Chapter 18 Having Hotel in family is not much

After Lin Yuyan went to Happy Film and Television to meet Mu Zhang, Xiao Feng pulled out his sleek McLaren Elva and decided to check his phone. On the screen, he saw a message from Yao Li with Liu Xue's phone number attached.

Smirking slightly, Xiao Feng dialed the number without hesitation.

At that moment, Liu Xue had just finished freshening up and was seated comfortably on her sofa. Her mind was preoccupied with the financial troubles surrounding the production of Ode to Joy. The script was phenomenal, and Liu Xue, a seasoned actress and producer, was unwilling to abandon the project despite the obstacles. She had even been toying with the risky idea of mortgaging her house to secure the funds.

As she sat in thought, her phone rang abruptly, jolting her from her reflections. The loud, piercing ringtone annoyed her; she disliked being interrupted while contemplating significant matters. When she saw that the call was from an unfamiliar number, she hesitated for a moment before deciding to answer.

"Hello, this is Liu Xue. Who is this?" she asked with a touch of formality.

On the other end of the line, a warm and familiar voice responded, "Sister Xue, it's me, Xiao Feng."

Liu Xue's tone instantly changed, rising in pitch as she exclaimed in mild surprise, "Oh, Mr. Xiao? Is that really you?"

Xiao Feng chuckled lightly and replied, "Yes, it's me, Sister Xue."

"To what do I owe the honor of this call, Mr. Xiao?" Liu Xue inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, I gave some serious thought to what you mentioned last night," Xiao Feng began, his voice calm yet teasing. "And as it happens, I currently have some extra funds available. I believe they'll be enough to invest in Ode to Joy."

For a moment, Liu Xue sat in stunned silence, and then her voice burst forth with unrestrained excitement. "Are you serious? That's incredible news, Mr. Xiao! Where are you right now? I'll come meet you immediately to discuss the details."

Xiao Feng laughed softly before responding, "Sister Xue, I have a few errands to run at the moment. Don't worry, though—I'll contact you later to set up a meeting."

Hearing this, Liu Xue exhaled a sigh of relief, her tension easing now that the financial dilemma was resolved. "Alright then, Mr. Xiao. I'll be staying in the capital for the next few days and will await your call eagerly," she said, deliberately emphasizing the last two words in a playful manner.

Xiao Feng couldn't help but smile at her tone. He countered smoothly, "No problem. Just don't keep me up all night like last time, Sister Xue."

Liu Xue, always quick with a retort, replied with mock indignation, "This time, I promise I won't drink. I'll just sit quietly and wait for my little brother to visit me anytime he pleases."

"Alright then, Sister Xue, it's a deal," Xiao Feng replied, his voice carrying a hint of mischief. As he ended the call, a daring thought crept into his mind, and he found himself momentarily distracted.

But shaking his head, he pushed the idea aside. "No, I can't think about that right now," he muttered to himself. "Otherwise, I'll end up driving straight to her house."

Afterward, Xiao Feng occupied himself by browsing restaurants in the capital while waiting for Lin Yuyan to finish her meeting. Just as he was scrolling through reviews, he heard a light knock on the car window—three sharp taps.

Looking up, he saw Lin Yuyan standing outside, her confident demeanor glowing under the afternoon sun. Xiao Feng smiled and unlocked the door.

"Yuyan, you're done already? That was fast," he said warmly.

Lin Yuyan slid into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt with practiced ease. "Of course," she replied with a nonchalant tone. "With your support, Xiao Feng, the signing of the contract was just a mere formality."

Xiao Feng turned to her with a raised eyebrow and an amused smile. "Oh really? And here I thought you needed me for moral support."

Lin Yuyan rolled her eyes but didn't respond. Instead, she noticed Xiao Feng's gaze lingering on her. When she followed his line of sight, she realized where his eyes had wandered, and her cheeks flushed crimson.

"Xiao Feng!" she exclaimed, feigning indignation. "What are you staring at?"

Xiao Feng shrugged unapologetically and replied with a cheeky grin, "Hey, it's not my fault—it's just so distracting."

Lin Yuyan smacked his shoulder playfully. "Just drive already. I'm starving."

"Yes, ma'am," Xiao Feng replied, still grinning. "We'll leave right now."

Half an hour later, they arrived at the renowned 360-degree revolving restaurant on the 29th floor of the Kunlun Hotel. As the elevator doors slid open, a professionally dressed waitress approached them with a polite smile.

"Good evening, sir and madam. Welcome to the Kunlun Hotel. Do you have a reservation?" she asked courteously.

Xiao Feng nodded. "Yes, I made a reservation about half an hour ago."

"Under which name?" the waitress inquired.

"Xiao," Xiao Feng replied.

The waitress's expression immediately brightened with recognition. Her demeanor grew even more respectful as she said, "Ah, you must be Mr. Xiao Feng. The general manager informed us of your arrival. Your table is ready—please follow me."

She led them to a semi-private booth with a panoramic view of the city. After ensuring they were comfortably seated, she added, "Your meals will be served shortly. Please let me know if there's anything else you require." With a slight bow, she retreated gracefully.

As Lin Yuyan took in the elegant ambiance, she turned to Xiao Feng with a curious expression. "Do you know the manager here personally?"

Xiao Feng shook his head. "Not really, but my mother probably does. This hotel belongs to the Qin Group, so she would naturally be acquainted with the management."

Lin Yuyan's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Wait a minute, Xiao Feng—don't tell me this hotel is part of your family's empire?"

Xiao Feng chuckled, amused by her quick deduction. "You're sharp, Yuyan. Yes, this property does belong to my family."

Lin Yuyan smirked triumphantly and leaned back in her chair. "Well, Xiao Feng, I guess I'll have to keep my wits about me when dealing with you in the future."

Xiao Feng reached across the table, gently holding her hand as he replied with a grin, "Oh, you're far too clever for me already. I'm doomed."

"Good," Lin Yuyan said with a mock huff, but the soft smile on her face betrayed her amusement.

"Aren't you surprised?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Xiao Feng glanced at her with a faint smirk. "Surprised about what? You? A girl as sharp as you should know better. If a guy like me—someone with nothing but time on his hands—can easily pull out two billion, having a hotel in the family is barely worth mentioning."

Lin Yuyan rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. Before she could say more, a waitress approached their table, bringing in their order.

Tomahawk steak, Gallic chicken, lamb shank, caviar, foie gras, and an array of desserts were laid out in front of them, filling the table.

Xiao Feng gestured to the spread. "Yuyan, since we've got plans this afternoon, no wine today."

Lin Yuyan surveyed the table laden with luxurious dishes, her eyes widening slightly. "This… is a lot of food."

Xiao Feng leaned back with an air of nonchalance. "It's just a small expense. As long as you enjoy it, that's what matters."

Of course, the system's reimbursement made all his extravagant spending effortless. For him, creating an impression was worth any cost.

"I ordered their signature dishes so you could try everything. If we can't finish it all, we'll pack it up."

Lin Yuyan raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Oh? You're planning to take leftovers home? Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

Xiao Feng chuckled lightly. "Well, wasting food is such a shame, isn't it?"

In truth, it was just a habitual line from his past life, but he played it off effortlessly.

"Let's eat quickly. We need to check out the apartment later," he reminded her.

"Alright!" Lin Yuyan said brightly.

At first, she tried to maintain her ladylike composure while eating. But after just a few bites, hunger took over. She began eating faster, her polite facade gradually slipping away.

Skipping breakfast to catch her early flight had left her famished. Coupled with the irresistible aroma of the dishes—the tender lamb shank and steak, paired perfectly with different sea salts, the rich foie gras melting in her mouth, and the hearty, velvety soup—she couldn't hold back.

Xiao Feng, who had also skipped breakfast, was no less eager. Both of them ate as though they were competing in a race.

Half an hour later, Lin Yuyan leaned back lazily, patting her full stomach. "Xiao Feng, I've made up my mind. I'm eating less with you from now on, or I'll gain weight."

Xiao Feng gave her a mischievous look. "That's fine. You can always burn it off with a little… exercise."

His tone was suggestive, and his smirk made Lin Yuyan's face flush instantly. She glared at him. "Rogue! You can't say anything decent, can you?"

If they hadn't been in public, Lin Yuyan might have smacked him right then and there. She muttered under her breath about how quickly Xiao Feng's teasing had escalated since they started dating.

After paying the bill, they returned to the McLaren Elva. But instead of starting the engine, Xiao Feng pulled out his phone and called Zhao Qingzhu, a real estate agent he'd worked with before.

"Young Master Xiao!" Zhao Qingzhu's cheerful voice came through immediately, brimming with excitement.

"Do you have any large flat-floor apartments available?" Xiao Feng asked without preamble.

"Yes, Young Master Xiao!" Zhao Qingzhu replied, practically bursting with enthusiasm. "Our group has a project near the Jade Oasis residential area. It was completed last year, and a few large flat-floor units are still available. They haven't sold yet because of the luxurious design and high price."

Zhao Qingzhu's excitement was palpable. Just days ago, Xiao Feng had purchased a sprawling estate through her, earning her a massive commission. Now, he was calling her again—an unexpected but very welcome surprise.

The unsold units near Jade Oasis had been a headache for her company. Their ultra-high-end design and exorbitant price tags had scared off most buyers. If Xiao Feng was interested, it would be a massive win for her.

Xiao Feng's tone remained calm. "Price isn't an issue. I just want a place that's in a good location, safe, and quiet. Send me the address, and I'll head over now."

"Understood!" Zhao Qingzhu replied enthusiastically, practically leaping from her seat in excitement.

The smallest flat-floor unit near Jade Oasis was worth a fortune, and if the deal went through, her commission alone would exceed a million yuan. Zhao Qingzhu could already envision the payday, and her heart raced with joy.

"I'll send the details to you right away, Young Master Xiao!"