Guan Ciyan did not see the excited and happy reaction he expected from Jian Yang. He thought Jian Yang would ask about the animals at the rescue station.

After a few moments of silence, he patted Jian Yang’s head. “When you become famous, remember to promote it, or else no one will know that I did a good deed.”

Jian Yang: That’s very typical of Guan Ciyan, not doing anything without profit.

Once the food was prepared, the two of them went to the rescue station. The main supply department had already prepared everything, just waiting for the right time to deliver it. The media that the assistant had contacted were there, filming materials and documenting the daily rescue work of the staff to create a report.

Inside, it was warm. As soon as Jian Yang entered, he took off Guan Ciyan’s jacket and asked him to hold it while he went to distribute snacks to the cats and dogs. The food he wasted gave off a fresh, sweet fragrance. Watching the cats eat so happily, Jian Yang swallowed, only to have Guan Ciyan slap him on the head.

“You didn’t eat when it was your turn.”

Jian Yang became obedient.

Squatting on the floor in his baseball jacket, he scratched the cat’s chin and gave them a little food.

After feeding them, they spent another two hours.

When they came out, the sky was completely dark, and the city’s lights were twinkling. Jian Yang was taken to wash his hands and disinfect, then sat back in Guan Ciyan’s car. The assistant stayed at the rescue station to handle the final tasks, and the car was driven by Guan Ciyan himself. Jian Yang sat in the passenger seat, chatting with him about how well-behaved and cute the cats and dogs were.

“With this comparison, Little Sun is really fierce. He doesn’t even have the self-awareness of a stray cat.”

Guan Ciyan smiled. “When you don’t have food in your hands, go to the park and see the other stray cats.”

“Can I really do that?”

Guan Ciyan gave Jian Yang a meaningful glance. “You’re so excited.”

Jian Yang couldn’t understand the implied meaning.

The mint scent from the disinfectant on his hands made the car’s air fresh and pleasant. Guan Ciyan felt lighthearted. He lightly stepped on the gas, rolled down the window a little, and the cool night air rushed in. Jian Yang gently exhaled and tilted his head to avoid it. As he shifted towards the driver’s side, his gaze met Guan Ciyan’s.

He smiled brightly. “Sir, are you happy?”

“Why do you ask?”

“You’re driving faster.”

Guan Ciyan smiled without replying.

The car sped down the road, the yellow streetlights shining on the bare tree branches. Inside, it was as warm as spring, with the night breeze bringing coolness. No disguise could keep up with the speed of the car. Jian Yang felt his soul slowly rise, as if reborn.

Looking at the scenery outside the window, he felt a bit dizzy. “Sir.”

Guan Ciyan looked ahead, his voice soft. “Hmm?”

“Are you hungry?”

Guan Ciyan took two seconds to react. “What?”

Jian Yang turned to glance at him as if he had done something wrong, then turned back to the window. “I still want to eat hotpot.”

He hadn’t eaten well… it wasn’t the taste shown on TV.

Guan Ciyan stopped the car, and Jian Yang looked at him, puzzled.

“Not bad, being young master seems good.”

“What?”

The car started again, turning onto the highway, growing darker. Apart from the streetlights, there was no light at all. Jian Yang was a little dazed. “Sir, are you planning to silence me with a hotpot?”

Guan Ciyan did not respond.

At the end of the road, a scattering of lights appeared. The car slid into a parking lot, parking randomly. It was a vast lot, with only their car. The lights came from the string lights around a seaside guesthouse. The dark seaside had seven or eight guesthouses located by the shore, and faint music could be heard from a distance.

“Where is this?” Jian Yang looked around, but there was no one else.

“A place for feeding pigs.” Guan Ciyan started walking ahead.

Jian Yang quickly followed, thinking it wasn’t a good idea to get lost in such darkness.

Under the eaves of the guesthouse hung a small wooden sign that read: “Falling Lanterns.” It was the name of the guesthouse.

The style was Japanese, with the buildings made entirely of wood. Jian Yang sniffed near the door and could smell the wood’s fragrance.

“Building houses by the sea like this, aren’t you afraid of moisture?” Jian Yang liked the smell but couldn’t help but worry.

“Not all houses are meant to last for decades.”

Jian Yang stood still. “Houses are still consumables, huh.”

Once again, he was stunned by the extravagance of the wealthy. Growing up poor, he still felt this wasn’t right.

This house belonged to Guan Ciyan. To be precise, this entire resort area belonged to him. With promotional channels through the Complex Entertainment Hall, countless artist and media resources, all the national tourist attractions were eager to collaborate with Guan Ciyan.

The bamboo weaving village where Wen Ye was located was one area, and this beach was another. This guesthouse was specifically reserved for Guan Ciyan when it was developed and wasn’t involved in external operations.

Once Guan Ciyan entered, the two dozing butlers were startled awake. “Sir.”

As Jian Yang had guessed, the house would get damp, so there were people on duty all year round to dehumidify it. Guan Ciyan occasionally brought people here to discuss business, so they had someone to take care of it.

But usually, assistants would notify them in advance, but this time, Guan Ciyan came by himself. The butler stood beside him. “What would you like, sir?”

“Make hotpot, with fresh ingredients,” Guan Ciyan turned to look at Jian Yang, “Taiwanese flavor, not too spicy.”

The butler’s gaze followed Guan Ciyan, and he roughly understood. “Please, this way.”

Jian Yang had a long face. No wonder Guan Ciyan had said, “A place for feeding pigs.” But he was only eating here once. Guan Ciyan had probably been here many times. He was the pig, and Guan Ciyan was an even bigger pig. A super pig.

No, he was a dog.

Guan Ciyan was eating grapes from the table, trying to comfort himself. The more he tried, the happier he became.

“What are you laughing at?” Guan Ciyan held back some anger. He had two important meetings tomorrow, and tonight he had gone crazy and brought Jian Yang here.

“Nothing.” Jian Yang stopped laughing and shook his head.

The butler came over to the table. “Sir, the ingredients are ready. You can go take a look.”

Jian Yang continued eating the grapes by himself.

Guan Ciyan coldly reminded him, “I’m talking to you.”

“Huh?” Jian Yang looked up, confused. It had been a long time since anyone called him “sir.”

He was used to hearing “young master.”

The butler led Jian Yang to the back while explaining, “The ingredients in our scenic area are all freshly picked. Guests can choose them themselves, pick the cooking methods, and ensure the most flavorful preparation.”

The butler lifted a half-curtain for Jian Yang, entering a natural breeding area on the beach that had been transformed. “This side is our self-raised produce, and over there are imported products. Sir can choose freely.”

The other butler, whom Jian Yang had seen inside, was in the preliminary processing area. “Three blue crabs, 800 grams each, steamed. Is that okay, sir?”

Before Jian Yang could answer, a voice came from beside him. “There’s king crab over there, it’s even better.”

And… sea urchin, Hokkaido scallop shrimp, bluefin tuna belly…

Jian Yang stood still. “Ah…”

Although Uncle Zhang usually served him with various fine foods, it was still different to see the raw ingredients compared to the finished dishes.

A random box of food could cost several thousand.

The butler thought Jian Yang wasn’t interested in raw seafood and guided him, “There are also traditional foods like grilled blue mackerel.”

“Anything, anything.” Jian Yang swallowed, “I can eat anything.”

No wonder they let guests choose and kill themselves. One slice of fish would cost someone an entire month’s salary; it was hard not to look at it.

Jian Yang, feeling dizzy, returned to his seat. The pots were already on the table, one with spicy, fragrant beef tallow, and the other with rich fish bone soup, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma.

“Why haven’t I heard of this scenic area? It’s so unique. Haven’t you done any promotion?”

Guan Ciyan served Jian Yang a bowl of soup. “Do you think people who can afford to come here would know about it just from promotions?”

Jian Yang silently calculated in his mind. No matter how much money he earned, he wouldn’t come to a place like this unless someone else invited him.

The squid’s heads bobbed in the red soup. Jian Yang fished one out. It was so spicy his tongue tingled, and the heat spread throughout his body.

The first batch of ingredients was quickly consumed. At first, Jian Yang was considering the price, but later he let go. After all, each dish was small in portion. The huge plates were mostly empty.

By the end, Jian Yang asked them to stop with the plating and just bring out the prepared ingredients. The spicy broth whetted the appetite, the fish soup was delicious, and the organic vegetables gently passed through the boiling white broth, leaving a fragrant aftertaste.

Jian Yang ate until he was sweating, and Guan Ciyan naturally pulled out a napkin to wipe his face. Jian Yang looked up and took it. “So delicious! Why didn’t you bring me here earlier?”

Guan Ciyan was helpless but amused. He was the first person to praise this development project in this way.

From the time it was built and opened until now, the project had been in a state of loss. As he said, few people could afford to spend here, and he only used this place to maintain resources and expand his network.

Since they were already here, Guan Ciyan saw Jian Yang enjoying himself and joined him with a few bites. The taste was average, just like what he usually ate.

“Is it really that good?” Guan Ciyan asked, puzzled.

Jian Yang nodded with food in his mouth.

“The Jian family is also quite prestigious, but you’re eating like you’ve never had a proper meal.”

Jian Yang froze, forgetting his wealthy young master persona… He was eating so embarrassingly.

Guan Ciyan joked, but after saying it, the corners of his mouth dropped. Jian Yang wasn’t treated well in the Jian family, so it was normal for him to have never eaten well.

“You know,” Jian Yang’s cheek was puffed with food, and he stammered while trying to make excuses, “I’ve been… since I was young…”

“Can you still grow like this?” Guan Ciyan suddenly changed the topic. “Chilled coconut water and dessert fruits are coming up.”

“I can grow!” Jian Yang mumbled. “I’m only 19, I can still grow taller!”

That day, Guan Ciyan almost turned the island upside down. Jian Yang was eyeing everything, and Guan Ciyan handled it all and placed it before him.

The meal lasted four hours, eating until 1 a.m.

“I can’t eat anymore, really can’t.” Jian Yang held his stomach and supported his lower back. “I’m showing now.”

Guan Ciyan smiled and ruffled Jian Yang’s hair. “Hold it in. Raising one is troublesome enough.”

Jian Yang burped and grabbed Guan Ciyan’s arm as they walked along the beach. He said it casually, and Guan Ciyan didn’t pay much attention.

Guan Ciyan hadn’t realized that his indulgence and tolerance for Jian Yang had already surpassed his usual protective attitude toward talent.

That initial frustration by the beach, which even he didn’t understand, had turned into: He’s only 19, maybe eating more could help him grow taller.