Although it was already past nine in the evening, the streets of the famously sleepless city of Rong were still bustling with people.
The two of them, having each been busy all day, could finally take a walk hand in hand.
Xu Yanxia, her mind still full of work, couldn't help but start reporting the first day's trial operation situation to her financial backer, Lu Jingming—
"Today, there wasn't a single empty table during the lunch service. The dinner crowd was even better than lunch, and the table turnover rate was basically three times higher. If we can maintain this level of customer flow, the speed of recouping the investment shouldn't be slower than Jiu Shan."
As she spoke, she asked him, "By the way, how did you find the dishes tonight?"
"Excellent,"
Lu Jingming said with a smile. "The teppanyaki is still up to the old standard, and the new dishes are also very impressive. Maintaining this quality, there's no worry about lacking good word-of-mouth."
"I think so too,"
Xu Yanxia also smiled. "With the experience from our hometown restaurant and the company's assistance in management, I shouldn't need to worry too much about this shop. The focus next should still be on Jiu Shan and the company's new store plans."
"Right,"
she said, remembering something else, and quickly asked him, "Earlier I heard Assistant Wen mention Meyer from Germany. Is that the company that deals in high-end ingredients?"
"That's right, it's them."
Lu Jingming proactively explained to her, "They are a quite powerful financial group in Europe. After making their fortune in the ingredient business, they expanded into some other ventures, including semiconductors. This happens to create a conflict of interest with the silicon carbide lab we are developing in Europe, and they've been secretly obstructing our project's progress recently."
"I see,"
Xu Yanxia nodded. "I thought it might be about some company procurement plan for ingredients. So, how is it now?"
Lu Jingming frowned slightly and said, "Although it's a bit difficult, we are trying to communicate. This project is quite important for our future development, and the relevant national departments are also paying close attention. If we can avoid giving it up, we shouldn't."
Then he asked her, "Let's not talk about this for now. What time do Grandpa and Grandma arrive tomorrow?"
She told him, "They are a bit afraid of flying, so they took the high-speed train. They won't arrive until the afternoon."
"Then let me know ahead of time, and we'll go pick them up together."
"By the way,"
Lu Jingming asked her again, "Is their accommodation arranged?"
"They can just stay at my place,"
Xu Yanxia said. "Grandpa and Grandma can take the master bedroom, Auntie can have the second bedroom, and I'll sleep in the living room."
"How can that work?"
Lu Jingming immediately vetoed the idea. "That sofa is so small, you'd be very uncomfortable. Besides, Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie have come all this way. It's cold back in your hometown, but it's warm here. It's better to try and have them stay for a longer while."
"If you're sleeping in such an uncomfortable place, they won't feel comfortable staying long."
That was true.
Xu Yanxia thought for a moment and immediately went to take out her phone. "Then I'll just book a hotel for them."
Little did she know, Lu Jingming pressed down on her hand and said, "There's a ready-made place, why book a hotel? There's a flat unit at Dongpan Garden, not far from where you live now or from the teppanyaki place."
"Everything is provided inside, and the transportation is quite convenient. Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie can go out and explore on their own. If they don't like the local food, they can even buy groceries and cook for themselves, just like at home."
He smiled and said, "Consider it this junior doing his duty as a host."
Well...
Xu Yanxia was still hesitant.
But Lu Jingming called her name seriously again, "Baby, we've already reached this point. You're not going to treat me like a stranger over such a small matter, are you?"
He said, "In the future, I am also going to be Grandpa and Grandma's grandson-in-law."
"...Alright."
Xu Yanxia smiled and finally nodded. "Then let's arrange it as you suggested. Should we go over early to clean up?"
"No need, there are people who maintain it."
Lu Jingming smiled, took her hand, and they continued walking forward.
"We'll take Grandpa and Grandma there directly after picking them up tomorrow."
"Okay."
...
The next day was Friday, also the second day of the teppanyaki trial operation.
Customer traffic remained booming.
And thanks to a free recommendation on Queen Xixi's personal account, there were even more people today than yesterday.
Fortunately, with the experience from the first day, everyone managed quite adeptly.
However, with the dinner rush about to begin, and her brother and sister-in-law unable to get away for the moment, Xu Yanxia went with Lu Jingming to the high-speed rail station to pick up Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie who had traveled from afar.
The two elderly hadn't traveled this far in many years, so Xu Yanxia was actually a bit worried.
But after meeting them, seeing that although they had been on the train for nearly a whole day, Grandpa and Grandma were still in good spirits, she happily felt relieved.
Lu Jingming greeted the elders sweetly, loaded their large and small bags of luggage into the car, and then took everyone to the residence at Dongpan Garden.
Once inside and seeing the place, not only were Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie taken aback, but Xu Yanxia was also somewhat surprised.
—It was a very beautiful apartment.
Over two hundred square meters laid out in a four-bedroom, two-living-room configuration. Both the living room and bedrooms were square and spacious, with completely unobstructed views.
Standing on the 28th-floor balcony, one could see the distant golf course and the lake in the nearby park.
Especially since the weather was nice today, the scenery was particularly lovely.
Light grey marble tiles covered the floors throughout, and it came with central air conditioning and a fresh air system. Furniture and appliances were all complete; even kitchenware and tableware were provided in the kitchen.
After walking through the apartment briefly, Xu Yanxia finally understood why Lu Jingming had thought her own place was small when he went to see it with her before.
—Not to mention anything else, this single apartment was bigger than three of her small two-bedroom places combined.
Auntie said, feeling a bit uneasy, "This place must be very expensive, and it's so new. Is it really okay for us to stay here?"
"Auntie, please don't stand on ceremony,"
Lu Jingming smiled and said. "This is our own place. Leaving it empty is a waste anyway, and it's more comfortable than a hotel. Besides, downstairs there's a park, supermarket, and market. You can go for a stroll anytime. There's also a subway station at the entrance; it's just two stops to our shop, so you can go visit anytime."
"That's right,"
Xu Yanxia chimed in. "Staying here is more comfortable than a hotel, it doesn't cost anything, and you can cook for yourselves. Don't worry, I'll go pack some things later and come stay with you too."
"Then thank you so much, Jingming."
Only then did Auntie feel more at ease.
Grandma then took out two gift bags from the luggage and said to Lu Jingming, "Xiao Ming, we didn't have much to bring. These are homemade sausages in our hometown style that your grandpa made before we left. If you don't mind, please take them back to eat. Let your parents, brother, and sister try them too."
"How could I mind? These are such good things!"
Lu Jingming immediately took the bags.
With a smile, she continued, "Grandpa, Grandma, and Auntie, please rest for a bit. Later, I'll take everyone out for a meal. It's mainly because Zhanpeng is probably busy right now. It might be best to have Xia Xia take you over to see him tomorrow."
"There's no need to eat out,"
Auntie quickly said, "We brought plenty of food with us. Grandpa and Grandma are tired from the day's travel, so let's all rest well today. You're at work, and we feel bad troubling you to come out and pick us up."
"That's right,"
Grandma also said, "Don't spend money eating out. Have Xia Xia go buy some groceries later, and I'll make you hand-pulled noodles with gravy."
"How could that be okay?"
Lu Jingming immediately interjected, "Then let's plan the meal for tomorrow. Grandpa and Grandma, please rest today. I won't disturb you any further."
With that, he politely said his goodbyes and left with his things.
Xu Yanxia walked him out, planning to swing by her own small apartment to pick up some belongings.
Taking advantage of the walk downstairs, she asked him, "Is it really okay for us to stay in such a new apartment?"
Lu Jingming, however, smiled and said, "It was always meant for you. If you like it, we could consider this as our future marital home."
"Though, if you prefer a house with a yard, we can go check out the Zhongjiang villas another day. It's just a bit far from Jiu Shan."
What is he talking about.
Xu Yanxia couldn't help but laugh. They weren't even engaged yet, and he was already planning their new home.
But before she could say anything, her phone suddenly rang.
It was a video call from Mrs. Lu.
She answered, calling her "Auntie," and saw Mrs. Lu in a car asking, "Xia Xia, did you and Jingming pick up Grandpa and Grandma?"
"We did,"
Xu Yanxia replied, "We just brought them to Dongpan Garden. I'm heading back to grab a few things now and will stay with them. Please don't worry."
"That's good,"
Mrs. Lu then began to apologize, "Your Uncle Lu happened to be on a business trip these past couple of days, and I just got back from Hong Kong today with some matters to attend to, so we couldn't personally welcome the elders. Please don't mind."
Xu Yanxia hurriedly said, "Not at all."
Then she heard Mrs. Lu continue, "Since your grandparents and auntie have made the effort to come, your Uncle Lu and I, along with Grandpa, your uncles and aunts, would all like to treat you to a meal."
"Whenever it's convenient for you, just have Jingming let me know, and I'll make the arrangements."
She added with a laugh, "It'll also be a good chance to discuss matters between you and Jingming."
Lu Jingming's heart stirred.
He saw his adorable girlfriend smiling at the screen, speaking to his mother, "Okay, Auntie. I'll discuss a time with my grandparents and then let you know."
"Great, I'll be waiting!"
Mrs. Lu smiled, waved to Xu Yanxia, and ended the call.
Immediately after, her hand was enveloped in Lu Jingming's larger one.
"Finally!"
He exclaimed with a happy sigh.
— Jiu Shan was running smoothly, the teppanyaki restaurant had finally opened successfully, and her show was almost halfway through recording.
Now, it was finally his turn.
But before he could say another word, Xu Yanxia's phone rang again.
"Is it Shushu?"
She quickly answered, and Ye Shu's excited voice immediately burst from the speaker, "Xia Xia!!! Director Xia!!! Check your phone!!! The show is a hit!!!"
Ye Shu exclaimed joyfully, "It only premiered at noon today, and the views have already broken a hundred million!!! The hot searches are all about you!!!"
"And several brands want to collaborate with you! The producers have even called my phone directly!!!"
