Soon, under the guidance of the attendant, they took the elevator up to the twenty-fifth floor.
After stepping out, they went straight to the restaurant's main hall.
The resplendent décor left Lin Qingxue stunned.
She'd only ever seen this level of luxury in short videos.
Besides, unlike the noisy restaurants she was used to, this place was completely different.
It was hushed, and the tables were spaced far apart.
Waitresses moved calmly between them.
In the center, a long-haired beauty was playing a cello.
The graceful music relaxed everyone present.
Guests spoke in low voices or slowly savored their wine, glasses clinking softly.
Lin Qingxue had never witnessed such a scene in person.
Though no one was formally dressed, the atmosphere oozed quiet opulence.
Jiang Cheng and Lin Qingxue were shown to a prime table beside floor-to-ceiling windows.
Beyond the gleaming glass, The Bund glittered; neon lights mingled with the Oriental Pearl Tower's glow. Lin Qingxue swallowed, spellbound.
The view was gorgeous—she'd never imagined dining in a place like this.
The menu was set; whatever the chef prepared that day would be served, so ordering wasn't necessary.
"Dear guests, your meal will be presented shortly."
The attendant then poured two glasses of red wine.
Since he would be driving later, Jiang Cheng waved it off. "A juice for me, please."
"Certainly, one moment."
Once the attendant left, Jiang Cheng explained, "This place only seats ten diners a day, and the courses are fixed—no choices—so we don't order."
Taking a beautiful woman out and denying her the chance to order felt ungentlemanly.
Lin Qingxue nodded. "I see. I've never heard of that before."
She swirled the rich wine, sniffed it, and asked, "You're not drinking?"
"My driving's fine, but drunk driving's risky. The wine smells great—try it."
Had he been alone, Jiang Cheng could have called a chauffeur.
Besides, until Lin Qingxue's favorability broke ninety, he wouldn't give her an injection.
Soon the dishes began to arrive.
Jiang Cheng had eaten haute cuisine countless times.
"Delicious" was the only adjective he could muster.
Top ingredients plus top technique—what else was there to say?
How bad could a Michelin-starred chef be?
Lin Qingxue, however, was blown away by each exquisite course.
A foreign server described every dish in detail.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingxue secretly looked the restaurant up on her phone.
Over ten thousand yuan per head—and each course was a single bite?
Even the foie gras was just one slice; she couldn't fathom it.
A twenty-five-yuan braised-goose rice wasn't better?
The food was divine, but the portions felt like daylight robbery.
After the main courses, dessert was served.
Lin Qingxue took a small bite, gazed at the view, and laughed wryly. "Riding in your car and eating at such a pricey place really drives home the gap between ordinary folks and the rich."
Jiang Cheng merely raised an eyebrow, inviting her to continue.
"There's an online saying: 'Hard work doesn't guarantee success, but without it you'll definitely fail.' Suddenly it sounds like toxic chicken soup to me."
"The gap between people isn't closed by effort alone. Some are born on the summit."
"Classmates graduate—some have parents lining up jobs and several apartments to inherit; others must hunt for any opportunity."
Seeing Jiang Cheng's quiet gaze, Lin Qingxue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I'm not usually this pessimistic. I know complaining is useless—today just hit me hard."
Jiang Cheng glanced at The Bund; nobody chooses their birthplace.
"With your looks, living like this wouldn't be hard, Senior."
He'd said the same to others before.
Suddenly Jiang Cheng felt his role as a private physician wasn't pointless.
He'd helped many lost Girls find direction.
Under his firm guidance, body and soul were healed.
No more gloom or world-weariness.
Lin Qingxue slid into the chair beside him and smiled alluringly. "Then, Junior, what do you think of your Senior?"
Jiang Cheng eyed her snow-white legs and instinctively rested a hand on them.
"Smooth… soft—"
Meeting his dark eyes, Lin Qingxue leaned in slowly, taking the initiative.
The taste of red wine soon flooded Jiang Cheng's mouth.
Sensing her inexperienced kiss, he gently took control.
One hand cradled the back of her head; the other still glided over her silky leg.
After a long minute, flushed scarlet, Lin Qingxue broke away and turned to the window, pretending to admire the view.
Unhurried, Jiang Cheng slipped an arm around her shoulders and rested his head on her slender one; together they gazed out.
Bodies touching, their scents mingled.
Feeling his breath on her ear, Lin Qingxue's heart pounded.
Was this what falling in love felt like?
It seemed wonderful; in Jiang Cheng's arms she felt safe and sweetly happy.
And so warm.
Her favorability toward Jiang Cheng jumped straight to 88.
Sensing she was falling for him, Jiang Cheng's lips curved upward.
He'd long since left base pursuits behind; with his wealth any Girl was attainable, but where was the fun in that?
What he wanted was a woman whose body and heart belonged only to him.