Chapter 83

PS: The third update is here. After finishing work, Jiudeng arrived home at seven, had dinner, and started typing right away. There are no saved drafts. Those in the Jiudeng group know that Jiudeng types every night until two in the morning to get the next morning's chapter done. I'm not complaining, but I hope those who have recommendation tickets can support Jiudeng, and those who haven't added the book to their collection can do so. Thank you. Finally, thank you to Lin Zhi Jun for the generous tip.

The three of them entered the private room, and Qin Yu introduced Tong Min to the others. Mo Yongxing had already met Tong Min, so Qin Yu didn't need to say much. The others greeted Tong Min politely, and even Mo Yongxin nodded and smiled, indicating her welcome.

They hadn't been seated for long when the waiter started serving the dishes. First came four cold dishes, which were appetizers before the main course. As expected, Yu Laiju, one of the most authentic Cantonese restaurants in GZ, impressed Qin Yu with its first cold dish.

"This dish is called Crystal Frozen Sea Cucumber, a famous cold dish in Cantonese cuisine," Liu Shuntian explained to everyone.

On the plate were two ice sculptures of mandarin ducks, shimmering with a crystal-like luster. Beneath the mandarin ducks were square ice blocks, alternating in white and blue.

Through Liu Shuntian's explanation, everyone learned that the blue parts were sea cucumbers, known as "Liaoshen" in Japanese because they are only found in Liaoning and Shandong provinces. The scientific name is "Stichopus japonicus."

The Crystal Frozen Sea Cucumber is prepared by first cooking the sea cucumbers, then pouring a secret syrup over them and freezing them in a cold storage for twenty-four hours before serving. When eaten, the dish is not only free of the usual bitterness and chewiness of sea cucumbers but also refreshes the palate with the secret syrup.

"Great, this is really refreshing on such a hot day," Qin Yu said, praising the dish as he took a bite.

After the cold dishes, the main courses began. Qin Yu finally got to taste the delicious Cantonese cuisine. The Wenchang Chicken and Dongjiang Salt-Baked Chicken from GZ, with their distinct flavors, made everyone enjoy their meal thoroughly.

The Wenchang Chicken is tender and flavorful, with a smooth and slightly greasy texture. It can be eaten after being cooked and dipped in a special sauce. The Dongjiang Salt-Baked Chicken, also known as Huadiao Chicken, has a fragrant aroma from the combination of Shaoxing wine and crispy chicken.

Next came the Kirin Perch, Hundred Flowers Fish Maw, and other classic Cantonese dishes. Among the group, Qin Yu and his cousin Zhang Hua ate the most, as they were probably the only ones who hadn't been to such high-end restaurants before.

Tong Min might also be one of them, but as a woman, she had to pay attention to her table manners and couldn't eat as much as the two of them. Mo Yongxing and Li Weijun, who frequently visited high-end restaurants, found it easy to enjoy such dishes, especially in a city where, with money, one could even enjoy Hainan specialties, let alone classic Cantonese dishes.

Mo Yongxin only took a few bites of each dish, while Qin Yu and Zhang Hua ate most of the two chickens.

After a satisfying meal, they drank a pot of Longjing tea before leaving. Liu Shuntian wanted to invite Qin Yu and the others to relax further, but Qin Yu declined.

Li Weijun, who was going a different way, said goodbye and left first. Zhang Hua drove Tong Min, and Qin Yu didn't want to disturb them. Although Liu Shuntian insisted on sending Qin Yu back, Qin Yu shook his head and smiled, declining the offer, and got into Mo Yongxing's car.

It was already around seven in the evening, the peak time for traffic. Neon lights flickered outside the car window, and Qin Yu saw people in suits and various professional outfits hurrying by. He couldn't help but think: This is the life of the rich. If he didn't have the Zhuge Nei Jing, would he be struggling for a car and a house like these people?

Qin Yu felt lucky to have received the legacy of Mr. Zhuge just before graduating and entering society. If he were just an ordinary college graduate, would he still have the confidence to stick to his original agreement with Meng Fang? He wasn't sure.

"Stop the car at the square ahead," Mo Yongxin, who had been sitting quietly in the back, suddenly said. Mo Yongxing didn't ask why and immediately stopped the car, regardless of whether it was allowed to park there.

"Mr. Qin, would you accompany me for a walk?" Mo Yongxin opened the car door and asked Qin Yu, who was sitting next to her.

"Uh... sure," Qin Yu, who was puzzled by Mo Yongxin's sudden request to stop the car, hesitated for a moment before responding.

"Stay in the car."

Mo Yongxing, who was about to get out, was stopped by his sister's words. If there was anyone who could control him, it was Mo Yongxin. Even his grandfather could only make him afraid, and he would only follow his grandfather's words on the surface, acting as he pleased behind his back.

Only for his sister did Mo Yongxing have genuine respect, and he never disobeyed her. Although he didn't know why his sister didn't want him to follow, he stayed in the car.

"Miss Mo, do you have something to say to me?" Qin Yu closed the car door and asked Mo Yongxin, puzzled.

"Walk with me."

Mo Yongxin didn't answer Qin Yu's question directly but made another request. She then walked toward the square.

"What does this mean?" Qin Yu frowned, not understanding what Mo Yongxin was up to, and followed her quickly.

The square was crowded with people. The elderly were already playing music and dancing, while a group of children were skating on the smooth ground, their speed and skill making Qin Yu nervous. He wondered how their parents could be so relaxed.

By the fountain, couples were embracing, whispering sweet nothings. Some elderly people were walking their dogs around the square.

"Qin Yu, do you know, since my mother fell ill, it's been a long time since I've walked outside like this. I remember that after dinner, my father would go to his study to work, and my mother would take my brother and me for a walk, to the square," Mo Yongxin suddenly said, turning to Qin Yu.

Qin Yu didn't speak, knowing that a woman like Mo Yongxin didn't need his comfort, only his listening.

"I came to GZ for my mother's illness. I hoped to meet some masters at the GZ Metaphysical Association's exchange meeting who could help cure my mother. But after the first day of the meeting, I realized how slim the chances are."

Mo Yongxin's voice was tinged with confusion, and Qin Yu didn't know what to say. From today's meeting, he could see that the participants were of mixed quality, with many being just ordinary feng shui masters, and no true masters had appeared.

"I've visited President Lin and Master Xiao, but they were also at a loss for my mother's illness. The other feng shui masters are even less capable than these two. How could they have a solution for my mother's illness?"

Mo Yongxin's words included Qin Yu, but he didn't mind. He had only been in the feng shui field for a short time and couldn't compare to those who had been in it for half their lives. He was aware of his limitations.

"Sometimes I really wish I were just an ordinary girl, and my mother wasn't ill, and my father wasn't so busy. A happy family life would be enough," Mo Yongxin sighed, looking at the couples.

Qin Yu understood her feelings but still rolled his eyes. Many people yearned for a life of luxury, but when they had to struggle for daily necessities, they would realize that being an ordinary person was tiring.

"You must think I'm being melodramatic. Many people envy my family background and my beauty, yet I'm saying these things," Mo Yongxin looked at Qin Yu, making him feel a bit uncomfortable, before continuing:

"Qin Yu, do you know? In the first year of my mother's illness, I made a vow to the Buddha: whoever can cure my mother's illness, regardless of their wealth, I will marry them."

Mo Yongxin's eyes sparkled as she stared at Qin Yu for a moment before turning to look into the distance.

"What do you mean by saying this to me?" Qin Yu muttered, shaking his head, not understanding what Mo Yongxin was trying to convey.

Mo Yongxin seemed to sense Qin Yu's confusion but didn't explain further. She smiled and continued walking, and Qin Yu had no choice but to follow.

"Brother, buy a bouquet of flowers for the sister," just like in all those third-rate romance dramas, when the main characters are out, they always encounter a little girl selling flowers, and the male lead buys a bouquet for the female lead, who then blushes and accepts the flowers...

But this wasn't a romance drama. Qin Yu wasn't the male lead, and Mo Yongxin wasn't the female lead. Qin Yu wouldn't buy flowers for Mo Yongxin, especially since the little girl's basket was full of roses.

"Little sister, this sister isn't my girlfriend, so you can't just give her flowers," Qin Yu patted the little girl's head and smiled, refusing.

"My mom said that even if she's not your girlfriend, she will become one after you give her flowers," the little girl's eyes twinkled as she replied with a smile.

"Ha!" Qin Yu almost fell over. How did little girls know so much about love? Who taught her this?

"Don't scare the brother. Little sister, come here, give the flower basket to the sister, and then ask the brother for money," Mo Yongxin saw Qin Yu's awkward expression and smiled even more. She took the flower basket from the little girl and walked ahead, leaving Qin Yu behind.

"What is this? I feel like I've become an ATM," Qin Yu looked at the little girl's outstretched hand and reluctantly took out a hundred yuan from his pocket, giving it to her and patting her head:

"Here's a hundred for you. You don't need to give change. The extra money is for you to buy candy."

"Brother, this basket of flowers costs two hundred. Your hundred isn't enough," the little girl said, grabbing Qin Yu's hand as he was about to walk past her, making him almost fall over again.

"When did the price of roses rise so quickly?" Qin Yu had glanced at the roses in the basket, which numbered about twenty. It wasn't a special occasion, so roses should only cost two or three yuan each.

"These roses are eight yuan each, and the sister took the basket, which costs thirty yuan," the little girl stared at Qin Yu, afraid he might try to avoid paying, and secretly held onto his clothes.