Chapter 189: A Female Warrior Who Rushed Forward for Love

At the dinner table, Xiang Detao was hiding his worries while making small talk.

“Xiao Lu, now that you’ve returned to the country, what do you plan to do? Take over the family business?”

“Uncle Xiang, I plan to start my own business first.” Lu Shaokang sat upright and replied respectfully.

“This kid has too many ideas. Instead of managing the family’s restaurant brand, he insists on creating his own.” Lu’s father shook his head with a smile. “If he wants to toss things around, let him. So the family gave him twenty million and three years. If it doesn’t work out, he’ll come back and take over the business.”

“Starting your own business is good.” Xiang Detao sighed with emotion.

The Lu family had been deeply rooted in modern Chinese-style dining for years. They currently had more than fifty branches spread across Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Rough estimates put their annual net profit at several tens of millions. In fact, their family background was roughly on par with his own.

Originally, whether in terms of family background or the young man’s character, everything about him was top-tier.

Who could have expected someone else to suddenly appear halfway through?

“Uncle Xiang, my dream is to build a truly high-end Chinese dining brand.” Lu Shaokang spoke confidently and fluently. “The location, the design, and the dishes—I’ve already started preparing them. I hope it can become the next Xin Rong Ji in the future.”

“Xin Rong Ji? Good. Ambitious. Uncle will toast to you.” Xiang Detao raised his glass.

Lu Shaokang quickly lifted his glass with both hands in response. After hesitating a little, he said, “Uncle, I actually still want to see Xiaotian once. Is she at the hotel right now?”

“She…” Xiang Detao looked at the young man in front of him. “She’s…”

Where the balance in his heart leaned was already clear now, but he was still someone who cared about face. Although the childhood engagement had only been a verbal agreement, it was still a kind of mutual understanding.

To break faith just like that would still feel somewhat…

Beside him, Dong Yaru discreetly tugged at her husband.

“Xiao Lu, Xiaotian really isn’t at the hotel recently. It’s just bad timing…”

“It’s alright, Auntie. Then I’ll wait for next time. Coincidentally, I’m planning to open my restaurant in Hangzhou, so we should have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future.” Lu Shaokang said with a smile.

Only Lu Shaokang’s parents exchanged a glance, both noticing the strange look in each other’s eyes.

After finishing the meal, the Xiang couple accompanied the three members of the Lu family out of the restaurant.

“Uncle, I’m also planning to buy a house in Hangzhou. But I want to buy it myself-it can count as a test for me.” Lu Shaokang said while they walked.

“This kid is strong-willed. We offered to buy it for him, but he refused, saying he wants to rely on himself.” Lu Shaokang’s parents laughed. “But don’t worry, it won’t delay anything. When the time comes for him to buy a house, we’ll make up whatever amount he’s short.”

Xiang Detao listened, feeling a strange bitterness he couldn’t quite describe.

Listen to that-what a good young man.

Strong-willed, motivated, ambitious.

What a pity, what a pity. If it had been earlier, all these details would have been points in his favor. But now, in comparison, they instead highlighted his shortcomings.

Buying a house-how would he buy one?

Would he go buy a luxury mansion worth over a hundred million?

Just thinking about it, it was obviously impossible.

As they walked and chatted, they suddenly ran into a hurried figure coming toward them.

Xiang Detao and his wife immediately felt a little awkward.

Because the person who had arrived was none other than their precious daughter, Xiang Xiaotian. Just moments ago, they had said she wasn’t at the hotel, and now she had appeared.

“You…” Xiang Detao faltered, frowning awkwardly.

“You’re… Xiaotian, right?” Unexpectedly, Lu Shaokang’s parents recognized her first and greeted her with bright smiles. “Girls really do change as they grow up-you’re getting more and more beautiful.”

After all, she was supposed to be their future daughter-in-law. Although they hadn’t formally met her much, they had seen plenty of photos.

“Xiaotian?” Lu Shaokang looked at the fair-skinned, beautiful black-haired girl in front of him, and his eyes lit up. “Xiaotian, I’m Lu Shaokang. We met a long time ago-back when we were in middle school, I think?”

“Hello Uncle and Auntie, and hello Brother Lu.” Xiang Xiaotian nodded politely. It didn’t seem like a coincidence; she had clearly come intentionally.

“Hello, hello. What a coincidence. By the way, didn’t your father say you weren’t at the hotel?” Lu’s father said casually.

They walked together into the elevator.

“Uncle, Auntie, actually I’ve been at the hotel the whole time.” Xiang Xiaotian maintained her polite manner. “Not coming out to meet you was rude of me, but there was indeed a reason…”

“Oh?” Lu Shaokang’s parents asked curiously.

“I know you came mainly because of me, but I’m very sorry. I have to make things clear.” Xiang Xiaotian seemed to gather immense courage.

Beside her, Xiang Detao took a deep breath and looked away.

Forget it. Let her do as she wishes.

“What do you mean?” The smiles on Lu Shaokang’s parents slowly faded as they looked between Xiang Xiaotian and the Xiang couple.

“I already have someone I like. So I’m sorry-I want to pursue my own happiness.” Xiang Xiaotian took a small breath and said it without hesitation.

“Ah, Xiaotian, you…” Lu Shaokang had still been immersed in the happiness of finally meeting his future wife. Now caught off guard, his expression froze instantly. “You already have someone you like? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“That’s right. Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Lu’s father looked at the Xiang couple with a questioning gaze.

“It’s the modern era. We all understand that a childhood engagement was only a verbal agreement. If things had changed over the years, you could have said it openly, and we wouldn’t have harmed the relationship. But our whole family came all the way here, and now you’re telling me it’s not happening?”

He was practically just short of saying “Are you playing us?” directly.

“Uncle, Auntie, my parents didn’t know about my situation. This is entirely my own decision.” Xiang Xiaotian explained softly. “I sincerely apologize to you.”

“Enough. It’s just that our Shaokang is too simple and honest. Knowing about this childhood engagement, he turned down who knows how many girls who approached him.” Lu Shaokang’s mother spoke with resentment, feeling sorry for her son.

“Forget it, forget it. If it’s over, it’s over. There’s nothing more to say.” Lu’s father waved his hand.

The atmosphere in the elevator instantly dropped to freezing point.

“Xiaotian, what kind of person do you like? Do I really… not have even the slightest chance?” Lu Shaokang still asked unwillingly.

Xiang Xiaotian took a small step back and shook her head without saying anything.

The elevator doors opened.

“Let’s go!” Lu Shaokang’s parents almost stormed out.

Lu Shaokang looked back every few steps, as if he had many things he wanted to say but couldn’t.

“Good, good. You girl-your wings have grown strong now, huh?” After they left, Xiang Detao looked at his daughter, grinding his teeth in anger.

“If you couldn’t say it, I’ll say it. Aren’t you worried about your face? I’ll be the villain then.” Xiang Xiaotian retorted without backing down.

“Oh really? Your backbone is strong now-you’ve got confidence!” Xiang Detao pointed angrily into the air.

“You girl, stop angering your father!” Dong Yaru hurriedly stepped in to mediate. “Didn’t you notice that because of this, we’ve completely fallen out with Uncle Lu’s family?”

“So what if we’ve fallen out? Am I supposed to gamble my lifetime happiness?” Xiang Xiaotian snorted.

“Unfilial daughter!”

“Hmph, forget it. Look-someone came to pick me up.” Xiang Xiaotian looked outside and suddenly lifted her fair chin proudly.

“You-!” Xiang Detao looked outside in astonishment at the Cullinan and the figure stepping out of the car.

His own daughter ran toward that person like a swallow, happily flying into his arms.

From the look on her face, Xiang Xiaotian was truly happy.

“Stop looking. A grown daughter can’t be kept at home.” Dong Yaru tugged at her husband’s sleeve. “Isn’t this better than those girls who end up with poor phoenix men? This one is a genuine golden son-in-law. What more could you be dissatisfied with?”

“So she’s just been snatched away like this? And that Little Zhang didn’t even come in to see me?” Xiang Detao puffed his beard and glared angrily.

“Still putting on the airs of a father-in-law?” Dong Yaru burst out laughing.

Inside the Cullinan, Xiang Xiaotian immediately threw herself into Zhang Yang’s arms.

“You have no idea how brave I was just now. I must be the kind of pure-love female warrior who runs toward love.”

“It’s starting to feel more and more real.” Zhang Yang still insisted they were just acting, but his hands were far from polite. Holding Xiang Xiaotian, he touched wherever he wanted.

“You’re annoying.” Xiang Xiaotian complained softly but didn’t stop him.

A moment later, Xiang Xiaotian happily hugged Zhang Yang, leaned forward, and planted a fragrant kiss on him.

“Good Brother Zhang, that’s your reward. By the way, where are we going now?”

“Where else? To the hotel.” Zhang Yang answered without thinking.

“Ah, so fast? But… I’m willing.” Xiang Xiaotian’s cheeks instantly turned red, her chin lowering slightly.

Seeing Xiang Xiaotian looking shy and bashful like this, honestly, it would be impossible for Zhang Yang to say he felt nothing at all.

This was someone practically delivered right to his mouth-something he could eat anytime he wanted.

But should he?

He wasn’t prepared at all to take responsibility for a relationship.

“Have you eaten?” Zhang Yang suddenly asked.

“Oh right, I’m really hungry. How about we eat first… so we’ll have some energy…” Xiang Xiaotian said shyly with a red face.

“You mean riding the little train?” Zhang Yang pinched Xiang Xiaotian’s cheek. “If we’re eating, then we’re eating. Why drag other things into it?”

A moment later, he drove the car with Xiang Xiaotian straight to the InterContinental Garden Hotel.

Outside the hotel, they had just gotten out of the car.

Standing outside the car, Xiang Xiaotian looked surprised. “Oh Brother Zhang, so you’re staying here? I heard there’s a suite here that’s the most expensive in all of Hangzhou. It costs eighty or ninety thousand a night.”

“Really? I’m staying in that suite. I’ll give you a good tour later.” Zhang Yang smiled.

The two walked into the hotel and passed through the lobby.

Qu Shanshan saw the boss bringing another girl again and quickly ran forward to greet him.

“Mr. Zhang…”

“Do your work.” Zhang Yang didn’t have time to talk much and simply gestured casually.

Qu Shanshan immediately understood and quickly stepped back.

Zhang Yang led Xiang Xiaotian into the elevator and went straight up to the Chinese restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, Zhang Yang ordered dishes. The two sat by the window, enjoying the river view while eating leisurely.

“Are you some kind of VIP client at this hotel? From the lobby manager to the food and beverage supervisor and even the head chef-they all came to greet you.” Xiang Xiaotian asked curiously while eating Longjing shrimp.

“I’m not a big client.” Zhang Yang shook his head with a smile.

“You’re not a big client, yet they’re all coming to greet you? One glance from you and someone immediately comes over? The InterContinental Garden Hotel has good service, but it’s not that ridiculously good, right?” Xiang Xiaotian said in surprise.

“You’re not their source of livelihood.”

“What if I am?” Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Xiang Xiaotian blinked and stared motionlessly at Zhang Yang, an unbelievable thought rising in her heart.

“This hotel?”

“Mhm.” Zhang Yang nodded.

One asked only half the question, the other answered only half the answer, yet the truth was already obvious.

“I just bought it outright. From now on, in Hangzhou, I guess it counts as being in the same line of business as your family.” Zhang Yang added with a smile.

In Hangzhou, he had property and industry.

Unexpectedly, this trip had given him such a foundation in Hangzhou. It was truly beyond anyone’s expectations.

“My god!” Xiang Xiaotian’s little mouth simply wouldn’t close.

Zhang Yang glanced at her, felt it would be a waste, and casually picked up a shrimp and fed it to her.

“Brother Zhang!” Xiang Xiaotian chewed twice, as if waking from a dream, then immediately hugged Zhang Yang’s arm affectionately. “I was wondering why you didn’t stay at our family’s hotel this time. So it turns out… it turns out you already have such a huge business of your own.”

In her eyes, Zhang Yang’s wealth had become completely unfathomable.

Every time she thought she had already seen the full picture, she later discovered it was only the tip of the iceberg. Even in Hangzhou, Zhang Yang owned a five-star hotel said to have a one-of-a-kind river view and an unmatched location. What could possibly be impossible for him?

Xiang Xiaotian looked at the handsome face so close to her, her eyes filled entirely with admiration.

“I’ve only just entered the hotel industry. In the future, I’ll still have to learn from your father’s experience.” Zhang Yang said modestly.

“I heard my dad say that the GM of the InterContinental Garden Hotel, Yu Kaili, is very capable. With a GM like that managing things, you can practically be a hands-off boss.” Xiang Xiaotian said softly in a coquettish tone. “Let’s go, I want to see that big suite.”

“Just to look?” Zhang Yang asked. “And I’m not even full yet.”

“Ah.” Xiang Xiaotian complained softly. “If you’re not full, you can eat something else, like… like me. Brother Zhang, you’re doing this on purpose, making me say it myself, aren’t you?”

Blushing, she hugged Zhang Yang tightly, looking as if she were completely at his disposal.

“You can’t say three sentences without returning to the topic. Are you testing my self-control?” Zhang Yang wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and prepared to head to the large suite with Xiang Xiaotian.

The two walked out of the restaurant and prepared to take the elevator up to the suite.

Unexpectedly, when the elevator doors opened, they ran straight into a family of three.

“Y-you… Xiaotian, why are you here?” Lu Shaokang looked at the figure in front of him, while the faint sound of soft laughter he had heard earlier still lingered in his ears.

That laughter was soft, lingering, and even a little… seductive.

He didn’t dare, nor did he want, to attach such a word to the girl who carried all his beautiful fantasies.

“Oh, it’s you.” Xiang Xiaotian put away the smile she had just been wearing, her expression turning calm and indifferent.