"Ye Chu. Boss Ji." Shi Shan casually placed a glass of red wine by the window and walked towards Shang and Ye. "You're here very early."
Shi Shan remained relaxed and composed, displaying the demeanor of a proper host. Ji Juntao extended his hand and gave Shi Shan a perfunctory shake.
Since Shang Yechu and Shi Shan already knew each other, there was no need for unnecessary small talk. Shi Shan gentlemanly pulled out chairs for the two ladies, and after they were seated, the waiter came forward to ask for the menu.
Shi Shan gestured for her to proceed: "Please give this to that lady."
Ji Juntao took the menu without ceremony and ordered a few familiar dishes: "I'd like an onion soup as an appetizer, and for the main course, I'd like baked steak with roasted vegetables."
Ji Juntao doesn't drink unless absolutely necessary. And this is one of those times when it's not absolutely necessary.
Since it was Shang Yechu's first time in this kind of restaurant, she was a little afraid of appearing inexperienced, so she simply said, "I'm the same as her."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shang Yechu regretted it. Shi Shan, sitting opposite her, showed a look of surprise, though it was fleeting, Shang Yechu still caught it.
What's wrong? Is something amiss?
Shang Yechu recalled the dining etiquette she had frantically studied before coming here. There wasn't a single rule that said two people couldn't order the same dish, right?
Shi Shan's next actions answered Shang Ye Chu's question.
"A garden salad and a grilled chicken breast," Shi Shan added casually. "Less salt, no salad dressing. The usual drinks."
Shang Yechu immediately realized that being an actor is a profession that requires a lot of effort, and the more an artist wants to climb the ladder, the more attention they need to pay to managing their physique. Shi Shan was clearly a prime example of someone who controlled his diet and exercised regularly—even though, physiologically speaking, it's a bit harder for men to gain weight than women.
Ji Juntao works more than ten hours a day and is a complete glutton. But Shang Yechu…
With filming for "Half a Sky" about to begin, Shang Yechu, an artist who is even running for the role, is actually fooling around with Ji Juntao. It has to be said that, in the eyes of outsiders, it has a "what's the use" vibe.
The appetizers arrived quickly. Shang Yechu glanced at the onion soup that Ji Juntao, that dead man, had ordered, and knew exactly where Shi Shan's surprise came from.
The onion soup is made by simmering onions and beef broth, and is topped with a slice of soft bread. The bread is covered with a thick layer of baked cheese, which has been baked until slightly bubbly. The edges are a glistening caramel color, while the center is a honey-golden color.
Ji Juntao dipped the spoon into the cheese layer and pulled out a long, milky-white strand. The bread had absorbed all the broth, turning an enticing honey-brown color. A gentle press with the spoon revealed the oozing broth.
For an actor, this is a sin!
Ji Juntao just wanted to finish her meal quickly and leave the restaurant as soon as possible, lest Shi Shan steal her cash cow. Therefore, she ate very inelegantly and in a manner completely contrary to dining etiquette. However, no one here would criticize her.
Ji Juntao scooped up slices of bread and cheese one spoonful at a time, slurping them down as he enthusiastically called out, "Eat, eat, everyone!"
At this point, the last vestiges of romance and ambiguity in the room vanished completely. The upscale LHarmonie des Saveurs restaurant transformed into a delicious farmhouse restaurant, and Ji Juntao became the enthusiastic wok-tossing auntie.
Looking at Ji Juntao's eating habits, Shang Yechu felt that what was being secreted in her stomach was not gastric juice but saliva.
Shi Shan seemed completely oblivious to the delicious-looking onion soup in front of Ji Juntao, elegantly forking the vegetable leaves on his plate and calmly chewing them. His gaze, however, occasionally fell on Shang Yechu, carrying a hint of inquiry.
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