10: Bafanglou

Bafanglou Restaurant is one of the top restaurants in Qiongzhou, and it is notoriously expensive.

With an average per-person expenditure easily exceeding a thousand yuan, having a meal here was an unimaginable luxury for University Students whose monthly living expenses were generally around two or three thousand.

Bafanglou Restaurant was exceptionally lively today; perhaps because it was the last day of the holiday, everyone wanted to seize the moment to enjoy themselves.

There is never a shortage of wealthy people in this world, and no matter how expensive a place is, it never lacks customers.

For some, coming here wasn't just about the food—it was about status and prestige.

Inside the private room, Zhang Yixi asked with concern, "A Li, are you alright?"

He was worried that Chen Li was spending money recklessly out of spite because he was traumatized by the breakup.

Chen Li understood his concern immediately. His heart warmed, and he smiled nonchalantly. "I'm really fine. You guys are overthinking it. It's not that big of a deal."

"Exactly."

Guo Zihong, who knew the inside story, chimed in, "You guys have no idea. A Li has already won over the Economics and Management Department's belle, Liu Yu. She's countless times better than that Liu Manman!"

"Really?"

Wu Qiang said in surprise, "To be honest, I never liked you and Liu Manman together. With her spending habits, an average person really couldn't afford her."

Zhang Yixi suggested, "How about we go Dutch for this meal? Let's treat it as a celebration for Chen Li escaping that misery."

"No," Chen Li waved his hand. "I've made a lot of money from investments recently. Your brother here has plenty of cash now. You guys just go wild and eat as much as you want. Don't hold back."

Guo Zihong immediately picked up the thread. "That's right. You guys don't know, but A Li is a big shot now. The night before last at the Clear Bar..."

After listening to Guo Zihong's vivid description, Zhang Yixi and Wu Qiang's jaws nearly hit the floor.

"One hundred... forty thousand?" Zhang Yixi stood up abruptly. "Just to buy a round of drinks for the whole place? A Li, are you fucking crazy?!"

Wu Qiang leaned in closer to Chen Li, sizing him up from head to toe. "Wait, explain that part clearly first. What's the deal with that Economics and Management belle? Liu Yu?"

Guo Zihong immediately got excited. "How could it be fake? I saw it with my own eyes that night. The way those two kissed was so sweet, and he didn't come back all night. You guys Figure it out."

"Holy crap!"

Zhang Yixi excitedly threw an arm around Chen Li's shoulder. "Quick, tell us, how did you get her? That's the department belle!"

Surrounded by them, Chen Li knew they were happy for him. He waved them off, caught between laughter and tears. "Alright, alright, let's eat first."

As they were talking, a waiter pushed in a dining cart. When the bright silver cloches were lifted, the entire room instantly erupted.

"Holy shit! Such a huge Lobster!" Zhang Yixi's eyes bulged.

"This King Crab is bigger than my face!" Wu Qiang was busy taking photos frantically with his phone.

Guo Zihong had already impatiently picked up his chopsticks. "Stop taking pictures and start eating!"

Watching his three roommates devouring the food, Chen Li shook his head with a smile, feeling exceptionally warm inside.

"A Li," Zhang Yixi said indistinctly while gnawing on a Lobster claw, "you're really a dark horse, but seriously, I'm happy for you."

Wu Qiang raised his glass and leaned in. "Exactly. Come on, let's toast to our Dormitory producing a God-tier Tycoon."

...Meanwhile, in the main hall, Meng Yu and her roommates were also enjoying their meal.

"This is way too delicious!" one roommate couldn't help but praise.

Meng Yu had originally wanted to book a private room, but unfortunately, they arrived late and had to sit in the main hall.

Fortunately, each table was separated by exquisite curtains, making them somewhat independent small spaces.

While they were eating happily, Liu Manman suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar Figure passing through the aisle—Feng Shijie, a friend of Yang Bin's, whose family reportedly owned a company.

This was a big fish, much more substantial than Yang Bin.

Liu Manman's heart skipped a beat. She immediately put down her chopsticks, told Meng Yu she saw an acquaintance, and quickly chased after him.

"Senior Feng!" she called out, her voice a few degrees softer than usual.

Feng Shijie turned around at the sound. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"Liu Manman?" Feng Shijie clearly remembered her, a half-smile playing on his lips.

He remembered this girl—the female 'bestie' Yang Bin had brought along to a gathering last time. Her good looks and graceful Figure were indeed hard to forget.

"I didn't expect you to remember me, Senior." Liu Manman showed just the right amount of pleasant surprise, tilting her head slightly to show off her best profile.

"It's hard to forget a junior as striking as you. Are you here for dinner with Yang Bin?"

"No, I'm here with my roommates, over there in the hall." She pointed toward her table.

"Would you like to come sit in our private room? We're all frien..." Feng Shijie was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly saw someone walking toward them and froze.

Holy shit! It's that tycoon!

Feng Shijie's heart skipped a beat as the scene of being crushed by the other party's 'Moonlight Number One' at the Clear Bar flashed through his mind.

His bottle of 'moonlight celebration' had become a joke in front of that man; his face still burned whenever he thought about it.

But he was a man of the world, after all. He quickly suppressed his embarrassment, and an idea formed in his mind.

Usually, one couldn't even find a way to curry favor with a tycoon of this level, and now the opportunity was right in front of him.

That night's incident actually became a perfect breakthrough—wasn't this a classic case of 'no discord, no concord'?

The more Feng Shijie thought about it, the more excited he became. If he could establish this connection... Meanwhile, Liu Manman was feeling extremely anxious. Chen Li? How could he possibly appear in such a high-end restaurant?

Could it be that he heard she was coming here and deliberately followed her to create a 'chance' encounter?

Yes, that must be it!

She secretly clenched her fists, making up her mind that if Chen Li dared to come over and talk to her later,

she would definitely draw a clear line with him. She absolutely couldn't let him ruin her image in front of Feng Shijie.

Chen Li was walking back to the private room after using the restroom when he unexpectedly ran into two acquaintances—it was truly a small world.

He subconsciously used the system to scan the Figure that was once so familiar to him:

【Liu Manman】

【Affection Level: -10】

【Figure: 78】

【Appearance: 70】

【number of times kun: 13】

【number of kunners: 1】

Looking at the data showing she had been 'conquered' on the system panel, and seeing that her Affection Level was actually negative, he couldn't help but curse in his heart:

Damn, what a waste. I was really blind back then; even a dog knows how to wag its tail.

He suppressed his disgust, kept his face expressionless, and walked straight past the two of them without even sparing them a glance.

One was his defeated opponent, the other was a loose woman; neither was worth wasting another second on... While Liu Manman was thinking about how to distance herself from Chen Li, Feng Shijie beside her took the initiative to speak:

"Brother, remember me?" Feng Shijie said with a forced smile.

Chen Li glanced at him and gave a cold laugh. "Of course I remember. Why? Something up?"

"I was blind that night and offended you. My name is Feng Shijie. Can we be friends? Exchange WeChat?" Feng Shijie's attitude was very humble.

"No thanks." Chen Li was about to leave after saying that. In his eyes, both of them were insignificant people, and adding them was useless.

How could Feng Shijie miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? "Brother, just give me a chance. I promise not to disturb you. Another friend means another path, right?"

Chen Li was pestered to the point where he had no choice but to take out his phone. "Fine."

"How should I address you? I'll make a note of it."

"Chen Li." After adding him on WeChat, Chen Li walked back to the private room without looking back...