The private dining room was on the second floor, its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water feature in the courtyard. Solid wood tables and chairs complemented the ink-wash calligraphy and paintings, creating an atmosphere that was simple yet refined.
They had barely taken their seats when the door opened and Manager Chen, the restaurant manager, hurried in with a menu in hand. He approached them respectfully.
“Miss Zhang, Miss Su, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen you. We’ve recently added several new dishes, and the feedback has been excellent. Would you like me to introduce them?”
Su Yuan took the menu with practiced ease and smiled. “No need, Manager Chen. Just bring our usual dishes. And add the spicy stir-fried chicken and the crispy roast squab you mentioned.”
“Of course. Is there anything else you’d like?”
“Dessert as usual—two portions of mango pomelo sago and two portions of double-skin milk pudding. That’s all for now.”
Zhang Yanyan gave a slight nod as she added the order.
“Very good. Please wait a moment. Your dishes will be out shortly.” Manager Chen bowed and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
Before long, the dishes began arriving one after another.
The freshly cooked spicy stir-fried chicken was served in a heated stoneware dish. Its glossy red oil bubbled faintly, and the aroma of scorching spice mingled with sesame filled the room. Each piece had a crisp exterior that locked in the juices, tender meat within, and was coated in a thick, richly seasoned sauce.
The crispy roast squab had been roasted until its skin was golden, glistening, and crackling, while the meat inside was bursting with juice.
The steamed grouper was tender and flavorful, and the tofu in abalone sauce was smooth and delicate. Every dish was exquisite as well as delicious.
Su Yuan was thoroughly enjoying herself. After swallowing a bite of crisp-skinned squab, she leaned toward Zhang Yanyan with a pout.
“Big sis, you have no idea how bored I’ve been at home lately. My parents are being way too strict.”
Zhang Yanyan picked out the bones from a piece of grouper and placed the meat in Su Yuan’s bowl. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “What happened? Did your uncle and aunt add more rules?”
“Of course they did!” Su Yuan shoveled in a mouthful of rice and nodded, her cheeks puffed out. “My mom watches me like a hawk every day. Unless I have something important to do, she won’t let me go out whenever I want.
“I have so many classes to study every day. If I’m even two minutes late getting home, she starts calling me nonstop.”
Zhang Yanyan lifted her lemon water and took a sip. “Your aunt is only worried because you’re still young. She doesn’t feel comfortable letting you go out without anyone looking after you.
“Besides, you’ll be a senior in high school soon. There’s more for you to learn than just what’s in your textbooks. As a member of the Su family, you also need to master certain things. She’s keeping a close eye on you because she’s afraid you’ll get distracted and fall behind.”
“I know she’s worried about me, but she’s going too far!” Su Yuan curled her lips and muttered, “If you hadn’t called and asked me to come out this time, my mom never would have agreed to let me leave the house. You’re the only one whose request she’ll honor.”
Zhang Yanyan couldn’t help laughing. She filled a bowl with clear, nourishing matsutake chicken soup and gently pushed it toward Su Yuan.
“Then eat more. Consider it compensation for finally getting some time outside.”
“You’re the best, Big sis!” Su Yuan cradled the bowl and took a large sip of soup. Her eyes lit up, but then she pulled a face again. “Oh, right. I ran out of my allowance halfway through the month. I was planning to buy some things for the change of season, but now I have to think twice even before going shopping.”
Zhang Yanyan looked at her. “What did you buy this month to spend your money so quickly?”
“It was all because of my little brother. He insisted on buying a limited-edition pair of sneakers. I have no idea what else he bought this month—he burned through his money so fast.
“I bought him a pair, then managed to get two tickets for the best section at a concert. After all those little expenses added up, there wasn’t much left.”
Su Yuan poked at the chicken in her bowl, looking helpless. “My allowance was more than enough for me normally, but I couldn’t have planned for all those unexpected expenses.”
Zhang Yanyan shook her head with a smile. “Your uncle and aunt limit your allowance because they’re afraid you’re too young and might waste your money or pick up bad habits. Once you’re older and can manage yourself better, they naturally won’t be so strict.”
“I know, I know. I was wrong.” Su Yuan stuck out her tongue, then quickly put the matter behind her. “Let’s not talk about that anymore. Home is unbearably boring! My little brother spends all day playing online games with his classmates, and every other sentence out of his mouth is about game skins. We don’t have a single thing to talk about.
“Exactly!” Su Yuan immediately picked up on the shared sentiment. “Su Yu is even worse. He’s always going out with his friends. Who knows what he’s busy doing all day?”
“Boys his age all have their own little circles,” Zhang Yanyan replied. “It’s normal that he doesn’t have much in common with you.”
“And my eldest male cousin is already running things independently at the group, but he spends every day either in meetings or attending project-related dinners and events. He hardly ever comes home, let alone has time to play with me.”
Su Yuan’s face fell. “I’m stuck at home every day without anyone to talk to. I’m practically growing mushrooms from boredom.”
Looking at her drooping expression, Zhang Yanyan’s eyes held a genuine smile.
“If no one at home will keep you company, come find me. There’s plenty of space at the estate. We have a media room, a game room, and a greenhouse—whatever you want to do, you can do there. Whenever you don’t have classes, come over. You can even stay for a few days. I’ll talk to your aunt.
“After the semester starts, though, I’ll be moving temporarily to a villa near the school. I’ll send you the location then.”
Su Yuan’s eyes lit up at once. She put down her chopsticks, grabbed Zhang Yanyan’s arm, and shook it excitedly.
“Really, Big sis? You’re the best! I’ve wanted to stay at your place for ages, but my mom always says not to bother you, so I never dared bring it up!”
“How would that be a bother?” Zhang Yanyan patted her hand.
In the original owner’s memories, Su Yuan was one of the few people who had genuinely been close to her. She was perceptive, sensible, and not spoiled. Zhang Yanyan truly felt they clicked.
“I live alone anyway, and it’s quiet enough as it is. Having you over would make things livelier.”
Su Yuan smiled until her eyes curved into crescents and immediately placed a piece of crispy roast squab in Zhang Yanyan’s bowl.
“Big sis, hurry and eat! The squab here is especially delicious today!”
Zhang Yanyan smiled and obliged, lowering her head to eat. The two of them chatted as they ate, Su Yuan chattering away about amusing things happening at home while Zhang Yanyan chimed in from time to time, occasionally serving her more food or filling her bowl with soup. The atmosphere was relaxed and easy.
They spent more than an hour over lunch, and by the time they set down their chopsticks, both of them were completely full.
The servers cleared away the dishes and brought out a platter of fresh fruit. After resting for a little over ten minutes, Su Yuan tugged Zhang Yanyan toward the exit.
“Big sis! Let’s go shopping! Henglong Plaza! So many brands have released their fall and winter collections lately, and I’ve been dying to take a look!”
Zhang Yanyan didn’t refuse. She let Su Yuan pull her into the car, and they headed straight for Henglong Plaza in the city center.
It was the most luxurious shopping mall in Rongcheng, home to major high-end brands from around the world and a favorite destination among the city’s elite.
The moment the car stopped at the mall entrance, a doorman hurried over to open the door and bowed respectfully.
With her arm linked through Zhang Yanyan’s, Su Yuan made a beeline for the luxury boutiques on the second floor. Their first stop was Hermès.
As soon as they stepped through the door, the store manager recognized them and immediately came over with the staff, welcoming them with deferential smiles and a bow.
“Good afternoon, Miss Zhang and Miss Su! We’ve just received a batch of new fall and winter clothing, handbags, and accessories making their domestic debut. I’ve set aside your usual sizes especially for you. Shall I show you around?”
Zhang Yanyan gave a slight nod. “Sure. Bring everything over for us to look at.”
The store manager beamed and hurriedly instructed the staff to retrieve the items from the stockroom. Before long, complete outfits and the latest handbags had been neatly arranged in the VIP lounge.
