a young master from a rich family, spending hundreds of thousands on a single meal is too extravagant, isn’t it? He considered pulling the manager aside to clarify that he wasn’t paying for the private dishes—they should be put on Shen Fanyun’s tab.
Meanwhile, Su Ziye, who was beside Chen Feng, was letting her imagination run wild with excitement. It’s said that shark fin and caviar, especially the highest-grade varieties, have miraculous beautifying and health-boosting effects. They’re beneficial for men and women, young and old alike. I’m in for a real treat today!
However, Su Ziye was a clever woman. With a single sentence, she resolved Chen Feng’s dilemma. "Su Xiyang, your man is certainly thoughtful, treating us to something so expensive. He’s really willing to spare no expense," Su Ziye said. "But then again, it’s all to please Old Master Su, so any cost is worth it. Grandpa’s happiness is the most important thing! What are tens or even hundreds of thousands for a single meal? If Grandpa truly wanted to eat, we’d gladly pay a million for him. Our grandpa has that kind of prestige!"
Nearby, Old Master Su quietly picked up his napkin. As he wiped his silverware, he tucked it into his collar. The stern, old-fashioned expression was gone from his face.
The manager, however, hadn’t left yet. "Mr. Shen, due to limited quantities, we can only prepare enough for two servings. But you have so many people..." he said, looking troubled.
Only enough for two? Su Ziye was the first to grow anxious. She was eagerly waiting to taste these supreme delicacies.
"Go ahead and make them," Shen Fanyun ordered.
The manager ignored Su Ziye’s dissatisfaction, nodded, and departed.
Everyone at the table fell into a strange silence. There aren’t enough top-tier dishes to go around, so how will they be distributed? Still, Old Master Su is a man of great prestige and influence; he’ll certainly get one portion. There’s no doubt about that! Besides, as the guest of honor at this banquet, it was only natural that he’d receive the best treatment!
Su Ziye was growing restless, clearly unwilling to let the matter go. So that’s the two portions accounted for. What about the rest of us? Are we supposed to just sit here and watch?
"Don’t worry, the two of us can share a portion," Su Ziye thoughtfully told Chen Feng.
He forced an awkward smile and mumbled a sullen, "Okay."
He glanced over at Shen Fanyun a couple of times. Shen Fanyun’s head was down as he casually scrolled through his phone, showing no interest in joining the group’s conversation. He seemed to have a minimal presence the entire time, like a dispensable background character. And yet, no one could possibly ignore him.
According to my original plan, I was going to bring Shen Fanyun along to show him how the world works, then seize the chance to humiliate him. Now it seems I’ve just shot myself in the foot! Not only is Shen Fanyun not a stranger to the Yunxiao Hotel, he knows it like the back of his hand. More importantly, the deference the hotel staff shows him far exceeds that shown to anyone else here. What is this guy’s background? Calming down and observing him seriously now, I feel more and more that there’s something extraordinary about Shen Fanyun. My own supposedly clever arrangements have done nothing but turn me into a buffoon.
Old Master Su also wanted to use the wait for the food to exchange a few words with Shen Fanyun, but... he had maintained a look of disapproval toward the young man from the very beginning. Wouldn’t cozying up to him now be a slap in his own face? He had lived his entire life for the sake of his pride; he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. After some careful thought, he decided to give up on the idea. Besides, Su Xiyang is my own granddaughter. If Shen Fanyun genuinely wants to pursue her, he’ll need my approval as the head of the Su Family. In other words, as long as he isn’t a fool, he should know that currying favor with me, Old Master Su, is a necessary step! Fortunately, the young man is starting to understand. He even managed to order from Yunxiao Hotel’s private menu to treat an old man like me. Not bad, not bad. I’ve always appreciated sensible youngsters!
The group engaged in lukewarm conversation while they waited. Although the dishes Chen Feng had ordered earlier had already arrived, hardly anyone picked up their chopsticks. Chen Feng didn’t feel it was his place to urge them to eat. After all, this stuff is nothing compared to what Shen Fanyun ordered.
A rich aroma wafted into the room.
Everyone’s head snapped up, their spirits inexplicably lifted. They stared with pleading eyes, a comical sight that took Su Xiyang by surprise. Do they really need to be like this? It’s not like eating it will grant them immortality.
"Ahem." Old Master Su cleared his throat and adjusted his napkin again. He took the opportunity to pick up his knife and fork, getting a feel for them. "In all my years in Hangcheng City, I have truly never seen such a magnificent dish. It is an honor to witness it."
Just as everyone assumed the manager would place the dish before Old Master Su, he stopped beside Shen Fanyun instead.
"Mr. Shen, please enjoy your meal," the manager said with a smile.
Shen Fanyun grunted in acknowledgment and put away his phone.
No one reacted much. After all, Shen Fanyun was the one who ordered these dishes. As the one paying, it’s only natural he’d keep a portion for himself. That means the other serving must be for Old Master Su.
Su Ziye’s hopes were instantly crushed. I waited so desperately for so long, and in the end, I get nothing?
"Hey, can’t you eat it later? Since you’re treating today, you should let the guests have the first taste," Su Ziye muttered, determined to snatch a bite.
Shen Fanyun was annoyed. "When did I say I was treating?" he retorted. "Are we that close?" We’re not even familiar enough to be called friends, so why would I treat this woman to a meal?
His words made Su Ziye flush, her face and ears burning with shame. No one would have ever imagined that a young lady from a prestigious family would shamelessly squabble with someone over a few dishes.
"Grandpa..." At her wits’ end, Su Ziye pouted and looked to Old Master Su for help, hoping to snag a spoonful from his portion.
Old Master Su’s entire focus was on the food. He pretended not to notice Su Ziye’s restless plea.
Seeing the manager bring out the second serving, Old Master Su politely held out his hands to receive it. "Thank you, thank you."
TAP. TAP.
Shen Fanyun suddenly knocked on the table.
The manager was baffled at first, but after following the direction Shen Fanyun’s finger was pointing, he understood. He respectfully placed the dish in front of Su Xiyang. "Please, enjoy your meal!"
Su Xiyang was speechless.
So was Old Master Su.
Old Master Su, who had already risen to accept the dish, froze with his hands outstretched. For a long moment, he couldn’t process what had happened. What is the meaning of this? It wasn’t prepared for me? There’s no portion for a respected elder like me?