After calming herself down, Cha Meiling quickly regained her composure and went downstairs.
Just as Ning Yuan said, Madam Ning really liked Chu Hongyu.
She even praised Chu Hongyu for having the air of an old-fashioned socialite from before the liberation, and gave Chu Hongyu a brooch.
Unable to refuse, Chu Hongyu accepted the gift gracefully under Ning Yuan's insistence.
The elders were naturally happy to see the younger generation "united and friendly, enjoying themselves," especially since there was the "tragic" Cha Meiling among them, so they told the group of young people to have fun.
Ning Yuan nodded noncommittally, then pulled Chu Hongyu downstairs, casually complaining about Cha Meiling's past marriage to her older brother.
Chu Hongyu was stunned again. Wow, no wonder they're from a Hong Kong tycoon family, so much gossip!
The group left the house, got into Ning Bingyu's luxury car, and headed to the restaurant.
Ning Yuan and Chu Hongyu chatted and laughed along the way.
Cha Mei-ling couldn't respond to any related conversations from the mainland and simply sat silently to one side.
She didn't know why, but she felt that Ning Yuan seemed to be targeting her, but she couldn't show it, so she could only sit there calmly.
She looked at the back of Ning Bingyu's head, who was sitting in the passenger seat, and felt a mix of emotions.
"Tony, turn left? It's that state-run restaurant up ahead! The food is really authentic, my parents used to love going there when they were young."
As Chu Hongyu spoke, her slender finger pointed to an old restaurant not far from the window, with a red background and yellow lettering, and the words "Serve the People" still somewhat faded on its signboard.
Ning Bingyu frowned slightly. He wasn't used to many things in the mainland and always felt that state-run restaurants were dirty and messy, and the food must not be very good.
"What? Young Master Ning, you look down on this kind of authentic little shop?" Ning Yuan noticed the change in Ning Bingyu's expression and her tone carried a hint of provocation.
Ning Bingyu curled the corners of his lips and said in a nonchalant tone, "Since you want to go, then go and give it a try."
Anyway, he didn't really plan to eat here; he'd just have a quick bite and then go back to the restaurant for Western food later.
Tony drove up and quickly stopped in front of the restaurant.
As soon as I got off the bus, a cacophony of sounds hit me, mixed with heavy local dialects, and uncles and aunts in polyester shirts were queuing up at the entrance, creating a lively atmosphere.
Chu Hongyu smiled and said to the others who followed her down, "There are also Pingtan performances here at night, which are very interesting. My parents used to bring me here often."
Ning Bingyu wasn't interested in the "entertainment activities" in this kind of place, and simply nodded noncommittally.
The group found a seat by the window. The table was covered with a faded tablecloth. Chu Hongyu skillfully picked up the thermos and poured water for everyone, while Ning Yuan took the menu and started ordering.
Chu Hongyu pointed to the menu on the wall and smiled at Ning Yuan, saying, "Don't let the unassuming location fool you, the food is absolutely authentic! Their braised eel with sizzling oil and braised pork belly with clover are exceptional, as is their crab roe tofu, which is especially fragrant!"
Looking at the greasy stool and the damp chopsticks that had just been washed in the bamboo tube, Cha Meiling couldn't resist taking a handkerchief and wiping the stool.
Tony came from the bottom of Kowloon Walled City and fought in underground boxing in Thailand for many years. Naturally, he had experienced all kinds of hardships, and was the most at ease. He would sit down and observe what others were eating.
Ning Bingyu stared at the several holes in the tablecloth, remained silent for a while, and then sat down.
From the moment he started his business trips to the mainland, he would either eat at the Jinjiang Hotel, or at a Western restaurant that catered to foreign guests, or at the very least at the canteen of the municipal government guesthouse.
This is my first time visiting a small restaurant like this...
He expressionlessly took out a handkerchief and began to wipe his hands. He shouldn't have so hastily agreed to let Chu Hongyu come to a place like this.
He felt like he was the one who had been tricked. Could Chu Hongyu have done it on purpose?
As soon as the thought popped into his head, he looked up at Chu Hongyu.
She was chatting and laughing with Ning Yuan, pointing to the dishes on the menu and discussing them, seemingly unaffected by the simple and noisy environment.
"Auntie, we'd like braised pork belly with clover, braised pork belly, stir-fried shrimp, stir-fried eel with scallions, braised pork and bamboo shoots, crab roe tofu... and a stir-fried bok choy, hmm, that should be about it."
Chu Hongyu ordered several signature dishes in one go, all of which were authentic local Shanghainese cuisine.
"Oh dear, young lady, you've ordered so much, won't you be able to finish it?" the waitress asked with a smile in Shanghainese.
Chu Hongyu responded to the waitress in her soft Shanghainese, her tone carrying a hint of local pride: "Since the big boss from Hong Kong is treating us, we should show them the culinary prowess of our bustling metropolis!"
After saying that, she deliberately blinked her big, fox-like eyes.
The waitress was amused by her and immediately raised her voice, put her hands on her hips, and responded with a tone full of pride.
"Oh my! That's for sure. We can't let the Hong Kong government look down on us. I'll call the best Pingtan master up here in a bit! I guarantee these Hong Kong government bastards... ptooey, ptooey, big boss, will have a taste!"
Ning Bingyu's gaze fell on Chu Hongyu.
The restaurant was dimly lit, bustling with noise, filled with the aroma of food and the lively atmosphere of the marketplace.
Ning Bingyu watched Chu Hongyu and the waiter speaking Shanghainese back and forth, a half-smile flashing in his eyes.
He genuinely found it interesting; this vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere was completely different from the polite ambiance of the hotel restaurant, yet it had a unique charm.
It was the first time I had ever seen this girl so lively and vibrant. Her beautiful and delicate features carried a hint of pride, and she wore a bright smile. Her back was straight, like a proud and beautiful swan.
Unlike before when he saw her at school, her expression always held a dark and coldness that came from having tasted the bitterness of life.
The dishes were served quickly, and their vibrant colors, aromas, and flavors were irresistible, making everyone's mouths water.
The crab roe tofu was especially fresh, fragrant, smooth, and tender, melting in your mouth. Tony couldn't help but exclaim, "This crab roe tofu is really good; it's better than anything I've had in Hong Kong."
As they were talking, the lights in the shop dimmed slightly, and an elderly man with gray hair, dressed in a blue long gown, walked onto the small stage, holding a sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument) in his hand, and began to play and sing.
The melodious tune, sung in the soft Wu dialect, sounded exceptionally serene and pleasant in the somewhat noisy restaurant.
The melodious tune echoed in the restaurant, although Ning Bingyu couldn't understand what they were singing.
But the soft, melodious Wu dialect, unlike Western concerts and operas, had a unique charm that gradually calmed his somewhat agitated mood.
Even Cha Meiling, who had been silent all along, listened with great interest, occasionally exchanging a few words with Ning Yuan, her face bearing a polite smile, as if the previous unpleasantness had never happened.
“This Pingtan is really interesting. Assistant Chu, you are very knowledgeable about these traditional arts?” Ning Bingyu suddenly asked.
Chu Hongyu was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "I wouldn't call it research. It's just that I've been exposed to it since I was little. My parents like it a lot. When I was little, they often took me to listen to music and watch plays, so I'm quite interested in these things."
Cha Meiling noticed Ning Bingyu's gaze falling on Ning Yuan and Chu Hongyu, with a faint smile on his face, and she gently pursed her lips.
No matter who Brother Yu is looking at now, it won't do her any good for what she wants to achieve.
...
The meal went smoothly, with everyone maintaining a facade of harmony. Besides, the dishes were really delicious; the chef at this old, state-owned restaurant is truly skilled!
Even Ning Bingyu ate two extra bowls of rice, which was unprecedented for him. Clearly, although Young Master Ning did not approve of the hygiene conditions, he enjoyed the food.
But...
He suddenly pressed his stomach lightly, a bad feeling creeping over him.
He glanced at everyone else at the table without making a sound; only he did so.
Ning Bingyu endured it for a while, but the twisting pain in his stomach finally made him unable to hold back any longer.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
