Chapter 71: No More Contact with Sheng Siyue?
Li Ye spoke politely, “Hello. I noticed you just ordered our Black Sesame Soy Milk Pudding.”
Sheng Siyue looked up. “I did.”
Li Ye smiled and nodded. “Guests who order this dessert today are gifted a complimentary drink.”
“Would you like a Koi Cosmo or ‘The Light Sleeper’?”
Sheng Siyue shook his head slightly. “I’m driving. No alcohol.”
Li Ye: “Oh, then I’ll bring you a ‘Nijito.’ It’s non-alcoholic and tastes quite good.”
Sheng Siyue nodded. “Alright. Thank you for the trouble.”
Having said that, his gaze dropped back down.
Li Ye turned and left, heading to the beverage area in the back kitchen.
He changed into a bartender’s uniform, picking up a clear, sparkling crystal goblet in one hand and a fresh lime in the other.
A bartender standing nearby asked, “Boss Li, you’re mixing drinks yourself?”
Li Ye’s eyes curved into crescents. “Mn. Mixing a Nijito.”
His movements were practiced and fluid. Very quickly, a beautiful layered drink was prepared.
Li Ye placed the glass on a tray and carried it out.
Arriving at Table Twelve, he gently placed the glass in front of Sheng Siyue.
“I hope you enjoy your meal,” he said with a beaming smile.
His beautiful almond eyes curved into a lovely arc.
Sheng Siyue gave a slight nod. “Thank you.”
Li Ye felt that the cold, melancholic aura around this man possessed a very attractive quality.
At this moment, the sunlight outside was just right. Golden rays filtered through the glass window, reflecting off the side of his face.
One half of his handsome, striking face was bathed in soft light, while the other was cast in shadow.
Shortly after Li Ye left, the two items Sheng Siyue ordered were served.
When Sheng Siyue saw the plate of golden, fragrant Whitebait Fried Egg Wedges and noticed the label on the plate that read “Work of Chef Number Seven”…
The light in his eyes instantly dimmed.
This dish wasn’t made by Qin Wan.
He let out a soft sigh.
He didn’t even have the interest to take a bite.
He picked up the delicate silver dessert spoon and listlessly ate the pudding bit by bit.
Then, he picked up the drink and finished it in one go.
Standing behind the screen, Li Ye furrowed his brows slightly.
After thinking for a moment, he walked over again.
“Sir, excuse my intrusion, but did the dish not suit your taste?”
Sheng Siyue looked up, his gaze sweeping briefly over Li Ye’s face.
“No. I simply don’t wish to eat anymore.”
As he spoke, he pulled several red bills from his wallet and tucked them under the plate.
“Please tip Chef Number Seven for me. The cooking was good.” His face remained devoid of any extra expression; no emotion could be read from him.
After settling the bill, Sheng Siyue left Jinghong Yan.
Li Ye’s gaze followed him out of the restaurant doors. He watched through the floor-to-ceiling windows as the man walked to a black Rolls-Royce, got in, and drove away.
Only then did he finally pull his gaze back.
In the CEO’s office, Xiao Han stood opposite Gu Xinglan, reporting on the situation.
“The man was indeed the Second Young Master of the Sheng family,” Xiao Han said.
“He ordered two dishes in the restaurant, ate a bit, and then got into his car and left. There was no other movement.”
“I sent people to follow his car. He’s currently driving toward Jiang City.”
Gu Xinglan looked at the location signal for Qin Wan on his phone.
He was currently at Jinghong Yan.
So, Sheng Siyue’s trip to the restaurant really was just for a meal; he hadn’t had any contact with Qin Wan.
Perhaps it really was just a coincidence.
He felt a bit more at ease.
“Alright. You’ve worked hard.”
After Xiao Han left, Gu Xinglan leaned back against the wide, soft back of his chair, lost in thought.
Although the surveillance today hadn’t uncovered any issues, the hidden worry in his heart refused to dissipate.
Sheng Siyue—that man was someone Qin Wan would call out for even in his dreams at night.
He was like a sharp thorn that had already pierced his heart, threatening to throb with pain at any moment.
Whether Qin Wan’s feelings for Sheng Siyue were truly just familial, as he claimed… he had to find out for sure as soon as possible.
Gu Xinglan remained in a state of restless agitation for the entire afternoon.
In the evening, when Qin Wan returned home, he saw Zhang Sao directing the servants to carry dishes upstairs.
Seeing Qin Wan, Zhang Sao said with a smile, “Mr. Qin, you’re back! The Young Master said dinner would be served in the bedroom today.”
Qin Wan nodded. “Oh. Thank you for the trouble.”
As he walked up the stairs, he felt a bit strange.
In the past, Gu Xinglan would only have Zhang Sao send meals to the bedroom when he was exhausted.
Could Gu Xinglan be feeling unwell?
He hurried into the bedroom.
Zhang Sao finished setting the table and led the servants out.
Gu Xinglan sat in a dining chair, looking at Qin Wan with a smile on his lips.
“A-Wan, come here.”
Qin Wan walked to his side. “Gege, are you feeling unwell? Why are we eating dinner in the bedroom today?”
Gu Xinglan shook his head. “I’m fine. Sit.”
Qin Wan sat in the chair beside him.
His gaze flickered, and he noticed a bottle of Hennessy sitting on the table.
There were also two crystal goblets.
Gu Xinglan picked up the bottle and poured a small amount of liquor into both glasses.
He handed one to Qin Wan.
“A-Wan, how is your alcohol tolerance?” he asked.
Qin Wan shook his head. “I’ve never had alcohol before.”
Given his past living conditions, alcohol was a luxury he could never touch.
Gu Xinglan pursed his lips slightly. “Mn. Then give it a taste.”
Qin Wan held the slender stem of the glass, staring at the pale gold liquid inside.
The color was inviting, and tiny bubbles were rising to the surface.
Gu Xinglan raised his glass toward him. “I’ll drink with you.”
Having said that, he tilted his head back and finished the drink in one go.
Qin Wan took a small, tentative sip.
He instantly felt a burning sensation on his tongue, in his mouth, and down his esophagus.
His small face flushed red.
“It’s so spicy!” he said.
Gu Xinglan smiled and placed a piece of sliced steak onto his plate.
“Eat something.”
Qin Wan hurried to stuff the steak into his mouth and followed it with a sip of lemon water. Only then did the burning sensation ease slightly.
“Since it’s your first time, how does it taste?” Gu Xinglan asked.
Qin Wan licked his lips, savoring the aftertaste.
“Aside from being hot and spicy, it’s not bad. There are notes of citrus, vanilla, and roasted almonds.”
Gu Xinglan poured himself another glass.
He raised his glass and clinked it against Qin Wan’s.
“If you like it, I’ll drink a bit more with you.” After speaking, he finished another half-glass.
Qin Wan also finished what was left in his glass.
He smacked his lips. “There’s also a hint of roasted oak.”
Gu Xinglan laughed. “Mn. You have a very sensitive tongue.”
With half a glass of liquor in his system, Qin Wan felt his face heating up and a sense of excitement rising.
Gu Xinglan piled a lot of food onto his plate.
He asked again, “Another glass?”
Qin Wan nodded. “Okay.”
By the time he finished the second half-glass, his gaze was becoming a bit hazy.
The color on his small face had deepened to a vivid bloom.
Although Gu Xinglan was drinking two glasses for every one of Qin Wan’s, he showed no signs of intoxication.
He stared at Qin Wan’s smiling, handsome little face and suddenly asked a cold, unexpected question.
“Qin Wan, I deleted Sheng Siyue’s number and WeChat from your phone without your permission. Are you still angry?”
Qin Wan froze for a moment upon hearing this.
The smile on his face slowly faded. He quickly shook his head. “No, Gege. I wouldn’t be!”
Gu Xinglan gave an almost imperceptible nod.
“In other words… you’re no longer in contact with Sheng Siyue?”
Qin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly as he nodded. “No. Not at all.”
“Mn.” Gu Xinglan put down his glass. He reached a hand out toward him and said slowly, “Give me your phone.”
[Author’s Note: It’s okay, it’s okay! There won’t be any angst, don’t worry babies! After a little punishment tomorrow, it’ll be sweet again~~ Goodnight!]
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