The group stepped through the towering glass doors, greeted instantly by a rush of cool, perfumed air. Crystal chandeliers glittered above them, scattering light across polished marble floors. The faint sound of a piano drifted from somewhere deeper inside, giving the place an almost unreal elegance.
Bon Min and Chen Zu couldn't help but let their eyes wander over the lavish decor—ornate paintings, golden trim, and staff dressed in impeccable uniforms. Hang Chen gave them a discreet nudge to remind them of Yang Kai's earlier instruction. They straightened their expressions, trying to look like seasoned visitors instead of wide-eyed newcomers.
A hostess in a sleek black dress approached the group, bowing slightly, her professional smile unwavering.
"Welcome to Villa Restaurant. Do you have a reservation?"
Lin Quizu stepped forward smoothly, her tone casual but polite.
"No. But we'd like to have lunch. Is there any room left?"
The hostess's eyes brightened. "Yes, we still have a few VIP rooms available."
Before Lin Quizu could reply, Yang Kai stepped up beside her, his hands tucked into his pockets. His voice was calm and unhurried.
"That will be fine. Book one for us."
The hostess's gaze flickered over Yang Kai and the other three men, taking in their casual shirts and sneakers. Her smile faltered just slightly, and she hesitated.
"Are you sure, sir? The VIP rooms are… quite expensive."
The words hung in the air like a challenge. For a heartbeat, the group went silent. Then Yang Kai's eyes hardened, his tone turning cold enough to make the hostess stiffen.
"Didn't I say book one?"
The hostess blinked, panic flashing in her eyes. She quickly bowed again, her voice hurried and apologetic.
"I'm so sorry, sir. I'll prepare the room right away."
Behind them, Qian Ruo turned to Yang Kai's friends and whispered, her brows furrowed.
"Was your friend always like this?"
Bon Min leaned closer to her, whispering back.
"No… he's been like this only after the accident."
Qian Ruo's eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at Yang Kai again. A personality change after an accident… Could there be some damage to his brain? If he doesn't return to normal in a few days, he might need surgery.
Lin Quizu, meanwhile, was quietly surprised. Yang Kai wasn't acting flustered by the luxurious surroundings at all. Not the gilded chandeliers, nor the marble floors, nor even the soft classical music seemed to faze him. He's not even impressed. Either he's used to places like this… or he's an incredible actor, she thought.
Moments later, the hostess returned, keys in hand, her posture even more respectful than before. She stepped in front of Lin Quizu and Yang Kai and said softly,
"Sir, Miss, your VIP room has been booked on the second floor."
Yang Kai accepted her words with a confident nod, his voice calm and commanding.
"Good. Take us there."
The hostess bowed once more and gestured toward the grand staircase, leading the way. Lin Quizu's eyes flicked toward Yang Kai again, her thoughts unreadable, while Qian Ruo silently observed him, her curiosity deepening. Behind them, Bon Min and the others exchanged glances, trying their best to hide their amazement as they followed.
Yang Kai, hands in his pockets, walked with a calm confidence that belied his earlier nerves. Inside, though, his thoughts were sharp and calculating.
She still wants to see if I'll falter. Fine—let's see how far she takes this.
The group was led to a private VIP room on the second floor. The door slid open to reveal a spacious dining area with a long table, plush chairs, and a window that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The soft glow of lantern-like lights bathed the room in a warm ambiance.
Bon Min whispered under his breath, barely audible,
"This place… even the air feels expensive."
Yang Kai shot him a quick look and a faint grin.
"Remember—act like you've been here a hundred times."
They all took their seats, Lin Quizu sitting at the head of the table with Qian Ruo beside her. Yang Kai chose the seat opposite, his demeanor as relaxed as ever, even as his mind prepared for whatever test Lin Quizu would throw next.
The door closed behind the hostess, leaving the group alone in the opulent room. The faint sound of the piano below seemed distant now, replaced by the heavy expectation in the air.
Lin Quizu folded her hands on the table, her expression unreadable as she met Yang Kai's eyes.
"So," she said smoothly, "let's order."
A soft knock sounded against the VIP room door before it opened. A young waitress stepped inside, dressed in a neat black-and-white uniform, a slim tablet balanced in her hand. She bowed slightly, her voice clear and polite.
"I'm here to take your order, sir."
Yang Kai leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His gaze slid toward Lin Quizu and Qian Ruo.
"Go ahead," he said smoothly. "You two start."
The waitress moved closer to the women, readying her tablet as Lin Quizu and Qian Ruo began listing their choices. The room filled briefly with the soft clicks of her stylus tapping the screen.
Across the table, Bon Min, Chen Zu, and Hang Chen shifted uncomfortably. Their eyes darted between the ornate menu on the table and the plush décor, their nerves obvious. They weren't sure what counted as appropriate dishes in a place like this.
Yang Kai noticed their hesitation. He leaned slightly toward Chen Zu and whispered, his tone low but firm.
"Order one of these dishes: Steak, Flowering Chicken Soup, and Founder Hot Pot. They're some of the signature dishes here. Pass it on to Bon Min and Hang Chen."
Chen Zu nodded quickly, whispering the instructions to the others. A sense of relief washed over their faces, though they still stole occasional glances at the extravagant surroundings.
Yang Kai's eyes wandered to his right, where Lin Quizu was finishing her order. Her cold expression and poised demeanor only seemed to enhance her beauty under the soft lighting. He caught himself staring for a moment before looking away, turning his head to the left where Chen Zu was quietly briefing the other two.
The waitress approached him next, her tablet ready.
"Your order, sir?"
Yang Kai thought for a moment, then waved a hand dismissively.
"Just bring me a soft drink."
Lin Quizu's head turned sharply, a flicker of displeasure crossing her usually composed face.
"You're not going to eat, Yang Kai?"
Chen Zu placed a hand on Yang Kai's shoulder, concern in his voice.
"Yeah, bro, what's up? Why aren't you eating?"
Bon Min and Hang Chen exchanged worried looks, nodding in agreement with Chen Zu.
Yang Kai offered a reassuring smile.
"No, no, I'm fine. I'm just… not hungry."
Lin Quizu seemed about to say something else but stopped herself, a faint frown lingering on her lips. Qian Ruo, watching silently, stretched her fingers thoughtfully. He's acting strange, she mused, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
The waitress, unfazed, moved on. She took Chen Zu's order, then Bon Min's, and finally Hang Chen's. Once the list was complete, she bowed politely.
"Thank you. I'll bring your orders shortly."
With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving the group alone once more in the warm, sophisticated glow of the Villa Restaurant's VIP suite.
Yang Kai casually pulled out his phone, the screen's glow reflecting off his calm expression.
"You guys," he began, his voice deceptively casual, "I want to ask you something special."
All eyes turned to him. He glanced to his right—directly at Lin Quizu.
Lin Quizu stiffened under his gaze. For a split second, her composure cracked, a flicker of panic in her eyes. But she quickly recovered, resting her chin in her palm with feigned calm.
"W-what… what do you want to ask?" she said, her tone smooth but not entirely steady.
Bon Min leaned forward, planting a hand on the table.
"Yeah, what's this about?"
Chen Zu and Hang Chen exchanged curious looks, their interest piqued.
Yang Kai opened Weibo and scrolled purposefully. A headline caught the dim light—a hot search from five days ago. It was about a mysterious man, Xuan Yan, who had spent over a million yuan on a streamer.
He turned the screen toward them.
"Tell me," he said, his voice light but probing, "does anyone know who Xuan Yan is?"
Bon Min, Chen Zu, and Hang Chen stared at the screen in confusion, then at each other. They all shook their heads, clearly clueless.
Lin Quizu's eyes widened slightly. The name jogged her memory—five days ago, her father had asked the exact same question. She hesitated before admitting, "I don't know who he is… but my father once asked me if I knew him."
Yang Kai's lips curved ever so slightly.
"Oh, that's the case."
Inside, relief and amusement mixed.
Good. If even her father doesn't know my identity, then I'm safe.