Chapter 10: The Free Feast Isn't Cheap

The old lady was left bewildered by Mu Qiao’s rapid-fire questions.
“Miss, who are you talking about? Zhang who?”
“Zhang Shen—the famous doctor in your area.”
“What? Doctor Zhang? We don’t have anyone like that here!”
“Not Doctor Zhang, Zhang Shen.”
“The most renowned doctors are all in Yuehu City, not in Shunyi Lane.”
Mu Qiao couldn’t tell if the old lady truly didn’t know or was simply toying with her. But since she couldn’t get any useful information, she decided not to press further.

Letting go of the old lady’s arm, Mu Qiao started searching for Zhang Shen in Shunyi Lane on her own.

Beneath her seemingly glamorous appearance, Mu Qiao was actually a subordinate of Jiang Zhengxing, the elder brother of Jiang Muyun. She had come to Yuehu City under Jiang Zhengxing’s orders: first, to investigate Zhang Shen’s background, and second, to protect Jiang Muyun and, if possible, bring her back to her brother’s side.

How she’d managed to find this place was all thanks to a phone call from Jiang Muyun and the miraculous tales of Zhang Shen’s healing abilities. If not for that call, her boss, Jiang Zhengxing, wouldn’t have been able to use the tracking system to locate Jiang Muyun. What shocked Jiang Zhengxing even more was that his own sister was mingling with an unlicensed doctor. If word got out, the family’s reputation would be ruined—never mind the fact that his sister still had toxins within her body…

Meanwhile, Jiang Muyun was driving Zhang Shen to Shunyi Lane.

“We’ve been busy all day. I need something to eat. How about spicy hot pot?” Zhang Shen said offhandedly.

But Jiang Muyun had other thoughts. This man had just called her “Little Yun” a moment ago, and now, without even asking her preferences or dietary restrictions, he was making decisions on his own. As she suspected, he was not only a typical straight man, but also a bit of a fool.

Zhang Shen, clueless about the subtleties of the heart, naturally couldn’t guess what Jiang Muyun was thinking.

“Hey! Why so quiet? Don’t tell me you’re too tired to think straight!” Zhang Shen teased her deliberately.

Jiang Muyun huffed in annoyance, but unwilling to say it outright, she replied, “After handling such a big job for you, you can’t just fob me off with one bowl of spicy hot pot, can you?”

“Uh! You’re right,” Zhang Shen scratched his head.

Jiang Muyun thought for a moment that Zhang Shen was finally getting a clue, but his next words left her speechless.

“You’re right. Since Little Yun has been running around and working so hard, let’s make it two bowls. No—three!”

“Ugh, I’m done talking to you.” Seeing the irritation on Jiang Muyun’s youthful face, Zhang Shen realized that understanding a girl’s mind was beyond him.

“All right, then what do you want to eat?”
“Whatever,” Jiang Muyun muttered, not even glancing at him.

Zhang Shen, though well-versed in pharmacology, was a complete novice when it came to girls.

“How about this: you decide what we eat, and I’ll go along. Is that good enough?”

In fact, from the very first time she’d seen Zhang Shen, Jiang Muyun knew what kind of person he was—just an “unlicensed doctor” skilled in healing. But in her world, none of that seemed to matter.

Seeing how Zhang Shen was now so eager to please, Jiang Muyun realized he’d understood his mistake and decided not to make things more difficult for him.

“I know a restaurant nearby that’s quite good. Why don’t we go there?” With her anger now replaced by a playful smile, Jiang Muyun suggested cheerfully.

“Um…” Zhang Shen seemed a bit troubled.

“What, don’t you think I deserve some thanks?”
“That’s not it. Let’s go—right now.”

Seeing Zhang Shen’s sincere apology, Jiang Muyun decided not to dwell on it any longer.

Once they arrived at the restaurant, Jiang Muyun began ordering dishes with practiced ease.

Soon, slow-cooked foie gras with Iberian ham and black truffle, bluefin toro, black caviar, and other delicacies were served one after another.

Staring at the lavish spread, Zhang Shen nearly drooled; his pitiful appearance even made the waiters glance at him askance.

In their eyes, Zhang Shen was only there to woo the girl across from him, which was why he’d chosen such an upscale place. But since he was already there, why fret over a bit of money?

As for Zhang Shen himself, he was inwardly cursing Jiang Muyun. How was this girl so familiar with the place? And with her polite and poised demeanor, it was obvious this wasn’t her first visit.

“Today I must thank Mr. Zhang for his generous hospitality—so I won’t hold back,” Jiang Muyun teased, not giving Zhang Shen a chance to refuse. He had no choice but to brace himself.

Every dish was beautifully presented and delicious. The ingredients were all incredibly fresh; each bite was tender, flavorful, and left him wanting more.

The only thing Zhang Shen disliked was that the portions were so small—just as he started to enjoy, the dish was finished.

This meal would probably cost him three or four months’ salary as an internet café manager.

…

After sampling five flavors and burping contentedly, Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun finally finished their meal.

“Are you full? Satisfied?”
“Mm, very satisfied,” Jiang Muyun replied, her eyes twinkling.

“Good, then you can go pay the bill now.”
“Go on, Mr. Zhang.”

“Me? You must be joking!”
“What, you expect a frail woman like me to pay?”
“Come on, I said spicy hot pot and you insisted on coming here. You know I’m just an internet café manager—I can’t afford to be extravagant here.”

“You… why didn’t you say so earlier?” Jiang Muyun was too stuffed to even scold him properly.

“When you looked so fierce just now, would I have dared to say no?”

“You…”

“Big sister, you’d better figure out the bill quickly. We can’t just dine and dash, can we?”

Just as Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun were bickering, a striking figure entered the restaurant.

“Miss, table for how many?”
“One, please.”
“Right this way.”

The server politely gestured for her to enter.

Sometimes fate truly likes to play tricks. Guided by the server, Mu Qiao was led to her seat—only to spot her boss’s sister, Jiang Muyun, apparently sulking with a man. Could this man be Zhang Shen?

If so, her boss’s task would be much easier. But why would Miss Jiang come to such a place with a man who annoyed her?