Chapter Sixty-Four: Taking the Initiative

Since its opening, Serenity Pavilion had always flourished with business, guests arriving in droves. The reputation owed not only to its exquisite dishes and excellent value, but also to its impeccable environment and attentive service; thus, repeat customers abounded, and the restaurant’s name was well regarded.

It was four o’clock in the afternoon, a relatively quiet time. A handful of sedans were parked sparsely at the entrance, where two hostesses stood chatting softly. From the nearby Elegant Garden community, a young man in his twenties emerged, dressed in a crisp shirt and trousers, carrying a brown paper bag, and headed straight for Serenity Pavilion.

“Liu Li, look—isn’t that the rumored boyfriend of our manager?” one hostess, her face dotted with youthful blemishes, brightened her eyes and pointed subtly toward the man while speaking to her tall companion.

“Liu Qing, you really shouldn’t gossip about them. If the manager hears, you’ll be cleaning toilets for sure.” The woman called Liu Li, graceful and delicate, cautioned gently.

“I’m not the only one saying it—everyone in the restaurant does. She’s not going to make us all clean toilets, is she?” Liu Qing shrugged, dismissing the concern with little care.

“Mr. Zhang, welcome!” Liu Li greeted the man with a smile, extending a slender arm in a gesture of invitation, leading him inside.

“Thank you.” Zhang Wei nodded and responded with a polite smile.

“Is there anything I can help you with, Mr. Zhang?” Liu Li asked warmly as they walked.

“No need for such formality—just call me by my name,” Zhang Wei replied. He remembered Liu Li quite well; they were from the same hometown, and he preferred not to be so distant.

“That won’t do. If our manager hears, I’ll be in trouble!” Liu Li shook her arm in exaggerated distress.

Zhang Wei merely mentioned it in passing; seeing her insist on the title, he did not press further. Instead, he changed the subject, “Liu Li, is Manager Murong here?”

“She returned not long ago and seems a bit upset. She shut herself in her office as soon as she arrived. Would you like to see her?” Liu Li glanced at Zhang Wei and kindly warned him.

“Yes, please let her know I’m here.” Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei could only smile wryly. He knew well enough that Murong Xuan was displeased, but circumstances left him no choice.

“Alright, please wait a moment. I’ll inform her.” With a gentle smile, Liu Li turned and walked toward the office.

Zhang Wei watched Liu Li’s graceful figure, the fitted cheongsam outlining her curves, a glimpse of snowy skin at the slit of her skirt, her long legs appearing and disappearing as she walked—he couldn’t help but steal an extra glance.

He pulled his gaze away and pretended to study the restaurant’s decor. Meanwhile, the staff eyed him curiously; the more daring ones even approached to chat.

“Mr. Zhang, are you here to see our Manager Murong?” asked a cute, slightly plump woman.

“Yes,” Zhang Wei replied, glancing at her—he didn’t recognize her, so he answered casually.

“What’s your relationship with Manager Murong?” The plump girl blinked her big eyes, her tone expectant.

Since Zhang Wei entered, most of the staff had been watching him. Now, hearing the girl’s bold question, they crowded around, eager to hear his answer.

“We’re friends,” Zhang Wei laughed lightly, brushing it off.

“But there are many kinds of friends. Are you ordinary friends, or close ones?” The plump girl pressed on.

“Why don’t you guess?” Zhang Wei saw their eager faces and, amused, teased, “But even if you guess right, there’s no prize.”

“On the day of the opening ceremony, Manager Murong only danced with you, the sole male guest. Are you two a couple?” asked a tall, slender young man with delicate features.

“I won’t say what my relationship with Murong Xuan is, but you seem quite attentive to your manager. You remember things from so long ago—could it be you like her?” Zhang Wei joked.

“Mr. Zhang, please don’t say that. I… I don’t…” The young man blushed, flustered by Zhang Wei’s teasing.

“So you don’t like Murong Xuan? Do you find her unattractive, or are you bothered by her temper?” Zhang Wei pursued.

“Of course not! Manager is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and her voice is lovely. She’s never lost her temper with us,” the young man protested.

“Don’t bother asking this fool,” the plump girl pushed him aside and turned to Zhang Wei, ignoring the young man. “So, what is your relationship with Manager Murong, really?”

Faced with her direct questioning, Zhang Wei felt a bit overwhelmed. He was about to clarify that he and Murong Xuan were just ordinary friends, but before he could speak, a clear voice interrupted.

“What are you all doing here? It’s so lively—let me hear what’s going on!” Murong Xuan slipped silently behind the crowd and spoke suddenly.

Upon hearing from Liu Li that Zhang Wei had come to see her, Murong Xuan initially resisted, but worried he might refuse to leave, she decided to deal with him herself. Unexpectedly, she found a group of staff gathered around him, filling her with an uneasy premonition.

“Your staff are very enthusiastic, so we were just chatting,” Zhang Wei turned and, seeing Murong Xuan, forced a smile.

“During work hours, you’re not at your own company, but come here to disturb my employees?” Murong Xuan frowned, shooting him a glare.

Her words held a double meaning: reprimanding Zhang Wei for his visit and reminding the staff to return to their posts. Seeing her stern expression, the employees quickly dispersed, wary of her wrath.

“It’s about this morning’s matter—let’s discuss it,” Zhang Wei said directly.

“Didn’t we settle that already? What more do you want?” Murong Xuan lowered her voice as the staff scattered, warning, “I told you, unless there’s something important, don’t come to Serenity Pavilion.”

“I didn’t want to come straight to you, but you wouldn’t answer my calls—what else could I do?” Zhang Wei spread his hands helplessly.

“If I don’t answer, it means I don’t want to deal with you,” Murong Xuan retorted, glancing at him. “I should have put up a sign at the door, so you wouldn’t be able to come in anymore.”

“A sign? What do you mean?” Her cryptic words left Zhang Wei confused.

“Pets and Zhang Wei—not allowed inside!” Murong Xuan looked at him challengingly, her lips curling as she enunciated each word.