Chapter Thirty-Nine: I'll Listen to You

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This buffet left Wei Dong with a complicated mix of emotions. Yang Cheng and Qin Anyi chatted idly nearby. Qin Anyi, in fact, had managed to get a clear account of the story between Yang Cheng and Zhao Yang, thanks to Yang Cheng’s objective, impartial retelling—free of any personal sentiment. It was evident that, although their breakup had only occurred over a single summer, Yang Cheng had already moved on. After all, high school romances rarely reach the intensity that leaves lasting scars; at most, they carve out some unpleasant marks and childish memories deep within the heart.

While gossiping, Qin Anyi was also busily demolishing all sorts of sashimi. The plates before him had already stacked into a towering pile—more than a dozen—so much so that the waiters struggled to keep pace with his speed of consumption. His astonishing appetite left both the staff and his three tablemates utterly amazed.

Wei Dong, meanwhile, was making earnest efforts to converse with Pan Weiwei, but the process filled him with a deep sense of defeat. He suddenly realized that the qualities he had always prided himself on—those that he believed would attract girls—meant nothing to Pan Weiwei. Through subtle probing, Wei Dong finally understood the type she liked: someone with excellent academic performance, humble and polite in dealings, and above all, kind and honest. Humility and courtesy were qualities Wei Dong felt he could manage—even if he had to pretend. Kindness and honesty, those so-called personal virtues, wouldn’t hinder him either. But the requirement for good grades truly shattered his confidence… When had Young Master Wei ever actually studied in earnest?

After about an hour, the four finally had their fill. In truth, a meal without alcohol passes quickly; the hour’s duration was mostly due to the others waiting while Qin Anyi continued to devour sashimi. The empty plates stacked into a small mountain, nearly covering the table. Only then did Qin Anyi finally stop, letting out a slow breath and patting his stomach with satisfaction. The energy he’d stored should last him several days—after all, Kirin’s training regimen was grueling, and the caloric demand was extraordinary; he did need to replenish vigorously.

“You… Are you done eating?” Wei Dong stared, dazed at the mountain of plates, unsure.

Their table had become the center of attention. From the moment Qin Anyi started stacking plates, all the other diners—and every waiter in the buffet—had fixed their eyes, consciously or unconsciously, on them. No one had ever seen someone eat so much at a buffet, especially such expensive sashimi. Even the so-called competitive eaters who insist on walking in and out of buffets holding onto the wall couldn’t possibly have eaten as much. The amount consumed was nearly equal to his body size… What kind of stomach could hold so much?

“Yes, I’m good. Eight tenths full is just right—not too stuffed, so it won’t harm the body,” Qin Anyi nodded, speaking naturally.

“Thud.” One of the exhausted waiters, legs already weak, lost his balance and collapsed to the floor. Just eight tenths full? This immortal had eaten nearly everything…

Lü Feifei arrived, holding Zhao Yang’s hand. Seeing the mountain of empty plates on their table, she immediately said in a strange tone. It was her first time at the Zijing buffet, and after seeing the Lobster Mountain, she got excited and ordered two at once. After finishing them, she felt there was barely room left, but forced herself to eat a little more out of pride—ending up so full it was uncomfortable and left her feeling embarrassed. Yet, unexpectedly, their table’s consumption was far more outrageous.

“At a buffet, you should eat as much as you can, otherwise you’re missing out. Do you two have other plans?” Qin Anyi wiped his mouth with a wet towel and smiled.

“Oh, nothing really. Here’s the thing—my husband’s friend called him, inviting him to the nearby ‘Felinn’ bar. I thought you guys probably haven’t been to a place as nice as Felinn, so I wanted to bring you along, let you see something new,” Lü Feifei said, holding Zhao Yang’s arm with a proud look.

“Yes, let’s all go. My friend’s well-connected at Felinn; drinks are half-price for me,” Zhao Yang chimed in with a smile, though inwardly he wasn’t thrilled. Going to Felinn was completely Lü Feifei’s idea—even at half-price, a bottle of foreign liquor was more than the few coins left in his pocket. He knew a few people there, but the expenses could never be completely waived. Yet, since Lü Feifei insisted on making a show of it, Zhao Yang had no choice but to agree.

“A bar? I’m not going. I don’t like those places,” Yang Cheng said quietly, pursing her lips.

“Oh, Yang Yang, what are you thinking? Felinn is a proper place. What could we possibly do there? Just a drink and some dancing. The prices are so high, plenty of people want to go but can’t bring themselves to. My invite is absolutely well-intentioned,” Lü Feifei glared, displeased.

“Let’s all go. I’ve never been to a bar either, so tonight’s a good chance to broaden my horizons,” Qin Anyi laughed, standing up and pulling Yang Cheng to her feet.

“Exactly—never been to a bar? That’s just too dull. Rare opportunity today, so come with me,” Lü Feifei rolled her eyes, then turned, head held high, dragging Zhao Yang ahead.

“Anyi, I…” Yang Cheng hesitated; she had grown up in a strictly disciplined household, and had always felt uneasy about bars.

“It’s alright, just go. We can’t let my ex be too arrogant, can we?” Qin Anyi joked, tightening his grip on Yang Cheng’s hand and whispering, “Don’t worry. If you want to truly move on, ignoring isn’t enough. Sometimes you have to face it directly, and realize that the other person isn’t nearly as great as you imagined. That’s the right way.”

Yang Cheng opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She nodded obediently, holding Qin Anyi’s hand a little tighter. “I’ll listen to you.”