Chapter Thirty-Five: Does Your Offer to Keep Me Still Stand?

The familiar restaurant stirred memories in Chen Fang, memories that felt as though they had died with him.

Rose Restaurant.

Chen Fang was puzzled.

Why did women always choose to eat here?

Last time, it was Ji Mei.

This time, it was Xi Yuanyuan.

“Do women really like eating here?” Chen Fang asked.

Aside from the pleasant atmosphere, there didn’t seem to be any other advantages. He poked at the steak on his plate with a fork; the taste was mediocre, not nearly as good as barbecue from the street.

“We?” Xi Yuanyuan’s lips curled into a smile, but it carried an air of danger. “Who else have you come here with?”

Chen Fang, oblivious, answered naturally, “Ji Mei, the director at the site of Starlight Road’s auditions.”

Xi Yuanyuan poured herself a glass of red wine. “Is she pretty?”

Chen Fang glanced at her. “Not as pretty as you.”

Her smile shifted from dangerous to delighted.

But then Chen Fang continued, “But her figure is better than yours.”

He looked up, recalling, clicking his tongue—her chest, her curves, ten Xi Yuanyuans couldn’t compare to Ji Mei.

No, if he kept thinking about it, his temper would flare again.

A shrill, grating sound pierced the air—the knife scraped across the plate.

Chen Fang covered his ears, looking at Xi Yuanyuan, whose expression was sour, hastily apologizing to the surrounding customers.

“You’re so moody,” Chen Fang shook his head.

Could it be that time of the month? Women’s emotions always went haywire during those days.

Xi Yuanyuan said nothing, glaring fiercely at him.

Chen Fang ignored her. He had no interest in these childish girls, so her mood swings meant little to him.

He ate quietly. Xi Yuanyuan remained silent.

Half an hour later, Chen Fang, full and satisfied, leaned back in his chair contentedly. Xi Yuanyuan had finished long ago.

She looked at him, unable to suppress her irritation. A waiter quietly approached, smiling, “Mr. Chen, we meet again.”

Chen Fang paused. “Oh, you remember me?” He was a bit surprised.

It had been over a week since he dined here with Ji Mei. He hadn’t expected the staff to remember him.

The waiter bowed slightly, smiling. “Your singing last time left a deep impression. Our boss watched Starlight Road’s auditions and was very fond of you, Mr. Chen. She said if you sing another song today, you’ll have free meals here for life.”

Last time he sang?

Xi Yuanyuan didn’t understand.

The waiter explained, “Mr. Chen performed ‘Confession Balloon’ for the lady he was with, and as a reward, the restaurant gave him a free meal.”

“Not this time,” Chen Fang declined.

Last time, he’d sung for Ji Mei, and he had something to ask of her—so it was only right for him to pay for the meal. If he could get it for free, he certainly wouldn’t miss the chance.

But this time, his companion wasn’t Ji Mei, and he wasn’t the host.

No reason to save Xi Yuanyuan money.

He was about to get up when Xi Yuanyuan’s slender, pale fingers gripped his wrist tightly, her touch cold and soft. Her gaze was oddly resolute. “I want to hear you sing.”

Chen Fang: ?

Eating dinner and singing?

Had he known, he wouldn’t have come.

But seeing hope in her eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse her, especially since she was his agent—her request wasn’t unreasonable.

He glanced at the piano in the center of the restaurant. “Fine, I’ll sing.”

He repeated “Confession Balloon.”

The melody was familiar, but unlike last time, this rendition lacked the depth of a scoundrel’s passion.

When the song ended, the restaurant erupted in applause.

Chen Fang smiled and nodded.

Xi Yuanyuan put away her phone, feigning indifference.

“Mr. Chen, from now on your meals here are free for life. We hope you’ll visit often.” The waiter bowed, professional as ever.

Wonderful!

Another place to eat for free.

Chen Fang and Xi Yuanyuan left the restaurant side by side.

“I just saved you the cost of a meal,” Chen Fang felt like a good person.

No—being a good person was too dangerous. He shouldn’t be one.

Xi Yuanyuan rolled her eyes. “So you think I should thank you?”

“Shouldn’t you?” Chen Fang retorted.

Xi Yuanyuan smiled, stepped closer, gently straightening his collar. “Just so you know, I never needed to pay for this meal.”

Chen Fang was puzzled.

Not paying—was the restaurant hers?

Perhaps sensing his confusion, she tucked her hair behind her ear. “This restaurant belongs to Nian Wei’s family.”

You Nian Wei?

That little green bean?

Chen Fang was stunned.

Then Xi Yuanyuan pointed down the street. “All the restaurants on this street belong to Nian Wei’s family.”

His expression turned serious. He placed both hands on her shoulders, gazing straight at her. Feeling his heat, Xi Yuanyuan blushed.

Was he about to kiss her?

Should she be passive, reciprocate, or take the lead?

She realized, to her surprise, that she wasn’t thinking of rejecting him, but pondering how best to cooperate.

“Yuanyuan,” Chen Fang said, calling her by her given name for the first time.

She felt awkward, her body hot, but tried to stay calm. “What is it?”

“Does your friend still want to sponsor me?” Chen Fang’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

Xi Yuanyuan’s shy smile froze.

The temperature seemed to drop.

Chen Fang shivered.

That couldn’t be right—it was summer, even at night, he shouldn’t feel cold.

But thinking of You Nian Wei as a top-tier heiress made him want to rub his hands together. Even though she was a little green bean, Chen Fang had always liked green beans—no, to be precise, red beans.

Suddenly, he felt a pinch at his waist.

He hissed, “Your little hand is naughty; why do you always grab people’s waists?”

“Ha,” Xi Yuanyuan sneered, ignored him, and turned to leave.

The roar of an engine sounded, and she left him with nothing but the glow of her taillights.

“Is it really that time of the month?” Chen Fang shook his head.

Of course, it might not be that—it could be early menopause.

Chen Fang strolled back at a leisurely pace.

“I’ve finished the songs for An Tinghan; as for the other two, I’ll think about them when I have time.”

“Now I can prepare for the third round of auditions.”

He was looking forward to it.

The third round would bring some changes. Ji Mei hadn’t revealed the details, but the hints suggested the format would be unique—completely different from the previous rounds.