A Quiet Exchange
Chen Rui's voice was soft, uncertain.
Chen Rui: "Then… what should I do?"
Zhao Yifen studied her for a moment, his usual smirk fading into something more thoughtful. She had just stood up for herself, yet now she seemed lost, as if the ground beneath her had vanished.
He pulled out his phone, the screen lighting up with a soft glow as he unlocked it.
Yifen: "First, take my number."
She blinked, caught off guard.
Chen Rui: "Huh?"
Yifen: "You asked what you should do. I'm not going to decide that for you, but at least if you ever need something, you'll know who to call."
She hesitated before slowly taking out her phone. Their screens flashed as the contact saved.
Chen Rui (muttering): "Zhao Yifen… alright."
Her fingers gripped her phone a little tighter as she glanced up at him.
Chen Rui: "Why are you helping me?"
Yifen slipped his phone back into his pocket, giving her a half-smile.
Yifen: "Maybe I just don't like watching people get stepped on."
She studied him for a long second, then nodded.
Chen Rui: "…Thanks."
A quiet understanding passed between them before she took a deep breath.
Chen Rui: "If I ever owe you a favor, let me know."
Yifen chuckled.
Yifen: "I'll remember that."
Their paths had officially crossed.
As Chen Rui walked away, Yifen checked the time.
Yifen (thinking): I was out for dinner, wasn't I?
His stomach grumbled in response. Now that the situation had been handled, his appetite had only grown.
---
A Step Into Luxury
The city buzzed with life, neon lights flickering against the sleek, glass-clad buildings. Holographic billboards played advertisements for the latest luxury brands, while high-end cars glided silently along the streets.
Yifen strolled past elegant storefronts, his hands in his pockets, his mind replaying the moment Jiang Xue had hesitated before taking his number.
Yifen (thinking): That's enough for today.
A tantalizing aroma caught his attention. He looked up.
The restaurant's name, [Ethereal Delicacy], shimmered in golden lettering above the entrance.
Yifen (thinking): Smells expensive… Should I?
With a small smirk, he walked in.
Inside, the ambiance was pure sophistication—velvet seating, golden chandeliers, soft violin music playing in the background. The scent of premium ingredients lingered in the air, tempting even the most disciplined diners.
A hostess in a sleek black dress approached with a professional smile.
Hostess: "Welcome to Ethereal Delicacy. Do you have a reservation, sir?"
Yifen casually retrieved a black crystal membership card from his inventory and held it up.
The hostess's eyes widened slightly before her expression returned to its practiced elegance.
Hostess: "Of course! Please, follow me."
She led him to a VIP window seat, offering a breathtaking view of the glowing skyline.
---
A Shocking Price List
A waiter arrived, presenting an exquisite leather-bound menu lined with gold. Yifen flipped it open. His brow arched slightly.
Meal Prices (AYuan):
Street Food: 0.2 – 1.5 AYuan
Fast Food Combo: 2 – 6 AYuan
Mid-Tier Restaurant Meal: 8 – 25 AYuan
Fine Dining (Luxury Set Meal): 50 – 300 AYuan
Exclusive Private Chef Dining: 500 – 1500+ AYuan
Yifen's lips twitched.
Yifen (thinking): …Are they feeding me gold?
In 7th World currency (GYuan), 1 AYuan = 1 million GYuan.
That meant a 300 AYuan steak was worth 300 million GYuan.
A 1500 AYuan meal? 1.5 billion GYuan!
Yifen (chuckling to himself): If I told people in the 7th World I spent a billion on dinner, they'd throw me in a mental hospital.
The waiter remained poised, waiting for his order.
---
The Order
Yifen tapped the table lightly before speaking.
Yifen: "I'll have…"
A5 Wagyu Steak (200-day aged, gold-crusted) – 380 AYuan
White Truffle Pasta (Handmade, rare fungi infused) – 160 AYuan
Seafood Royale Platter (Blue Lobster, Abalone, Black Caviar) – 110 AYuan
Hand-Brewed Phoenix Coffee (20-year aged beans) – 20 AYuan
Total: 670 AYuan (~670,000,000 GYuan in 7th World terms).
The waiter nodded approvingly.
Waiter: "An excellent selection, sir. Please enjoy."
---
Unwanted Attention
As Yifen leaned back, sipping his water, a group of elite students sitting a few tables away started whispering.
Their designer suits and branded watches screamed wealth, but their gazes were filled with suspicion.
Rich Guy #1: "Wait… isn't that the guy who sat in Liu Feng's seat today?"
Rich Guy #2: "Yeah, but he doesn't look like some rich heir. What's he doing in Ethereal Delicacy?"
Rich Girl: "Maybe he's trying to act rich? Or he got lucky?"
Yifen ignored them, cutting into his golden-crusted steak. The texture melted in his mouth, a perfect balance of richness and tenderness.
Then—
A familiar voice broke the moment.
??? "Didn't expect to see you here."
Yifen calmly looked up.
Liu Feng.
Dressed in a custom designer suit, his presence commanded attention. He carried himself like a prince of the business world, sharp-eyed and calculating.
His gaze flickered toward Yifen's meal before his lips curled in amusement.
Liu Feng (mocking): "Enjoying yourself?"
Yifen picked up his Phoenix Coffee, taking a slow sip before answering.
Yifen (calmly): "Didn't see your name on the menu."
Liu Feng's expression darkened for a split second, but he quickly masked it with a smirk.
Liu Feng: "Enjoy your meal. Just don't get too comfortable. The 1st World isn't so kind to outsiders."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Yifen chuckled softly, swirling his coffee.
Yifen (thinking): We'll see about that.
---
A Quiet Night Ride
After finishing his meal, Yifen wiped his mouth, left a generous tip, and stepped out into the cool night air.
The city skyline stretched before him, its neon glow reflecting off the glass roads.
Not in the mood to walk, he approached a public cycle station, scanning a QR code on his phone. The lock released with a soft beep.
With a light push, he pedaled toward his dorm, the wheels gliding smoothly along the illuminated streets.
Tonight had been interesting.
But this was just the beginning.