"Okay, I'll just wait for a moment."

Ling Zhenfei waited in the room, and before long heard footsteps approaching outside.

Ling Zhenfei easily discerned the sound of two pairs of high heels, indicating that two women were coming.

The footsteps halted at the door, followed by a gentle knock, and then the door was pushed open, admitting one person.

Yes, just one person, and then the door was closed.

A woman walked in, dressed very youthfully, but Ling Zhenfei's discerning gaze could see through any makeup.

So, Ling Zhenfei immediately recognized the woman to be around her thirties, very pretty, wearing a striking yellow dress.

Ling Zhenfei had never seen anyone look so good in yellow.

A sense of awe silently filled Ling Zhenfei's heart; the woman's aura was polished from years of navigating the commercial seas.

This aura was special and rare, combined with the beautiful yellow dress, giving an impression akin to a daisy.

Ling Zhenfei quickly stood up, and the woman smiled at him while extending her right hand: "Hello Mr. Ling, I am Xiao Yaqing, and this restaurant is mine."

"Hello Ling Zhenfei."

After a brief exchange, the two sat down. Ling Zhenfei, aware there was another person at the door, pretended not to notice since Xiao Yaqing didn't mention it, waiting to see when they would enter.

"I'm not sure why Boss Xiao invited me here; we don't seem to have met before, right?"

Xiao Yaqing replied: "Of course, we haven't met, but I've heard your name many times. You're the hottest star right now, and you dining in our restaurant surely calls for some flattering."

Xiao Yaqing's witty humor surprised Ling Zhenfei.

"I think Boss Xiao wouldn't be so simple; with a beauty like Boss Xiao around, many stars would be vying to dine here. Why bother trying to make connections?"

Xiao Yaqing laughed, her laugh sounded like musical bells, very pleasing.

"I knew Divine Doctor Ling wouldn't believe it. Well, I am indeed curious about some things. May I ask?"

"Go ahead, ask anything, although I might not necessarily answer."

Ling Zhenfei cleverly jested.

Xiao Yaqing was very pleased, at least outwardly.

"I wonder what your purpose is in coming to Modu, and specifically to this pedestrian street?"

Ling Zhenfei thought for a moment and said: "I'm here looking for Guo Jia, and I came to your restaurant because Guo Jia recommended it."

Xiao Yaqing laughed: "It can't be that simple. Guo Jia probably brought you to scout our restaurant's cuisine."

Ling Zhenfei realized that someone as astute as Xiao Yaqing had already analyzed everything thoroughly, so many things couldn't be hidden from her.

"Why do you say that? What's there to scout about the cuisine?"

Xiao Yaqing said: "I've already understood everything. How about I tell you and you can confirm if it's accurate.

First, Guo Jia has a property on this pedestrian street, similar in scale to my restaurant, perfect for a restaurant, yet Guo Jia refused many tenants, surely with purpose.

Not long ago, Guo Jia went to Binyang, the day after Xishan Manor's opening, and shortly thereafter you arrived in Modu, which clearly connects the two events. If I'm not mistaken, he's inviting you to open a restaurant in Modu."

Ling Zhenfei nodded: "You're absolutely right; that's exactly it."

Xiao Yaqing hesitated: "So have you decided to open a restaurant at that property?"

Ling Zhenfei nodded candidly: "Yes, I've decided; I'm going to open a Xi Shan Restaurant there."

Xiao Yaqing was stunned: "By doing so, aren't you driving our restaurant to ruin?"

Xiao Qingya appeared somewhat agitated. Ling Zhenfei quickly said: "Boss Xiao, that's not fair. Rivalry between businesses is natural, just because you have a place here doesn't mean others can't open restaurants."

Xiao Yaqing nodded: "Quite right, this pedestrian street already has many restaurants, eateries, and pubs, but none can compete with our Imperial Palace Hotel, unlike your Xi Shan Restaurant."

"What's different about it? It's just a small eatery." Ling Zhenfei smiled.

Xiao Yaqing's expression turned sour: "I once visited Binyang and tasted Xi Shan Manor's vegetables, thinking that if they could be brought to Modu, the Imperial Palace Hotel would reach new heights.

But bringing Xi Shan Manor's vegetables from Binyang is almost impossible, so I gave up, yet I still remember their flavor; I suppose Xi Shan Restaurant's taste will be even better."

Ling Zhenfei nodded: "Exactly, that's my advantage; therefore, I dare open here, otherwise how could an ordinary shop survive under Imperial Palace Hotel's dominance."

"But your Xi Shan Restaurant will surely affect our business." Xiao Yaqing was very agitated, evidently because Ling Zhenfei was encroaching on her interests.

Ling Zhenfei laughed: "Sorry Boss Xiao, just because opening here impacts you doesn't mean we shouldn't open; it's our first meeting, not enough to warrant such concession."

Xiao Yaqing's face was flustered, silent for a while, then suddenly stood up, walked to the door, flung it open, and spoke to someone outside: "Aren't you coming in? Waiting to watch me make a fool of myself?"

Ling Zhenfei had long known that someone was outside, but was unaware of their identity until he heard them laugh: "You brought this upon yourself, it's none of my business."

Having not seen the person, but hearing their voice, Ling Zhenfei stood up, hardly believing what he heard.

Then the person walked into the room, and Ling Zhenfei was stunned to see it was Lin Yuluo, whom he hadn't seen in ages.

Lin Yuluo appeared before Ling Zhenfei, wearing her favorite white dress, smiling as she approached him.

"Zhenfei, it's me, I've returned."

Ling Zhenfei faced Lin Yuluo, somewhat flustered and at a loss, having not seen her for a long time, yet she seemed unchanged, just as before.

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