Chapter 1008: Problem Discovered

Huo Ying’s western restaurant isn’t large but is quite famous in Jiangzhou mainly because the owner is very beautiful.

Xu Shaochen took over twenty minutes to get to the restaurant.

“Sir, how many people?”

As soon as he entered the restaurant, a waiter greeted him, bending slightly with a smile that was both modest and enthusiastic.

In recent years, working in the service industry has become increasingly difficult. Customers aren’t just gods; they’re even harder to please.

“Your boss invited me.”

Xu Shaochen spoke while looking around at the restaurant’s interior.

Exquisite and elegant, it perfectly matches the aesthetic of the petit bourgeoisie.

“Are you Mr. Xu? The boss is waiting for you upstairs. Please follow me.”

The waiter spoke, taking a gossipy glance at Xu Shaochen before leading the way.

Moments later, Xu Shaochen followed the waiter to the third floor.

The restaurant has only three floors; beyond that, it belongs to someone else.

According to the waiter, the first floor is a hall, the second floor is for private rooms, and the third floor is the owner’s private space.

“The boss is inside, Mr. Xu. I’ll go back to work now.”

Standing in front of the door, the waiter spoke to Xu Shaochen, then turned and left.

“Knock knock…”

Xu Shaochen knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

Inside, Huo Ying’s voice could be heard.

“Sister Ying, it’s me, Xu Shaochen.”

Xu Shaochen said.

“Come in, the door’s not locked.”

Hearing this, Xu Shaochen turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

Inside, Xu Shaochen found the room’s layout very hotel-like. Huo Ying was wearing an apron, cooking in the open kitchen.

“Sit anywhere. Grab a drink from the fridge. The food’s almost ready, just in time to try my new recipes.”

Huo Ying said to Xu Shaochen, without turning around, busy at the countertop.

He admired Huo Ying’s curvaceous figure from behind, feasting his eyes.

Huo Ying’s golden hair was tied up, wearing a tight white turtleneck sweater that accentuated her slender waist and side curves.

Below, she wore blue skinny jeans, highlighting her long legs and full figure, with white high heels adding to her tall appearance.

This homey attire, paired with an apron, made her look like a virtuous woman, yet her exquisite face and figure were simply mesmerizing to men.

After a while, Xu Shaochen retracted his gaze and wandered around the living room.

The living room, with a hotel-like decor, had a large floor-to-ceiling window, offering great lighting and a street view at night.

Suddenly, Xu Shaochen felt a bright flash, causing him to squint instinctively.

After recovering, he looked at a building across, seeing a room’s curtains drawn tightly.

Xu Shaochen felt a hint of suspicion.

The flash must have been some object reflecting light.

Plus, the sudden closure of the curtains suggested the room’s owner might be spying with a camera or binoculars.

Were they spying on Huo Ying? Given her looks and figure, it’s not surprising.

It couldn’t be him being spied on, could it?

“What are you looking at? Wash up and get ready to eat. Try my new dish.”

Huo Ying called out to Xu Shaochen while placing dishes on the table.

Xu Shaochen felt the need to warn Huo Ying about the spying or filming.

“Sister Ying, if you’re changing or something, close the curtains. I just noticed someone might be spying on you or filming.”

Xu Shaochen casually said to Huo Ying while walking to the table.

Huo Ying was momentarily stunned, her face changing momentarily before regaining composure. “Really? I should be more careful.”

Though she masked it quickly, Xu Shaochen caught her initial unnatural reaction.

What’s going on?

Did she already know someone was spying, maybe even filming? Huo Ying didn’t seem the type to expose herself willingly.

Xu Shaochen decided to test her further.

“I’ll have someone check. If a bad person is watching, Sister Ying, it’s dangerous for a woman like you.”

As he spoke, Xu Shaochen took out his phone, pretending to call, observing Huo Ying’s expression.

“No need. I don’t stay here often. I mostly come to work on new recipes. It’s not necessary.”

Huo Ying almost instinctively tried to stop Xu Shaochen, seeming flustered and panicked.

From this, Xu Shaochen deduced that not only did Huo Ying know someone was spying, but she also knew who it was.

He suddenly thought of the small tracker found on his clothes.

Upon reflection, their encounter seemed too coincidental.

Normally, no one, even in a hurry, would recklessly rush to a car already starting.

Moreover, Huo Ying’s warmth toward a stranger she’d met just a day ago seemed excessive.

Perhaps the person across was observing him? In a more conspiratorial sense, perhaps they were in cahoots with Huo Ying, which explained her uneasy reaction and attempt to stop him.

When men are overwhelmed with desire, they often lack intelligence.

But when a man’s desire for a woman cools, he becomes incredibly rational and calm.

After a dark analysis, Xu Shaochen’s eyes turned cold.

Realizing he might be caught in a trap, the woman before him no longer seemed beautiful.

He was always one to rather suspect three thousand wrongfully than let one go.

“Xiao Xu, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

Huo Ying looked at Xu Shaochen and said.

“I’m fine, Sister Ying. Anything else to load in the kitchen? I’ll join you.”

Xu Shaochen smiled warmly, speaking as he moved toward the kitchen.

Moments ago, he noted the kitchen was a blind spot, invisible from the large window.

He wasn’t worried about other surveillance devices inside either.

If there were, why bother with someone observing from across anyway?

“No need, you’re a guest. I’ll handle it.”

Seeing Xu Shaochen not pursue the matter further, Huo Ying breathed a sigh of relief, her face softening to a gentle smile.

She spoke while also heading to the kitchen.

“Ah! Xiao Xu, what are you doing? Let go of me…”

Suddenly, she screamed, face full of panic, eyes filled with fear.

Xu Shaochen unexpectedly turned, grabbed her neck, and pinned her against the wall.