Chapter 25. Eating Out

"Big brother, can I add you on WeChat?"

As she approached the table, the girl raised her phone, her cheeks flushed as she spoke.

Seeing this, several girls at a nearby table immediately broke into a chorus of teasing cheers.

"???"

Chen Zixuan was full of question marks—was he being hit on?

In the past, whenever he was alone, girls had never so much as glanced at him.

Yet this was his very first time going out with Gu Yanxi, and someone was already trying to strike up a conversation.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Chen Zixuan was about to refuse, when he glimpsed Gu Yanxi across from him squinting her eyes, coldly glaring at him.

A chill inexplicably ran down his spine, and he hurriedly said, "Sorry, my phone is broken."

The girl was undeterred. Gritting her teeth, she insisted, "That's okay, just tell me your WeChat ID and I'll add you."

She really was persistent. Chen Zixuan could only reply helplessly, "Sorry, I don't have WeChat."

It was just nerves earlier, but by this point, the girl understood that Chen Zixuan was refusing her.

Stealing another glance at the girl sitting opposite Chen Zixuan, the girl's remaining sliver of self-esteem was utterly crushed.

Although she was a little older, she considered herself youthful and attractive, with fairly good looks by most standards, and a fair number of admirers in her everyday life.

However, compared to the young woman across from the boy, she realized she could only meekly accept her place as an 'auntie.'

"Sorry to bother you."

The girl felt a sharp pain in her pride, gave Chen Zixuan a deep bow, then turned and left the barbecue restaurant in low spirits.

It seemed that after being set up by her girlfriends, she didn't even have the appetite to eat anymore.

This minor episode did nothing to dampen Chen Zixuan's mood. He picked up a slice of meat and placed it on the grill.

Fat sizzled as it hit the scorching hot iron plate.

"It'll be ready in a moment,"

Chen Zixuan said.

However, Gu Yanxi still looked displeased and said coldly, "What, are you feeling uncomfortable in your heart after turning down a girl who was interested in you?"

"Not at all,"

Chen Zixuan played dumb and explained,

"I don't even know her, and besides, I'm having dinner with you this time. What does that have to do with anyone else?"

He assumed this would put Gu Yanxi at ease, but to his surprise, she didn't back down—she pressed further: "Really? So the next time I don't have dinner with you, does that mean you'd agree if it was her?"

Chen Zixuan wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, then self-deprecatingly tried to reassure her, "How could I? I know my own worth. Someone like me, poor and ugly, besides Miss Gu being willing to keep me company, how could any other girl ever like me?"

"Smooth talker."

Gu Yanxi snorted lightly, then mercilessly jabbed, "It's good that you know your place. No girl would ever like you. If they get close, they're just trying to toy with your feelings."

"Then what about you?"

Chen Zixuan suddenly asked.

"Huh?"

Gu Yanxi's hand shook, and her wooden chopsticks clattered onto the table with a crisp sound.

Realizing her loss of composure, the girl was both embarrassed and angry, afraid that Chen Zixuan would get the wrong idea. She hurriedly explained, "I... I'm not like them..."

The corners of Chen Zixuan's mouth turned up just slightly. He stopped teasing her and instead picked up a piece of grilled meat, placing it in her plate.

"Thank you."

Gu Yanxi lowered her head and quietly began to eat, finally saying nothing more.

The barbecue at this place tasted pretty good—far better than the cheap street restaurants Chen Zixuan was used to—and he enjoyed himself.

But Gu Yanxi remained silent, which made the atmosphere rather tense.

With her light appetite, Gu Yanxi was full in less than ten minutes.

She put down her chopsticks, then picked up her phone and said, "I'm going to the restroom," before getting up to leave.

"The restroom is that way; you're headed for the front desk."

Chen Zixuan chuckled and pointed in the direction behind her.

Normally, for just a trip to the restroom, one wouldn't need to bring a phone, and Gu Yanxi's white dress didn't have any pockets.

Plus, she'd been heading for the front desk—not hard to figure out what she had in mind.

She was probably trying to sneak off to pay the bill... Really, such a troublemaking girl.

Gu Yanxi looked awkward, frozen in place, hesitating for a long moment before finally explaining, "All of a sudden, I don't feel like going to the restroom. I'll just go buy something."

"Sit down, I've got plenty of money. It's not like I can't afford one meal."

Chen Zixuan sighed softly with a helpless smile.

"How much is 'plenty'?"

Since her lie had been seen through, Gu Yanxi decided not to hide anymore, and returned to her seat.

Chen Zixuan hesitated, but figured there was no need to hide anything from her. So he pulled up his bank balance on his phone and handed it to her.

"Just don't tell anyone—please help me keep this a secret."

But he was a little too late with that request.

Gu Yanxi, covering her mouth, couldn't help gasping in shock, her face filled with disbelief: "Two million!"

"Shh! Keep it down."

Chen Zixuan quickly winked at her.

Only then did Gu Yanxi realize her outburst and hurriedly covered her mouth, shaking her head, then whispered, "Did you win the lottery?"

"No, I'll explain it to you some other time."

The matter of the game was complicated—and potentially dangerous—so Chen Zixuan didn't want to drag Gu Yanxi into it.

Yet, no matter how quietly the two spoke, their conversation drew the attention of the table next to them.

"People these days, huh? They'll say anything just to pick up girls. Such a waste of bullshit," jeered a shirtless boy, winking at his companions, his tone full of disdain.

He had dyed yellow hair, a crooked river-dragon tattoo sprawled across his skinny chest, and even though the barbecue restaurant had air conditioning, he was still shirtless—eager to flaunt his ink.

People who use iPhones never buy cases, and guys with tattoos are always 'too hot' for shirts—it's practically a stereotype.

His yellow-haired companions burst out laughing, filling the restaurant with rowdy joy.

Chen Zixuan merely glanced at them, then looked away.

In this area, with so many electronics factories nearby, these youths speaking with out-of-town accents were probably just factory workers.

Given Chen Zixuan's current assets, he was now a millionaire with a broader perspective, and saw no need to stoop to the level of these bottom-rung troublemakers.

However, Gu Yanxi's expression suddenly darkened, like a summer storm breaking in June.

As an only child, and the campus beauty, Gu Yanxi was used to being doted on wherever she went—when had she ever suffered such disgusting verbal abuse?

"Trash is trash. Even if you dress them in human clothes, at their core, they're still trash."

The girl's cool, clear voice echoed softly through the restaurant.

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Author's Note: October is over! It's been over twenty days since I started this book, *Vampire Prince*.

Because of various reasons, I started writing this book rather late. And unfortunately, I missed the boost from official recommendations. I'm still in a rather desperate state of running 'naked'—without boosts or promotions.

Other books already have seven or eight thousand, or even ten thousand collections. Even weaker ones have three or four thousand. Watching others take off has been rather tough.

Still, with just 50,000 words, this result is thanks to all of you! Thank you to every reader who collects, likes, votes, and gives rewards. As long as you keep supporting me, I'll keep writing this book!

Looking at other contest entries, whether it's monthly votes or tipping, our book has completely blown away the works of others at the same level. I'm happy and deeply grateful for your support—and in the future, there will surely be more bonus chapters!

Tomorrow is November—a new month for voting, so your humble author is here to ask for a few votes, and also to set a flag:From November 1st to November 3rd:If this book gets over 100 monthly tickets, I'll post 5 bonus chapters in November.

If it gets over 200 tickets, 15 bonus chapters in November.

If over 300 tickets, 30 bonus chapters in November, and from then on, it'll update twice daily—this rule will stay forever!

I've taken enough setbacks—no more bold declarations. Thank you, everyone.

October 31, 2020—From Raven-chan with respect.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=Left the author's note as is...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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