"For the appetizers, foie gras and oysters. For soup, mushroom soup. For the main course, pan-seared lobster, baked escargot, steak tartare, and five-centimeter black truffle at 200 grams per person…" Wu Jingwen casually said, without even glancing at the menu.
"What would you like to drink?" The server asked politely.
"Bring a bottle of Romanée-Conti from 1993!"
The menu was bilingual, written in both Chinese and French.
Ye Yuwei stared in shock at the dishes Wu Jingwen had ordered.
Black truffles cost 200 yuan per gram.
The price of that bottle of wine was 58,000 yuan.
Was this drinking liquid gold or grape water?
The group sitting at the nearby table froze, stunned, while casting envious, jealous, and resentful glances toward the pair.
Among them was a seductive woman with a slender waist and long legs, whose gaze flitted between Teacher Wu and Ye Yuwei's faces, a look of realization dawning in her eyes.
"Yuwei, last time you said you were taking care of family matters. How's everything now?"
"It's, it's all sorted…" Ye Yuwei, her mind muddled, almost failed to respond.
Wu Jingwen chuckled. "Yuwei, is this your first time at a place like this? You seem a little nervous."
Ye Yuwei flushed, embarrassed, and nodded slightly.
"Actually, I don't come to such places often either. I still prefer Chinese cuisine, but I occasionally try something new," Wu Jingwen said with a gentle smile.
Ye Yuwei sighed inwardly, feeling grateful for Teacher Wu's thoughtfulness. With just a few words, he had dispelled her awkwardness.
"Teacher Wu, what did you do when you were abroad? I heard their Chinese food is very different from ours."
"It wasn't too bad. When I studied in the U.K., I specifically hired a cook from here."
"Teacher Wu, you're so lucky." Ye Yuwei's voice was filled with envy.
Such a life was something she might never be able to touch in her entire lifetime.
"Teacher Wu, did you have any foreign boyfriends while studying abroad? Like blonde, charming types?" Ye Yuwei asked comfortably as her nerves eased.
"Haha, no. My family is quite traditional; dating a foreign boyfriend would have been strictly forbidden," Wu Jingwen replied joyfully.
"And you? With your pure and pretty looks, you must have had many boys chasing you!"
"There were some, but I never accepted any of them…"
"Why not?" Wu Jingwen's lips curved into a smile, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Boyfriends are easy to find—anytime, anywhere. But if you're not exceptional yourself, you'll never find someone truly good," Ye Yuwei said seriously.
"Haha!" Wu Jingwen burst out laughing, as though he'd heard something incredibly intriguing.
"Let's raise a toast to our Ye Yuwei's bright future."
At that moment, the server delivered the wine and, after opening the cork, poured each of them a glass.
Amid the crisp clink of glassware, the two emptied their goblets of ruby-red wine in unison.
"Why are they using chopsticks? Isn't western cuisine supposed to be eaten with knives and forks?" Ye Yuwei asked in surprise after noticing the elegant ceramic plate accompanied by a pair of chopsticks.
"Eat however you like; as long as we're happy, that's all that matters." Teacher Wu replied, picking up an escargot with chopsticks and eating it directly.
Ye Yuwei felt a warmth in her heart, realizing that Teacher Wu was trying to save her the embarrassment of not knowing how to use knives and forks.
"Teacher Wu, please teach me how to use knives and forks. I'd like to learn!" Ye Yuwei said with a smile.
"Of course!" Teacher Wu's gaze softened with affection.
...
By the time Ye Yuwei returned to their dorm, it was already eleven thirty at night.
She felt ecstatic, as if she were about to soar.
She thought, "Today felt like living life as a proper person."
When she happily opened the door to their dorm room, it was quiet inside.
Looking around, she saw Jiaqi curled up on her bed under a warm blanket, like a quiet, well-behaved little kitten, lost in sweet dreams.
On the desk were two lunchboxes and a note.
"Yuwei, I got my paycheck today and bought you some stewed pork belly, shredded pickled vegetables, and white rice. I picked the leanest cuts, so enjoy! Don't worry about gaining weight."
The handwriting was elegant and neat, with a drawing of a heart-shaped leaf strung together at the bottom.
Yuwei stared at the note and then at the three items on the desk.
Her heart abruptly felt heavy, weighed down by guilt toward Jiaqi.
Jiaqi occasionally tutored to earn some money, always skimping on her own meals but often buying food for her.
Sitting next to Li Jiaqi, Yuwei gazed at her dependable and loving best friend. For some reason, her heart ached, and tears glistened in her eyes. "Jiaqi, you silly girl…"
At the activity center, in the meeting room.
This was the best soundproof room in the center.
Captain Lu Bingbing, Vice Captain Zhang Yumeng, and members Duan Yuxin, Yu Qingjia, Xu Mengchen, and Zhang Yu were all present.
Lu Bingbing, though a decent captain, still couldn't forgo forming cliques. After all, staying in power as captain required trusted confidants.
"Captain Lu, someone splurged and gifted Yuwei 20,000 yuan during a streaming session last night, and Xiao Yu and Mengchen saw a guy in a Lamborghini drop her off at the center," said Zhang Yumeng, whose long black hair flowed as her expressive eyes shimmered.
"If she has a benefactor supporting her, maybe she'll really make it into 'God Seven' during the selection this year," Duan Yuxin remarked, frowning.
"Hmph! It's not that easy. Is one benefactor enough?" Xu Mengchen scoffed dismissively.
Face unreadable, Lu Bingbing nodded slightly. "Mengchen has a point. Getting into God Seven isn't just about money. Without popularity from general fans, or 'congregators,' it won't work—especially since most of the group's income comes from merchandise bought by many dedicated fans."
"But even so, if she has a wealthy backer throwing money into her career, the company may prioritize her and give her the spotlight during performances," Zhang Yumeng said uneasily.
"True. If it's just money, it's one thing. But if her benefactor can bring resources to the group… Considering how few people in Shenghai drive cars like that, the chances shouldn't be ignored," Yu Qingjia concurred, visibly worried.
"If it's a true big shot, she'd probably terminate her contract and start acting. As for performances, the company can push her, but if we don't cooperate, what good would it do for her to stand out alone?" Duan Yuxin sneered coldly.
"Let's not be overly anxious. We'll observe the situation and let the hardcore fans investigate further," Lu Bingbing said thoughtfully.
The night
crept silently.
In a rundown apartment building, Lan Yening stood in front of a mirror, dressing up.
A cross-dressing ensemble didn't come cheaply—especially lolita skirts, which cost at least five or six hundred yuan.
Adding petticoats, hairbands, and leather shoes, a full outfit could cost nearly a thousand.
If it weren't for the "performance," Lan Yening wouldn't have splurged on this "faux chest."
After dressing up, he gazed at his reflection, prettier than a flower, and smiled smugly.
Although working part-time was exhausting, the spirit captured through the lolita attire brought him unprecedented joy.
"If only I could truly become someone like Yuwei—she's the real flower basking in sunshine," Lan Yening sighed deeply. Strangely, in the mirror, his reflection morphed into Yuwei's face.