Chapter 57: You Two Are Absolute Animals

"My last name is Xu, you can just call me Grandpa Xu!"

Grandpa Xu. I began racking my brains, but none of the corporate board directors I had ever heard of had the surname Xu.

However, the mayor of Tianhai City's last name was Xu... Wait, the mayor?!

Could Elder Xu be Mayor Xu's father?!

At this thought, I was greatly shocked. I pulled out my phone and searched for Mayor Xu's father, but only his name, deeds, and honors popped up—there were no photographs.

For a moment, I didn't dare to jump to conclusions. But upon second thought, even if he really was, what did that have to do with me?

Perhaps due to practicing Tai Chi, after returning to the villa, taking a shower, and lying down on the bed, I inexplicably drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, the world outside the window was already brightly lit. I pulled out my phone, and it was already past nine in the morning.

While I was making breakfast, Zhao Xinze called.

"Company's little Wang has already arrived. I'm on my way back to Tianhai now and should be there in about two hours. Where are you right now?"

"I'm at Xu Zhixia's villa. Just come straight over."

"Why did you go back to live at Xu Zhixia's villa again? Are you not living with Ji Leqing anymore?"

"Xu Zhixia and I are still legally husband and wife on paper, so we naturally have to live together, otherwise tabloid media will start making up rumors about us again."

For some reason, when I heard Zhao Xinze mention that I wasn't living with Ji Leqing anymore, I felt a slight sense of joy. What was that all about?

"Besides, the only reason I lived with Ji Leqing before was because the rent was cheap. She only charged me twenty-five hundred a month. If you don't believe me, go ask her yourself."

Thinking back to the last time Zhao Xinze and I argued over the phone made my blood boil.

"I didn't say I didn't believe you. Why are you getting so worked up? I'm hanging up now so I can focus on driving."

With that, Zhao Xinze abruptly hung up the phone. I spat in disgust—what a bastard!

It was already noon by the time I met up with Zhao Xinze. His car was parked outside the villa.

The first thing I did after sitting in the passenger seat was ask if he had eaten.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"No, there's nothing much left in the fridge, and I'm too lazy to cook. We might as well just go out and eat."

"Fine by me. What should we eat? A new Japanese restaurant recently opened near my place, wanna go?"

"If you're treating, I'll go."

"My treat it is, then."

I never expected that skinflint of a Zhao Xinze would actually treat us to Japanese cuisine. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I couldn't possibly miss.

Right after agreeing, I remembered that my stomach shouldn't really handle raw or cold foods, but just for this once, it should be fine.

"Are we just eating by ourselves, or are we bringing Fanzi along?"

Driving the car, Zhao Xinze didn't have time to look at me. "You brat really seized the chance to fleece me dry, didn't you? You didn't even forget to include Lin Xingfan."

"Of course. From college until now, you've never treated us to a meal worth more than two hundred bucks."

"Cut the crap, Jiang Jian, I definitely have!"

I pulled out my phone and called Lin Xingfan. "Fanzi, what shift are you on today? Are you off work yet? Xinze is treating us to Japanese food, are you coming?"

"Damn it, why didn't you tell me sooner when there's such a good thing happening? You're telling me only after I've already ordered delivery!"

"Are you at work or at Tianheyuan right now? You can just leave the delivery and reheat it tonight, it won't spoil. You snooze, you lose."

"I'm on the night shift today, staying in the company dorm. I came back here to live since you aren't staying at Ji Leqing's place anymore; otherwise, it would've been too awkward."

Suddenly, with a loud clank, Zhao Xinze slammed on the brakes, jolting me violently.

"What's wrong, Xinze?"

"N- nothing, a cat darted out on the road just now. Fanzi used to live with you guys too?"

I furrowed my brows and looked at him. "Well duh, how inappropriate would it be for a single guy and a single girl to live together otherwise."

"Oh, alright then. Let's just go pick up Fanzi directly."

Driving all the way to the hospital entrance, Lin Xingfan had already been waiting by the roadside for a long time. He pulled open the back door and dove straight into the car.

"The sun is already this ferocious in July, by August it's gonna melt people into puddles. Good thing you guys got here fast."

"Did you start walking out the door the moment you picked up the call?"

Lin Xingfan slumped against the back seat. "Obviously! You don't get a fresh novelty like this once in eight hundred years. If I missed it, I'd kick myself every time I thought about it later."

When we arrived at the newly opened Japanese restaurant near Zhao Xinze's place, the interior design was heavily Japanese. After sitting down and glancing at the menu prices, for Tianhai, it wasn't particularly expensive.

First came the sashimi platter and a few appetizers. Crushed ice was piled inside an exquisite boat-shaped plate, exuding wisps of cool air.

Seeing me about to use my chopsticks, Lin Xingfan quietly stopped me. "You forgot your stomach can't handle these. Just eat hot dishes like tempura, yakitori, or eel rice."

"It's rare for Xinze to treat us, just let me have some this once. We're good brothers, so you absolutely have to keep this a secret from Ji Leqing for me."

Seeing me like this, Lin Xingfan hesitated and struggled for a moment before finally relenting. "Then just eat a little."

Fresh salmon sashimi dipped in wasabi mixed with special secret soy sauce was delivered into my mouth. The rich flavor spread across the tip of my tongue—it was unexpectedly delicious.

I wasn't quite used to eating sashimi; I always felt there was some indescribable taste to it, but this place prepared it rather well.

After I picked up several consecutive bites with my chopsticks, Lin Xingfan let out two muffled, deliberate coughs, signaling me with his eyes to stop while I was ahead.

I had no choice but to silently retract my chopsticks from the sashimi. Under his approving gaze, with lightning-fast speed, I swiftly grabbed a piece, dropped it into my soy sauce dish, and popped it into my mouth to chew.

Lin Xingfan was left dumbfounded. Then he pressed his lips together, desperately suppressing the urge to curse me out in such a quiet public place.

After finishing the sashimi came various types of fried tempura and sushi. The grand finale was the eel rice; Lin Xingfan and I each ate three portions.

Watching us with a pained expression, Zhao Xinze squeezed a sentence out from between his teeth: "You two beasts..."

When the bill came at the end, Zhao Xinze took several deep breaths in and out.

I patted Zhao Xinze's shoulder and winked. "Aiya, it's the first time I've ever eaten my fill and walked out of a Japanese restaurant like this. Thanks to you, Xinze!"
"Yeah, if I do say so myself, our Young Master Zhao has got the financial muscle! Silent until he makes his move, then he stuns everyone!"

After paying the bill, Zhao Xinze reached out with both hands, grabbed the scruffs of my and Lin Xingfan's necks, and dragged us outside.

He smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes and said to the two of us, "You two absolute beasts, you know that? I treat you to a nice meal, and you two just stuff yourselves like there's no tomorrow?"

"Look at you talking. Are you treating us to a meal or not letting us eat our fill?"

"The fact that we didn't order extra food to take to-go means you should count your blessings!"

Knowing that this meal had taken a massive toll on Zhao Xinze's wallet, I smiled and said, "Once the Long'an project is completely finalized, I'll treat you to a nice meal too. You can stuff your face as much as you want and eat back the money you spent today."

At the mention of the Long'an project, a genuine smile finally appeared on Zhao Xinze's face. "Now that's what you should say! Unlike you two heartless bastards!"