Actually, it hadn’t even been three hours since lunch ended.
But the two had just "performed" and expended a lot of energy, now both of them felt peckish.
Yue Qingqing looked up at the sign of the Western restaurant and couldn’t help licking her lips and swallowing.
Gong Qiming thought inexplicably of the little white dog that had inspired them.
Gong Qiming, "...Sorry." But it really did resemble her.
Yue Qingqing, "Hm?" Big Senior Brother is acting weird.
Gong Qiming shook his head and felt the banknotes in his pocket.
"Come on, let’s go in and eat."
Yue Qingqing hesitated, "Let’s forget it, it looks kind of expensive."
"We just made some money, what’s there to be afraid of!"
With high spirits, Gong Qiming marched into the restaurant with his junior sister.
Looking up, he spotted an acquaintance,
"Oh, Professor Pei is also here."
Pei Zhe nodded distantly towards Gong Qiming, his mind momentarily foggy.
We agreed we were all broke, so how come you’re splurging here now?
Could it be you’re running a tab on your face? That’d be against the rules.
Gong Qiming, full of pride and satisfaction, patted his pocket stuffed with loose bills.
Wu Manhua sat alone at a small square table, giving a slight smile towards Gong Qiming.
Her gaze then returned to her husband with concentration.
After Gong Qiming took his seat and opened the menu, his expression instantly fell.
Why is it so expensive!
Under normal circumstances, Gong Qiming wouldn’t bat an eye at the price, but at this critical juncture, it was a matter of life and death.
Yue Qingqing whispered cautiously, "Let’s switch to another place."
Gong Qiming wanted to leave, but his eyes fell on Pei Zhe at the stage and he felt embarrassed to do so.
He had already put on this act, how could he face people in the circle if he just walked out now?
Gong Qiming felt like he was put on the spot and had no choice but to pretend to be rich.
They each ordered a steak, and seeing his junior sister eating obediently, Gong Qiming’s fatherly heart couldn’t help but throb, and he gritted his teeth and ordered an additional French cherry duck liver.
The tender duck liver was cooked just right, matching the creaminess of butter, and upon entering the mouth with the sweet and sour sauce, Yue Qingqing couldn’t help but squint her eyes in delight.
You get what you pay for, and both were very satisfied with their meal.
Just then, Zhang Caidie and Ou Chi, both exhausted, happened to pass by the restaurant.
Zhang Caidie turned her head abruptly, peering through the window and spotting the pair.
Ou Chi followed her gaze and also couldn’t help wondering.
"How did those two afford to go in?"
Their situation was far from smooth; they had looked around but found no way to make a quick buck.
It was only after some staff members discreetly reminded them of Gong Qiming’s method that they hinted the two could try performing.
But Ou Chi had too much pride.
He had debuted ten years ago, and his first tape had caused quite a stir.
He thought it was the beginning, but it turned out to be the pinnacle.
Each album Ou Chi released thereafter failed to make any significant splash.
Thankfully, his long years in the industry, coupled with a few classic hits from the past, secured him a certain position in the music world.
But the more it was so, the more Ou Chi enjoyed putting on airs, always reminiscing about his past glories.
Gong Qiming could busk, but Ou Chi felt that singing in public was beneath his dignity, preferring to figure out other ways.
Zhang Caidie felt the same way.
In every interview, she mentioned how she came from a well-to-do family and joined the industry out of love for performing.
Zhang Caidie was unwilling to do something like waiting tables in front of a camera, lest it lead to speculation and expose something.
Both were too proud to bend, and by now neither had managed to raise any money.
Zhang Caidie stood outside the restaurant, watching Yue Qingqing eat with joy and an expression of bliss, feeling a wave of discomfort rise within her.
Turning towards Ou Chi, she smiled and suggested, "Brother Chi, are you hungry? It looks like Brother Qiming has made some money; maybe we should join them for a meal?"
Ou Chi raised an eyebrow and immediately agreed.
"Good idea, it’s the perfect chance to give him the honor of treating his seniors to a meal."