Miss Lin is a hunky VTuber today?

"Okay! Go ahead, the company will reimburse you for this meal."

The boss waved his hand and said in a very generous manner.

"When did he become so generous?"

After walking a distance, the young lady realized something was wrong and muttered something strange to herself.

"Hmmmm~"

The white-haired girl tilted her head back and hummed a tune.

What do you mean by generous? This is clearly hush money.

"Anyway, we'll just have a big meal tonight and let the fourth batch eat their fill."

Xu Lin didn't explain, because explaining would only expose the truth.

"So, what should we eat?"

Sister Yan, on the other hand, was quite carefree and didn't even think about the boss's unusual behavior; she was only focused on what to eat.

"French cuisine?"

Xu Lin showed no intention of saving the boss any money; he immediately ordered a real feast.

"Come on, look at the fourth batch of people, they're not the kind of people who can let loose in those kinds of places, and besides, the French food isn't even that good."

Sister Yan rejected Xu Lin's proposal on the spot.

[The last sentence is the key point, isn't it?]

Xu Lin silently complained in his heart.

"A place that's delicious, filling, and doesn't look too fancy..."

Xu Lin nodded, understanding.

"How about the Old Beijing Charcoal Copper Hot Pot? If it's good, I'll call and reserve a table."

"That sounds good! But do you have the authentic kind here?"

Xu Youyue, the little foodie, immediately made the decision. Although it was a bit strange to eat hot pot in the middle of summer, she would go if she wanted to eat it!

"As long as you're willing to spend money, there's nothing the Night Sea can't do without."

Xu Lin waved his phone, indicating that he had spent all the money he saved from living a low-key life under an assumed name for the past two years on finding good restaurants, and that she could handle this perfectly well.

“行(●°u°●)」”

Sister Yan was also a little excited. After all, they were from the same place. Although she didn't particularly like Xu Lin, she figured they had similar tastes. She hadn't been home for more than half a year and missed the taste of home terribly.

I just don't know if they have Northeastern-style barbecue here. There's a big difference between Yehai and Northeast China in terms of barbecue culture. Although it's delicious, it just doesn't feel right.

I'll ask her secretly later.

"Then I'll make the call first. Miss, you two go in first and talk to them."

It's a small tradition in ESC for newcomers to have a meal together with their seniors. For the first generation, the boss treats them; for the second generation, it's Sister Yan; for the third generation, it's the young lady and Sister Yan together; and the fourth generation is the luckiest, as all three from the first generation were free and came together, and they just happened to be receiving hush money from the boss.

Then the level of the gathering is different.

An old Beijing copper hot pot meal in Yehai is more expensive than a hot pot meal in a Western-style house!

Chapter 37, Section 153: Is it a mistake to add chili oil to hot pot dipping sauce?

The group of six arrived at Old Beijing Copper Hot Pot, yes, that's the name of the restaurant!

Logically, Xu Lin should have called Yuan Chu, who was also in Ye Hai, but seeing that she hadn't informed the operations team about her arrival in Ye Hai and hadn't come to the headquarters this afternoon, Xu Lin decided against calling her.

Instead, I asked Sister Yan to inquire, and she replied instantly with just two words.

"Goodbye."

It seems they are quite resistant.

Indeed, the relationship between Miss Xu Lin, Yuan Chu, and the other two is a little awkward right now. Although neither Miss Xu Lin nor Xu Lin seem to care, it's clear that Yuan Chu herself hasn't gotten over that hurdle yet.

Xu Lin sighed.

"What's wrong, are you upset?"

"Sister Yan asked jokingly."

"Not really, I just hope that Tobi-chan can get over this soon."

Although he couldn't understand Yuan Chu's online-based liking, Xu Lin still quite liked Yuan Chu as a person, in a friendly sense.

After all, we often play games together, so we have some revolutionary friendship!

However, she still knew what she could and couldn't say—the young lady was still there, saying such things would only make her uncomfortable.

"Is Senior Iris Fluttershy also in the Night Sea?"

Before the food arrived, everyone would chat, and Shuangxue took the opportunity to start a conversation.

"They just arrived last night, but they're probably busy moving, so they probably won't be free today."

Xu Lin then realized that there were three fourth-generation students beside him who were unaware of the situation, and quickly brushed them off.

"Oh, that's a pity. I won't have the chance to see you."

When Shuangxue isn't livestreaming or isn't excited, he's still the same sunny, cute boy, and his words are especially pleasant to hear. Even if you know there's some gossip involved, you know you can't press him for details.

"I especially like Tobi-Hina-senpai."

Wind Chime, on the other hand, sighed with a regretful expression.

"There will be another team building event about two months after the fifth generation members debut, and everyone should be able to come."

Xu Lin added "should" mainly because he didn't know if Xiao Zhi, the operations manager of the third generation, could get Ling Yue out of her home.

Yes, in Lin Ge's eyes, getting Ling Yue out of her home was no less difficult than getting someone out of the police station, especially a repeat offender like Che Guevara who had been in and out multiple times and didn't want to get out.

"I'll definitely participate!"

"I'll be there too!"

Frost and Wind Chimes responded simultaneously, but the other person remained silent.

The young lady looked at Chiena sitting opposite her with some curiosity, only to find that the girl's eyes were vacant and her gaze was fixed on the plate of pre-dinner dessert that the young lady had just picked up.

It's something like plums, the kind of appetizers you usually find in hot pot restaurants. I don't know why this stuff is so appealing to her.

"Eat if you want?"

Xu Youyue tentatively pushed the plate while observing Qian Huina's expression.

Chiena looked dazed until Xu Youyue was about to push the plate in front of her, at which point she suddenly snapped out of it with a vivid expression, like the expression on a kitten's face after you gently rub it while it's sleeping soundly.

I suddenly woke up.

"You too, the food will be served soon. If you want any kind of condiments, go to the counter over there and make them yourself. Don't be shy with us."

Xu Lin smiled. "That Qian Daidai, that child... really..."

When ordering the food earlier, it was Xu Lin and the other two who made the order. The fourth-generation students were still a bit reserved. They all said they weren't picky eaters and that meat was enough, but Xu Lin still ordered a variety of dishes.

It's normal to be nervous, especially since it's the first time we've eaten together, and it's a company dinner.

"Yes, I understand, senior."

Shuangxue nodded and was the first to stand up. As a boy, he sat on the outermost side to make room for the other two.

"Sister Yan, you two go ahead first. I'll watch your bags here."

Xu Lin took on the responsibilities that an adult man should have with a particularly conscious attitude, which could be considered a habit.

"Alright! Dudu! Let's go."

Sister Yan seemed quite happy, I don't know why, but she just looked very happy. She took Chiena's little hand and walked forward.

"I'm not stupid! Why does even Sister Yi Yi call me that?"

Qian Daidai has finally come to her senses, and seems particularly sensitive to the name Qian Daidai, or more accurately, the name Daidai.

Considering she previously revealed that people often called her "dumb and silly"...

Could this be her nickname or something?

"Because you're cute~"

Sister Yan affectionately rubbed Qian Huina's puffed-up little face, making Shuangxue and Fengling shake their heads with laughter from behind.

Chiena's affability is truly an innate talent that others can only envy.

The young lady followed behind the two of them, glanced back at the white-haired girl playing on her phone, then quietly turned back and walked to Xu Lin's side, nudging her arm.

"Hmm? What's wrong, Miss?"

Xu Lin looked up at Xu Youyue, who, for some reason, seemed to be shy despite her expressionless face, and blinked in confusion.

"Are you still eating with the same dipping sauce as before?"

"I've always eaten that kind."

"Then I'll be merciful and make you a bowl too."

"Thank you so much."

Xu Lin smiled, a very calm smile, yet one that conveyed a sense of satisfaction.

"What are you laughing at!"

Xu Youyue slapped her head in an annoyed tone.

"Go quickly, go quickly! I'm looking forward to the young lady's carefully prepared dipping sauce!"

"Humph!"

Xu Youyue gave a haughty snort, ignoring Xu Lin's self-righteous act, and forcefully turned her head, her single ponytail lashing out hard across the white-haired girl's face.

"..."