My stepmother forced me to donate bone marrow, so I retaliated by slapping my scumbag father in the

The events of his childhood are just a distant memory.

He was young then, and he protected Xiao Bing, but more than that, he couldn't stand by and watch.

Those children bullied her, called her neither male nor female, snatched her schoolbag, and pushed her into the mud.

Shen Ze didn't have many friends growing up, and the principles Xu Ying taught him were very simple.

It's wrong for others to bully the weak.

He'll intervene if he can, even if it means getting beaten up himself.

But for Yu Binglan, that memory was clearly more than just children playing around.

"I remember you used to be very stubborn."

Shen Ze said, "You didn't even cry when someone stole your schoolbag."

Yu Binglan laughed: "Because you said that they would be even more pleased if you cried."

"Did I really say that?"

"I did say that."

Yu Binglan nodded, "You also said, if you can't beat them, run away; if you can't run away, shout; if you can't shout, bite."

Shen Ze paused for a moment, then laughed: "It does sound like something I would have said when I was a kid."

Yu Binglan's smile became even more pronounced.

At the company entrance, when she faced Zhang He and that Ferrari, she was as cold as ice.

But now, sitting in the car, she has become much gentler.

If the executives of Xingchen Group saw this scene, their jaws would probably drop.

The car quickly entered the most bustling riverside business district in Shanghai.

The lights on both banks of the Huangpu River are lit up, and the exterior walls of high-rise buildings are illuminated layer by layer, making the whole city seem to be covered with a layer of golden light.

Yu Binglan drove the car into the gate of an extremely luxurious hotel.

Caesars Hotel is one of the top hotels in Shanghai.

Two rows of greeters stood at the entrance; the men were dressed in sharp suits, and the women were tall and slender, all wearing trained smiles.

This is not a place where ordinary people can just come in and spend money.

Even the most basic private room starts at 88,800 yuan.

The so-called lowest tier doesn't mean a few people order a few dishes, eat, and leave. It means that the room fee, service fee, drinks, and meal standard are all included, and not a penny less is acceptable.

Many wealthy people in Shanghai like to come here to discuss business, hold private banquets, and entertain distinguished guests.

Shen Jianjun used to frequently host banquets at Caesars Palace, as he loved using such places to display his status.

At the dinner table, as soon as the other party hears the words "Caesars Hotel," they know that the meal is expensive and that the person hosting is wealthy.

Yu Binglan parked the car, and the doorman immediately stepped forward to open the door: "Good evening, Ms. Yu."

The hotel manager also quickly came out to greet them.

His name is Zhao Jie, and he is a senior manager at Caesars Hotel, specializing in receiving top-tier clients.

Yu Binglan has a long-term VIP file at Caesars, so Zhao Jie naturally knows her.

The president of Xingchen Group is young, beautiful, and incredibly wealthy, and she rarely brings women to dinner.

Today, however, he brought a young man with him, and Zhao Jie's eyes immediately fell on Shen Ze.

Shen Ze was dressed simply, in a black jacket and casual trousers, without any obvious designer labels or a watch.

Compared to Yu Binglan's haute couture outfit and the million-dollar women's watch on her wrist, the contrast was too obvious.

Zhao Jie remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was already making guesses.

Could this be Mr. Yu's kept man?

He is indeed good-looking, with a tall and straight figure, clean features, and a steady demeanor, unlike those greasy-haired male models.

Even if you're very stable, your clothes still look the part.

The fact that someone like Yu Binglan could personally drive Caesar to dinner probably isn't due to money.

Zhao Jie was incredibly envious of his good looks.

These days, some people work hard for over a decade, yet they're still not as good-looking as others.

To be noticed by a woman like Yu Binglan is like skipping eight lifetimes of hard work.

However, he is a professional manager, so he won't show what he's thinking on his face.

"Mr. Yu, your reserved presidential suite on the top floor is ready."

Zhao Jie bowed slightly. "This way, please."

Yu Binglan nodded: "Mm."

She walked beside Shen Ze without any haughty attitude, and instead slowed down her pace as if afraid that Shen Ze would not be able to keep up.

Zhao Jie became even more certain: President Yu's feelings for this man were definitely not ordinary.

The group took a private elevator directly to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened, revealing a long corridor covered with a thick carpet.

Master-level oil paintings hang on the walls, the ceiling lights are soft, and even the air is filled with a faint woody scent.

The presidential suite is located in the best spot on the entire floor.

Pushing open the door, the view instantly opens up.

The entire floor-to-ceiling window offers a panoramic view of the Huangpu River at night.

Cruise ships slowly passed by on the river, the lights of high-rise buildings on both banks blended together, and the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Financial Center in the distance shone brightly.

Standing here, you can almost overlook the entire city of Shanghai.

The private room was fully equipped with crystal chandeliers, genuine leather chairs, a long table with silverware, a private wine cabinet, a separate tea table, and a rest area.

Luxurious, yet quiet.

Zhao Jie smiled and introduced, "Mr. Yu, this presidential suite is open to you only tonight. The chef team is ready and the dishes will be served according to the menu you selected in advance."

Yu Binglan nodded: "Thank you for your hard work."

Zhao Jie looked at Shen Ze, his smile becoming even more polite: "Sir, do you have any dietary restrictions?"

Shen Ze said, "No."

Zhao Jie shook his head inwardly.

If someone doesn't even look at the menu or mention any dietary restrictions, they're probably a first-timer and don't know the proper procedures.

But of course he wouldn't point it out.

Yu Binglan turned to Shen Ze and asked, "You didn't eat cilantro when you were little, don't you still eat it now?"

Shen Ze was somewhat surprised: "You still remember?"

"Of course I remember."

Yu Binglan said to Zhao Jie, "No cilantro, please keep it light."

Zhao Jie immediately wrote it down: "Okay, Mr. Yu."

He appeared respectful, but inwardly he felt even more resentful.

Mr. Yu even remembers that this man didn't eat cilantro when he was a child.

This isn't just any ordinary pretty boy; he's practically the epitome of a perfect, unattainable love.

The dishes were served one after another quickly.

King crab, bluefin tuna, black truffle Wagyu beef, matsutake chicken soup, steamed grouper, handmade desserts, and a bottle of decanted premium red wine.

Each dish is small in portion but extremely exquisite.

Zhao Jie personally led the waiters to serve the food, his movements so quiet they were almost inaudible.

Once all the dishes were served, he tactfully stepped outside, leaving the two of them alone.

Only Shen Ze and Yu Binglan remained in the private room.

Yu Binglan raised her glass: "Brother Shen Ze, I never expected to be able to have a birthday dinner with you."

Shen Ze also raised his glass: "Happy birthday."

Yu Binglan looked at him, unable to suppress the smile in her eyes: "Thank you."

The two gently clinked glasses, and the red wine entered their mouths, its flavor rich and full-bodied.

Yu Binglan didn't drink much, but she was in such a good mood that a faint blush quickly appeared on her face.

She was no longer the calm and assertive CEO she usually was; instead, she seemed to have finally found something important again.

Do you remember when we were kids, collecting glass marbles in the back alley?

"Remember."

"You were so stingy back then, you won my marbles and wouldn't give them back."

Shen Ze laughed and said, "You're cheating. You said you lost and that doesn't count."

Yu Binglan retorted, "That's because you took advantage of me before I was ready."

"A loss is a loss."

"Brother Shen Ze, you're still the same."

"how?"

"Stubborn to the end."

After Yu Binglan finished speaking, she laughed first.

Shen Ze smiled too.

They talked about their childhood, about Anpingli, about that alley that was always flooded, about Xu Ying selling breakfast at her stall, and about the day Xiao Bing was taken away by her family.