Chapter 9 Lunch with beauty Zhu Li

Xiao Feng exited Golden Film and Television and made his way to the underground parking garage, where his prized McLaren Elva awaited.

As he approached, his attention was drawn to a graceful figure standing beside the sleek, futuristic vehicle. The young woman was absorbed in taking selfies with her phone, seemingly captivated by the car's striking presence.

"Hello there, beautiful. It seems fate has brought us together again," Xiao Feng greeted her warmly, his voice carrying a playful undertone as he walked closer.

The woman, none other than Zhu Li, turned around at the sound of his voice. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink as her eyes met his, and she quickly lowered her gaze, exuding a mix of shyness and surprise.

"Where are you headed? Let me give you a ride," Xiao Feng offered, his tone casual but inviting.

Zhu Li hesitated for a brief moment before sneaking a glance at him and then at the luxurious car. With a hint of disbelief in her voice, she asked softly, "Is this car... yours?"

Xiao Feng nodded confidently and gestured toward the open passenger door. "Yes, it's mine. Come on, get in. I'll take you wherever you need to go."

Still uncertain but intrigued, Zhu Li—an actress just beginning her career in the entertainment industry—deliberated for a few seconds before finally deciding to accept the offer. She stepped into the car, taking a seat while visibly marveling at the open-top design and opulent interior.

As she settled into the seat, her nervousness became apparent. Xiao Feng, noticing her slightly rigid posture, chuckled softly and decided to tease her a bit.

"You seem a bit shy," he remarked with a smile. "You remind me of someone I know—someone who looks a lot like you but has a completely opposite personality."

Zhu Li's head shot up at his comment. She shook her head in protest and replied, "I'm not shy! I just… I've never been in such an expensive car before, that's all. It feels a little overwhelming."

Her candid response amused Xiao Feng, who chuckled again and said, "Alright, I believe you."

He then ignited the car's engine, and the roar of the McLaren Elva filled the garage. With a swift motion, Xiao Feng maneuvered the car out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

"My name is Xiao Feng," he said as he drove with practiced ease. "What about you?"

"Zhu Li," she replied, her voice sounding calmer now as she grew accustomed to the car's luxurious environment.

"It's almost lunchtime," Xiao Feng continued. "How about we grab something to eat? My treat."

Zhu Li, who had started to feel more at ease, turned to him with a playful glint in her eyes. "You're not trying to use this as an excuse to hit on me, are you?"

Xiao Feng smirked at her playful accusation. "And what if I am? What would you say to that?"

"Hmph! Do you think I haven't seen this kind of cliché before? It's straight out of a drama!" she retorted, her tone carrying a mock sense of superiority. After a brief pause, she added with a cheeky smile, "But, since it's the first time a handsome guy has invited me to lunch, I'll give you a chance."

Amused by her banter, Xiao Feng grinned and nodded.

"What kind of food do you like?" he asked as they continued driving.

"Shandong cuisine," she answered without hesitation, her thoughts drifting to the nostalgic flavors of her hometown that she hadn't enjoyed in a long time.

"Shandong cuisine it is," Xiao Feng replied with an easy smile. "Hold on tight."

With that, he shifted gears, and the McLaren Elva surged forward, cutting through traffic with precision and grace.

---

Xiao Feng took Zhu Li to a well-known restaurant specializing in Shandong cuisine called Lu Cuisine. The restaurant's ambiance was elegant and serene, featuring traditional decor with bamboo accents, intricate landscape patterns, and artistic displays of pines and rocks.

The pair chose a cozy table by the window, where sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over their surroundings.

As they browsed the menu, Zhu Li eagerly made her selections. "I'll have the Nine-Treasure Large Intestine, Prawns with Cabbage, and Soy-Pot Noodles," she declared with enthusiasm.

Xiao Feng chuckled at her modest choices and said, "Three dishes won't be enough. Let's add Braised Saury and Seafood Dumplings as well." He also included a couple of vegetable dishes to balance the meal.

Zhu Li burst into laughter, her expression bright and cheerful. Her smile radiated warmth, and her lively eyes sparkled like crescent moons, exuding a captivating charm.

"I thought, with your style, you'd order a mountain of food! But instead… Haha, you're surprisingly sensible," she teased with a giggle.

Xiao Feng handed the menu back to the waiter and replied with a smile, "I come from humble beginnings, so I know the value of moderation."

Zhu Li raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Hah! Humble beginnings, you say? Coming from a guy driving a McLaren Elva? If you're 'poor,' then I must be a beggar!"

Xiao Feng chuckled but chose not to explain further. Instead, he skillfully shifted the topic.

"I heard from Mr. Mu that you're looking for a new agency," he said.

"That's right," Zhu Li replied, her cheerful demeanor dimming slightly. "Mr. Mu said Golden Film and Television doesn't have enough funds right now and suggested I consider signing with another company."

"Would you rather stay at Golden Film and Television?" Xiao Feng asked, observing her reaction carefully.

"Of course!" she answered without hesitation. "Mr. Mu is the one who discovered me. He's a genius in the industry and has made so many stars famous. I trust his vision."

Xiao Feng's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Well, I have good news for you. Golden Film and Television recently received a major capital injection. They now have enough funds to develop several projects at once, so you don't need to look for another agency."

Zhu Li's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You're not messing with me, are you?"

"If you don't believe me, you can call Mr. Mu and confirm it yourself," Xiao Feng replied confidently.

Not one to hesitate, Zhu Li pulled out her phone and dialed Mu Zhang's number right away

As she spoke animatedly on the phone, the waiter arrived with their food. Xiao Feng picked up his chopsticks and began eating leisurely, allowing her to confirm the news for herself.

He glanced at her as she chatted, noting her infectious enthusiasm. Zhu Li wasn't just beautiful; she was also vibrant and full of life—qualities that made her all the more captivating.

Xiao Feng was truly starving. Earlier that morning, he had been abruptly woken up by a phone call from his mother, urging him to head out for an important matter. In his rush, he hadn't had the time to grab even a bite of breakfast, leaving his stomach growling by the time lunch came around.

"Xiao Feng, you weren't lying to me after all!" exclaimed Zhu Li, her expression lighting up as she put down her phone after making the call. Her tone carried a mixture of surprise and delight.

Xiao Feng smiled casually, gesturing toward the table. "Well, now that you know I'm telling the truth, you should start eating. Don't hold back, and if it turns out this isn't enough, we can always order more dishes."

Zhu Li, clearly in an excellent mood after hearing the good news, picked up her chopsticks and carefully selected a piece of the Nine-Treasure Large Intestine. She took a small, deliberate bite, savoring the flavors as she chewed slowly. After a few moments, her face softened into a look of nostalgic satisfaction. "Wow," she said, her tone rich with admiration. "This tastes just like the authentic flavors of my hometown. It's absolutely delicious!"

Xiao Feng chuckled at her reaction. "If you like it, then eat as much as you want. The food here is genuinely good, though I will admit, the portions are a little on the smaller side. Let's fix that—" He paused and raised his hand to signal the waiter, who approached promptly. "Excuse me, could we please add another serving of the Nine-Treasure Large Intestine?"

Although Zhu Li was now indirectly part of his company—thanks to his silent investment in Golden Film and Television—Xiao Feng didn't see himself as someone who would skimp on generosity, especially when his employee seemed so genuinely pleased.

As the two continued their meal, Zhu Li glanced at Xiao Feng curiously. Her expression was thoughtful as she asked, "By the way, how did you even know that Golden Film and Television received a major capital injection?"

"I happened to overhear Teacher Mu discussing it over the phone," Xiao Feng replied smoothly, his tone so natural that there wasn't the slightest hint of hesitation.

"Oh, that makes sense," Zhu Li said, nodding slowly. She didn't doubt his explanation for a moment. Despite his obvious wealth—made evident by his luxury McLaren Elva and his confident demeanor—she couldn't quite picture him being involved in such a significant investment.

After a pause, she tilted her head slightly and asked, "Xiao Feng, what kind of work do you do?"

Xiao Feng leaned back slightly, sipping his tea before answering casually, "To be honest, I recently got fired from my job. But after the National Day holidays, I plan to start my own investment company."

"You got fired?" Zhu Li repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief. It seemed utterly inconceivable to her that someone as composed and well-off as Xiao Feng—someone who drove a luxury car worth hundreds of millions—could lose a job. "You? Fired? Are you serious?"

Xiao Feng smiled faintly and shrugged. "Believe it or not, that's the truth," he replied, choosing not to elaborate further. Instead, he redirected the conversation back to her. "What about you? When do you start working on your next project?"

Zhu Li's face lit up at the question, and her enthusiasm was unmistakable. "Next month, I'll be heading to Hengdian. It's a really big deal for me because it'll be my first time playing a female lead!" Her voice brimmed with excitement as she continued, "I'm determined to give it my all. One day, I'll become a big star!"

Xiao Feng picked up his tea cup and raised it toward her with a smile full of encouragement. "Well then, here's a toast to Big Star Li for taking her first major step toward achieving her dreams. We might not have wine, but tea will do just fine for this occasion. Cheers!"

Zhou Li giggled at his gesture and playfully clinked her tea cup against his. The two shared a warm smile before taking a sip together.

After that, the conversation flowed effortlessly.Zhu Li opened up about her journey, recounting how she had initially dreamed of opening her own dance studio before circumstances led her to become a group performer in the entertainment industry. She spoke with heartfelt emotion about the struggles she faced as an extra and how her life had changed when Mu Zhang recognized her talent and offered her the lead role in Half-Demon.

Throughout her story, Xiao Feng listened attentively, his demeanor calm and composed. He rarely interrupted, instead choosing to watch as her passion and determination shone through every word. His gentle smiles and quiet encouragement seemed to create an atmosphere where Zhu Li could share her dreams freely, making their lunch a meaningful and memorable encounter.