Aren't we friends? Why are you rushing at me?

A moment later, Lin Shi and Liu Ruyan arrived at the parking lot of the National Building. Without lingering, they took the elevator to the restaurant entrance.

A rather burly man stood at the door greeting guests, his movements somewhat clumsy and he seemed a little out of place.

Liu Ruyan frowned slightly as she watched the greeter's actions.

Logically speaking, a top-tier restaurant like "Siren" shouldn't have such a low level of service, where even saying "Welcome" sounds like a slogan.

But before she could delve deeper, Lin Shi spoke first:

"Let's go, Ruyan."

"Um!"

Liu Ruyan immediately put all her doubts aside and obediently followed Lin Shi into the restaurant.

Upon entering the restaurant, the restaurant manager, Yan Song, seemed to have been waiting for a long time and immediately came to greet me.

"Miss Liu, you've arrived."

"Okay, take me to a private room."

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly, offering no further response, befitting her aloof and sophisticated demeanor. She was a completely different person from when she was alone with Lin Shi that afternoon.

Yan Song forced a smile as he listened to Liu Ruyan's order. He first glanced at the three people observing from the corner, then looked back at Liu Ruyan and said:

"I'm sorry, Ms. Liu, there's a problem with the wiring in our private room. There are no lights inside."

No lights?

Liu Ruyan was taken aback when she heard Yan Song's reply.

Something strange suddenly popped into my head. But looking at the current situation, I quickly regained my composure and stared coldly at the manager:

"So, what does Manager Yan mean by this?"

"I didn't mean anything by it, I'm really sorry."

Yan Song quickly lowered his head to admit his mistake, and then said rapidly:

"I'm not kidding, I wouldn't dare even if you gave me the guts!"

"If you don't believe me, you can come with me to see for yourself. All the lights in the private rooms are truly off right now."

Yan Song was hunched over, looking like he was about to cry:

"As compensation, we have reserved the table with the best view in the lobby for you."

As he spoke, he pointed to a corner of the restaurant, in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking half of Jinghai City.

"Furthermore, we will cover all your expenses today."

Lin Shi turned to look at Liu Ruyan, waiting for her decision.

Although he was hungry and not picky about where he ate, as a "professional boyfriend," he knew that the woman held the reins at that moment.

Liu Ruyan looked at the dining table, her mind racing as she considered whether to compromise or choose a different restaurant.

If you choose a different restaurant, you can get a private room; if you compromise, you can just have a simple meal, and then...

"That's fine."

Liu Ruyan suddenly changed her tone and said with a firm expression that brooked no argument.

Yan Song breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led the two to their seats, then found a waiter to serve them.

He then quickly returned to his office and took out a leave slip.

Write it yourself, ask for leave yourself, and sign it yourself.

He slipped the leave request along with another note through the crack in the door into Li Xuan's office, knocked loudly on the door to signal him, and then ran away without looking back.

The note clearly stated:

"Young master, please don't blame me."

"You adults are fighting, so don't involve me, a child."

"As you know, in this world, managers of high-end restaurants often meet with misfortune. If they don't stay calm, they really won't see the sun rise tomorrow. I'm running now."

"By the way, here's a suggestion: you should run too, the faster the better."

Hearing the knock on the door, Li Xuan picked up the note and scoffed at it.

It's just a meal, what could be wrong with that?

I didn't pay much attention to it and went back to my seat to watch the replay of the game, emphasizing that one must learn more to improve.

Inside the restaurant, a "waiter" who was also excessively muscular was standing by the table.

Liu Ruyan flipped through the menu, casually ordered a few exquisite dishes that would be served quickly, then closed the menu and spoke elegantly:

"That's all. Let's open another bottle of 2009 Château Margaux."

"No," the waiter replied crisply.

"What???"

Liu Ruyan looked at him in surprise upon hearing the waiter's reply:

"This should be available."

"I'm sorry, miss, we really don't have that."

The waiter stared at her expressionlessly, his tone as frank as if he were reciting a memorized text:

"The wine cellar's temperature control system broke down, and to ensure quality, the restaurant has just transferred all of its top-quality red wines out of the restaurant."

As Liu Ruyan listened to the waiter's explanation, a surge of anger rose within her. She felt that this restaurant was subtly targeting her today.

Just as he was about to lash out, he turned to look at Lin Shi, who was waiting quietly, and ultimately held back.

No matter what, you have to maintain a gentle demeanor in front of him.

He said through gritted teeth:

"Bring me two glasses of sparkling water, you must have those, right?"

The waiter nodded, quickly tapped a few times on the tablet, turned around, and strode away.

While waiting for the food, Lin Shi also began to observe the guests around him.

Ever since I came to this seat, I've had this vague feeling.

The diners were all glancing in this direction, seemingly casually.

Despite being a popular restaurant for couples and photo opportunities, there were surprisingly few female diners.

His gaze shifted to Liu Ruyan, who was staring at him, and he leaned closer, whispering:

"Ruyan, you haven't messed with anyone lately, have you?"

Liu Ruyan, who was still infatuated with a boy, was somewhat bewildered by the sudden question.

After thinking for a moment, he confidently shook his head:

"No, and my family background is somewhat special. Those who know about it wouldn't dare to make a move, and those who don't know about it can't touch me either."

"The entertainment company was just something I did on my own."

Lin Shi nodded without saying much, and silently switched his phone screen to Ye Cheng's dialing interface. Under the cover of the tablecloth, he discreetly slipped a dinner knife into his sleeve.

Soon, the food was served.

Liu Ruyan took a deep breath, her tone becoming sincere:

"Lin Shi, you actually know..."

"Snapped!"

A plate on the next table shattered on the floor. Liu Ruyan froze, her words abruptly cut off.

The diners at that table hurriedly stood up to apologize, while the waiter slowly and methodically cleaned up the mess.

The action was as if it had been rehearsed, with no one hesitating at all, but the movements were somewhat slow, as if deliberately stalling for time.

Liu Ruyan calmed her breathing and tried to regroup:

"Lin Shi, what do you think...?"

"Smash!!!"

Another plate fell to the ground, even closer than before.

Lin Shi frowned, stood up, and looked around. Anyone could see that something was wrong.

Liu Ruyan also realized something was wrong. Although she didn't stand up, she immediately dialed a number:

"Li Xuan, are you at the hotel now?"

"Yes, cousin."

When was the last time you wet the bed?

"........."

"Seven years old."

Li Xuan held his phone with some confusion, then quickly exited the game interface and looked at the monitor.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Ruyan was seen standing under the surveillance camera with a deathly smile, and swallowed hard.

Natsuno!!! You never said you wanted me to lend you the restaurant; it was all to mess with my cousin!!!

Upon hearing Li Xuan's reply, Liu Ruyan's tense mood instantly calmed down.

If Li Xuan is still idling around in the shop, then there's nothing to be surprised about.

So you're deliberately messing with me, Li Xuan!!!

Thinking of this, Liu Ruyan said gently to Lin Shi:

"I'm going upstairs to find my cousin. Please wait for me a moment."

I'll go with you.

Lin Shi took a step to the side, looked at Liu Ruyan, and a cold glint flashed in his hand.

"No need, I'll be back soon," Liu Ruyan politely declined.

Just kidding, the scene that follows might be too violent, and Lin Shi absolutely cannot see it.

Hearing Liu Ruyan's gentle refusal, Lin Shi couldn't insist any further.

"Three minutes. If you're not back by then, I'll come upstairs to find you."

"Mmm." Liu Ruyan felt a warmth in her heart and nodded with tears in her eyes.

[Liu Ruyan's favorability towards you has increased by 1 point, currently at 41 points. Please continue your efforts, host.]

10 seconds later......

A powerful, piercing roar echoed throughout the second floor of the restaurant:

"Li Xuan!!! You're going to die!!!"