127: Chapter 126 Inviting someone to dinner, running into an acquaintance

Luo Ying looked at her body and frowned.

Why was this child acting so strange today? It was as if she had done something shameful and couldn't bring herself to look at her.

She shook her head and didn't think much of it.

"Let's have dinner together tonight," Su Bai said. "My treat."

Chu Yi was the first to respond: "Yay! What are we eating?"

Su Bai thought for a moment. "There are a lot of us, let's go to... Xunxiang Banquet."

Chu Yi had never heard of the name, but Chu Xiang's eyes lit up. "That private kitchen restaurant, the one that costs two thousand per person?"

Su Bai nodded.

Chu Yi's mouth formed an 'O' shape. "Two thousand per person? That means for the six of us, it's... twelve thousand?"

She counted on her fingers, her eyes brightening even more. "Su Bai, you are too good!"

The others were also shocked.

Luo Ying frowned. "Wouldn't that be too expensive?"

Su Bai smiled. "It's fine, as long as everyone is happy."

"Alright then, I'm going to change clothes." She stood up, walked toward her room, and said to the others, "Everyone remember to wear something pretty."

"Understood!"

The time women take to put on makeup and change clothes is always longer than one imagines.

Su Bai waited for nearly forty minutes before Chu Yi came out first.

She was wearing a pink cropped down jacket, paired with blue jeans that hugged her perky little bottom. Her hair was tied into a bun, she had makeup on, and her lips were coated in a glossy finish.

Seeing Su Bai, she spun around and asked with a smile, "How do I look?"

"You look great," Su Bai praised sincerely.

Chu Yi smiled, sat down next to him, and pulled out her phone to take a selfie.

The second to come out was Chu Xiang. She wore a misty-blue sweater with a dark gray long skirt. Her hair was let down, and she wasn't wearing makeup, but her skin was beautiful, and she looked clean and fresh.

She glanced at Su Bai and sat on his other side.

The third to come out was Song Qian.

She was wearing a white knitted dress that cinched at the waist, with the hem falling just below her knees. She wore a light gray coat over it, her hair tied in a low ponytail, and she had very light makeup on.

She stood at the entrance of the hallway, glanced at Su Bai, then walked to the sofa and sat next to Chu Xiang.

The last to come out was Luo Ying.

She had changed into a black turtleneck sweater and matching wide-leg pants. Her hair was loose, and she wore exquisite makeup with deep red lipstick, making her look both cold and glamorous.

She walked up to Su Bai and stood still. "Let's go."

Chu Yi: "Go go go, let's set off!"

Su Bai and the others stood up and headed downstairs happily.

There were six of them, and they couldn't fit in one car.

His panamera was a four-seater; the back could fit three if they squeezed in.

Su Bai said, "I've called a private car, so we'll split up for the ride."

The final decision: Luo Ying and Song Qian would take the private car, while Lin Qiaoyou, Chu Yi, and Chu Xiang would ride in Su Bai's car.

After the discussion, everyone set off.

In Su Bai's car, Chu Yi climbed into the back seat first, followed by Chu Xiang. Lin Qiaoyou stood by the car door, hesitating for a moment.

"Qiaoyou, you sit in the front," Chu Xiang said nonchalantly.

Lin Qiaoyou glanced at Su Bai, opened the passenger door, and sat inside.

Su Bai started the engine, and the car drove out of the residential complex.

Chu Yi was chattering away in the back, with Chu Xiang chiming in from time to time. The two of them went back and forth, making the car cabin very lively.

Lin Qiaoyou sat in the passenger seat and hadn't said a word.

She was a little nervous.

After all, just a few hours ago, she had been with Su Bai on the balcony... She felt as if Su Bai's scent still lingered on her.

Su Bai's hand gradually moved away from the steering wheel and landed on her leg.

Through the fabric of her skirt, she could feel the heat of his palm; it was very hot.

Her body tensed up; she didn't dare to move, look at him, or make a sound.

Behind them, Chu Yi was still talking and Chu Xiang was still responding; no one noticed what was happening in the passenger seat.

Su Bai's hand started...

Lin Qiaoyou's breathing became rapid. Su Bai glanced at her; her face was flushed, her eyes were glistening, her lips were pursed, and her expression was a mix of panic and shyness.

He turned his hand over, held her hand, and interlaced their fingers.

Lin Qiaoyou's hand was small and cold, trembling slightly in his palm.

"Su Bai," Chu Yi leaned over from the back seat, "How did you spend the Chinese New Year?"

Su Bai calmly released Lin Qiaoyou's hand and gripped the steering wheel again. "I stayed in Hainan for a while."

"Wow, it must be warm there, right? By the sea! I'm so jealous."

"It was alright. Next time, when there's time, I'll take you all there together."

Chu Yi said happily, "Really? Su Bai, tell the truth, have you taken a liking to one of us?"

Su Bai asked, "Why do you say that?"

"Because you treat us too well."

Su Bai smiled. "To tell you the truth, I haven't taken a liking to just one of you."

"Ah... is that so."

Chu Yi lowered her head in disappointment, and Chu Xiang's eyes also dimmed.

A curve appeared at the corner of Su Bai's mouth.

One? He wanted them all!

The car stopped at the entrance of Xunxiang Banquet.

The entrance was not large, with blue bricks and gray tiles. A plaque hung on the lintel with the three characters "Xunxiang Banquet" written in sharp, vigorous brushstrokes.

Two waiters dressed in Hanfu stood at the entrance. Seeing them get out of the car, they bowed slightly and opened the door.

Inside was a courtyard.

There was a bluestone path with bamboo planted on both sides, the bamboo leaves rustling in the night breeze.

At the end of the path was a rockery, with water flowing down from it into a small pond below. There were red and white koi fish swimming slowly in the water.

A person sat by the pond, dressed in Hanfu, playing the guzheng.

The waiter led them into a private room.

The room was large, with a round table and six chairs. A tea set was placed on the side of the table. Outside the window was the courtyard, where one could see the rockery and pond, and hear the sound of the guzheng.

The six of them took their seats.

The waiter in Hanfu presented the menu. It was handwritten in regular script with a calligraphy brush, looking very elegant.

Su Bai took the menu, flipped through a few pages, and ordered over a dozen dishes.

Soon, the dishes were served one after another.

The food tasted good and was very refined, but the portions were small, with each plate only having a few bites.

However, because they ordered so much, everyone ate to their heart's content.

Halfway through the meal, Su Bai got up to go to the restroom.

The corridor was long and paved with wooden flooring, making a thumping sound when stepped on.

On both sides were private rooms with closed doors, from which came the sounds of talking and laughter.

When he reached a corner, someone rushed out from the opposite room, almost colliding with him.

Su Bai stepped aside and then froze.

Li Longyu?

She was wearing a light turquoise Hanfu. She wore no makeup, looked clean and fresh, her lips were pursed, and her expression was very cold.

She was holding a tray with several dishes on it, about to deliver them to a private room.

Seeing Su Bai, she was also stunned for a moment.

Then she lowered her head and walked past him, as if she didn't know him.

Su Bai stood there, watching her back.

She... was working as a waitress here?

Su Bai frowned. He remembered Liu Hao saying that Li Longyu's family was quite well-off.

Li Longyu pushed open the door to a private room, turned her cheek slightly, glanced at Su Bai from the corner of her eye, then walked in and closed the door.

Su Bai didn't think much of it and didn't plan to go and greet her; after all, they were classmates, and it would be awkward.

When he returned from the restroom, he passed by that room. The door was ajar, and shouting and scolding could be heard from inside.

He immediately stopped in his tracks.

"Little girl, come over and have a drink with your brother."

Inside the room, came the voice of an oily man, raspy and reeking of alcohol.