Chapter 138: “Let’s Owe It For Now”

Of course she was happy—seeing the people who annoyed her get their comeuppance was really satisfying!

But about ten minutes later, Xie Yunshu looked at the restaurant in front of her and couldn’t feel happy anymore.

Had Captain Shen gotten lost? Why was he riding his bike winding around and ended up at the entrance of Haicheng Grand Hotel? This was the most expensive hotel in Haicheng, often frequented by foreigners. A simple plate of vegetables sold for 0.8 yuan outside was being sold here for 8 yuan!

Was this a place ordinary people should come to?!

Xie Yunshu patted her coat pocket—there were only ten yuan inside. Before coming, she had thought that since the last time she failed to treat Captain Shen properly, this time she would be a bit more generous. After all, how much could two people spend on a meal? Ten yuan would definitely be enough, maybe even have some left over!

Shen Subai saw her standing dumbfounded by the bike and smirked, “Why aren’t you moving?”

Her legs felt weak; she couldn’t move…

Xie Yunshu pressed her lips together, “Well…”

Actually, it wasn’t that she was stingy; even spending ten yuan to treat Captain Shen was reasonable. After all the big favors he had done, what was wrong with eating at Haicheng Grand Hotel? The problem was she didn’t have enough money.

“I heard Haicheng Hotel serves food very slowly. I’m afraid it will delay you going to work this afternoon,” Xie Yunshu wracked her brain for an excuse, then smiled at him, “Captain Shen, how about we eat across the street?”

There was a small restaurant across the street that looked much cheaper.

But Shen Subai had already walked inside: “It’s fine. I suddenly think I don’t have much to do this afternoon, so time is plenty.”

But her wallet wasn’t plentiful! Treating someone to a meal without enough money was super awkward! Even though she had lost face in front of Captain Shen more than once, it wasn’t like she wanted to keep doing it…

They braved it and went inside. There weren’t many people. Shen Subai chose a window seat and skillfully ordered two dishes: “One braised pork, one Shanghai greens, and two bowls of rice.”

Would ten yuan be enough for this meal?

Xie Yunshu barely ate, feeling uneasy. But judging by Shen Subai’s order—just one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and two bowls of rice—he clearly wasn’t trying to take advantage of her.

Shen Subai poured a glass of warm water and placed it in front of her, then pushed the braised pork a little closer and asked, “Are you really interested in architecture? I saw you discussing blueprints with the workers before coming here.”

Haicheng Hotel’s expensive food had its reasons. The braised pork was fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth—delicious with rice.

Xie Yunshu couldn’t help but take two more bites and nodded in response to Shen Subai’s question, “Yeah, I wanted to study architectural design in college. But I guess that’s impossible now. I’m just glad if I can read some books occasionally.”

Of course she had regrets, but now that she could earn money, she wasn’t too tangled up in them.

Shen Subai pointed to the Shanghai greens: “The vegetables here taste good too. Try some.”

Xie Yunshu realized she had unconsciously eaten four pieces of braised pork. She hurried to slow down, picked some greens, and put them in her mouth. Her eyes brightened: “Really tasty!”

Shen Subai hummed, “The chefs here are very skilled. If you’re running the canteen later, you’ll need to hire chefs. You can’t do all the cooking by yourself; that’s unrealistic.”

Xie Yunshu felt a little guilty. She really hadn’t thought about hiring professional chefs—first, she didn’t even have a place to hire anyone, and second, she couldn’t afford good chefs! For now, it would be just her and Aunt Zhao in the kitchen, maybe one helper. It would be tiring, but she wasn’t afraid of hard work.

Seeing Xie Yunshu silent, Shen Subai guessed what she was thinking.

“Three meals a day. You have to get up around four in the morning and work until seven or eight at night. Even an iron man couldn’t hold up.”

Shen Subai didn’t seem very hungry himself—he only ate some vegetables, then put down his chopsticks. “The premise of making money is that your own health doesn’t fail.”

Xie Yunshu thought he was worried about her not eating enough and quickly promised, “I’m very capable, not afraid of hard work!”

Shen Subai looked at her leisurely: “I know a chef here at Haicheng Hotel. I was going to introduce his apprentice to you, but now it seems like you don’t need it?”

Xie Yunshu was stunned for a second, then quickly smiled brightly, “Captain Shen, you’re so kind, of course I need it.”

“Thanking people sounds like repeating the same things over and over. Your Chinese grades in school were probably just average.”

Shen Subai snorted. Before Xie Yunshu could say anything, he took out a piece of paper: “I have a friend who teaches at the night university. They have an architecture department. You can free up your time and study what you want.”

“But…” Xie Yunshu had thought about night university before, but only dared to think about it. It wasn’t free—tuition was over a hundred yuan per year. More importantly, you needed a recommendation letter from your work unit or community.

Besides, after contracting the canteen, where would she find the time?

Shen Subai’s eyelashes lowered: “Making money doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. The project department can provide the recommendation letter. Your major matches perfectly. These aren’t problems.”

Xie Yunshu’s eating slowed. She looked at Shen Subai but found him staring down, not looking at her.

The captain’s face wasn’t particularly delicate but had a unique aloofness. On closer look, his features were quite handsome, sharp and clear with smooth lines. His narrow eyes looked cold yet warm when they focused on people.

She seemed never to have seen him show emotion outwardly even once…

Lost in thought, Shen Subai raised his eyelids. Sunlight streamed through the restaurant window, casting shadows and light in his eyes, faintly reflecting her image.

Xie Yunshu felt a strange flutter in her heart. Before she could speak, Shen Subai’s clear voice sounded:

“Aren’t you paying?”

The small hint of flirtation in the air instantly turned awkward. Xie Yunshu felt in her pocket for the ten yuan but couldn’t smile: “I’ll go pay now…”

Haicheng Hotel’s service was good. Someone had already brought over the bill: “Comrade, total is eighteen yuan.”

She was short by two yuan! Had her brain been kicked by a donkey that she didn’t bring two more yuan?!

Her face flushed from the nose down to her neck. Facing the smiling waiter, she had no choice but to whisper, “Captain Shen, actually I…”

Shen Subai admired her blush for a second, then calmly took out money: “I’ll pay.”

After leaving the hotel, Xie Yunshu still looked down at her toes.

Shen Subai didn’t mention the money and changed the topic: “Today probably isn’t very convenient. In a couple days, I arranged for Master Chen to bring you here. He has several apprentices. Also, about the night university, if you’re willing, come to my office tomorrow afternoon for the recommendation letter.”

Not only had she not repaid the favor, but after one meal she owed another.

Xie Yunshu stammered, “I’ll return the money to you when I get back.”

Shen Subai sighed, “Forget it, owe me for now. Maybe someday I’ll need your help too?”

Now wasn’t the time for her to pay back favors. Accumulating them could only be useful later.

Xie Yunshu followed behind him, thinking about all the favors she couldn’t refuse and realized none of them could be paid back with just one meal.

She pushed her bike to head back when two people came out from the small restaurant across the street—Lu Zhizhi and Zhou Xinyue…