NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 36
Zheng Jie and his team won the basketball match. Drinking a couple rounds after the game wasn't enough, they had to drag their dormmates out for a hot pot dinner too.
His roommates laughed and mocked the poor skills of their opponents, while Shang Lu absentmindedly reflected on how his eyes for beauty had clouded his brilliant mind.
It wasn't until they entered the restaurant and were assaulted by the potent aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers that he finally snapped back to reality.
Zheng Jie pulled him along to find seats but noticed Shang Lu fixed his gaze somewhere, blurting out without thinking, "Hey, Shang Lu, isn't that the chick who delivered our package the other day?"
Jiang Yan looked up, pretending not to be familiar with Shang Lu, and gave them a reserved greeting, "What a coincidence."
"What's going on here?"
"Shang Lu? You two... know each other?"
The unfamiliar guys pushed and prodded Shang Lu, gossiping, while Zheng Jie casually chatted with Jiang Yan, "You work here? Then we'll come support your business from now on!"
"You really shouldn't. I'm paid by the hour..." Before Jiang Yan could finish, the calm voice of the boss came from behind, "Little Wu."
Jiang Yan froze, slowly turning her head to see the boss calmly say, "Two more lamb wraps for table three. Note it down."
"Yes, boss." Jiang Yan hurriedly stood up, grabbed a pen and jotted it down. With a standard smile, Zheng Jie said, "Welcome, valued customers. Please continue to support our business. Thank you."
Zheng Jie was dumbfounded. She slightly tilted her head, seeing the boss give an approving nod before turning to leave.
"That's your boss?" Zheng Jie said with lingering fear, "He's a bit intimidating."
"Don't say that about our boss," Jiang Yan said nervously, covering her mouth in case she let anything else slip, dutiful in expressing her loyalty, "He's so kind, the best boss ever."
Zheng Jie looked at her, somewhat bewildered.
Shang Lu didn't hold back, letting out a scornful snort. The others behind him couldn't help but burst into laughter too.
Jiang Yan maintained a sweet smile, her eyes brimming with tears, "You guys, just find a seat. There are servers to assist you."
For some reason, they chose the table closest to the cashier.
The freshly cooked hot pot base released an intense aroma, making Jiang Yan cover her mouth, practically drooling.
Oh food voucher, how could you eat your own food?
Zheng Jie warmly invited her, "Come eat with us."
Jiang Yan painfully declined, "I'm on the clock."
However, when preparing the dipping sauces, Shang Lu made an extra portion.
Shrimp balls, tofu puffs, chicken drumsticks, beef rolls, crab sticks, lobster balls, crispy tripe, enoki mushrooms, and baby bok choy were successively added to the pot. As each ingredient finished cooking, Shang Lu used the shared chopsticks to transfer some into the extra bowl, eventually making a heaping portion.
Zheng Jie poked Shang Lu, "You should pass it over to your future sister-in-law."
Shang Lu raised his brow, "Or what, you want me to feed you with my own hands?"
Zheng Jie exclaimed dramatically, "No wonder our Shang Lu can find a girlfriend."
"That's right, that's right."
"Shang Lu is quite the smooth operator," the other two chimed in with laughter.
When Shang Lu brought the bowl over, Jiang Yan was moved to tears, boldly declaring, "I love you to death. Ah, when I have money someday, I'll definitely treat you to a hot pot meal."
"Just a moment ago, you said we weren't even acquainted, that's quite the turnaround," Shang Lu scoffed, leaning against the cashier counter and watching her stare unblinkingly at the bowl with big, adoring eyes. She was utterly adorable.
With her meal voucher privilege, Jiang Yan didn't care about the awkward phone interactions anymore. Having only eaten a piece of dry bread that morning, she was already starving just from the aroma. She picked up her chopsticks and dug in.
Jiang Yan was beautiful, with curled, upturned lashes, big eyes, a delicate nose bridge, plump cherry-colored lips, and milky white skin. She looked like an exquisite doll, the type that attracts many fans among men.
Every time Shang Lu looked at her, he wanted to kiss her.
Jiang Yan ate happily, bite by bite, making anyone who watched her feel hungry themselves.
Suddenly, the boss's voice rang out, "Little Wu, no dating on the clock."
Shang Lu paused, while Jiang Yan hurriedly turned around, but didn't see the boss. She lowered her voice to explain, "Boss, I'm not dating. There's nothing between us."
No one responded to her. With a bitter expression, Jiang Yan pushed Shang Lu, "You go back and eat your hot pot. I'll repay the favor another day."
Shang Lu licked the back of his teeth, thinking, "Sure, just called me brother a couple days ago and now it's gone. Now that she mentioned repaying a favor, suddenly there's no relation."