Talking with Gu Xinyue!

Jian Chen took his seat leisurely, Gu Xinyue hesitating before sitting beside him. The two men who had followed along—both hoping to witness his embarrassment—shifted in their seats, their initial arrogance fading under the unfamiliar high-class setting.

A second waiter arrived, handing over a leather-bound menu embossed with silver letters.

"Sir, please take your time selecting your meal," the waiter said with a polite, professional tone.

Jian Chen casually flipped through the pages, skimming over the selections. The prices were steep—by normal standards, insane—but to him, it was all just another investment.

His lips curled slightly.

"I'll start with the truffle-infused lobster bisque and a handmade burrata caprese with aged balsamic."

The waiter stiffened slightly. Lobster bisque with truffle infusion was a signature dish, made using deep-sea crustaceans slow-simmered for twelve hours, enriched with cognac, and finished with a delicate truffle aroma. It was one of the most expensive appetisers on the menu, sitting at 120,000 credits per serving.

The Burrata Caprese, despite being a simple Italian dish, was elevated by the use of rare aged balsamic vinegar, imported from a private vineyard with over a century of history. The cost? 85,000 credits.

Gu Xinyue's fingers tightened against her lap. The price was beyond excessive.

The two men following them exchanged glances. They hadn't expected him to actually start ordering.

Jian Chen, as relaxed as ever, continued flipping through the menu.

"For the main course, we'll have the Fillet de Bœuf Rossini and the Risotto al Tartufo Bianco."

The waiter almost choked.

The Fillet de Bœuf Rossini was a classic French dish—a tender Wagyu fillet mignon, perfectly seared and served with pan-seared foie gras, a rich Madeira wine sauce, and delicate wild mushrooms. It was considered a nobleman's meal, priced at 300,000 credits per plate.

As for the Risotto al Tartufo Bianco, it was a North Italian delicacy, made using aged carnaroli rice, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and freshly shaved white truffle—the most expensive truffle in the world. A single portion went for 250,000 credits.

By now, even the second waiter looked shaken.

The two men in the group were speechless.

Jian Chen leaned back, glancing at the wine list. He tapped the edge of the menu as he came across an exceptional selection.

Ding!

[System Prompt: High-class expenditure detected!][Spending at such a level in front of Gu Xinyue has triggered a rare Status Shock event.][Rebate Multiplier: 4.0x]

Jian Chen's smirk deepened as he looked up at the waiter.

"For the wine… bring me a bottle of Château Margaux Grand Vin 1787."

The waiter's entire body froze.

The two men opposite Jian Chen suddenly sat up straight, their faces pale.

Gu Xinyue's lips parted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's..."

This wasn't just any wine.

Château Margaux Grand Vin 1787.

A legendary Bordeaux, crafted from pre-revolutionary French vineyards. It was one of the rarest and most expensive wines in existence, with only a few bottles remaining worldwide. The last known sale at an elite auction? 850,000 credits.

The first of the two men tried to laugh, but it came out strained. "Hah… you're joking, right?"

But before he could finish, Jian Chen placed his Black Diamond Card on the table.

"Why would I joke?" His tone was completely relaxed, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words.

The waiter immediately bowed and rushed out to process the order, leaving the others frozen in place.

Ding!

[System Prompt: Transaction confirmed.][Total bill estimated: 1.6 million credits.][Rebate Multiplier applied: 4.0x → Rebate awarded: 6.4 million credits!]

Jian Chen's smirk only grew wider.

Not only had he crushed their arrogance, but he had also walked away richer than before.

And judging by the way Gu Xinyue was now looking at him, this event had completely rewritten her perception of him.

Tonight was only the beginning.

"I am sorry; I did not mean to surprise you like that…"

Jian Chen's voice was smooth and composed as he turned toward Gu Xinyue, his gaze steady yet carrying a hint of warmth.

She had gone quiet ever since he placed the extravagant order, her jade-like eyes flickering with a complex mix of emotions. The flickering candlelight on the table cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting her slightly furrowed brows.

"I was also hungry," Jian Chen added casually, leaning back into his seat with effortless grace. "So this situation proved quite useful."

Gu Xinyue's fingers curled slightly over her lap.

She knew she shouldn't overthink things, but she couldn't help it. They weren't even dating. Spending this much money—an amount that could buy a small apartment in the city—just to have dinner with her felt… excessive.

She lifted her gaze, staring at him in silence for a few moments before finally speaking.

"…You didn't have to do all that." Her voice was soft but firm. "I mean… I don't mind eating here, but… isn't this a little too much?"

Jian Chen tilted his head slightly, watching her with an unreadable expression.

"Too much?" He echoed, as if the concept was foreign to him.

Gu Xinyue hesitated before explaining further, her voice dropping slightly. "It's just… food should be enjoyable, but not wasteful. The amount you spent just now… Most people wouldn't even earn that in years."

Jian Chen smiled faintly, resting his arm against the table as he observed her carefully.

"Do you think it's a waste?" His tone was neutral, but the weight behind it was evident.

Gu Xinyue paused, feeling a little flustered under his unwavering gaze. "…I just don't think you need to do something like this. Especially not for someone like me."

Jian Chen chuckled softly, his amusement barely concealed. "Someone like you?"

She lowered her gaze slightly, fingers lightly tracing the edge of the silk napkin on the table. "I mean… I don't even know why you're doing this. We're not—" She hesitated, searching for the right words. "We're not even in that kind of relationship."

Jian Chen exhaled lightly and leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Gu Xinyue." His voice was calm, but the way he spoke her name made her heart skip a beat.

"I don't see it as wasteful. I wanted to eat something good, and I wanted good company while doing so. That's all there is to it."

His words were simple, but something about them carried an underlying weight, making Gu Xinyue's thoughts tangle.

She bit her lip slightly, looking away. "…You're really unpredictable."

Jian Chen smirked. "And yet, you're still here, sitting across from me."

Gu Xinyue didn't respond right away. Instead, she reached for the glass of water in front of her, taking a small sip as if to cool the strange warmth rising inside her chest.

"I don't understand you," she admitted softly.

Jian Chen leaned back, his smirk deepening. "You don't need to. Just enjoy the meal."

Before Gu Xinyue could respond, the waiter arrived, carefully setting down the first course—a beautifully plated dish of truffle-infused lobster bisque accompanied by fresh handmade burrata caprese with aged balsamic drizzle.

As the delicate aroma of rich seafood broth and truffle filled the air, Gu Xinyue's breath hitched slightly.

The food looked insanely luxurious.

She hesitated again, but then, as Jian Chen picked up his spoon without a second thought, she sighed quietly and did the same.

"…Just this once," she murmured.

Jian Chen smiled, watching her as she took her first bite.

Ding!

[System Prompt: Gu Xinyue's Emotion Meter has increased.]

[Rebate Multiplier adjusting… additional benefits pending.]

Jian Chen's smirk widened.

Tonight was going even better than he expected.