Chapter 14: Miss, Could We Share a Table?

Xia Huajiao swallowed hard once again.

However, the steak wasn’t ready yet, so she lingered briefly before resolutely moving forward.

The next cooking station featured a large metal grill, where a chef was drizzling a minced garlic sauce mixed with crushed red chili over a dozen freshly shucked oysters.

The vibrant red chilies scattered atop the pale yellow garlic looked equally delightful.

Nestled in the hard oyster shells and covered with tender oyster meat, the oysters continuously bubbled with their juices.

The aroma of garlic filled the air, persistently assaulting Xia Huajiao’s senses…

The side dishes here truly matched her tastes.

With great anticipation, Xia Huajiao paced back and forth in front of the three cooking stations for several minutes. Amidst the crowd of diners collecting their meals, she managed to snag three portions of garlic oysters and one Finney steak.

After returning to her table, she headed to the seafood ice display case.

Oh, scallops, crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams…

A few minutes later, she filled two large plates with her favorite seafood, steadied the matcha cake on the side, set up her phone stand, put on wireless earbuds, and lit a small hot pot. She tossed all the seafood into the pot, and soon the distinct faint sweetness exclusive to fresh seafood wafted up.

Such an elegant dining environment with such fresh food—eating here must be so comfortable!

When she opened her phone again, she saw a message from Mo Yingtao.

“Miss Xia, Heming has already told me about the spoiler board. Thank you for giving it to my cousin. When will you stream next? I’ll definitely support you.”

This person was quite good at social niceties and spoke politely.

Xia Huajiao’s lips curved slightly. After a brief thought, she quickly replied to Mo Yingtao: “Brother Tao, you’re too kind! It was Mr. Jiang and his friend who helped me during my stream, so I let it go to them. You should thank them.”

“Also, I won’t be streaming regularly in the future. The streaming times are uncertain; you’re welcome to watch anytime. By the way, will you be streaming tonight?”

Mo Yingtao replied swiftly: “I’m celebrating Yan Yu’s birthday tonight, so the stream might be delayed, probably around nine in the evening. If you have any questions, just message me on WeChat.”

“Okay!” Xia Huajiao responded promptly. “Then I won’t be polite. But now I’m going to have lunch, talk later.”

Afterward, she logged onto the video platform and started watching the popular series “Qingqing Daily” from the first episode, while picking up a piece of salmon sashimi dipped in wasabi to eat.

...

Later, at the B-car dealership’s 4S shop, Jiang Heming received a message from Mo Yingtao. He chuckled and sent a message to Gu Zhaojing, who was leaving: “Brother Tao also added Yue Huajiao on WeChat. She said she did it for our sake, that’s why she gave the spoiler board to Yan Yu.”

Gu Zhaojing replied a few minutes later: “You’re overthinking it. If Mo Yan Yu didn’t thank her, then our face wouldn’t be worth anything!”

Jiang Heming: “Can’t you let me bask in it a little?”

Gu Zhaojing: “Just telling the truth.”

Jiang Heming grumbled: “By the way, I didn’t tell her you’re ‘generous and magnanimous.’”

Gu Zhaojing: “No need to say it.”

Jiang Heming: “Tsk tsk, so cold, no wonder she didn’t ask your name.”

---

Gu Zhaojing glanced at the message, a faint smile playing at his handsome lips. He replied, “Do you think Mo Yan Yu is deaf when she calls me? Enough, I’m eating now!”

He turned off his screen, took his tray of food from the school cafeteria window, found an empty table, and sat down. Yet, unexpectedly, his mind wandered to what the girl who had kept Heming’s attention might be eating now.

...

At the buffet, Xia Huajiao happily bit into the salmon. Soft, slightly sweet, so fresh!

Then the slightly charred Finney steak, foie gras, oysters… each dish perfectly satisfying her taste buds.

She ate with joy, her eyes half-closed.

The life of the wealthy was simply delightful!

She decided from now on to treat her stomach well!

Then, she relaxed and watched the barrage of comments on the costume drama “Qingqing Daily.”

“Brother BJT is so handsome!”

“I love his kind of fragile beauty!”

Xia Huajiao wholeheartedly agreed. The male lead, surnamed Bai, strictly speaking, wasn’t the peak of handsomeness.

But his costume look in this drama truly captivated her.

In her mind, she even pictured the leading man’s calm, deep eyes.

His looks might be slightly better, but his reserved aura bore a faint resemblance to the drama’s male protagonist.

“The opening is so beautiful!” received over 5,000 hearts.

“Who’s rewatching!” surprisingly had over 3,000 hearts.

“You don’t know how cool Donkey is!” received more than 3,000 hearts.

Xia Huajiao was amused and tapped a heart on that comment.

Then she kept watching.

“Nickname: Good at Eating!” This comment surprisingly garnered over 10,000 hearts!

Oh, how she loved this drama’s audience!

Keep the comments coming!

Thus, the opening barrage hearts instantly surpassed 120,000!

She felt elated!

Who could be happier than her? No need to think hard, just watch and earn!

She continued to watch and eat leisurely, occasionally laughing softly at the antics of the plot.

Until a man in a dark blue shirt politely stopped opposite her.

“Excuse me, miss, may I share this table with you?”

---

Xia Huajiao looked up in surprise.

His sharp phoenix eyes held a trace of admiration.

His dignified face was framed by thick brows and a straight nose; standing over six feet tall, he seemed somewhat imposing.

He wasn’t extremely handsome—more ordinary than Jiang Heming or Brother Tao—but he had a good presence.

Xia Huajiao glanced around. Oh, there were quite a few diners today; every other table was full.

“Sure, you can sit!”

She stacked the empty seafood plates under the cake plate, clearing half the table.

“Thanks! I’ll go get my food!”

A few minutes later, the man in the dark blue shirt calmly placed his plates of grilled meat and seafood on the table.

Xia Huajiao casually glanced at them—they were similar to her own tastes.

She looked away and resumed watching the show.

The man then stood beside her for a moment, before returning to sit opposite her and asked, “May I ask your surname, miss?”

Xia Huajiao looked at him in surprise but replied politely, “No need for formalities, my surname is Xia. And yours?”

“No need for formalities either, my surname is Ou. Miss Xia, do you like costume dramas?”

“Oh, I’m more fond of this male lead. His look is elegant, and the plot is quite lively—good for relaxing.” Xia Huajiao answered frankly.

Mr. Ou smiled knowingly. “‘Qingqing Daily’ is indeed quite popular. My mother is also watching it. Thanks for letting me share the table.”

Xia Huajiao smiled faintly. “You’re welcome. When traveling, we should be considerate of each other. Sorry, I won’t chat with you anymore. I want to continue watching.”

Mr. Ou apologized politely, “Alright, please enjoy.”

Xia Huajiao then resumed watching the show and eating, occasionally chuckling at the comedic scenes.

Little did she know, every time she laughed, Mr. Ou would watch her curiously.

Half an hour later, after finishing the first episode, Xia Huajiao’s after-tax earnings increased by more than 454,000 yuan.

At that moment, Mr. Ou politely asked, “Would you like another glass of orange juice or some food?”

Xia Huajiao looked at him in surprise, then smiled lightly. “No, thank you! I’m full. Please enjoy your meal!”

She mentally withdrew the barrage earnings, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and prepared to leave.

“I’m full too!” Mr. Ou stood calmly. “Miss Xia, you’re naturally beautiful and enjoy watching dramas. Have you ever considered becoming an actress?”