Forcing Me to Be a Godly Tycoon, Right?

Yuan Mei was astonished by Zhang Jingdong because it was the first time Yan Ning had brought a man to eat here, and he was so young and handsome.

Yuan Mei could tell he was definitely not a relative of Yan Ning, nor just a typical client, let alone a "kept man" she might have, for his eyes and brows exuded confidence and ease.

But she couldn't quite believe that he was Yan Ning's boyfriend either; after all, knowing Yan Ning as she did, it seemed almost impossible for her to do something quite so unconventional.

The reason Zhang Jingdong found Yuan Mei intriguing was that she did not look like a chef at all, but rather... somewhat like Lin Daiyu.

It might seem a bit abrupt to say so, but her temperament was quite reminiscent of Lin Daiyu who was always engrossed in poetry and in mourning the spring and fall, especially those eyes of hers—just like Chen Xiaoxu.

"Mr. Yan, you're here..."

Even her greeting had a playful tease to it.

"Sister Mei, our visit today was a bit sudden, do you still have bamboo shoots?"

"When you're here, of course there are!"

Yan Ning rarely showed such delight, "That's great, I can feast to my heart's content today. Oh, and make it a little spicier today."

"Alright."

It was then that Yan Ning seemed to remember something, hesitated slightly, and then said, "Sister Mei, this is my friend... Zhang Jingdong, he's also the owner of The one bar."

"Mr. Zhang, this is Sister Mei, the proprietor here."

At this, Yuan Mei's eyes gleamed with a playful curiosity as she turned to Zhang Jingdong, "Mr. Zhang, I'm surprised to find you're the owner of The one bar; that place is now Mr. Yan's millionaire's biggest rival."

"I've never heard Mr. Yan praise anyone before, but last time, I heard her say that it took you only two months to bring The one bar to its current state. Quite impressive indeed!"

Zhang Jingdong turned to Yan Ning with a teasing tone, "Really? She has never praised me like that to my face. Mr. Yan, please don't praise me to others next time, just praise me in front of me, okay? It gives me more motivation!"

With his words, the three beauties were all momentarily stunned.

Clearly, they hadn't expected this fellow to be so thick-skinned.

Besides, He Jieyu was purely enjoying the show.

Yan Ning was both annoyed and embarrassed.

And Yuan Mei had essentially confirmed the nature of Yan Ning's relationship with him.

"Mr. Zhang, no wonder you can share dinner with Mr. Yan, you really are a unique person."

Zhang Jingdong gave a wry smile, "Thank you. I have long heard of the fame of your private kitchen, and from the moment I walked in, I felt the extraordinary atmosphere here. Besides, I'm also looking forward to your cuisine."

Yuan Mei smiled calmly, "Okay, then you two go upstairs first; I'll go and cook now."

Saying this, she gave Yan Ning a meaningful look before turning and walking away.

At this, Yan Ning glared resentfully at Zhang Jingdong and walked towards the staircase.

Zhang Jingdong watched her retreat with a triumphant smile and quietly followed her up.

The private room was also exquisitely arranged, with a total area of about 40 square meters, divided in the middle by a screen.

To the left was the dining table, and to the right was a large writing desk with instruments for musical, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

From there, one could dine or enjoy the classical Chinese arts while admiring the view outside the window.

Zhang Jingdong glanced at the brush and inkstone on the table and said to Yan Ning, "Since you brought me to such a classic and elegant place, do you also have a bit of study in the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"

He Jieyu helped out, "Our Mr. Yan's calligraphy is exceptional. Just last time, at the provincial calligraphers' association competition, Mr. Yan won first prize!"

Zhang Jingdong seemed surprised, "Really? Then I must take a good look today. Mr. Yan, could you give me a chance to learn?"

Yan Ning, seeing the man usually surprising her in various ways, now showing such humility, ignored him but went straight to the writing desk.

Zhang Jingdong followed, his mind triggered, "I want to draw a lottery."

"The host has accumulated 180 points of goodwill from the target, meeting the conditions for drawing a lottery. You may proceed with the lottery!"

"Would you like to start the lottery?"

"Yes."

"Lottery begins..."

"Prize one: Qi Gong's calligraphy skills."

"Prize two: Yu Hua's writing skills."

"Prize three: Huang Yongyu's painting skills."

"I choose prize one."

"Exchange complete for prize one, the host has 5 lottery opportunities left. Would you like to continue drawing?"

"No."

When Zhang Jingdong got to her side, Yan Ning efficiently prepared the paper and ink, picked up the brush to dip it in ink, and in one go wrote Li Qingzhao's "Like a Dream":

Last night a gusty wind with light rain, Sleepless with the lingering of heavy wine, I ask the maid rolling up the screen, She says, "The crabapples are as usual." Do you know, do you know? The green should be plump, the red lean.

Zhang Jingdong admired it carefully, then couldn't help but marvel, "Tsk tsk, Mr. Yan is really a master, especially with the 'suddenness' of gusty wind and the 'lean' of green plump and red, casual yet coherent in mood, just this alone, must have taken at least ten years of practice!"

Yan Ning was pleased by the compliment at first, but quickly thought of something and then turned to look at Zhang Jingdong, "You must have practiced calligraphy before to have such discernment, right?"

Zhang Jingdong's gaze stayed on her writing, "I did practice a bit. It was during middle school when our school held a calligraphy competition. I wanted to show off, so I intensely practiced brush writing for a week, and ended up winning first place."

"During the award ceremony, our grade director who was a judge for the competition told me I had a very high talent for calligraphy, and he offered to personally teach me…"