Chapter 002: Substitute x Overbearing CEO x White Moonlight (2)

Chapter 002: Substitute x Overbearing CEO x White Moonlight (2)

At the Shengtian Banquet, in Room 520 on the fifth floor, the table was laden with exquisite dishes, yet the atmosphere was dead silent.

Originally, Shen Xi should have been the most awkward person there, but he was calmly sipping soup and eating, making it instead the couple at the head of the table feel uncomfortable.

Yan Chun was accustomed to retreating strategically, but now he found that the other party was retreating even more smoothly, making his apologetic smile falter.

"I should leave," he said as he stood up. "I'm sorry for disturbing you."

Cheng Junfeng gripped his wrist tightly, his anger reigniting as he lashed out at Shen Xi.

"What do you mean?"

"I wish you both happiness," Shen Xi said gently. "Brother Chun, don't go; the Buddha's Palm Chicken Soup hasn't been served yet."

"Is food the priority right now?!" Cheng Junfeng rose abruptly, questioning him. "Why are you being passive-aggressive towards Xiao Chun? He has already been accommodating since the first meeting!"

The expressions of Shen Xi's parents were grim, but their son calmly reassured them.

"Our family agreed to call off the engagement. As for how the Cheng and Yan families arrange things afterward, that's your business." Shen Xi sipped some sea cucumber soup, smiling contentedly from its freshness. "Since we're all here, let's enjoy a good meal together and part amicably."

Seeing this, Cheng's mother smiled genuinely at Shen Xi, grateful for his graceful demeanor in giving everyone a way out. His temperament was truly commendable!

She felt increasingly regretful looking at Shen Xi, then glanced at Yan Chun's awkward demeanor, exchanging a complex look with her husband.

How could their son suddenly be so blind to fall for this person? What was so special about him?

The system, seeing the young man finish a bowl of sea cucumber fish maw soup in a few gulps, whispered, "Host, there are still twenty or thirty dishes coming."

"You're right," he agreed readily. "I'll quietly order some digestive tablets."

System: "..."

"No, the focus isn't on these dishes! It's about increasing the big jerk's emotional turmoil!"

"As the saying goes," the youth whispered back, "a full stomach helps win battles. How many college students aren't a bit crazy?"

Ever since the vice principal's brother-in-law took over the cafeteria, the food had become unbearable!

Fried eggs in oil with a distinct flavor of gutter oil!

Egg drop soup made with washing water, ensuring every meal is iron-rich!

A fifteen-yuan spicy noodle stir-fry—why not just steal the meal card?!

Greasy and nauseating, anyone would be fed up!

Seeing the others hesitantly picking at their food, the overbearing CEO's eyes still fixed on him, Shen Xi quickly changed the subject.

"So, how did you two meet?"

Cheng Junfeng glanced at him, intending to emphasize Yan Chun's importance to his parents, and began to recount their history.

"Our families were originally close friends."

Cheng's mother chuckled, "Not really. Your father has too many business friends, calling everyone 'old friends.'"

Yan Chun: "..."

Cheng Junfeng paused briefly, ignoring the comment, and continued, "We were in the same class in elementary school. Back then, I always bullied him."

So you were a little bastard from the start.

The original host nodded with a smile, watching the little bastard get engrossed in his story and feeling more relaxed as he continued eating.

What love, what marriage, what tragic romance—all of it could go away.

Today's core task was simple: eat, eat, eat, eat, eat! I'll eat until I burst!

Talking about old times, Yan Chun also smiled, chatting amiably with Cheng Junfeng about their past. Cheng's parents remained silent, worriedly observing Shen Xi's state.

Shen's mother couldn't eat either, whispering to her son, "If you're upset, we can find an excuse to leave. Mom feels for you."

"Isn't it better to see his true colors?" Shen Xi placed a piece of wild yellow croaker on her plate, tenderly saying, "This fish you've always been reluctant to buy. Let's eat well before we leave; it's worth it."

Shen's mother turned her anger into a smile, wiping away tears. "Did you figure it out so quickly?"

Shen Xi gave her a warm, reassuring look and turned to his father. "Dad, the sea cucumber soup will get cold if you don't drink it soon."

Shen's father sighed, frustrated, "…you!"

Cheng Junfeng suddenly paused, noticing the Shen family happily conversing, and frowned, calling out, "Shen Xi."

You asked to hear this, and now you're treating me and Yan Chun like air?

His earlier unease finally eased, a sense of vindication settling in.

Shen Xi can't bear to lose me.

Someone who used to only eat salads and chicken breast, now indulging in so much grease, must be trying hard to hide his emotions.

Cheng Junfeng, arrogant by nature, had always treated his toys as his own, never allowing others to touch them, even if they lay forgotten in a corner, covered in dust.

Earlier, Shen Xi's ease had infuriated him, making it seem like their three-year relationship was trivial.

No, Shen Xi, you care about me; you can't bear to lose me.

Cover-up, it's all just cover-up!

When his name was called, Shen Xi looked up at them and said with a smile, "You mentioned that when you were little, you pushed the swing too high, making Chun scared to tears. It sounds adorable."

Cheng Junfeng nodded grimly and continued recounting his long and tedious elementary school love stories.

Yan Chun wore a touched and nostalgic expression, cupping his face as he listened attentively, nodding occasionally in agreement.

Someone felt like they had just been called by the teacher to answer a question and then continued daydreaming afterward.

His thoughts temporarily drifted away from the plot.

"System, can you check something for me?"

The system, which had been half-dozing, immediately perked up. "Sure! Are you checking Yan Chun's social connections or the Cheng family's business status?"

"How expensive is this restaurant?" Keding asked devoutly. "It's so delicious; it must cost around one or two thousand per person, right?"

System: "Hiss—"

Since the host had asked, she obediently went to check.

"Shengtian Banquet, averaging eight thousand to twelve thousand per person. Membership is referral-based, and the chefs were recruited from abroad, having previously served many foreign officials."

Although on a mission, Keding felt like he was bathing in an ocean of happiness.

How luxurious... Many of these ingredients he had never seen in his life...

Before the meal began, Shen Xi had already been suffering from a burning sensation in his chest due to hunger.

As the plot progressed, his self-loathing deepened, gradually developing the habit of purging like many models, eventually dying from severe malnutrition.

Keding felt heartbroken for him and also for this tall, perfect yet fragile body. He chewed slowly during meals, fearing that any sudden stimulation might be too much for his stomach to handle.

Fortunately, the portions in high-end restaurants were small... Thirty courses were more than enough.

In fact, the feeling of abalone, shark fin, and ribs settling in his stomach was quite unfamiliar.

Keding's parents had both lost their jobs and re-employed themselves, running a noodle stall together. Coming home every day meant eating noodles or unsold wontons.

During the New Year, the family would cook a chicken or stir-fry some pork belly, but no one really wanted to eat it, always deferring to each other.

Shen Xi's stomach had not tasted such delicacies for a long time. From the sensation on his tongue to the warmth spreading throughout his body, everything felt long overdue.

Their emotions coincided at this moment.

"Host," the system kindly reminded, "your smile... is a bit too bright."

"Oh, oh. I'll tone it down."

At this moment, Cheng Junfeng quickly noticed this and glanced sideways at Yan Chun.

He should have smiled upon seeing his old love again, but now he couldn't even force a smile, his heart churning.

...Shen Xi, how can you not feel any pain?

Your acting is too good.

Did you know about my emotional betrayal early on and lose all feelings for me, or did you never care about me at all?

Just then, a waiter brought a cold, frosted ice cream parfait and placed it in front of Shen Xi.

"Sir, this is the Eiffel Exquisite Parfait specially ordered for you by Ms. Cheng. It's a limited edition creation of our hotel. Please enjoy."

Layers of sugar and cocoa were shaped into the form of the Eiffel Tower, adorned with strawberries and crispy cookies, with fine gold foil shimmering.

Shen Xi was momentarily stunned and looked at Cheng's mother with a face full of gratitude.

"Aunt Cheng, did you order this for me?"

"It's just for you, go ahead and eat it," Cheng's mother said gently. "Junfeng once told me that you love ice cream but always manage your figure and only take a small bite."

"You're already so slim and beautiful, eat more."

The light in Yan Chun's eyes dimmed, and he smiled lightly at Cheng Junfeng. "See, I'm being redundant."

Cheng Junfeng kept staring at Shen Xi, not turning to look at him.

"He does love ice cream."

Yan Chun didn't get the reaction he wanted, and a slight crack appeared in his gentle expression.

Cheng Junfeng continued to stare at Shen Xi, as if trying to see through him to understand what he was thinking.

I've bought you ice cream so many times, and you've never shown such surprise and joy.

Why are you now trying to please my mother instead of me?

Why won't you look at me now?

By the end of the meal, Shen's parents were half-satisfied, while the Cheng family was distracted. Yan Chun barely touched his food.

Only Shen Xi rubbed his belly contentedly in the elevator.

When parting, Cheng's parents were quietly apologizing to Shen's family. Cheng Junfeng, who had been holding Yan Chun's hand, quickly said, "Wait a moment," and let go to find Shen Xi.

Left behind, Yan Chun's gaze turned complex.

Shen Xi was dragged into a corner by Cheng Junfeng and, before he could react, was roughly handed a bank card.

"Here's five million, consider it a breakup fee." Cheng Junfeng said without batting an eye. "The password is my birthday."

Be angry. Be furious. Didn't you always love to be on equal footing with me and hate it when I solved things with money?

Cheng Junfeng had even anticipated how he would sneer after being slapped, but unexpectedly, the latter touched the card, took out his wallet, and carefully put it away.

"OK!"

Xiao Shen! You've got plenty of pocket money now!

Cheng Junfeng's expression grew darker.

A mere five million, and you're satisfied? Do you know how many five millions I'm worth!

"You're quite the actor." He said coldly. "From now on, you have no use to me whatsoever. Get lost."

Shen Xi held back for a moment, but couldn't.

"Burp."

"Sorry, I ate too much," Keding whispered to the system. "But the ice cream was really delicious."

System: "...you, you're happy, that's good."

System: "Oh, your defense-breaking value has increased by ten again."

Keding exclaimed, "Is your internship task this easy?"

System: "Hiss, no, not at all!!"

After the two families left separately, Cheng Junfeng sent a text message with a blank expression.

[Keep a close watch on Shen Xi's every move from now on. Report to me wherever he goes and who he meets.]

As soon as the message was sent, the system relayed it immediately, kindly reminding, "I can mark out where there are informants for you in advance!"

"Host, what do you plan to do next!"

Keding replied truthfully, "I want to take Uncle and Aunt to a farm to pick strawberries."

"...And then?"

"Go to Beijing to eat authentic roast duck!"

"And then?"

"Oh! I also want to eat big crabs!!"