Across the table, Qian Ruo silently observed him as she took another bite. She could tell he wasn't as upset as he appeared. Her gaze shifted to Lin Quizu, and a thought formed.
I have things to do at home anyway… maybe I should give them some space.
She closed her eyes briefly, letting out a small sigh.
I don't even know why I want to help Yang Kai… but it's fine.
Qian Ruo set down her chopsticks and smiled warmly.
"Oh, well, I also have work to do at home. I'll leave with them."
Lin Quizu turned her head sharply, her silver hair swaying.
"What? Why? I can drop you off at your place."
Qian Ruo glanced quickly at Yang Kai, her eyes glimmering mischievously before returning to Lin Quizu.
"No, it's fine. I'll just go with the boys."
Yang Kai blinked in surprise.
Is this pure luck… or is she actually helping me?
A faint smile curved his lips as he lowered his gaze to his Coke.
If she's helping me, I'll make sure to pay her back someday.
Eight minutes later, the table was cleared of empty dishes and lingering conversations. Everyone had eaten their fill—some more than they ever had in their lives.
Hang Chen stood up first, patting his stomach with a satisfied groan.
"How much was the food? We can split it."
Inside, his heart ached. Ah… there goes my thousand yuan savings.
Bon Min and Chen Zu stood too, echoing the same concern.
Yang Kai remained seated, calm and confident. He waved a hand dismissively.
"You can pay me later. I'll cover it for now."
Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out the Tortunerrrr 4D keys, and tossed them casually to Chen Zu.
"And take this—you're the only one who can drive properly."
Chen Zu caught the keys with teary eyes, his voice trembling in mock reverence.
"Brother Yang Kai, you're amazing! Your lowly servant greets you!"
Bon Min and Hang Chen joined in the act, bowing dramatically.
Yang Kai wrinkled his nose in mock disgust.
"Bastards, I never said I was your king. I gave you the keys because Sister Qian is going with you. Don't embarrass yourselves."
Lin Quizu, who had been watching quietly, frowned slightly.
He's acting kind all of a sudden…
Meanwhile, Qian Ruo turned to Lin Quizu with a polite smile.
"Panda, just tell me how much my share is, and I'll transfer it to you."
Lin Quizu shook her head, her silver hair catching the light.
"You don't have to pay. It's my treat."
With that, Bon Min, Chen Zu, Hang Chen, and Qian Ruo left the private room, their laughter fading down the hallway.
The door closed, leaving Yang Kai and Lin Quizu alone. Yang Kai leaned back slightly, his tone casual but certain.
"Do you want to go shopping?"
There's no way she'll say no, he thought.
Lin Quizu sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
"I don't have anything else to do… so we can go."
Just then, a gentle knock came at the door. A hostess in a neat black uniform stepped inside, holding a POS terminal. She walked over to Lin Quizu and bowed slightly.
"Miss, your bill is 130,900 yuan. Under which name should I make the invoice?"
Before Lin Quizu could respond, Yang Kai's voice cut in, smooth and commanding.
"Make the bill under the name Lin Quizu."
Lin Quizu froze, her eyes flicking toward him in surprise.
Didn't he say he was going to pay? Was he bluffing this whole time?
Her gaze lingered on him, suspicion flickering in her silver eyes as she tried to read the expression on his face.
Yang Kai's voice was calm, his expression unreadable as he added,
"And I'll pay the bill."
Lin Quizu's silver eyes widened in surprise.
He's… going to pay? Then why put the invoice under my name?
The hostess quickly typed on the terminal, her fingers gliding across the screen. She glanced up again.
"How would you like to pay, sir?"
Yang Kai reached into his pocket and pulled out his pitch-black card, its sleek surface catching the light. He handed it over without hesitation.
The hostess swiped the card through the POS terminal. A beep followed, and the machine's automated voice filled the quiet room:
"Payment confirmed: 130,900 yuan."
The hostess returned the card with a respectful nod.
"Thank you, sir."
At that moment, a soft chime echoed faintly in Yang Kai's ears—inaudible to anyone else.
---
[Ding!]
[Host has spent 130,900 yuan. Host has received 2,618 yuan in the original account.]
---
His phone buzzed, breaking the brief silence. Yang Kai slipped it from his pocket and glanced at the notification. A text message blinked on the screen:
[China Construction Bank] Your card ending in 1658 received 2,618 yuan on May 16 at 3:08. Your current account balance is 16,718.
Sliding the phone back into his pocket, Yang Kai followed the hostess toward the door. Lin Quizu, still processing his actions, walked a step behind him.
They descended the wide staircase to the villa restaurant's ground floor. The polished wood gleamed under warm lights, the distant sound of soft music filling the air.
Yang Kai broke the silence with an easy tone.
"Are you a regular customer here?"
Lin Quizu didn't look at him, her expression composed despite the flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
"Not regular… but I've been here with my father many times."
Yang Kai's lips curved slightly as they stepped off the stairs, the faintest trace of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Lin Quizu, for her part, still couldn't decide whether he was bluffing or simply too rich to care.
A short while later, they reached the parking lot. The evening light glinted off the sleek, red sports car waiting quietly among the rows of vehicles.
Yang Kai stopped in front of it and glanced at Lin Quizu.
"Is it okay if I go with you?"
Lin Quizu kept her gaze away from him, her tone even.
"Yeah. You don't have a bike or a car, so you'll need to ride with me."
Yang Kai strolled toward the passenger seat, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Okay then, I'll sit here."
But Lin Quizu's voice stopped him mid-step.
"Hey, wait. Y-you drive. I'll sit on the passenger side."
For a moment, he blinked at her in surprise. Lin Quizu shifted awkwardly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
I can't drive right now… I won't be able to focus properly.
Yang Kai recovered quickly, a faint grin crossing his face. He stepped back and faced her.
"Alright."
She handed him the keys. He accepted them without hesitation, unlocked the driver's door, and slid into the leather seat. The car's interior smelled faintly of new upholstery and a hint of her perfume. Lin Quizu walked around to the other side, opened the door, and settled into the passenger seat, her movements graceful yet reserved.
Yang Kai started the engine, the low purr of the sports car filling the quiet parking lot. As he adjusted the mirrors, he asked casually,
"Do you know any good malls in Jinan?"
Lin Quizu tucked a strand of hair neatly behind her ear, her profile outlined by the soft glow of the dashboard lights.
"Yeah. There's one near the spot where you got hit by the car."
Yang Kai steered the car onto the street, the tires humming against the asphalt. He raised a brow.
"Huh? Who told you about that?"
"Qian Ruo," she replied smoothly.
"Oh? But why'd she tell you? Did you ask her?"
Lin Quizu turned her gaze to the passing scenery outside the window.
"I just asked her why you were in the hospital."
Suddenly, a glowing yellow system screen materialized before Yang Kai's eyes.
---
[Host, Lin Quizu's Favorability Increased By 6]
[Current Favorability: 15]
---
Yang Kai's lips curved upward, the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Hehe… at this rate, she'll be completely mine soon.
Lin Quizu's voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of curiosity.
"Where did you learn to drive? Your skill's like a professional's."
Yang Kai smirked, his eyes fixed on the road.
"I just tried driving once, and my skills improved."
Inside, he chuckled silently.
I lied, heh.
The red sports car sped smoothly through Jinan's streets, the hum of the engine blending with the quiet tension building between them.
Thirty minutes later, the red sports car rolled into Central Jinan. As Yang Kai's gaze swept over the familiar streets, his eyes lingered on a particular spot.
This place… I'll never forget.
On the right side of the road, the towering glass structure of a shopping mall came into view named Eternal Mall. Yang Kai smoothly turned the car and guided it into the underground parking area.
Lin Quizu, lost in a daydream, snapped back to her senses as the car slowed to a stop.
"Oh, we're already here?"
Yang Kai parked the car neatly in a space and glanced at her with a small smile.
"Yeah. We got here while you were daydreaming."
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly opened the door and stepped out, moving to the back of the car. Yang Kai followed, locking the vehicle and handing her the keys.
"Let's go inside."
Lin Quizu accepted the keys without a word and walked a step behind him. Together, they approached the elevator at the edge of the parking lot. Yang Kai pressed the up button.