Chapter 36: Eating Until My Liver Ached

Chapter 36: Eating Until the “Liver” Hurts

Fan Xiaoyou took the wallet from Wang Guocheng and slipped it into her own small purse. She glanced at Zhao Gang standing nearby and said to Wang Guocheng, “He claims he favors his wife over his friends. I’m only doing as he wishes.”

The three hailed a cab and headed straight to the first ring of the city, to the most prosperous district in all of Tongcheng: the Jinhu New Area. Jinhu was so expensive that calling it ‘worth its weight in gold’ was almost an understatement. It was often said that if you wanted to meet a rich, handsome man, all you had to do was glance around Jinhu and you’d see national-level heartthrobs everywhere.

Fan Xiaoyou was the first to step out of the car, boldly pulling Wang Guocheng along as she strode forward. After walking a distance, she realized Zhao Gang hadn’t kept up.

She turned back, her expression full of disdain. “Hey, Zhao Gang, are you part turtle or part snail? Walking in such tiny steps, anyone would think you’ve got bound feet.”

If anyone wondered what it meant to be sharp-tongued, Zhao Gang was finally getting a taste. If anyone wondered what it meant to be tormented, Zhao Gang felt it firsthand. He hated Fan Xiaoyou so much his teeth itched. If she weren’t Wang Guocheng’s girlfriend, Zhao Gang swore he’d get back at her.

Seeing Zhao Gang silent behind her, Fan Xiaoyou nudged Wang Guocheng. “Hey, your friend hasn’t gone mute, has he?”

Wang Guocheng was genuinely awed by Fan Xiaoyou’s vengeful little temperament. Glancing at the reluctant Zhao Gang trailing behind, he pleaded with Fan Xiaoyou, “Xiaoyou, weren’t you a little harsh at the Shangri-La?”

Fan Xiaoyou pinched Wang Guocheng. “Whose side are you on? Don’t pick the wrong one, you know what I mean!”

Wang Guocheng scratched his head. For the sake of his lifelong happiness, he had no choice but to stand firmly in Fan Xiaoyou’s camp. Wearing a miserable expression, he called out to Zhao Gang behind them, “Ah Gang, hurry up, they’ll close soon!”

“A pair of scheming crooks!” Zhao Gang grumbled inwardly as he watched Wang Guocheng completely succumb to Fan Xiaoyou’s charms.

Zhao Gang gripped his wallet tightly in his pocket, secretly hoping for a miracle—someone who could put Fan Xiaoyou in her place.

When the three entered the Shangri-La Hotel, a friendly attendant greeted them. “Good evening, sir, madam. Do you have a reservation?”

Fan Xiaoyou surveyed the surroundings with a queenly air. “Are there any seats left in the revolving restaurant on the seventy-eighth floor?”

The attendant smiled sweetly at Fan Xiaoyou. “Madam, you’re very lucky. Tonight there’s just one booth left by the viewing window in the revolving restaurant. However, we do have a minimum spending requirement.”

Wang Guocheng quickly spoke up for Zhao Gang. “Excuse me, miss, may I ask what the minimum spend for the revolving restaurant is?”

The attendant, noting Wang Guocheng’s refined suit, replied politely, “Sir, our revolving restaurant’s minimum spend varies depending on the booth. The one I just mentioned has a minimum of five thousand yuan.”

Zhao Gang’s legs went weak as he rested his hand on Wang Guocheng’s shoulder. It was no joke—since university, Zhao Gang had been notorious for his thriftiness. If he could eat something for ten yuan, he’d never spend a penny more.

Take today, for example, at the Ba Xiang Tu Hotpot City. He’d arrived early because he’d snagged a tasting coupon, only for Fan Xiaoyou to complicate things.

Zhao Gang felt like he was suffering internal injuries. People say buying a new iPhone hurts your kidneys; for him, eating foie gras felt like it was hurting his liver.

His miserable look caught the attendant’s attention. “Sir, are you feeling unwell?”

Fan Xiaoyou glanced at the attendant, slyly eyeing Zhao Gang. “He’s got liver pain today. Once he eats your foie gras, he’ll be cured.”

The attendant was a bit confused—it was her first day on the job and she had no idea that foie gras was supposed to be so restorative.

“Sir, madam, the revolving restaurant is here. Wishing you all a pleasant meal!”

As the attendant was about to step back into the elevator, Zhao Gang hurriedly asked, “Excuse me, can I use a credit card here?”

The attendant was somewhat puzzled by his question, but offered her most professional smile. “Sir, we accept all major credit cards worldwide, including UnionPay.”

Zhao Gang felt crestfallen. “Alright, I understand.”

Five thousand? A minimum spend of five thousand. Well, then, she’d order a proper feast and make this guy bleed a little, knock him down a notch. Next time he saw her, he’d surely keep his distance.

Fan Xiaoyou stepped into the revolving restaurant, already calculating which dishes were the most expensive on the menu. She was determined to make Zhao Gang pay dearly.

As soon as the three settled into their booth by the window, the restaurant attendant brought over the menu.

“Sir, madam, this is the latest seasonal menu for the Shangri-La revolving restaurant. Take your time, and when you’re ready, use the call button to place your order.” With that, the attendant respectfully set the menu on the table.

Zhao Gang sat upright, as if facing a formidable opponent, staring at the menu with beads of sweat on his forehead. He looked awkwardly at Wang Guocheng. “Guocheng, why don’t you order?”

Wang Guocheng had just taken the menu when Fan Xiaoyou snatched it away, shooting Zhao Gang an indignant look. Her presence was commanding. “What are you staring at? I’m the only woman here; ladies first, naturally.”

Seeing the two about to start bickering again, Wang Guocheng quickly played the peacemaker. He glanced at Zhao Gang and kicked his foot beneath the table, signaling him to check his phone. “Ah Gang, don’t argue. Show some class—ladies first, right?”

Zhao Gang, after being kicked repeatedly, finally checked his phone and saw Wang Guocheng’s message: “I’ll cover the bill. Order whatever you want, just don’t upset her.”

Seeing Wang Guocheng’s unprincipled devotion to Fan Xiaoyou, Zhao Gang couldn’t bear to embarrass his friend and was forced to swallow his grievances.

Fan Xiaoyou scrutinized the menu. “This ‘Huadiao Drunken Snow Chicken’ looks good. The ingredients are sourced from Tian Shan: snow chicken, snow water, and snow lotus. It’s said to be the LV of chickens.”

Zhao Gang stole a glance at the price—four digits. A chicken costing four figures? Either the people or the chicken had gone mad. Seeing the 1,888 yuan price tag for the Huadiao Drunken Snow Chicken, Zhao Gang felt even more wounded.

“Imperial Foie Gras, sourced from the southwest region of France and Strasbourg. The quality is said to be top-notch.”

Before Fan Xiaoyou could finish, Zhao Gang interrupted, staring anxiously at the menu. “How much is the Imperial Foie Gras?”

Fan Xiaoyou smiled and pushed the menu toward Zhao Gang. “All the prices are right there.”