C9 I Bet You Didn't Have Any Backbone
Wen Wan listened, feeling a cold sweat trickle down the back of her neck. She turned to look at her brother, Shaoxing, who wore a similarly defeated expression. They had arrived, but hadn't brought enough money...
Just as Shaoxing was about to despair, a middle-aged man standing in front of the Golden Prosperity Building pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve.
"According to Boss Yu's instructions, the following esteemed guests are invited to enjoy the special suite: Princess Yingmo of the Pingxuan Marquis Mansion, Princess Yuno of the Dingguo Marquis Mansion, the two Shen brothers from the Qinghui Eldest Princess Mansion, Miss Yan from the Langya Yan family... and Mr. Wen Shaoxing from the South Control Marquis Mansion."
Caught off guard by this unexpected fortune, Shaoxing excitedly grabbed Wen Wan to head inside, but she held him back.
"Sis?"
"My name's not on the list."
As Wen Wan said this, she glanced at the middle-aged man, who had already put away the list and turned to go inside.
Indeed, her name wasn't there.
Shaoxing was puzzled, "Why isn't your name on the list? I'll go ask him!"
"I didn't plan on eating here anyway. You go ahead. I'll wait for you across the street with a drink."
Not wanting to disappoint her brother, Wen Wan reassured him, "I like the food across the street. Go on, I'll be waiting for you there."
"But..."
"Just go in already!" Wen Wan gave Shaoxing a gentle push, watching as he hesitated before finally entering the Golden Prosperity Building. Only then did she turn to leave.
At that moment, the middle-aged man who had gone inside suddenly rushed out.
“County Princess Wen, wait!”
...
Golden Prosperity Building, third floor.
The third floor had only one room, called the Golden House. It was a place made of gold, belonging to Yuu Buyi. Yuu Buyi, the founder of the Golden Prosperity Building, was one of the ten new names that appeared on the Great Zhou's wealth rankings six months ago, coming in at number twenty-nine.
Sitting across from Xiao Chen at a gold stone table, Yuu Buyi wore a gray-brown cotton-linen outfit. He appeared to be in his early twenties, strikingly handsome, with an air of carefree nonchalance. His almond-shaped eyes and mischievous smile added to his charm.
Yuu Buyi looked at Xiao Chen. “Wen Wan’s name isn’t on the list. Why did you call her in?”
“A momentary oversight.” Xiao Chen’s lips pressed into a thin line, his face revealing no other emotion.
“Was it a momentary oversight that you called her in, or a momentary oversight that you forgot to put her name on the list?” Yuu Buyi rested his chin on his hand, curious, but when Xiao Chen’s cold gaze swept over him, he changed the subject.
“Are the people on that list really important enough for me, the Food God, to invite them to this meal? The capital is full of all sorts, and even as a newcomer, I can tell those few weren’t top-tier, especially that young Wen Shaoxing. What could I possibly gain from him?”
"You're full of hot air," Xiao Chen remarked, giving Yuu Buyi a sidelong glance. "Instead of wasting time on these thoughts, why not practice your cooking? Maybe one day you'll become a culinary master, and then you won't have to worry about my threats."
"I kind of like your threats," Yuu Buyi replied with a playful tone, habitually tugging at his left earlobe with two fingers, casting a sideways glance at Xiao Chen. "Without your threats, I might not survive."
Xiao Chen looked up, "Look at me properly."
"But seriously, how did you figure out that my culinary skills are actually... ahem... based on intelligence?" Yuu Buyi masterfully navigated the conversation.
Everyone knew that Yuu Buyi, the so-called Food God, was a culinary genius. His nine-course feast was legendary, leaving people in awe and willing to pay a fortune for just a taste. Yet, there was more to it than met the eye.
