Shang Yechu could neither regard Shishan and etiquette as air like Ji Juntao, nor could he treat a plate of grass as a delicacy like Shishan.
Although 103 helped with the conversation about weight, that was Shang Yechu's secret and absolutely could not be revealed to others. Shang Yechu didn't want to create a "can eat whatever she wants and never gain weight" persona that would attract criticism.
After much internal struggle, between satisfying his appetite and behaving like a disciplined partner in front of Shi Shan, Shang Yechu ultimately chose the latter.
Shang Yechu dipped her spoon into the cheese layer, tearfully peeling away the alluring cheese and gentle bread, carefully scooping up a spoonful of the lifeless, yellowish-brown onion soup, and touching it to her lips.
"Boss," Shang Yechu said through gritted teeth, "I'm full."
?
Ji Juntao raised her face, looking at Shang Yechu with a puzzled expression—didn't she know Shang Yechu? Her appetite was enormous, like a sack of potatoes. What kind of tiny, bird-like stomach was she trying to fit in?
Shang Yechu asked timidly, "Won't the chef be unhappy if so much is left over?"
Ji Juntao was used to Shang Yechu's true colors and found her current pitiful, innocent act quite unsettling. Glancing out of the corner of his eye at Shi Shan, who seemed to be enjoying the spectacle, he suddenly realized: she wanted to put on an act for Shi Shan.
Ji Juntao wouldn't embarrass Shang Yechu in front of outsiders, so he nodded without much hesitation and said, "Put it there, I'll drink it later."
Shi Shan paused slightly while chewing and looked at Shang Yechu: "The two of you are really close."
Regardless of the country's dietary customs, only people with extremely close relationships will help each other finish their leftovers.
Shang Yechu was so hungry she was dizzy, and the sound of Ji Juntao chewing kept echoing in her ears. She wished she could devour the table whole. She still managed a smile and said, "Juntao has always taken the best care of me." A touch of childish pride lingered on her face as she spoke.
When Ji Juntao gets busy, he even grabs takeout that's been sitting out for two days and eats it right away, let alone a bowl of soup that he's only touched once.
Ji Juntao was so disgusted by Shang Yechu's nickname that he choked and wished he could spit cheese in Shang Yechu's face.
Shi Shan forked the last piece of vegetable leaf, chewed it thoroughly, and swallowed it before slowly saying, "Speaking of taking care of someone, in the script of 'Tianban,' Li Ruhui also took great care of Li Yiming."
Discussing the script was the important matter, so Ji Juntao didn't interfere and quietly lowered the volume of his chewing.
Shang Yechu showed disapproval: "I think it's more accurate to call it 'covering' rather than 'taking care of'. After all, Li Yiming's rank is much higher than Li Ruhui's, and Li needs to prioritize Li in everything."
Shi Shan looked appreciative: "You're absolutely right. For example, in the ninth episode, Li Yiming was almost exposed in office 202. It was Shi Shan who did everything he could to cover for her."
“You’re wrong.” Shang Yechu smiled slightly. “It was Li Ruhui who covered up for Li Yiming, not you.”
"I was just being sarcastic, sorry." Shi Shan showed no embarrassment at all. "Ye Chu, your performance back then inspired me a lot and I really benefited from it."
Just as Shang Yechu was about to open her mouth, the main course arrived. The French-style baked steak had an enticing sheen of fat on its surface, surrounded by a rich red wine pepper sauce, sprinkled with finely crushed black peppercorns and rosemary. Served with roasted vegetables oozing with sauce, it was incredibly tempting.
Shang Yechu closed her open mouth, afraid that she might lose control and bite him.
Compared to the steak, Shishan's grilled chicken breast looked like an old monk meditating next to a beautiful woman in a red dress, the kind who had been fasting for many years.
The main course had been served, and Shi Shan seemed to lose interest in Shang Yechu in an instant. He began to slowly and methodically cut the chicken.
Shang Yechu really wanted to touch the plate of steak. Her fork landed on the juicy steak, but eventually slid to the roasted vegetables on the side.
Shang Yechu forked a leaf of vegetables and chewed it with gritted teeth.
Dessert is Satan for actors, and after finishing the onion soup and steak for two, Ji Juntao ordered a chocolate Satan—oh no, chocolate mousse—and devoured it in front of Shi Shan and Shang Yechu without a trace of guilt.
The entire dinner felt strangely awkward. Shi Shan showed no particular interest or inclination towards Shang Yechu, and their conversation consisted only of discussing the script and the restaurant's exclusive red wine. The two barely even made eye contact. They were impeccably polite, restrained, and distant.
Judging from his behavior at this meal alone, Shi Shan and the womanizing playboy that Ji Juntao described have almost no resemblance.
Ji Juntao ate his fill, and what pleased him even more was that Shi Shan seemed not to have laid a hand on Shang Yechu. His own mother had also been rescued. Everything was perfect.
After a hearty meal, Ji Juntao wiped his mouth and muttered to Shang Yechu, "Now I don't need to eat for three days."
The dinner ended with everyone enjoying themselves. Except for Shang Yechu, who seemed to have drunk nothing but air, everyone else appeared quite satisfied.
Shi Shan politely offered to take Ji Juntao and Shang Yechu home, but was naturally refused. The three parted ways without any unnecessary entanglements or fuss. It was just like a very ordinary dinner between friends.
After getting into the van and traveling only a short distance, Ji Juntao felt a bit nauseous from the bumpy ride.
"I ate too much tonight," Ji Juntao complained. "It's all your fault."
Seeing the other person's appearance, Shang Ye felt a little guilty and suggested, "Why don't we get out of the car and take a walk?"
Ji Juntao burped and agreed: "Okay. Let's get out of the car and digest our food."
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