Gu Shilin turned to look at Luo Yunyan with a teasing glint in his eyes. “Bo…ss? Ruyi Pavilion is yours?”

“And why not?” Luo Yunyan gave him a sideways glance, lifting an eyebrow in challenge.

“Of course it’s fine. Just makes me feel a little foolish, showing off at the master’s gate. Boss~” he dragged out the last word deliberately.

Luo Yunyan inhaled slowly, then turned to the manager beside her. “Switch President Gu’s reservation to my private suite. Keep the bill under his name—give him a 15% discount.”

Gu Shilin’s expression didn’t waver; his gaze remained fixed on her, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Yes, Boss!” The manager quickly led them upstairs.

I’m so dead, the manager thought, internally crying.

The top floor of Ruyi Pavilion was widely known as off-limits in every location worldwide. No matter how rich you were, it was owner-exclusive. Period.

Aside from its world-class cuisine, Ruyi Pavilion was famous for its design. Each branch took inspiration from local traditional architecture. Beijing’s was built like a classic Chinese courtyard.

But the top floor was a different level entirely. Warm-toned walls, soft wall-mounted lighting and simulated candle sconces, furniture made of rare wood… and a small pond, with mist curling above it from hidden fog machines. Several rare ornamental fish swam inside—glowing red arowanas and brilliant koi named “Loulan,” species her grandfather had been searching years for and failed to find.

Don’t ask why he doesn’t buy juveniles—he’s tried. They all died.

The manager handed them menus. Luo Yunyan didn’t even look, waving at Gu Shilin to order instead. Her staff already knew her preferences.

Gu Shilin selected a few signature dishes and added a braised short rib—specifically noting, “No scallions.”

The manager, face full of “I’m shipping it so hard,” quietly withdrew from the room.

Luo Yunyan had been scrolling her phone, but on hearing that, her head snapped up.
How did he know that?

Noticing her surprise, Gu Shilin smiled. “I went to school with Ah Che. Heard it from him back then.”

“Oh~ Something from that long ago and you still remember? Looks like I’ve lived rent-free in your heart since we were kids?” Luo Yunyan smirked, propping her chin on her hand.

“Well, it was quite memorable. My grandfather even tried to arrange a childhood engagement for us. But your whole family kicked him out on the spot.” Gu Shilin chuckled at the memory.

“Hey, it’s not too late now. Drop the ‘childhood’ part—what about just getting engaged?”

Gu Shilin raised his deep, serious gaze and locked eyes with her. “Are you serious, Miss Luo? I’d be delighted. I’ll have Grandpa come propose tonight.”

Wait—
Who said he’s afraid of women? WHO?!

Luo Yunyan’s smile froze for half a second before she regained her cool. “In your dreams. I need time to assess your qualifications.”

“Then I’ll do my best to impress,” Gu Shilin said, deliberately putting extra weight on the word “impress.”

“Thing is, President Gu… you’re already 26. That’s a whole seven years older than me. I’m not even legally old enough to marry yet. That age gap…” she said, raising seven fingers.

Gu Shilin’s temple twitched. “I’m 25. I started school early—that’s how I was in Ah Che’s class.”

“Ohh… so, six years then,” she said innocently.

Six years what?! Come on, finish the sentence! SAY IT!!

Seeing the frustration creeping into his eyes, Luo Yunyan barely kept her laughter in. “Six years isn’t too bad, I guess.”

A knock interrupted their banter. The manager returned with several waiters and began placing dishes on the table.

“Boss, we recently developed some new desserts. Would you like to try them?”

Luo Yunyan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she turned to Gu Shilin. “How many people live in your house?”

“Three—my parents and my grandfather,” he answered, confused.

“Serve the dishes. Also, pack two boxes of desserts, four servings each. I’ll take them with me,” Luo Yunyan instructed the manager.

“Yes, Boss. Enjoy your meal.” The manager bowed and left.

Gu Shilin raised an eyebrow. “Then thank you on behalf of my family. Ruyi’s desserts are usually limited stock.”

“No need to thank me. I’ll still make a profit off that 15% discount,” she said, grabbing a braised short rib with her chopsticks.

Tch. Mom’s version is still better.
She switched targets—luckily, the other dishes were pretty good.

While she was eating contentedly, a bowl of soup suddenly appeared by her hand.

“Drink some soup.”

“Thanks, Pretty Boy.”

Ah. So when she’s pleased it’s ‘Pretty Boy,’ but when she’s annoyed, it’s ‘President Gu.’
Classic.

“Are you still in university?” Gu Shilin asked.

Luo Yunyan swallowed before answering. “Graduated.”

“You… graduated? You went to college at 15?”

“Nope. I got my PhD at 16. Started college at 13 or 14, I think.”

At the time, she’d had that old man gather a battalion of tutors to help her fast-track her studies and apply to Lostre.

“Which school?”

“Lostre.” Then she resumed eating meat.

Gu Shilin paused.

He’d also been accepted to Lostre back then—but only applied to accompany Luo Yunche. Ironically, Luo Yunche didn’t get in, but he did. Still, he’d chosen to stay in China and attend Beijing University, eventually…

Too bad. If he’d gone, they would’ve been schoolmates.

Though realistically, he couldn’t have done what she did—graduate with a PhD in just three years.

Luo Yunyan: Mhm mhm, when I was a freshman, you were a sophomore. I finished my doctorate while you were still wrangling your undergrad thesis. Teehee.

Gu Shilin watched her battle the meat in front of her and shook his head with a smile.
Maybe eating was the only time she acted her age.

After dinner, Luo Yunyan didn’t actually let him pay. Otherwise, how would she find an excuse to see him again?

Gu Shilin ended up driving her little black car and dropped her off at the Luo family villa.

At the gates, Luo Yunyan turned to him. “How are you getting back? Want to take my car?”

“No need. I’m going to my parents’ place—it’s just over that bridge.” He pointed ahead.

She followed his finger.
Well, damn.
Turns out the Luo and Gu estates were separated by just a man-made canal.

“Alright then. Stay safe, Pretty Boy~ I’ll watch you walk away.” She stepped out and walked around to the driver’s side.

Gu Shilin reached out, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “No need. I’ll leave once you’re inside.”

“Okay then. I’m going—night, Pretty Boy.” Luo Yunyan got into her car, blew him a kiss, and walked inside.

Only when the villa gate shut behind her did Gu Shilin finally walk away.

Back inside, she carried the dessert boxes into the living room where her parents were sitting.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back. Where are the brothers?”

“Your eldest hasn’t returned yet. Your third brother’s upstairs,” said Su Wanru. She stood, ready to take the boxes. “What’s this, sweetheart? Is it heavy?”

(End of Chapter)