Chapter 7 – Mr. Chen Is So Young
Chen Xing shook his head.
"I don't think it's a scam."
It was easy to understand why Zhou Peng and Quan Jing were so surprised.
They'd known each other for years. Everyone was well aware of what the others were capable of. Sure, Chen Xing's photos were pretty good, but good enough to be professionally invited to shoot for a top-tier restaurant?
And not just any place, Guangzhou Restaurant, one of the most renowned in the city.
If it weren't for Chen Xing's pride, Zhou Peng probably would've shouted, "This is clearly telecom fraud!"
The elegant older woman nearby hadn't put away her phone. Her expression showed a trace of confusion.
This young guy… was a photographer? Invited by Guangzhou Restaurant?
He didn't look the part.
She had met photographers before, even the ones down on their luck didn't dress in off-brand clothes and walk around without carrying any gear. For a photographer, their camera was everything.
Still, she hadn't added him on WeChat because of his profession anyway. She just found him bold, a bit cute, and far less sleazy than the other men who had tried to approach her.
She smiled and asked,
"Little brother, are you still adding me on WeChat?"
"Yes!"
Chen Xing instantly scanned her code.
Whatever the outcome, this woman had left a very good first impression. There was no harm in chatting more.
When it came to dating, Chen Xing valued that spark of attraction, he liked those chance encounters where his heart skipped a beat. That's why he never dated classmates or friends. His previous two relationships had both started with random conversations, just like this one.
After they became friends on WeChat, the beautiful woman said,
"My name's Wu Xiangling. Sorry for overhearing your conversation earlier. If you want to be sure this isn't a scam, maybe arrange to meet them at Guangzhou Restaurant. That way, everything's transparent and safe."
That made sense.
Chen Xing nodded.
He had already been about 80% convinced after the phone call. He hadn't been overly suspicious, but what she said made it even easier to accept. Meeting at the restaurant made everything simpler.
Also… her voice sounded really nice.
Just a bit mature though. He wondered how old she was.
In front of them, the check-in line was getting shorter. Zhou Peng grew anxious.
"You're not seriously considering this, are you? You think they'd ask you to take photos?"
"I have some confidence," Chen Xing replied. "Besides, we're meeting at their restaurant. Nothing to worry about."
He stepped aside.
"I'm thinking of going back. You two go ahead. See if my ticket can be refunded."
"It can, but there's a small cancellation fee," Wu Xiangling said.
Zhou Peng pulled Quan Jing aside.
"I don't feel great about this. We'll go with you."
Deep down, he still didn't believe it.
Chen Xing didn't even own a DSLR. How could he be a photographer?
Even if it were true, maybe someone at Guangzhou Restaurant had made a mistake. They'd probably all leave together in the end anyway.
Chen Xing didn't argue. He just nodded. The group returned the way they came and caught a taxi back. Zhou Peng worked on getting the ticket refunded. He remembered that woman, Wu Xiangling, saying the cancellation fee was small, but as he looked at the number, he muttered,
"Sure, small… I believe you."
Still, the ticket was refunded.
He was feeling nervous, but couldn't say exactly why.
Normally, if he saw Chen Xing chatting up a woman like this, he'd crack a joke about him trying to cozy up to a rich lady. But right now, he wasn't in the mood.
Quan Jing, on the other hand, was quietly anxious.
She worried that it might actually be a scam. And scams meant bad people. What if there was some kind of confrontation later? Should she have 110 pre-dialed on her phone, just in case?
By 8 p.m., the streets of Guangzhou were no longer as noisy as during the day, but the city still radiated a modern kind of liveliness.
Bright buildings lined both sides of the road, neon lights flickered, and middle-aged women were dancing in public squares. Young couples walked hand-in-hand without a clear destination. Plenty of people were out walking dogs too, some pups barking cheerfully, pulling their owners to walk faster instead of staring at their phones.
All of it sparked Chen Xing's creative drive.
He needed a camera of his own.
When the three of them returned to Guangzhou Restaurant, Shan Hongxi, who was supposed to be off work, had stayed behind. After the phone call in the car, he decided to wait at the restaurant. Executive Chef Bu Yongfeng was still there too. He wanted to see more of Chen Xing's skills, the kind that made food practically smell through a photo.
As soon as Chen Xing stepped out of the taxi and entered the mall, he called Shan.
Shan picked up and came downstairs to meet them.
He looked at Chen Xing and asked,
"Hello, are you Mr. Chen?"
"I don't deserve to be called Mr. Just call me Chen Xing."
So it really was him?
Shan's eyes flickered with surprise. But being nearly 40, he was good at hiding his thoughts. He simply smiled and said,
"You definitely deserve it. I had no idea Mr. Chen was so young. Our head chef had a lot of praise for you."
He gestured with a hand,
"Let's head to the office and talk."
Shan led them in through the staff entrance. The restaurant lights were still on, and some of the staff were busy cleaning up.
Zhou Peng dragged a suitcase behind him, still dazed.
Was this really happening?
Was Chen Xing actually being hired to shoot a new menu?
They sat for a bit in the office, and then Shan returned with two other people. One of them, who looked like a higher-up, walked directly over to shake hands with Chen Xing. Chen Xing stood and shook his hand, while Shan made introductions.
"This is our restaurant's manager, Mr. Wang. And this is Chef Bu. He won culinary awards in both 2007 and 2010 in Hong Kong."
"Oh, those were years ago," Bu said with a big laugh.
Still, no matter how long ago it was, talking about his time as a star chef to strangers always made him happy.
Manager Wang was a bit chubby, with a cheerful face. He smiled and said,
"Mr. Chen, you're so young."
Chen Xing replied,
"Being a young photographer is probably a good thing, right?"
Wang chuckled.
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that."
He waved it off like a joke, then got down to business.
"We have over 200 dishes we'd like to photograph. The shoot will take place over two days, tomorrow and the day after. We'll fully cooperate with you. As for payment…"
He paused, looked at Chen Xing, and said,
"Five thousand yuan. What do you think?"
Chen Xing rubbed his chin.
"That's about twenty yuan per photo?"
Using someone else's equipment and earning five thousand in two days? It didn't sound bad.
But before he could respond, Bu Yongfeng spoke up with clear dissatisfaction.
"Only twenty yuan a photo?"
He remembered the last time they updated the menu, another chef had overseen it and hired a photographer who charged 100 yuan per photo. On top of that, the chef had even given him a red envelope.
This time, the quote was only five thousand for everything? Not even enough to cover the red envelope?
Wasn't that just taking advantage of someone's youth?
Manager Wang quickly explained,
"I meant we'd start with five thousand for the shoot. Once the menu is finalized, we'll pay the remaining amount, bringing the total to twenty-eight thousand."
He shot a glance at Bu, cursing silently.
Why are you blowing up the deal?
But Bu Yongfeng wasn't afraid of him. In fact, he was starting to find the manager annoying.
It's not even your money. Why are you being so stingy? Have some dignity.
(End of Chapter)