Chapter 6799
They are all acquaintances
“Mr. Liu usually frequents those high-end, luxurious hotels and is used to eating delicacies and lavish banquets. We’re just serving simple, home-style dishes here. What if it doesn’t suit his taste and it delays your business…”
As the proprietress spoke, she kept rubbing the hem of her apron, her eyes filled with genuine worry, and her brows furrowed slightly, as if this were an insurmountable challenge.
Looking at the landlady's anxious expression, Xiao Chen couldn't help but smile. His smile was like the spring sunshine, warm and reassuring.
His tone was reassuring and confident as he said slowly, "Don't worry, ma'am."
"I invited him here mainly to discuss some business; the meal was just a side thing."
"Besides, don't I know your skills?"
"The dishes you make are so delicious and visually appealing that they won't be able to put their chopsticks down. They'll want to eat them again and again."
As he spoke, he gently patted the proprietress on the shoulder, reassuring her.
He paused, then turned his gaze to Yun Yuyan beside him, his eyes filled with tenderness and doting affection. He then introduced her to the proprietress, "By the way, proprietress, this is Yun..."
The proprietress's gaze lingered carefully on Yun Yuyan's face. Yun Yuyan narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze filled with a hint of confusion as she tried to recall.
She tilted her head, frowned, and muttered to herself, "Girl, you look kind of familiar, like I've seen you somewhere before, but I just can't remember where..."
As she spoke, she gently tapped her head, trying to find an impression of Yun Yuyan from the depths of her memory.
Before Xiao Chen could even begin to introduce her, Yun Yuyan, like a cheerful little bird, took a step forward.
Her usually cool and aloof expression was now tinged with a rare warmth and excitement, and her bright eyes sparkled with memories, as if she had traveled back to that beautiful old time.
Her voice was soft yet brimming with barely suppressed excitement as she said, "Boss lady! It really is you!"
"Where's Uncle Zhang? Is he busy in the kitchen?"
“You probably don’t remember me. Six years ago, I was studying at that university next door.”
“Back then, the little bit of free time before evening self-study was so precious to me. I always loved to sneak over just to eat the lamb skewers you made yourself.”
"The lamb skewers were grilled to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Sprinkled with your special seasoning, they tasted absolutely delicious. Just thinking about them makes my mouth water."
The proprietress was slightly taken aback by Yun Yuyan's words, and then began to try hard to recall.
Her eyes were somewhat unfocused as she looked Yun Yuyan up and down, trying to find the shadow of that naive little girl from back then in this graceful young woman.
Although the hazy memory was not yet fully clear, her face was filled with a sincere smile, a smile as warm and friendly as the winter sun.
She patted Yun Yuyan's hand and said, "Oh dear, look at my memory!"
"I never imagined that the quiet little girl from back then would grow up to be so beautiful, like a blooming flower, so beautiful that you can't take your eyes off her..."
"I never expected that you and this young man would have this connection and come together. How wonderful!"
"You two standing together are a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
She looked at the two of them, her smile smoothing out the wrinkles around her eyes, her smile full of blessings for them.
"But your Uncle Zhang..."
The proprietress paused abruptly, the words she was about to say stuck in her throat, a hint of worry and helplessness flashing across her face. She sighed softly, then forced a smile and said, "Never mind, I won't say anymore. Please have a seat!"
"Don't stand there, there are many other guests behind you. Don't spoil your dining experience."
The proprietress hesitated, clearly not wanting Xiao Chen to know about Zhang Peng's hospitalization.
She thought to herself, "It's so unpleasant to talk about these unhappy things during a meal. I'll wait until another time to talk about it."
But how could her little attempt at concealment possibly fool Xiao Chen's eyes?
Xiao Chen was meticulous and observant; he noticed even the fleeting changes in the landlady's expression.
But he was sensible enough not to press the matter on the spot.
He knew in his heart that this was not the right time to ask these questions; he would ask them slowly after dinner when the time was right.
After all, meals should be enjoyed in a pleasant atmosphere, and we shouldn't let these worries spoil the mood.
Two blushes quietly rose on Yun Yuyan's cheeks, as beautiful as the sunset on the horizon.
That sweetness spread wildly in her heart, almost overflowing.
She didn't bother explaining her relationship with Xiao Chen; she just kept her head down, unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes with her hands, immersed in this moment of happiness.
Her heart was pounding like a little rabbit, filled with both nervousness and excitement, and the whole world seemed incredibly wonderful.
Xiao Chen looked at Yun Yuyan beside him, her cheeks flushed and her head bowed in sweet reverie. He shook his head helplessly, but a doting smile inadvertently appeared on his lips. He had no intention of explaining his relationship with Yun Yuyan to Liu Jianming and the others.
He slowly turned his gaze to the private room at the end of the corridor, its door slightly ajar. That door seemed like a mysterious entrance, concealing an important exchange that was about to unfold.
He took steady steps, walked to the door, and gently pushed it open.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing the scene inside the private room.
Inside, Liu Jianming and his daughter Liu Yulian were already seated.
Liu Yulian, dressed in a light blue dress, looked like a fresh and elegant lotus flower. She sat quietly beside her father, her eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
In the shadows of the corner of the private room stood a young man in a black suit. He was lean and wiry, like a lurking cheetah, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. He was probably the driver and bodyguard, ready to deal with any potential dangers.
Upon seeing Xiao Chen, Liu Jianming immediately sprang up from his chair like a spring. His eyes shone, and his excitement was almost uncontrollable, as if he had seen a long-lost relative.
These past few days have been like a nightmare for him, but fortunately, Xiao Chen's appearance was like a ray of light in the darkness, pulling him back from the abyss of despair.
Not only did his terminal illness, which the hospital had given him a death sentence, completely disappear, as if the terrible disease had never appeared in him, but even the minor ailments that had plagued him for years, such as stomach pain and insomnia, also vanished without a trace.
He now feels full of energy, as if he has become several years younger.
In his eyes, Xiao Chen was no different from a second parent, a great benefactor who gave him a second life.
"Mr. Xiao! You've finally arrived!"
Liu Jianming's voice was loud and clear, echoing in the private room, carrying a sense of gratitude for surviving a close call. (End of Chapter)