One-Pin Pavilion was the most famous restaurant in Yun City. The restaurant operated on a tiered membership system—you had to activate a membership to dine there.
At the same time, the restaurant was divided into four private room levels: VVIP, VIP, Red and Yellow. The lowest, Yellow-level rooms, required an annual expenditure of 100,000 to qualify.
The VIP level required 200,000, and so on, up to the VVIP level, which required 400,000.
Moreover, VVIP-level membership cards were issued only after the manager of One-Pin Pavilion conducted an asset evaluation based on social wealth and confirmed eligibility.
Summer Lin was stunned when she first heard this. Who could possibly spend 400,000 in a single year just to eat at one place?!
Still, despite the high cost, the food inside was undeniably delicious. She had only been a few times, but each visit left her craving more.
"No worries, my dad's membership card is with me," Autumn James said calmly.
"Yay!" Summer Lin cheered excitedly.
Meanwhile, at One-Pin Pavilion, in an Earth-level private room, a group of people sat around a table chatting. The atmosphere was incredibly harmonious.
"Thanks to Ethan James, I finally have a chance to eat at One-Pin Pavilion! I've always heard their food is amazing, and today I finally get to try it!"
Anna Hawthorne was overjoyed, showering Ethan with praise. It was quite the unexpected delight—she hadn't expected Ethan to actually have a One-Pin Pavilion membership.
Autumn James didn't know they were here; if she did, she would probably be envious. After all, One-Pin Pavilion wasn't just a restaurant—it symbolized status and power with its four-tier system.
William Moore, usually so indifferent, couldn't help but show a glimmer of excitement. He knew about One-Pin Pavilion and that his family had a membership, but he had never been brought there. His father never took him, only Luke Warren.
Even when Luke was mischievous, underperforming, and ill-tempered, his father still brought him along to social gatherings and introduced him to friends.
William's expression twisted as frustration bubbled inside. Clearly, he was more talented than Luke, so why wasn't his father nurturing him? Was it because he wasn't his biological son? Was blood really that important?
He was determined to prove them wrong. Choosing Luke was the biggest mistake ever.
Ethan, on the other hand, was very happy. The One-Pin Pavilion card he had was actually taken from Autumn James.
The card belonged to their father. When he went on business trips, he gave it to Autumn, who never used it anyway. One day, "passing by" her room, Ethan "happened" to see the card lying in plain sight on the table and "casually" took it. Why waste it if it wasn't being used?
Liam Carter didn't care much about where they ate. Leaning back in his chair, he played on his phone, looking rebellious and carefree, typing away as if chatting with someone.
Daniel Grant sat next to Anna Hawthorne, thoughtfully taking care of her, quietly pouring her lemon water.
Meanwhile, Lin Yan, fresh from a competition victory, sat in the head seat across the table, his face sharp and distant, a cold aura surrounding him. Yet, this imposing air melted instantly when he looked at Anna, his gaze softening as he occasionally served her favorite dishes as if she were his own sister.
"Ethan, do you think it's a bit awkward that we didn't invite Autumn James this time?"
Hearing Autumn's name, Ethan frowned, pursing his lips.
"What's she coming here for? Today's a celebration for Lin Yan's victory. I doubt he wants to see her here anyway."
Lin Yan, who had been serving Anna, paused for a split second and quietly acknowledged with a subtle hum.
Recalling how Autumn had persistently pestered him before, everyone fell into rare silence.
Anna, feeling slightly guilty, tugged at Lin Yan's sleeve and said softly, "I'm sorry, Lin Yan, I shouldn't have brought up Autumn at this moment."
"It's fine," Lin Yan replied, his voice low, magnetic, and calm as ever.
"Alright, alright, let's eat! Lin Yan, how did your biology competition go? What about Peter Edward?"
Ethan was thrilled to ask. Though he and Peter Edward were all top students in Science Class A, there was always a sense of rivalry.
Yet, despite their talents, they never mingled much—both groups kept to themselves.
When Ethan spoke, everyone's gaze fell on Lin Yan.
Lin Yan paused, a hidden ripple appearing in his eyes before he said, "First prize."
"First prize?! Now he's going to dominate the class!" Ethan fumed.
Even William Moore, normally so composed, couldn't hide a trace of envy, feeling deep disappointment.
Peter Edward excelled in biology and came from a good family, earning the biology teacher's favor. In contrast, Ethan only excelled in Chinese class, and the Chinese teacher treated everyone equally...
Daniel Grant remained indifferent. His future was already planned, so grades didn't affect him much.
Liam Carter, likewise, didn't care about grades or competitions—he would just bribe his way into a school if needed.
Only Ethan was the type to explode over trivial matters.
"Good thing Peter Edward's other subjects are average, otherwise he'd be insufferable," Ethan muttered incessantly, but no one cared to listen, and Liam found him irritating.
Unable to contain himself, Ethan uncrossed his legs, stood up, and put his phone in his pocket. "I'm going to the restroom."
He turned to leave. Though the private room had a restroom, he just wanted a reason to step out for some fresh air.
Before Ethan arrived, he thought Autumn would be there, but now only a few of them were present—plus delicate Anna Hawthorne.
Since Autumn wasn't here, what joy was there in this meal?
Meanwhile, at the entrance of One-Pin Pavilion:
"Hello, ma'am. One-Pin Pavilion is a tiered membership restaurant. Please present your membership card."
Autumn James nodded in acknowledgment and reached into her bag where she always kept the card.
Empty?!
Autumn frowned, feeling strange. After her father gave her the card, she always kept it in that compartment and had never moved it.
Could it be lost?!
She searched the other compartments of her bag.
Still nothing?!
Autumn pursed her lips, meeting the receptionist's smiling gaze, her expression growing awkward. The membership card seemed genuinely missing.
Just as she was about to say something to Summer Lin, a voice sounded behind her:
"Autumn James! What are you doing here?"