Chapter 7

As Chén Lónɡ cruised down the bustling streets of Jihang, the sleek Pagani Huayra's engine purred smoothly, its exhaust notes echoing through the air. The sound was like music to Chén Lónɡ's ears, and he couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement as he gunned the engine, feeling the car's raw power beneath him.

People on the sidewalk stopped and pointed, their eyes wide with admiration as the Pagani Huayra sped by. Some even whipped out their phones, snapping photos or taking videos of the rare and exotic car.

Chén Lónɡ smiled to himself, enjoying the attention. He had always loved cars, and the Pagani Huayra was a true masterpiece. Its sleek design, incredible performance, and rarity made it a true head-turner.

As he drove, Chén Lónɡ felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration. The wind rushed past him, whipping his hair into a frenzy, and the sun beat down on his face, warming his skin. He felt alive, connected to the car and the road in a way that was hard to explain.

The streets of Jihang blurred together as Chén Lónɡ pushed the Pagani Huayra to its limits, the car's engine roaring in response. He was in his element, and nothing could match the thrill of driving such an incredible machine.

As the Pagani Huayra cruised down the bustling streets of Jihang, Chén Lónɡ felt a rush of excitement. People on the sidewalk stopped and pointed, their eyes wide with admiration as the rare and exotic car sped by.

The Huayra idled at a stoplight at a busy intersection, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and neon billboards. Méng Lóng turned to her son, a curious expression on her face. "Chén Lónɡ, where did you get so much money?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and concern.

Chén Lónɡ hesitated, choosing his words carefully. He knew he couldn't reveal the truth about his Ultimate Wealth System, so he opted for a more plausible explanation. "I invested the money from Dad's inheritance in the stock market and other investments," he said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "They've really paid off."

Méng Lóng raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied her son's face. She wasn't entirely convinced by his explanation, but she trusted Chén Lónɡ implicitly. "Be careful, son," she cautioned, her voice soft but serious. "Money can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Don't let it change you."

The stoplight turned green, and Chén Lónɡ eased the Pagani Huayra forward, merging into the flow of traffic. As they drove, Méng Lóng continued to question her son, seeking reassurance that he was making wise decisions.

After a few more minutes of driving, they arrived in front of Méng Lóng's flower shop. Chén Lónɡ pulled up to the curb, and his mother turned to him, a questioning expression on her face. "Aren't you coming in, son?" she asked.

Chén Lónɡ shook his head. "I need to deal with something, Mom," he said, his tone vague. "But I'll visit you soon, okay?"

Méng Lóng's face fell slightly, but she nodded, understanding. "Okay, son. Be careful, and don't forget to visit me soon."

Chén Lónɡ smiled, leaning over to kiss his mother's cheek. "I will, Mom. I promise."

As Chén Lónɡ drove away from his mother's flower shop, he headed towards the city, bound for his meeting with the chairman of JinHai Auto Parts. The GPS led him through the bustling streets, eventually guiding him to the upscale Green Lotus Restaurant.

The area was a hub of luxury, with high-end stores and boutiques lining the sidewalks. Expensively dressed pedestrians strolled along, admiring the sleek, luxurious cars parked along the curb. A Lamborghini Huracán, a Ferrari 488 GTB, and a Porsche 911 Carrera all vied for attention, their gleaming paint jobs and precision engineering drawing admiring glances.

The Green Lotus Restaurant itself was an imposing structure, its exterior designed to evoke the elegance and refinement of Ninhoye's rich cultural heritage. A large, ornate sign bearing the restaurant's logo – a stylized green lotus flower – hung above the entrance, while a team of smartly dressed valets efficiently handled the constant stream of luxury cars arriving and departing.

As Chén Lónɡ pulled up in the Pagani Huayra, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class pulled away from the curb, its occupants disappearing into the restaurant. The valets' eyes widened as they took in the sleek, exotic lines of the Huayra, and they quickly sprang into action, eager to attend to the rare and valuable vehicle.

Chén Lónɡ stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the area as he handed the keys to the waiting valet. "Take good care of her," he said, his voice firm but polite.

The valet nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "Of course, sir. We'll make sure she's treated like royalty."

Chén Lónɡ handed the valet a thousand-yuan, a generous tip for the man's services. The valet's eyes widened in shock as he accepted the note, and he bowed deeply, his face flushed with gratitude.

"Thank you, sir!" the valet exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you so much!"

Chén Lónɡ nodded curtly, his expression serious. He patted the valet's back as he walked past, his gesture a brief acknowledgment of the man's appreciation.

"Take care of the car," Chén Lónɡ said, his voice low and smooth. "I'll be back soon."

The valet nodded, still bowing, as Chén Lónɡ strode towards the entrance of the Green Lotus Restaurant. The valet's eyes remained fixed on the thousand-yuan note, a look of wonder still etched on his face before he bumps one of his fists in victory before getting into the car.

As Chén Lónɡ stepped into the Green Lotus Restaurant, he was enveloped in an atmosphere of opulence and refinement. The interior was designed to evoke the grandeur of ancient Ninhoye's imperial courts, with intricately carved wooden panels, delicate silk hangings, and gleaming jade accents.

The air was thick with the scent of incense and the soft strains of traditional Ninhoye music floated through the air, played on instruments such as the guqin and the pipa. The lighting was subtle and nuanced, with soft golden hues casting a warm glow over the lavish decor.

The patrons of the Green Lotus were a diverse and distinguished group, comprising of Ninhoye's elite. There were businessmen in tailored suits, sipping fine wine and negotiating deals over delicate porcelain cups. There were also politicians and government officials, their faces familiar from the news, enjoying discreet meetings in the restaurant's private rooms.

Chén Lónɡ's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of a famous Ninhoye actress, her face a flawless mask of beauty, laughing and chatting with a group of admirers. Nearby, a group of elderly men, their faces etched with age and wisdom, played a game of mahjong, their hands moving with a speed and dexterity that belied their years.

At the bar, a young couple, dressed in the latest fashion trends, sipped cocktails and gazed into each other's eyes, their love and adoration for each other palpable. The bartender, a skilled mixologist with a flair for the dramatic, crafted intricate cocktails with a flourish, his hands moving with the precision of a surgeon.

As Chén Lónɡ stepped deeper into the Green Lotus Restaurant, he was immediately noticeable among the crowd of Jihang's elite. His plain, unassuming attire stood out in stark contrast to the designer suits and luxury dresses that filled the room.

The patrons couldn't help but stare as Chén Lónɡ made his way through the crowded restaurant, his presence a jarring note in the midst of the luxurious atmosphere. The maître d', a impeccably dressed man with a haughty expression, looked up from his station and raised an eyebrow.

"Can I help you, sir?" the Lî Zháng asked, his tone polite but tinged with a hint of skepticism.

"May I have your name, please?" the Lî Zháng asked, his pen poised over his reservation book.Chén Lónɡ replied, "Chén Lónɡ.replied simply.

The Lî Zháng's expression changed from skepticism to surprise as he checked his book. "Ah, yes, Mr. Chén. You have a meeting with the chairman of JinHai Auto Parts. Right this way, sir. He said with a bow".

The lǐ zhǎng led Chén Lónɡ through the crowded restaurant, weaving past tables of laughing patrons and waiters balancing trays of delicate dishes. They arrived at a secluded table in a quiet corner of the restaurant, where a man sat sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup.

The man, slightly pudgy with a bald head and a well-groomed mustache, stood up to greet Chén Lónɡ. He wore a dark grey suit and sunglasses, which gave him an air of authority. He smiled politely and extended a hand.

"Chairman Liáng," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Chén Lónɡ."

Chén Lónɡ shook Chairman Liáng's hand, his grip firm. "The pleasure is mine, Chairman Liáng," he replied.

Behind Chairman Liáng, the tall, imposing bodyguard stood watch, his eyes fixed intently on Chén Lónɡ. Chairman Liáng gestured to the empty chair across from him.

"Please, Mr. Chén, have a seat," he said, his tone polite but commanding gesturing towards on of the empty chairs.

Here's the revised continuation:

Chén Lónɡ and Chairman Liáng sat down, the soft cushions of the chairs enveloping them in comfort. Before they could even settle in, a waitress rushed over to take their orders, her eyes shining with a mixture of curiosity and deference.

"Welcome, honorable gentlemen," she said, bowing low. "What can I get for you today?"

Chén Lónɡ smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He glanced at the menu, his fingers drumming a staccato beat on the tablecloth. "We'll have a bottle of your finest rice wine," he said. "The Golden Phoenix, I believe it's called."

The waitress nodded, her eyes widening in surprise. "Yes, sir. That's our most expensive and exclusive rice wine."

Chén Lónɡ nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Excellent. And to accompany it, we'll have two servings of the Golden Dragon's Breath."

The waitress bowed, her face flushing with excitement because she knew who ever managed to sell a dish that hadn't been sold in over five years they're bunus for achieving this would be emmence. "Right away, sir."

Chairman Liáng's eyes widened in surprise as Chén Lónɡ ordered the Golden Phoenix rice wine and the Golden Dragon's Breath dishes that only the imperial family could have afforded. He had expected Chén Lónɡ to be a man of modest means, given his plain attire, but the orders he had just placed suggested otherwise.

The chairman's surprise was evident on his face, and he leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed intently on Chén Lónɡ. He seemed to be reassessing his opinion of the younger man, and Chén Lónɡ could almost see the wheels turning in his mind.

The waitress, meanwhile, had bowed and backed away, a look of excitement still on her face. She hurried off to place their order, leaving Chén Lónɡ and Chairman Liáng alone at the table.

The chairman leaned forward, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "Mr. Chén," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I must say, I'm impressed. You have a taste for the finer things in life."

The waitress returned with their dishes, expertly balancing a tray laden with delicate porcelain and steaming hot food. She began to place the dishes on the table, her hands moving with a fluid grace.

As she finished, she bowed low, her eyes lingering on Chén Lónɡ. "Thank you, honorable gentlemen," she said, her voice husky. "I hope you enjoy your meal. And if you need anything, anything at all... just let me know." She batted her eyelashes at Chén Lónɡ, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips.

Chén Lónɡ's system alerted him with a notification:

"May Lee's favorability: 30%"

Chén Lónɡ's eyes widened in surprise. "What's going on?" he asked his system, his voice barely above a whisper. "What's this favorability thing?"

"It's a measure of how much a woman is drawn to you," the system replied, its voice neutral. "The higher the favorability, the more she likes you."

Chén Lónɡ's brow furrowed. "And what happens when it reaches 100%?"

The system's response was simple: "She becomes yours forever."

Chén Lónɡ's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean by 'yours forever'?"

The system explained, "When a woman's favorability reaches 100%, she will become deeply devoted to you. She will prioritize your needs and desires above all else, and she will remain loyal to you for as long as you desire."

Chén Lónɡ's mind reeled as he processed this information. He looked at May Lee, who was still smiling at him, and wondered what it would take to get her favorability to 100%.

Chén Lónɡ smiled at May Lee, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "Thank you, May Lee," he said, his voice sincere. "You've been an excellent waitress."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stack of yuan, peeling off 2000 yuan and handing it to May Lee. "Please, accept this as a token of my appreciation."

May Lee's eyes widened as she took the money, her face flushing with gratitude. "Thank you, sir!" she exclaimed, bowing low. "You're too kind!"

As she straightened up, Chén Lónɡ's system alerted him again:

"May Lee's favorability: 50%"

Chén Lónɡ smiled to himself, pleased with the increase. He watched as May Lee continued to sneak glances his way, her eyes sparkling with interest.

He took a sip of his rice wine, savoring the complex flavors. As he did, he caught May Lee's eye again, and she smiled at him, her cheeks flushing.

Chén Lónɡ smiled back, feeling a sense of anticipation. He had a feeling that this was just the beginning of a very interesting evening.