Chapter 72: On Mei Liangxin Ordering Food

After leaving the complex,

Xu Shaochen arrived at a Western restaurant.

“Is there a spot available?”

“Hello, sir. How many of you?” The waiter warmly greeted Xu Shaochen.

“No rush. I’m waiting for someone.”

“Alright, sir. Please, follow me.” The waiter nodded and led Xu Shaochen to a window seat.

Xu Shaochen nodded and sat down, then dialed Mei Liangxin’s phone.

It was time to start the process of acquiring properties in the Old City.

“Hello, what’s up?”

The call connected, and Mei Liangxin’s casual voice came through.

“How’s your body?” Xu Shaochen asked.

“Big Brother, haven’t you heard? It takes 100 days to recover from a bone injury.”

“Then forget it. I was planning on treating you to an Italian feast and then heading to the Old City, but since it’s inconvenient…”

“Convenient! Totally convenient! That 100-day recovery thing only applies to normal people. Am I, Mei Liangxin, a normal person?”

Before Xu Shaochen could finish, Mei Liangxin eagerly interrupted him, his voice growing firm and resolute.

Xu Shaochen nodded thoughtfully, then said, “Of course, you’re not normal.”

“Haha, great minds think alike! I always knew it. A fortune-teller once said that with my destiny, I’d be a king in ancient times.”

“Because you’re not human at all.”

Mei Liangxin: “……..”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone before Mei Liangxin’s voice came through again: “Where are you?”

“At an Italian restaurant on Evergreen Street.”

“Not far. I’ll be there shortly.”

With that, Mei Liangxin hung up, clearly not wanting to chat with Xu Shaochen any further because it stung too much.

“Order whatever you like. I’ll handle the bill when it comes.”

Xu Shaochen set down his phone and spoke to Long Yi and Long Er.

“Thank you, Boss.”

Long Yi and Long Er responded and then sat down at a table next to Xu Shaochen.

About ten minutes later, Mei Liangxin arrived with his arm in a bandage.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Italian food? I’ve never had it before; I’ve only heard of pasta.”

Mei Liangxin sat down across from Xu Shaochen, his sneaky expression making it clear he was there to eat. A stranger might think he was there to steal something.

“Country bumpkin.” Xu Shaochen didn’t hold back his sarcasm, though he wouldn’t admit to Mei Liangxin that he hadn’t tried Italian food either.

“Sir, are you ready to order?”

The waiter approached with a menu in hand, smiling as he looked at Xu Shaochen.

Xu Shaochen took the menu and flipped through it casually, feeling a headache coming on as he stared at the squiggly words.

He knew English and French, but damn, he couldn’t recognize Italian! Seriously, why don’t these people adapt to local customs and use a Chinese menu in Longguo when they open a restaurant here? After a moment of hesitation, Xu Shaochen handed the menu to Mei Liangxin with a flourish: “You’re the guest, so you order.”

No way was he going to embarrass himself by not knowing what to order. That would make him look so low-class! “Alright then, I won’t hold back.”

Mei Liangxin accepted the menu with a grin, but his smile froze as soon as he opened it.

He really wanted to pull out his phone and Google: “What to do when your friend takes you to an Italian restaurant and you can’t read the menu?” But there were so many people around, and the waiter was right there watching him. He couldn’t possibly admit that he couldn’t read the menu, could he? That would ruin his reputation for sure.

Never mind, I’ll just give the menu back to Xu Shaochen! “Why don’t…”

“Don’t tell me you can’t read the menu?” Mei Liangxin had just started to speak when Xu Shaochen interrupted.

Damn, there are always conniving subjects trying to set me up. I finally handed over this responsibility, and you think you can pass it back to me? No way.

Mei Liangxin’s temper flared immediately. “How could I not know? Are you joking? My uncle grew up in Italy!”

“Good, then hurry up and order. I’m a bit hungry.” Xu Shaochen nodded, smiling as he looked at Mei Liangxin.

Mei Liangxin stared at the menu, the sweat beading on his forehead. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and randomly pointed at the first few items: “This one, and this one, and give me this one too.”

Based on his years of experience eating out, the top items on the menu were usually the signature dishes.

It didn’t matter if he was guessing; as long as it was food, it would be enough.

“Sir, you have excellent taste. Would you like to add anything else?” The waiter praised Mei Liangxin with a smile.

Hearing this, Mei Liangxin sighed in relief. It seemed he got it right. He smiled and waved his hand in a show of modesty: “No, that’ll be all.”

“Very well, sir. Please wait a moment.” The waiter nodded and left with the menu.

Xu Shaochen’s eyes widened in surprise. Whoa, this guy actually knows Italian?

“So, how are those dishes?” Xu Shaochen asked curiously.

Mei Liangxin grinned, “They’re the signature dishes in Italian cuisine. The taste is pretty good. I’ve had them before.”

“Didn’t you just say you’d never had Italian food?” Xu Shaochen’s mouth twitched. He was starting to doubt things.

Mei Liangxin paused, “Did I say that?”

Xu Shaochen: “……..”

A moment later, a man with a violin approached them, gave them a bow, and started playing.

“This is truly a high-class restaurant.” Mei Liangxin couldn’t help but praise as he listened to the soothing music.

Time ticked by, and Long Yi and Long Er had already finished their meal, but Xu Shaochen and Mei Liangxin’s food hadn’t arrived yet.

Xu Shaochen frowned, “Where’s our food?”

“Don’t worry. Signature dishes take a bit longer to prepare.” Mei Liangxin waved his hand dismissively, not concerned at all.

Xu Shaochen nodded. Although Mei Liangxin often spewed nonsense, this time, what he said seemed to make sense.

Another few minutes passed, and even the violinist had left, but their food still hadn’t arrived.

Mei Liangxin was growing impatient. He knocked on the table and called out, “Waiter!”

“Is there anything you need, sir?” The same waiter who had served them earlier came over.

“What’s going on? It’s been so long, and our food still isn’t here.” Mei Liangxin scowled, his tone far from pleasant.

The waiter was a bit taken aback and replied, “Sir, you’ve already heard the violin pieces you ordered.”

Mei Liangxin: “……..”

Xu Shaochen: “……..”

“So this is the ‘signature dish’ you were talking about? And you said it tasted pretty good? You’ve actually eaten this before?” Xu Shaochen struggled to suppress his laughter, his face turning red.

Come on, tell me how you eat a violin piece? Are you one of those musical geniuses who can actually chew on music? Mei Liangxin’s face turned from white to red in embarrassment. The failed attempt at showing off was painfully awkward. He really wanted to dig a hole and bury himself.

No wonder they praised me for having good taste. What kind of damned taste do I really have?

“Just laugh, will you?” Mei Liangxin said, looking at the struggling Xu Shaochen.

“No way. Why would I laugh at you? I’m not that petty.” Xu Shaochen said with a straight face.

Mei Liangxin was stunned. Looking at Xu Shaochen’s serious face, a warm feeling ran through his heart.

Ah, there’s still true affection in the world! Best buddies for life.

“I’ll just post a status. Let’s all laugh together. Hahaha!” Xu Shaochen pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of Mei Liangxin, laughing like a pig.

Mei Liangxin: “……..”

In his mind, a thousand wild horses trampled wildly, ruthlessly crushing his fragile heart.