Fang Jie had planned to join them, but just before finishing work, she remembered that she needed to pick up her daughter and backed out. Guan Xing didn't insist, simply telling her that there would be other opportunities to dine together.
Just then, his phone rang. It was the voice of the stunningly beautiful General Manager Cheng YunYa, already urging him to come out.
"Doctor Guan, we're all waiting for you outside. Don't even think about sneaking away, hurry up!" The teasing words made Guan Xing chuckle. He hadn't expected to become one of those men who were so stingy they couldn't even buy a meal for a group of women.
He told Fang Jie to leave early and had just removed his white coat when he washed his face in the bathroom and headed out.
Outside the company's underground parking garage, three graceful figures stood together, radiating spring-like charm, creating a stunning sight: one bright, one lively, and one coldly elegant.
"Doctor Guan, I'm here uninvited. You're not going to chase me off, are you?" Guan Xing hadn't expected Qin YunLu to show up. The three top beauties of Feiyang had gathered, causing a stir. Even the male employees couldn't help but envy them, stealing glances. Even the security guards seemed mesmerized.
Guan Xing smiled calmly and said, "Well, since you're here, I guess I won't try to get rid of you. But, ladies, let's not make me go bankrupt tonight, okay?"
His seemingly pitiful words made all three women feel uneasy. Cheng YunYa, in particular, pursed her lips, her confidence faltering for the first time. This man actually seemed to ignore their beauty—after all, the three of them were the company's prized women. Any man would be honored just to date one of them, let alone all three together.
"I was planning to let you off easy, but now I've changed my mind. I'll make sure you go bankrupt tonight," Cheng YunYa declared, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Cloud Lu, Ru Bing, I'm in charge tonight. I won't let you off that easy."
"I'm in support," Qin YunLu chimed in, her voice playful. She was a master at setting the mood, a stark contrast to Hua Ru Bing's cold beauty. Just a brief interaction was enough to feel her lively and youthful energy.
Guan Xing shook his head helplessly. As he drove the car out, the two other women were momentarily stunned by the car's opulence, perhaps not having expected it to be so luxurious.
"Cheng YunYa, don't you have your own car?" Guan Xing asked in confusion.
"My old car? It's too embarrassing to drive. I'd rather take yours. It's a lot more impressive," Cheng YunYa said. She wasn't materialistic, but her words made Guan Xing nearly faint. Was she doing this on purpose?
Qin YunLu added, "Doctor Guan, you're so rich, with a car like this. It's such a waste not to have beautiful women to accompany you. How lucky you must be!"
She was certainly a little vain, but it was hard to deny that she was stunning—beautiful in both looks and figure. Guan Xing simply accepted the compliment.
Noticing Hua Ru Bing's silence, Cheng YunYa decided to take the initiative and tempt her. "Doctor Guan is not just rich and handsome, but most importantly, he's not married. Cloud Lu, Ru Bing, you two should seize this opportunity."
"Manager Cheng, a man like that probably already has a hundred girlfriends. Even though he may not have a wife, I'm sure he has plenty of women chasing him," Qin YunLu teased, her voice dripping with playful jealousy.
Hua Ru Bing felt her face heat up. Her gaze softened, becoming tinged with springtime affection. She had never been a woman to be easily moved, but these past few days, she found herself captivated by Guan Xing. Now, she couldn't suppress her growing feelings.
A woman, in the end, needed love and companionship.
Guan Xing raised his hands in mock surrender, one hand on the steering wheel, the other raised in a playful gesture. "Don't worry. I don't have a girlfriend at the moment. If Manager Cheng is interested, we could find a quiet place to talk?"
"I think I'll pass. You just gave me the creeps. Who knows? Maybe Doctor Guan turns into a midnight wolf!" Cheng YunYa replied with mock horror.
"I think that's very likely," Qin YunLu added, nodding seriously.
Laughter filled the car, and the sound was a mix of playful, flirtatious, and seductive notes. Guan Xing's spirits lifted with every laugh. It was truly an enjoyable moment to be surrounded by such beauty.
Only Cheng YunYa knew that Guan Xing was wealthy, so she had chosen the Mayflower Hotel, one of the most luxurious in the capital.
Qin YunLu didn't expect it. She thought Cheng YunYa was joking, but when they got out of the car, she hesitated before asking, "Doctor Guan, are you sure you want to dine here? It's not cheap."
Hua Ru Bing also seemed concerned, "Expensive doesn't always mean good. Maybe we should go somewhere else?"
Cheng YunYa was having none of it. With a sly grin, she spoke, "Ladies, you're not Doctor Guan's girlfriends, so why are you trying to save money for him? I'm taking charge here. We're eating here, and I'll order the food."
She didn't even give the other two a chance to protest before striding inside. Hua Ru Bing and Qin YunLu could only helplessly follow.
Hua Ru Bing deliberately slowed her pace, sidling up to Guan Xing and quietly asking, "This place isn't cheap. Do you have enough money?"
Guan Xing was caught off guard. He hadn't expected the usually cold Hua Ru Bing to be so concerned about him. Perhaps, she really had developed feelings for him. He smiled mischievously and replied, "Don't worry. If I don't have enough, I'll just leave you here and go home to get more."
Hua Ru Bing almost agreed, but upon meeting his sly smile, she quickly realized she'd been teased.
"Humph, nasty man. You're going to regret this," she muttered under her breath before walking ahead to catch up with the others.
The Mayflower Hotel was a five-star venue, one of the top restaurants in Kyoto. The decor was elegant and grand, blending classic and modern designs. The six massive pillars, intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, added an ancient touch, embodying the brilliance of human craftsmanship.
As the group made their way upstairs, a graceful server approached them. Guan Xing had initially planned to request a private room, but it was peak dining time, and although the Mayflower was expensive, it was still packed. Cheng YunYa took charge and led them to a window-side table.
She didn't hold back at all, ordering seven or eight dishes, all quite pricey. Qin YunLu hesitated, ordering just two dishes she liked. Hua Ru Bing, however, declined everything, pushing the menu away.
"I'm not picky. With so many dishes, I'm sure I'll find something I like. Besides, it's a shame to waste food," Hua Ru Bing said, her actions subtle but sweet. She might have been playing hard to get, but her care for him was clear in her small gestures.
A woman's true feelings were often revealed in such small, unspoken moments. And for someone like Guan Xing, who had seen his fair share of coldness and betrayal, moments like these truly touched his heart.
Sighing, Cheng YunYa commented, "Looks like Ru Bing is already planning on falling in love. She's already saving for her boyfriend. You may not know this, but that car of his cost three million. He didn't even blink when he paid. I'm a little jealous, so tonight's meal is just to compensate for the hurt in my heart."
Cheng YunYa had noticed that Hua Ru Bing, usually so aloof, seemed to be genuinely moved by Guan Xing. And indeed, Guan Xing was the kind of man who could easily capture a woman's heart.
Hua Ru Bing lowered her head, holding back her bashfulness. In a soft voice, she said, "Well, that's not my business. I didn't order, but… could I have a glass of something a little more expensive?"
Guan Xing raised his fingers, snapping them lightly. Immediately, the waiter arrived.
"Sir, is there anything else you need?"
"A bottle of 1982 vintage wine," Guan Xing ordered.
"1982?" The waiter was taken aback, surprised by the choice. "Are you sure?"
The 1982 vintage was the king of wines. Even in a five-star hotel like Mayflower, there were only three bottles in stock. This was a rare gem, not something money could easily buy. The waiter understood the rarity of the wine and the price was out of reach for most customers.