Lin Yiren carried a plate of steak in one hand and a bottle of sparkling water in the other, her sharp eyes spotting an open seat in the corner.
She turned and called out to Chen Zhaoyue, and the two sat down.
Lin Yiren barely touched her chair before standing up again. “I’m going to get a lobster. I just saw a huge one.”
Chen Zhaoyue watched as she bustled off once more, getting the distinct feeling they’d come to a buffet.
Before long, a large lobster, along with a set of tools for peeling it, was brought to the table by Lin Yiren.
On the small table sat flame-grilled steak sprinkled with sea salt and black pepper, the codfish and creamy soup in Chen Zhaoyue’s plate, and a lobster that still seemed to sing with life.
Lin Yiren tapped and knocked at the lobster shell with her fork, her clear, bright eyes fixed on Chen Zhaoyue.
“Want me to help peel it for you?” Chen Zhaoyue propped her chin on her crossed hands, their gazes meeting in the air.
“Of course not. You tell me how, and I’ll do the honors.” Lin Yiren struck a gentlemanly pose.
“Then—start by peeling out the tail,” said Chen Zhaoyue.
Following her instructions, Lin Yiren carefully separated the lobster, picked out the plump and firm meat, and placed it into Chen Zhaoyue’s plate.
“This is your first time peeling lobster and your technique is already perfect, Yiren. Thank you.” Chen Zhaoyue elegantly twirled the lobster meat in sauce with her fork, a smile in her eyes as she offered Lin Yiren a compliment.
A girl in a black dress, as refined as an orchid, smiled as she thanked her for peeling the lobster meat—this scene filled Lin Yiren with a deep sense of accomplishment.
Her hands moved even more deftly.
She cracked the lobster claw, carefully pried out the meat, and prepared to place it in Chen Zhaoyue’s plate again.
“Didn’t you want to eat? Why are you giving it all to me?” Chen Zhaoyue feigned a probing look, though her eyes were bright with amusement.
Lin Yiren’s cheeks flushed, but she quickly composed herself and replied, “Ladies first. I’ll serve you first.”
“Mhm—your service is indeed excellent.”
Lin Yiren fell silent, keeping her head down as she handed over the snowy, tender lobster meat to Chen Zhaoyue, then busied herself with the claw crackers and tongs.
Very soon, all that remained of the large lobster on the table were the empty shells.
***
Lin Yiren rolled a piece of meat she’d kept for herself in the thick sauce and put it in her mouth, where the fresh flavor burst open.
The taste of the ocean~
She squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
“Cheers.”
Champagne and sparkling water clinked softly in the air, producing a clear, crisp sound.
Lin Yiren took a sip, and the sharp fizz instantly wrapped around her tongue, making her scrunch up her face.
“Did it get you with the sourness?” Chen Zhaoyue noticed the girl across from her had knitted her delicate brows into the character ‘川’.
“I’ve never had such strong sparkling water before.” Lin Yiren held her wineglass as if she’d just had a shot of liquor.
“Why aren’t you drinking alcohol?”
“I don’t like it,” Lin Yiren said, touching her nose, “And I get drunk easily.”
Chen Zhaoyue raised an eyebrow.
After speaking, Lin Yiren began to cut her steak, her knife making a soft “shhh” sound against the iron plate.
Chen Zhaoyue lowered her head as well, gently stirring her cod, but in her mind she wondered—what would Lin Yiren look like when drunk?
Lin Yiren speared a juicy piece of steak, enjoying its tender, moist texture as she chewed, glancing around.
“It seems like everyone here is young,” she said, swallowing the beef and stating her conclusion.
“Yes, they’ve all come to get to know each other and socialize.” Chen Zhaoyue straightened her back gracefully, chewing her food slowly and thoroughly.
So this is what upper-class socializing is like, Lin Yiren thought with a click of her tongue.
***
While everyone around them busied themselves forging connections, the two sat quietly in a secluded corner, chatting about interesting things, sometimes even mentioning their children.
It actually felt a bit like eating at home, Lin Yiren thought. In this space full of wealth and clever talk, the air around her felt relaxed and comfortable.
Was it because of the secluded spot, or—
In fact, most of Lin Yiren’s gaze was occupied by the girl across from her.
Leaning back in her chair, she rubbed her full belly, thinking how nice it would be to stay like this until the ball began.
But someone was approaching, the click of high heels growing nearer.
“Zhaoyue, here you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
The owner of the heels was a girl with exquisite makeup, smiling warmly at them.
Chen Zhaoyue seemed a bit surprised, as if she didn’t know the newcomer.
The girl naturally introduced herself, then said, “Uncle Chen said you’d be here today, and that we could chat together.”
As she spoke, she gestured into the distance, where several young men and women waved in their direction.
So it turned out Chen An had arranged this opportunity for them to network.
Why didn’t he say anything? Chen Zhaoyue rubbed her brow, a bit troubled.
Lin Yiren, however, completely understood Chen An’s thinking. After all, Chen Zhaoyue was about to join her own family’s company, and in the future, she’d have to interact with people of similar backgrounds.
She couldn’t hog Chen Zhaoyue all to herself and turn this banquet into a family meal.
Biting her lower lip in mixed feelings, Lin Yiren still looked up and said to Chen Zhaoyue, “Go ahead. I’ll come find you when the ball starts.”
Chen Zhaoyue seemed unwilling to leave, about to say something.
Lin Yiren gave a teasing smile, “I won’t get lost.”
Chen Zhaoyue realized she was treating Lin Yiren like a child and straightened her skirt as she stood up.
Before leaving, she said, “Call me if you need anything.”
Lin Yiren nodded eagerly like a pecking chick.
As the girl in the black dress swayed away, Lin Yiren withdrew her gaze.
The comfortable air around her seemed to grow heavier.
So, Chen Zhaoyue was the source of her sense of security.
***
At least it was still quiet here.
Lin Yiren picked up Chen Zhaoyue’s purse and fished out her own phone.
Her dress, cut close to her body, didn’t have any pockets, so she’d left her phone in Chen Zhaoyue’s bag.
Time to pass the time.
Lin Yiren tapped her phone twice, turned it sideways, and began to move both thumbs.
She soon became absorbed in the game, her previously careful posture shifting into standard gaming form—legs slightly apart, leaning forward, elbows propped on her knees.
Games really could help people relax, Lin Yiren thought—
She wondered if that young lady, who once compared her to a game, was still glancing over at this corner in concern.
Lin Yiren kept her head down, her feet idly shifting on the floor, making her light dress sway.
Just as her fingers blurred into a flurry of movement, a male voice sounded above her—
“Miss, are you here alone?”
Lin Yiren’s small hands paused, and she looked up in puzzlement.
So handsome.
The boy in a black suit’s pupils shrank, his eyes lighting up with joy—he knew he had a good eye. Even from afar, he’d spotted this girl sitting in the corner. He wasn’t sure why she was sitting in such an odd posture, but her face exceeded even his highest expectations.
“May I have the honor of dancing with you later?” He struck a charming pose.
Was this… being hit on?
Lin Yiren’s expression turned as sour as if she’d swallowed a fly. Being looked at by a man with such an obvious gaze of interest made her skin crawl.
“No, thank you. I already have plans.” She needed to get rid of him quickly.
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