A strange competitive spirit and a desire to show off arose in her heart, so she deliberately shook Yu Chen's arm in front of Nan Yu, her voice soft.

“Brother Yu Chen, shall we eat in the lobby too? Although Brother Buyi doesn’t need us to keep him company, he’s really lonely by himself. We can sit next to him so we can look after each other.”

Nan Yu rolled her eyes, too lazy to pay attention to their charade.

She turned her head to the other side, propped herself up on her arm, and her emotions didn't fluctuate much. She was indeed angry just now. That shameless bastard!

Nan Yu waited for Chen Qichuan.

Although we ordered food, the kitchen didn't serve it because not everyone had arrived.

Only some snacks were served. The snacks at Zuixianlou are free, but these snacks are from Lihuazhai. It is said that the two businesses are owned by the same person, but no one knows who that person is. Nan Yu guessed that it might be someone in the palace, or perhaps directly under the emperor.

I ate a plate of pastries.

Chenxichuan hasn't arrived yet.

The food at the restaurant next door has already started to be served.

Deng Xin was annoyed; if he didn't come soon, he'd take his money and book a private room!

Two more incense sticks burned.

Haitang hadn't expected Zuixianlou to be so expensive. He was shocked when he saw the menu, but thankfully, Yu Chen was rich and generous.

They spent seventy or eighty taels on this meal.

Why hasn't Qi Buyi's food been served yet?

Can't the young masters of the capital afford it?

That's what I think.

Haitang's smile widened.

She picked up a slice of tender fish and put it in her mouth, chewing it slowly. But her eyes kept glancing towards the next table, a feigned worry on her face. She looked at Yu Chen with a troubled expression and said:

“Brother Yu Chen, why don’t we invite Brother Buyi to come and eat with us? It’s been almost half an hour, and Brother Buyi is still sitting there, only eating some free pastries. Do you think Brother Buyi doesn’t have any money to order food?”

Yu Chen followed Haitang's gaze and saw Dengxin drinking tea again.

Besides the unlimited pastries in the private rooms, there is only one plate in the main hall, and it is only served if you make a purchase. Since there are pastries on his table, why hasn't the main dish been served yet?

Haitang: "Brother Yuchen, shall I call Brother Buyi over?"

Yu Chen nodded.

Haitang grinned, like a little sun.

Yu Chen's heart melted at the sight.

The boy went over and called to Nan Yu, "Brother Buyi, it's been almost half an hour, why don't you eat with us?"

Nan Yu glanced at him and said unhappily, "Don't call me brother, I don't know you."

Haitang's smile froze on her face, her lips trembled slightly, and her eyes lowered. Like a wounded fawn, she softly apologized, "I'm sorry, Young Master Qi. I was tactless and thought you were Brother Yu Chen's friend, so... so..."

The voice grew softer and softer, tinged with a hint of grievance.

Upon seeing this, Yu Chen immediately stood up, walked a few steps to Haitang, pulled him behind him, and said with a face full of anger, "Qi Ziming, Haitang kindly invited you, what kind of attitude is this?"

Nan Yu glared at him: "Get out!"

These two lunatics, do they have to come here looking for a scolding?

Yu Chen: "You!"

"What do you mean, 'you'? Didn't you hear me tell you to get lost?"

At first, Nan Yu assumed he was just jealous, but the boy's words became increasingly outrageous, and the atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point, like a taut bowstring ready to snap. Seeing that he wouldn't leave, Nan Yu continued, "If you're going to break up, then break it off cleanly! Stop pretending to be a virtuous woman while being a hypocrite!"

Yu Chen was furious and raised his hand to hit Nan Yu. Nan Yu didn't dodge at all. If he slapped her, she would make a scene at the General's Mansion tomorrow!

"Yu Chen!"

The voice came from the doorway, carrying an innate air of authority. Just hearing the voice sent chills down one's spine. The voice was so familiar that Yu Chen almost reflexively withdrew his hand and turned around.

A tall figure stood against the light at the entrance. The person was dressed in a black brocade robe, with an upright posture and deep eyes like a cold pool. He stepped into the hall, and a waiter trotted over.

They were well-informed and had seen Shen Qichuan's portrait long ago.

Quickly call the shopkeeper over.

When Yu Chen saw the person who came, his heart pounded like a drum, and his face lost some color.

How could that be?

Haitang was also dumbfounded. How could it really be General Shen?

No, General Shen must have come on his own; it has nothing to do with Qi Buyi.

The next second.

Nan Yu glared at him and asked angrily, "Where have you been? The daylily is getting cold, what am I supposed to eat?"

Haitang stared wide-eyed. This person was incredibly bold to speak to General Shen like that.

Yu Chen frowned as well. Although he didn't like Bu Yi's attitude just now, there was still a bond between them since childhood. He swallowed slightly and bowed slightly to Shen Qichuan, "General, Bu Yi is young and offended you. Please don't hold it against him."

The man walked towards the boy and raised his hand.

Startled, Yu Chen was afraid that Nan Yu would be beaten, and begged for mercy again: "Bu Yi is angry with me, not at you. Please forgive Bu Yi this time, General."

Nan Yu: "..."

No, why is he pleading for me?

Instead of striking as Yu Chen had expected, Shen Qichuan put his hand up and pulled the boy into his arms. The man's palm was broad and thick, and even through the clothes, the lamp wick could feel its heat.

Her cold gaze swept over Yu Chen.

Her eyes were filled with possessiveness towards the boy.

No one is allowed to take even a fraction of it.

Yu Chen was truly stunned. What was wrong with Shen Qichuan...?

“My people can do whatever they want; General Yu need not worry about it.”

Nan Yu: "..."

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, a plump figure rushed out of the shop, greeting him warmly as he ran: "General Shen, a rare guest!"

Approaching the man, she bowed slightly, her eyes full of flattery: "I'll arrange a private room for you right away, I guarantee it will be quiet and comfortable, this way please!" With that, she stepped aside to lead the way, pointing upstairs.

Shen Qichuan put his arm around Nan Yu and led her to the private room.

Yu Chen finally realized it was Qi Ziming as the two were going up the stairs!

He tried to chase after her, but was stopped by Haitang.

"Brother Yu Chen, is Young Master Qi treating us to a meal? I'd like to stroll around Chang'an Street again later. I've heard there are many kinds of operas in the capital. Would you like to come with me to see one?"

Yu Chen was feeling irritable, unable to understand how Bu Yi had gotten involved with Shen Qichuan, and when they had met.

He had no interest in listening to what Haitang was saying.

The boy repeated it twice before he gave a perfunctory "hmm".

Half-persuaded and half-pulled back to his seat, Yu Chen lost his appetite. Haitang noticed his emotional fluctuation and couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis.

"Yu Chen".

He doesn't even call me "brother" anymore.

Yu Chen snapped out of his daze: "Hmm?"

Haitang's eyes reddened. "What are you thinking about?"

Yu Chen: "It's nothing."

Haitang: "You have a past with Young Master Qi?"

Yu Chen: "No."

Haitang didn't ask any more questions, and lowered her head, like a fledgling bird battered by a storm, fragile and helpless.

Her hair trembled slightly, and her shoulders swayed gently as well.

She picked up her chopsticks, mechanically picking at the food, and silently shed tears.

When they were almost finished eating, Yu Chen finally noticed his unusual behavior, "Haitang."

The boy sniffed, quickly raised his hand to wipe away his tears, looked up and forced a smile, his lips trying his best to turn up. From a distance, he looked like a delicate little flower, who had been wronged but was still trying to straighten his back and not let himself show any weakness.

Seeing him like this, Yu Chen felt heartbroken.