As night fell, a vast black satin blanket covered the city of Donghai. Bai Tao, driving the Maserati, slowly made her way through the congested streets. The 28-kilometer journey took her over an hour. She wasn't very familiar with the luxury car, and considering its high price, Bai Tao drove cautiously, afraid of scratching or bumping it. After all, if an accident happened, not only would she have to pay a hefty compensation, but it could delay her return home for an unknown period.
Finally, they arrived at their destination—the Yue Wangfu hotpot restaurant. As soon as Bai Tao stepped out of the car, she was taken aback by the scene before her. The restaurant was designed in an ancient architectural style, with flying eaves, bracketed columns, and carved beams, grand and majestic. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, all of which were at least BBA level, clearly indicating that this was an expensive, upscale establishment.
Two hostesses in qipao stood at the entrance. As soon as they saw Bai Tao and Luo He approach, they immediately smiled warmly and opened the door, their voices soft and sweet: "Welcome!"
"President Luo!" As they entered, a poised woman in a black skirt and professional outfit quickly walked up, smiling as she greeted Luo He.
Bai Tao looked up and saw a woman with short, neat hair, impeccable makeup, and a black tie that accentuated his long legs. His name tag read "Chen Jing."
"Manager Chen," Luo He nodded slightly, a faint smile on his face.
Chen Jing returned the smile before her gaze shifted to Bai Tao. She couldn't help but glance her up and down. As the manager of Yue Wangfu, she was very familiar with Luo He. Whenever he visited, he was either with clients or his assistant, Ji Ziheng. This was the first time she had seen him come alone with someone like this. Chen Jing couldn't help but look Bai Tao over, her first impression being—This girl is stunning!
Seeing Chen Jing's surprised expression, Luo He took the initiative to introduce them. "This is my friend Bai Tao. Bai Tao, this is Manager Chen."
"Hello, Miss Bai!" Chen Jing greeted with a bright smile, her tone warm and friendly.
Bai Tao was momentarily stunned but quickly responded with a smile, "Hello, Manager Chen." Though Chen Jing had misunderstood her identity, Bai Tao didn't correct her. She wasn't one to argue, and there was no need to explain to a mere manager that she was just an ordinary girl.
In truth, Chen Jing wasn't sure if Bai Tao was some young lady from a rich family. She simply didn't know her background, and addressing her this way was polite and safe. After all, anyone who could come out to eat with Luo He certainly wouldn't be an ordinary person.
Luo He couldn't help but notice Bai Tao's sunny smile and her polite, elegant demeanor. He was a little surprised. After all, Bai Tao had spent the entire day acting coldly towards him, and now, she suddenly seemed so gentle. It was quite an adjustment for him.
Under Chen Jing's lead, the two of them entered a private room. As expected of a high-end establishment, the room was equipped with a dedicated server. The server, holding the menu with both hands, reverently presented it to the two of them.
Luo He took the menu and thanked the server softly but didn't immediately open it. Instead, he looked at Bai Tao. "You order."
Bai Tao, without hesitation, took the menu and started flipping through it. Chen Jing, still standing by, was surprised by how naturally Bai Tao took charge. She then eagerly began to introduce the restaurant's offerings. "Miss Bai, the beef at Yue Wangfu is top-tier, imported directly from overseas. In particular, the Australian Wagyu and Japanese Kobe beef are incredibly delicious. These are exclusive to our restaurant, and you won't find them anywhere else."
Bai Tao opened the menu, and her eyes widened as she saw the prices. Though she had been mentally prepared, seeing that a single plate of beef cost over 800 yuan still left her speechless. For comparison, when she went out with her friends for hotpot, they could eat a hearty meal for about the same price. Bai Tao had never considered herself poor, but at that moment, she truly felt the impact of the wealth disparity.
"Is the meat really that good?" Bai Tao asked, her tone filled with doubt.
"Of course! Our beef is one of the best in the country!" Chen Jing replied confidently.
"Ten plates!" Bai Tao said decisively.
The room instantly fell silent. All three women—Chen Jing, Luo He, and the server—stared at Bai Tao in shock.
"Ten plates?" Chen Jing repeated, her eyes wide, before glancing at Luo He, "Are there other guests coming?"
Luo He shook his head, just as bewildered as Chen Jing. He thought to himself, What is she up to now?
"Miss Bai, will the two of you be able to finish that much?" Chen Jing cautiously asked. In her years of experience in the restaurant business, she had seen customers eat three or four plates of meat, and five or six plates wasn't unheard of. Seven or eight plates, while rare, wasn't impossible. But with Bai Tao's petite figure, she didn't look like someone with a big appetite.
"Start with three plates, and the remaining seven can be packed to go," Bai Tao said matter-of-factly.
"Packed... to go?" Chen Jing blinked in disbelief. In all her years in the restaurant business, she had never encountered someone ordering takeout in a high-end hotpot restaurant.
"Yeah, didn't you say it's exclusive here? My family hasn't had the chance to try it," Bai Tao explained seriously.
Chen Jing was completely stunned, unsure how to respond. After a long pause, she finally looked back at Luo He, "Uh… should I pack it when you leave?"
Chen Jing found Bai Tao's actions a bit strange. She couldn't help but glance at her again, thinking, This girl is so unique. I should have a private chat with Luo He about her.
Luo He, equally surprised by Bai Tao's behavior, gave a helpless smile and nodded. "Yeah, we'll take it with us when we leave."
"Alright," Chen Jing responded, still in shock, before nodding her head and retreating.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。