Coming out of her grandfather's old house, Lu Jingming took Xu Yanxia to buy some buns and pastries for his two foodie younger siblings. Then, they returned to the hotel to pack their luggage and set off for the airport.
While waiting for their flight, Xu Yanxia ran into several waves of fans expressing their support. After thanking everyone in person, she made sure to post a special message on her personal account right before takeoff.
It was worth noting that in just one short day, her follower count had surged from a few hundred thousand to over a million. Everyone had come specifically to support her after learning the truth about the case and her background.
It was impossible to reply to all the direct messages and comments, so she could only express her gratitude publicly like this.
Of course, she didn't forget to tag the official accounts of Jiushan and the teppanyaki restaurant at the end.
After all, since the traffic was already there, it would be a waste not to do a little advertising.
...
By the time they landed in Rong City, it was already night.
The small two-bedroom apartment was quiet. She opened the windows to let in some fresh air, watered the plants, did some light cleaning, and then had a wonderful night's sleep.
When she woke up the next day, it was the soft opening of their Xu Family Teppanyaki.
Xu Yanxia arrived at the location early in the morning and saw that the newly renovated store had taken on a completely new look.
Thanks to the company's professional design and remodeling, the nearly two-hundred-square-meter space had been transformed into a two-story structure. Excluding the sixty-square-meter kitchen, it could hold over thirty four-seater and six-seater tables, along with six private rooms suitable for larger group gatherings.
It was perfectly suited for the target demographic of their affordable Chinese restaurant.
Whether it was due to the traffic from her news yesterday or the coupons her sister-in-law had sent out to the customer group in advance, the foot traffic during the lunch service on the first day of the soft opening exceeded all expectations.
Both the main dining hall and the private rooms were fully occupied, and the table turnover rate reached one hundred percent.
By evening, the situation was even more explosive.
In addition to the regular customers who came specifically from all over, there were also new customers who had been shopping in the nearby mall and were drawn in by the bustling scene.
So much so that even before it got dark, a line of people waiting for tables had already formed.
When Wen Jiajun arrived with Lu Jingming, he couldn't help but be startled.
It was only six-thirty, yet there were at least a dozen groups waiting outside, and the inside was packed to the brim with no empty seats.
This scene was almost identical to the first time he had come to eat.
But back then, they were just a street stall with a dozen tables in total. Their current hosting capacity was more than double what it used to be!
Just then, Xu Yanxia came out of the restaurant to greet them. Wen Jiajun sighed to her, How could that be? I was worried that it would be too popular after the grand opening and I wouldn't be able to get a table. Judging by this, am I going to miss out on eating today too?
How could that be? When the big boss from the investors comes, there must be a seat!
Xu Yanxia smiled and led the way, We reserved a private room for you.
The two men followed her into the restaurant and all the way up to a private room on the second floor.
Just as they sat down, they saw Xiaozhen arriving with her husband and Ye Shu.
Xu Yanxia introduced them to each other. She was just about to sit down when she heard another set of footsteps outside, along with the faint sound of a customer in the main hall letting out a surprised squeal.
Xu Yanxia hurried to open the door. Sure enough, she saw the big star Lu Jingxi, wearing sunglasses, walking in under the escort of her tall and handsome younger brother, Lu Jingyao.
Wen Jiajun couldn't help but tease, We really hit the jackpot today. Not only do we get to eat delicious food, but we also get to share a table with a big star.
Lu Jingming, however, was somewhat surprised and asked the two, Aren't you supposed to be in rehearsal?
Aren't you supposed to be at school?
His superstar sister replied, I still have to eat even if I'm rehearsing!
Exactly!
His athlete younger brother nodded in agreement. I have to eat when I'm at school too. Besides, I just finished over twenty days of closed training. You have no idea what kind of life I've been living. Now that I finally have the chance to eat a decent meal, of course I had to come!!!
He added, Plus, Sister Xia was the one who invited us today.
That's right, that's right.
Xu Yanxia quickly smiled and beckoned the two to sit down, adding, I invited everyone here today to help us taste-test the menu for our new restaurant. If you have any feedback or suggestions, you must let me know. And make sure you eat your fill.
As she spoke, she brought in some of the restaurant's homemade drinks, including their signature osmanthus plum juice, iced milk with osmanthus fermented rice wine, as well as newly developed drinks like five-treasure jasmine soy milk and rich sweet corn juice.
She also reminded everyone, The iced milk with fermented rice wine contains a little alcohol, so those who are driving shouldn't drink it. The food has already been ordered and will be here soon. Today, besides our old signature teppanyaki dishes, there are also some new dishes we've developed.
Awesome!
The big star Lu Jingxi immediately took a sip of the jasmine soy milk and said with a face full of anticipation, I've finally waited until the day I can eat your teppanyaki! I definitely have to eat my fill today!
As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Shu, who was sitting across from her, carefully greeted her, Hello, Miss Jingxi.
Lu Jingxi's eyes lit up. Aren't you the young lady who fiercely scolded that vicious reporter for our Baby Xia the day before yesterday? There's no need to be so polite, just call me Xixi.
Really?
Ye Shu said excitedly, I like you so much, Xixi! I've listened to every single one of your songs! Um, may I ask if there are any internal tickets left for your concert this weekend? I tried to grab tickets for ages but couldn't get any. I really want to hear you sing live!
Lu Jingxi glanced at her eldest brother, Lu Jingming, and said, Why fight for tickets? Your Boss Lu has VIP ones!
Is that true, Boss Lu? Ye Shu quickly asked.
It's true!
Before Lu Jingming could speak, Xu Yanxia chimed in, There are over a dozen VIP tickets. I was just about to ask if you all wanted to go together.
Yes!
As soon as the words left her mouth, a chorus of voices echoed in unison inside the private room.
Except for the three Lu siblings, everyone else had spoken up.
Immediately after, the third sibling, Lu Jingyao, said to Xu Yanxia, Then I want to go too, count me in.
???
Lu Jingming frowned at him. Don't you dislike watching your sister sing?
His foodie younger brother replied, The singing is secondary. Everyone is definitely going to eat delicious food afterward, so I have to tag along.
Xu Yanxia agreed without hesitation, Sure, the more the merrier. Let's all go together!
Lu Jingming paused, then looked at Wen Jiajun sitting next to him. And since when do you like concerts?
Why can't I like them???
Wen Jiajun looked at him with an inexplicable expression. I'm a young person too! Besides, I've been working overtime every night recently to communicate with our colleagues in Germany for that Meyer project, and I still have to work during the day. Can't I enjoy a company VIP ticket?
...Alright.
Lu Jingming took a deep breath, nodded, and said, Since everyone likes it, let's all go together.
Even though he really wanted to spend some alone time as a couple, his girlfriend loved a lively crowd.
Right now, a private date was out of the question. Having a few more third wheels or a few less didn't make much of a difference anyway.
As soon as she finished speaking, the food started arriving, and everyone dug in with lively enthusiasm.
Just as Xu Yanxia had mentioned, the newly upgraded restaurant not only retained the signature dishes from their street stall days, but also introduced several specialties from their old hometown diner. These included deep-fried oysters, shredded tripe with mustard, stir-fried pork kidneys, crispy fried fish slices, and stir-fried chicken with peppercorn paste.
A table full of various delicacies was laid out, and every single dish was perfectly executed, leaving everyone completely satisfied and their bellies perfectly round.
After eating and drinking their fill, the group of friends began to say their goodbyes. Lu Jingyao took charge of escorting his superstar sister back to her hotel, while Xiaozhen and her husband left together with Wen Jiajun and Ye Shu.
Lu Jingming, however, stayed behind to keep Xu Yanxia company while she worked for a bit longer.
He waited until just past nine o'clock when she finally finished her shift, and the two of them walked together to pick up their cars.
Parking at the teppanyaki restaurant was quite limited, so both of their vehicles were parked a short distance away near Jiushan.
