Su Yue smoothly got an incredibly cheap SIM card and happily left the service hall under the female clerk’s gloomy, resentful gaze.
“Head home now?” Su Yue turned on mobile data, fiddled with her phone, and glanced back at Chen Yan.
“Let’s grab dinner somewhere. Too lazy to cook,” Chen Yan said, checking the time. He hadn’t realized all the running around had dragged on until nearly five—perfect timing.
“Mm, sure, but no more steak. Too pricey and never fills me up,” Su Yue said with a hint of disdain. At lunch, she’d treated Chen Yan at a steakhouse: two steaks and a large juice cost 600 yuan plus 10% service charge.
Swallowing her pride, she’d refused his offer to pay. Handing over the cash felt like her heart was bleeding.
“That’s just your appetite being… unusual,” Chen Yan said helplessly. How could someone so petite devour a full adult-sized steak and still need him to slice half his own to feed her?
“You’re probably made for buffets,” he added.
“Buffet? Buffets are great!” Su Yue’s eyes lit up. Endless dishes, all-you-can-eat—who could ask for more joy?
“Wait a sec!” She pulled out her phone, opened a review app, and searched “nearby buffet restaurants.”
“Speaking of buffets, there’s this one place…” Chen Yan began, recalling a spot.
“How about this? All-you-can-eat barbecue!” Su Yue, barely hearing him, cut in excitedly and thrust her phone toward Chen Yan.
“Barbecue buffet at 55 per person? Isn’t that suspiciously cheap?” Chen Yan asked doubtfully. Could food at that price even be safe?
“Oh right, forgot you’re a big spender. Something this cheap wouldn’t meet *your* standards,” Su Yue teased, pulling up another option. “What about this?”
“Seafood feast buffet, 200 per person. It’s not that I avoid affordable food—it’s just, with buffets, too cheap risks an upset stomach. Better go slightly upscale,” Chen Yan said. He didn’t want to leave a bad impression, but genuinely worried about low-cost buffets.
“200 isn’t cheap? That’s already high-end!” Su Yue blinked in surprise. In her past life, buffets like this were reserved for major holidays.
“Guess I’m just poor—past or present,” she muttered. “I can’t afford anything better. All I’ve got is barely over a thousand.”
Chen Yan caught the word “past,” but stayed silent.
“You treated me at lunch. Dinner’s on me,” he said, pulling out his phone. “I know a decent buffet. I’ll book it.”
“Reservations? Is it… expensive?” Su Yue asked nervously, fingers tightening on her sleeve.
“Just over 300 per person,” Chen Yan lied. The real price was around 6,000—but knowing the Little Vampire, she’d never agree if she knew.
“Pfft, your ‘high-end’ buffet’s only 100 yuan pricier than mine,” Su Yue sighed in relief, playfully nudging his elbow.
“A hundred yuan makes all the difference in quality. Booked. Let’s go,” Chen Yan said, pocketing his phone. He’d texted the restaurant; seeing his number, they’d handle everything.
“Oh~”
...
Tian Shang Ren Jian was South City’s most upscale buffet. As head manager, Wang Gaosheng swelled with pride.
Exclusively for elites—politicians, tycoons, celebrities—elegance was non-negotiable, even for a buffet.
Moments ago, a VIP reserved two seats. Thrilled by the guest’s stature, Wang gathered a team of servers to greet them personally at the door.
“Manager Wang, the guest requested no fanfare—keep it simple,” the shift leader whispered.
“For a guest like this? We must uphold courtesy! Elegance, elegance! Greeting them is basic respect—is this fanfare?” Wang retorted.
“But we don’t do this for other guests…” the shift leader muttered.
“What was that?”
“N-nothing… Manager, another message just came in. Take a look?” He handed over his phone.
“No guests within ten meters of their table. Quote 300 yuan—never reveal the real price. Keep dish quality modest. Don’t describe the food; say it’s bought fresh from the market daily…”
What bizarre requests.
Watching Wang’s stunned face, the shift leader ventured, “Manager… could he be courting a commoner girl and hiding his identity?”
“Where’d you get that?” Wang shot him a sharp look.
“I-I read it in novels…” the shift leader mumbled.
“He mentioned bringing a Vampire Princess—likely his familiar. Never mind! Swap buffet counter dishes for lower-grade ones. Alter other tables’ menus. Serve premium dishes directly to them. Cordon off a ten-meter zone!” Wang waved his arms. “No matter how odd the request—we fulfill it!”
“Move! Leave one person at the entrance!”
Tian Shang Ren Jian erupted into bustling chaos.
...
“Tian Shang Ren Jian?”
Seated in the back, Su Yue watched Chen Yan’s car stop before a two-story villa. Four characters were carved into a slate stone.
“Isn’t this a foot massage parlor?” she quipped.
“It’s a buffet. Come on—we’re right on time for the five o’clock seating,” Chen Yan said, opening the door. A waiter rushed over eagerly.
“Sir, allow me to park your car.”
Chen Yan nodded. Su Yue stepped out. Together, they approached the entrance.
A smiling female greeter in dark red uniform greeted them: “Mr. Chen Yan and Miss Su Yue? Our price is 300 yuan per person. Payment upfront, please.”
“How’d she know it was us?” Su Yue asked, curious.
“When I booked, I mentioned bringing a silver-haired Vampire Princess. You stand out,” Chen Yan said calmly, paying 600 yuan.
“So I’m just your prop?”
“Are you eating or not?”
“Tch.”
The greeter smiled faintly at their retreating backs. Normally she’d escort them—but the VIP wished discretion. Simplicity it was.
“Wow~” The Little Vampire, still bantering with Chen Yan, gasped at the lavishly gilded interior.
“Total foot massage parlor vibes.”
