C8

They started their meal and were conversing with each other when Mei got a message- 'Will be there in 15 minutes.' It was from Yang Li.

Mei looked at Xue and said, "Do you remember Shishi from college?"

Xue said, "Of course I do. Actually, I wanted to ask you yesterday but it slipped my mind. How is sister Shishi??"

Mei looked at Jue and said, "I don't know if you remember her but we were always together in GVSU."

Jue said, "I do remember her but I never interacted with her."

Then looking at them Mei said, "Actually Shishi went to Westphalia to complete her super specialization. She has been working there for the past one year."

Then looking at Xue she continued, "After she left for Westphalia, in the initial months she would ask about you and how you were doing! However, with time even I lost touch with her."

"Well, you will meet her soon anyway. She will also join MLH in two months."

Xue said, "It's cool. So, we can soon have a reunion!!"

Suddenly Mei received a call. After the call ended Mei turned to the girls and said, "My brother and his friend are here."

Five minutes later two men were being directed by a waiter towards their table. When they reached their table, one of them came forward and hugged sister Mei and the one behind him greeted her before they took their seats.

Both Bing Xue and Song Jue were dazed when they saw these two men. This was because they were the same two men whom they had seen in Mei's Café.

Mei looked at the girls and said, "Xue, Jue this one with the mask is my brother Yang Li and the one next to him is his good friend Zhou Jin."

Both the girls were still dazed when Mei introduced them. Then Mei introduced the girls to Yang Li and Zhou Jin.

Both the Yang siblings were sitting on one side of the table. The rest of them sat opposite to the siblings. Song Jue was sitting next to Zhou Jin and was facing sister Mei. Bing Xue sat opposite to Yang Li.

Zhou Jin was not wearing a mask today and his face was visible. Despite his height and his muscular and bulky build, he had a very handsome face. He looked adorable- like a very cute panda. His face did not match his strong and powerful aura. Zhou Jin's hair was neatly cut and he was clean-shaven. He wore a greenish-yellow shirt and black trousers. He was wearing military boots.

Xue who was sitting opposite Yang Li was staring at him. When Yang Li felt someone staring at him, he looked in that direction and found that it was Bing Xue. On being caught red-handed, she felt her cheeks become a little red and she quickly averted her gaze and focussed on her food.

Xue noticed that, unlike Zhou Lin, Yang Li was wearing a cap and a mask. His obsidian black hair was thick and lustrous and he had tied it in a ponytail. Although most of his face was covered by the mask, if one looked carefully, one would find that he was not clean-shaven but had stubble.

His eyes were black but Xue was able to determine that he was wearing colored contacts. He was wearing a reddish-brown striped T-shirt with green cargo pants and sneakers. His outfit was very casual for a place like Golden Palace. Despite that, he looked handsome and charming. His every movement was classy and elegant.

Xue had an intuition that if one were to remove the cap, the mask, and the contacts, one would be treated to a breath-taking view. She suddenly felt silly and embarrassed about having such thoughts. For the first time ever, she felt an attraction towards the opposite gender. She had an urge to know about him despite the fact they hadn't even talked to each other yet.

The case was almost the same for Yang Li. This was the second time he had seen her. Just like the last time he felt attracted towards her. She was very beautiful. Apart from that, he was even drawn to her cold and distant aura.

Mei was looking around the table with a smile on her face. Her brother was 29 and he had never had a romantic relationship. Due to various circumstances, he had matured early and even acted like her elder brother most of the time.

Apart from that, no other girl had ever captured his attention. Xue was the first girl to do so. Mei also liked her and wanted to create a chance for them.

However, she was surprised when she saw that Jin and Jue were engaged in a conversation. While Xue and Li were busy staring at each other, Jin and Jue had become engaged in a deep conversation-

Jin said, "Your name is Song Jue so you are from the Song family. Is your father Song Xuan?"

Jue replied, "Indeed he is. You seem to know the Great families well. Are you related to them somehow?"

Jin said, "No I'm not. I am from the Zhou family in Zijin."

"Actually, I met your father last year when we discussed a business deal."

Jue was stunned. If Jin had discussed a deal with her father directly it must be a major project. This meant that Jin was also worked for a prominent corporation.

Suddenly a thought flashed in her mind and the name 'Zhou Jin' hit her like lightning. She was flabbergasted by her thoughts. If what she thought was true then it truly would be a huge discovery for her. Today truly had been a day of revelations. However, she held herself back. This was their first meeting and it was a personal get-together. He would slowly confirm her thoughts and then confront him.

Xue suddenly looked at Mei and asked, "Sister Mei, I have a question for you. Can I ask if you don't mind?"

Mei said, "GO on, it's fine."

Xue said, "Sister Mei, both you and your brother have the surname, Yang. Are you from the Yang family?"

There was a momentary silence. Even Xue and Li who were stealing glances from each other looked towards Mei.

Xue said, "Jue!!!! that's inappropriate to ask. Sister Mei, she is like this. Don't mind her."

Mei gave a warm smile and said, "It's okay. I will answer you."

"We did have a connection with the Yang family around 14 years ago. However, we are not from the Yang family. That is all I can tell you for now."

Xue glared at Jue. Then looking at Mei she said, "It's okay sister Mei."

Jue felt wronged and whined, "What!! I was just curious. What's the big deal. Sister Mei is cool and she won't mind!!"

Mei burst into laughter at her antics and said, "Xue it's fine. Like Jue said it's not a big deal."

Their conversations continued as more food and drinks were ordered.

Both Yang Li and Xue had now started conversing with each other. They seemed to have forgotten others at the table. Mei winked at Jue and Jin and signaled them not to disturb the pair.

Yang Li said, "So you will start work at MLH in three weeks. Right?"

Xue replied, "Yes, I just have to wrap up a few more things. I haven't had any new patients in the past two months. My current patients would all be discharged within the next 10 days. Then I'm off to MLH."

Xue suddenly asked him, "What about you? What do you do?"

Li said with a straight face, "Nothing really. I just talk mostly."

On hearing this, Mei who was having a drink suddenly sprayed out the drink in her mouth and laughed.

Xue was also amazed by his answer and asked, "What do you mean??"

Jin interrupted and said, "Actually he owns a business and I am its CEO. We discuss various projects together and then I am responsible for their execution. That is what he meant!!"

Xue paused for a moment. She then looked at Yang Li and said, "Hmmmm…. you also seem to have a weird sense of humor."

"But I like it…"

"Pfffttttttt…. hehehehehe…", suddenly Mei burst out laughing and said, "No he doesn't."

Then she pulled Xue closer to her and whispered in her ear, "Have you already fallen for my brother or what!!??"

When Xue heard Mei, her face turned bright red. She then turned towards others and said, "Excuse me. I have to go to the washroom." Then she hurriedly left the table.

When Xue left the table Yang Li looked at Mei and said, "Elder sister did you tease her? She was just stating a fact. I also think I have a good sense of humor."

Mei looked at others and then pointing at Yang Li she said, "Look!! Xue's not even his girlfriend, yet he is defending her."

"Have you forgotten about your sister so quickly and changed sides??"

Yang Li said, "Of course not! Sister is the best."

Mei smirked and replied, "Since you acknowledge that I will spare you and Xue."

A few minutes later, Xue came back from the washroom and took her seat. Mei winked at her. Her face was still flushed.

Mei then looked at her brother and said, "Have you two completed the business you came for."

Yang Li looked at the time and said, "It will be done in 10 more minutes."

They continued to talk over drinks and food. After 10 minutes the waiter brought an envelope and handed it to Yang Li.

Everyone's attention was on the envelope as Yang Li handed them over to Yang Mei.

Mei asked, "What is this?"

Yang Li replied, "Nothing!! just a gift."

As she opened the envelope she asked, "What's the occasion?"

Yang Li said, "You have officially taken over MLH and become its CEO."

Mei had opened the envelope. It contained a contract. When she read the papers, she was very surprised. She then looked at Yang Li and Zhou Jin and said, "It must have taken a lot of effort and money to get this."

Jin replied, "Effort, not really but it did take a lot of money."

Mei frowned and asked Jin, "How much?"

Jin then looked at Yang Li. When Yang Li gave him a nod he said, "Five times the market price."

Mei was astounded and said, "Why did you pay so much. It's not worth it."

Yang Li said, "Because it is your favorite restaurant. And don't worry about the money. I have already recovered it."

Both the Yang siblings loved Indo and Saian cuisines and Golden Palace was known for them.

Mei then placed the contract on the table.

Both Xue and Jue were already listening to the conversation between the siblings. The gift had piqued their interest. When Mei placed the contract on the table both the girls took a peek.

When they saw the contract both of them gaped. It was a sale deed for Golden Palace. The Golden Palace was now the property of sister Mei. They had also heard that Yang Li had paid five times the market price.

Both of them were amazed at this moment. It seemed they didn't know much about the siblings and had barely scratched the surface.

However, Jue seemed to have some of her earlier doubts cleared and had a greater understanding than Bing Xue.

Mei then looked at the girls and said, "Since I have got this restaurant a gift, I will make both of you VIP members. You can come here and enjoy yourself with your friends whenever you are free."

Jue being a foodie was extremely excited. She suddenly hugged Mei and said, "Sister Mei!! You are the best!"

Xue also thanked her.

They finished their meal and left the restaurant. However, at the entrance of the restaurant, they met a group of familiar people.