Chapter 216: Hosting a Dinner

Chapter 216 Hosting a Meal

After landing the orders, Ye Changning was about to return to the south. Before leaving, Ye Xiaoxiao made a point to have a meal with him.

"Third Brother [a term of respect for an older male cousin or sibling], how are your sales efforts going?"

Ye Changning: "Getting started is the toughest part. We’ll take it slow."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "If you need any help, be sure to ask me."

Though Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t understand much about business, she could still help Ye Changan by introducing him to the right people.

Ye Changning smiled. "No need for formalities between us. If I need anything, I’ll definitely say so."

Truth be told, his recent success in landing orders in Beijing was partly thanks to Ye Xiaoxiao’s luxury car with Beijing’s prestigious Jing A license plate.

The moment the clients saw his car, they were convinced of his financial standing.

Miao Cuifang watched as Ye Changning prepared to leave again and could only offer a few words of advice. She didn’t know what else to say.

The children had all grown up, and there was less and less that parents could do for them.

"Be careful out there. Now that you’re being your own boss, try to take someone with you on your trips. Don’t always go around alone."

Ye Jianguo also spoke up, his tone surprisingly gentle.

Ye Changning wasn’t quite used to it. "I know. You and Mom just focus on staying healthy at home. I’ll be back for the Spring Festival."

Miao Cuifang: "Not until the Spring Festival?"

Ye Changning: "It’s almost New Year’s Day now, and the Lunar New Year isn’t far off."

Miao Cuifang: "Don’t be silly, New Year’s Day is still a long way off."

When Miao Cuifang first arrived in Beijing, time dragged on—not because life was hard, but because everything was so new that days seemed to crawl.

Only after finding the business of selling tea eggs did she start feeling time fly by.

Ye Changning shook his head. "Anyway, I’ll be back soon."

After Ye Changning left, Ye Xiaoxiao took Miao Cuifang back to the hospital for a follow-up checkup.

"The recovery after surgery is going very well. After the tumor removal, there are no signs of worsening, but we’re still in the observation period. Make sure to rest and take care, and come in for regular checkups."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Thank you, Doctor."

During Miao Cuifang’s hospitalization and surgery, Director Fang from the neurology department and the neurosurgeon in charge had both gone out of their way to care for her—though this was out of respect for Sun Zhengyao.

Though Ye Xiaoxiao hadn’t given monetary gifts in red envelopes (a traditional gesture), she still wanted to express her gratitude by treating the doctors to a meal.

Miao Cuifang: "Xiao Xiao, your father and I probably shouldn’t go."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "It’s fine. Dr. Sun is my teacher—it’s just among friends."

Ye Jianguo also said, "Your mother and I wouldn’t have much to contribute anyway, and she needs to rest. We’ll just stay home."

Seeing that the elderly couple didn’t want to go, Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t push further.

Instead, she found time to visit Sun Zhengyao and suggested treating them to a meal.

"About that meal..." Sun Zhengyao pondered for a moment. "Let me check when they're available. They're all senior physicians at the hospital, and it would be good for you to meet them."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Thanks, Professor Sun."

Sun Zhengyao: "How is your mother doing now?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "She's doing much better now, but she can't stay idle. I told her and my dad to stay home, but they somehow found a source for eggs and have been selling marinated tea eggs at the doorstep every day."

Sun Zhengyao laughed lightly, "As long as they don't overexert themselves, some light activity is fine."

Ye Xiaoxiao chatted a bit more before leaving the office.

A couple days later, after class, Sun Zhengyao informed Ye Xiaoxiao that he had arranged a time—they had two hours for a meal the next afternoon.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Great, let's go to The Beijing Grand Hotel."

Sun Zhengyao nearly dropped the thermos cup he was holding.

"Xiao Xiao, we're still students. There's no need to go all out."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Professor, I just figured we should choose somewhere nice since we're treating them."

Sun Zhengyao laughed lightly, "No need. Let's just find some low-key place nearby the hospital."

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn't very familiar with Beijing, so she called Lu Hanchuan to ask for suggestions.

"I'm inviting the doctors who operated on my mom for a meal. Professor Sun said we don’t need to go somewhere fancy. Got any good suggestions?"

Lu Hanchuan: "What time?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, only two hours."

"I'll give you an address. Tell Professor Sun first, and I'll pick you up tomorrow to go together."

Ye Xiaoxiao was slightly surprised. "Do you have time?"

"Yes, I’ll take time off."

"Alright, I’ll wait for you."

There were also some things she wanted to talk about with Lu Hanchuan.

The next morning during class, Ye Xiaoxiao told Sun Zhengyao the address.

"There's a place around here? I must've missed it."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I’ll go ahead and book a table. You can just come by at the scheduled time."

Sun Zhengyao, who had never been there, assumed it was just a low-key spot and readily agreed.

It wasn’t until Ye Xiaoxiao arrived in the afternoon that she realized the place was a charming two-story house with an elegant interior.

The restaurant only had private dining rooms, focused on privacy.

A hostess led Lu Hanchuan directly to The Lotus Room.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "Any... special services here, right?"

Lu Hanchuan smiled and playfully messed up her hair. "Relax. Even if they offered, we wouldn’t go for that. We’re just here for the meal."

Ye Xiaoxiao poked his waist, "So, have you been here before?"

Lu Hanchuan caught Ye Xiaoxiao's mischievous hand, "I swear, I only ever came here to eat."

"By the way, I have something to ask you. Are you going to Hao Yanyan and Xu Jianwen’s wedding?"

Lu Hanchuan’s expression instantly cooled, "No."

"Oh... Well, I’m going then."

Lu Hanchuan turned his head, "What’s this about, Xiao Xiao?"

He was still a little worried. Even though he was devastatingly handsome, he worried Xiao Xiao might still have a soft spot for Xu Jianwen.

Ye Xiaoxiao told Lu Hanchuan about how Hao Yanyan personally invited her, including how Hao Yanyan had previously given money to Miao Cuifang and Ye Jianguo.

"She just wants to use me to prove she wasn’t the other woman, but that she and Xu Jianwen got together properly. I see right through her."

"I’ll go with you."

"If you’re there, how can I stir up trouble?"

Lu Hanchuan slid an arm around Ye Xiaoxiao’s waist and pulled her into his embrace.

"If I don’t go, what if someone messes with our Xiao Xiao? Besides, I want to see how you plan to stir up trouble."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Suit yourself."

When it was nearly time, Lu Hanchuan ordered some dishes first, leaving the rest for the teachers to decide when they arrived.

When Sun Zhengyao arrived at the entrance with his colleagues, he immediately got a weird vibe.

Fang Chenggong: "This place is nice. Your student must be really connected to find a spot like this."

Sun Zhengyao waved his colleagues in, "Come on, let’s head inside."

Once inside, they realized the outside was nothing compared to the jaw-dropping interior.

A host ushered them to the private dining room, where Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan rose to greet them.

Sun Zhengyao blinked at the towering figure before—almost thought they’d walked into the wrong room.

"Professor Sun, this is my partner," Ye Xiaoxiao introduced.