The cab came to a stop in front of the restaurant. Yanchen didn't wait for the driver to finish opening the door. He bolted out, heart hammering against his chest, lungs burning as if the city air itself was testing him.
The familiar scent of oil and soy sauce hit him immediately, but instead of relief, a sharp confusion twisted in his chest.
The restaurant had changed. New faces flitted behind the counter, greeting customers, carrying trays with practiced ease. The walls were freshly painted, menus updated, and a few polite nods were directed toward him.
He strode up to the nearest server, chest heaving. "Where's the owner..?" he demanded, trying to steady his voice.
The young woman's eyes flickered with polite surprise before she smiled. "Oh… she moved to Beijing. The branch opened just last week. If you go there you'll see her, but she's probably busy. She's like a big deal now.."
A big deal?
