Chapter 66: Grilled Fish
"Come on, do you really think I’d lie to you about food, Yan? Hurry up, I’m starving!" Chen Tianlong urged deliberately.
Shen Yan flashed a charming smile, turned around, and walked ahead, her red high heels flickering in front of Chen Tianlong, while her tight-fitting short skirt exuded an air of irresistible allure.
Chen Tianlong took a deep breath, and just one glance was as satisfying as eating a few grilled fish.
They soon entered the grilled fish restaurant, only to find it already packed with people. Chen Tianlong glanced around, feeling a bit puzzled.
"Yan, what do we do now?" Chen Tianlong shrugged, smiling wryly.
"Watch me!"
Shen Yan, completely unfazed, walked calmly towards the service counter. Chen Tianlong, having no clue what she was up to, followed her.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman walked out from behind the counter. She looked ordinary, and her attire was quite plain.
Chen Tianlong took a glance and thought she was just an aunt cleaning tables in the restaurant.
"Xiaoyu, you finally came! Mrs. Huang has been waiting for you. I keep telling you to come often, just like your own home, and you don’t even need to pay!" The middle-aged woman greeted happily, grabbing Shen Yan’s hand.
Huh?
Chen Tianlong was taken aback. What was happening? Did that aunt just say Shen Yan comes often and doesn’t need to pay?
"Oh dear, you’re so busy as the boss here. I doubt you’d even notice if I came by. Plus, knowing it’s free, I’m scared people will say I’m just mooching."
Shen Yan grinned widely.
"Come on, I know you’re busy too. But seriously, you’re not getting any younger. Find yourself a boyfriend and start a family. Forget about that jerk, it’s time to move on." Mrs. Huang seemed to know a lot about Shen Yan’s life, chatting endlessly.
Just then, she spotted Chen Tianlong walking behind Shen Yan, and frowned before she realized: "Xiaoyan, who’s the gentleman behind you?"
"Oh, he’s a colleague from school, I asked him to help me move something upstairs today." Shen Yan quickly explained. She had lied, Chen Tianlong wasn’t much older, just by two years, so claiming he was a student felt off.
Moreover, for some reason, she suddenly blushed while explaining.
This small gesture didn’t escape Mrs. Huang’s notice at all. Shen Yan, an orphan, had been raised with great difficulty by the orphanage director who encouraged her brilliance by sending her to school.
However, during high school, tuition and living expenses became a burden to the director. That was when Mrs. Huang, a widow, stepped in. Seeing Shen Yan’s plight, she treated her like her own daughter, helping her complete her studies.
After seven years of hard work, Shen Yan graduated from a prestigious university and came to teach at South Sea No.1 Middle School.
"A colleague, huh? That’s great, more chances to bond." Mrs. Huang took a liking to Chen Tianlong, finding him much more appealing than Shen Yan’s ex.
No surprise there since Chen Tianlong had been through so much growing up, appearing more mature, while Shen Yan looked so youthful, making them seem like a perfect match.
"Oh, Mrs. Huang, stop it! We’re just ordinary friends, nothing more." Shen Yan’s face blushed at Mrs. Huang’s teasing.
"Haha, I see, I see!" Mrs. Huang chuckled mischievously, winking at Chen Tianlong.
Chen Tianlong was stunned but then realized Mrs. Huang had misunderstood his relationship with Shen Yan.
"Hello Mrs. Huang, I’m Chen Tianlong, Zhao Yan’s... colleague." Since he was already being talked about, Chen Tianlong stepped forward to greet her, playing along with Shen Yan’s act.
"Haha, nice to meet you, Chen." Mrs. Huang gave him a warm nickname and continued, "There’s a VIP room upstairs, go ahead, order anything you like, it’s on me."
"Ah? Well..."
"What ’well’? We’re all family here, no need to be polite. Xiaoyu, take him upstairs, why are you standing there?" Mrs. Huang urged Shen Yan, giving her a knowing look.
Shen Yan felt speechless. The more you explain these things, the more confusing they get, so she simply grabbed Chen Tianlong’s hand and headed upstairs.
Mrs. Huang watched them holding hands and was certain now they were definitely a couple.
Chen Tianlong chuckled bitterly. There wasn’t much going on, but with Shen Yan suddenly holding his hand, any misunderstanding couldn’t be cleared now.
The two quickly reached the second floor. Shen Yan had only held Chen Tianlong’s hand to stop Mrs. Huang’s chatter. Now, as things calmed down, she realized how intimate holding his hand felt, causing her face to flush instantly with embarrassment.
"Oh, it’s hot!" Shen Yan’s face was burning, so she used it as an excuse.
"Hot? Isn’t the air conditioning on?" Chen Tianlong was puzzled, then he saw Shen Yan’s blushing face and understood instantly. "Oh, haha, it is a bit warm."
Shen Yan gave him a hard look, thinking he just had to expose her, couldn’t he see she was already blushing?
Soon after they sat down, a waitress came over and asked, "What would you like to eat? I’m ready to take your order."
This was a VIP room, after all, reserved for important guests or friends of the boss, so the service was naturally attentive.
"Please wait a moment, pretty lady." Chen Tianlong took the menu, but after a glance, it looked dizzying. So, he passed it to Shen Yan, knowing she was a regular and likely knew what’s good.
Seeing his action, Shen Yan covered her mouth and chuckled, taking the menu and saying, "We’ll have the signature spicy grilled fish, a plate of shrimp, two dishes of peanuts... and two bottles of beer."
Chen Tianlong was surprised. Was this girl planning to get drunk so they could do something tonight?
At that moment, he remembered their chat on that night, especially the sizzling photos.
"Chen Tianlong, would you like to add anything?" Shen Yan suddenly asked, catching him staring at her intently.
"Huh? Um... that should be enough." Chen Tianlong finally snapped out of it, recalling those scenes, he was clearly a bit dazed.
"Alright, please wait a moment." The waitress quickly left after jotting down their order.
Once the waitress was gone, Shen Yan glared at Chen Tianlong and playfully chided, "Chen Tianlong, I’m older than you, practically your elder. Don’t stare at me like that; I’m a girl, you know... it makes me shy."