This evening, Aanya was at her father's restaurant, Lu Family Flavors.
Restaurant scene:
It was a small but extremely clean restaurant. Chinese red lanterns were hanging on the walls. From the kitchen came the delightful aroma of freshly cooked food — a blend of ginger, soy, and spices. Soft Chinese music was playing in the background.
Aanya was wearing an apron. Her hair was tied in a light ponytail, and she had glasses on her eyes.
Just then, the door opened and a man walked inside. He wore casual black clothes, a hoodie, and had a mask and cap on his face. He silently sat at a corner table.
Lu Wei: "First deliver the order on table 2, child. I'll take this man's order."
Lu Wei walked toward the corner table.
Lu Wei: "Sir, what would you like to order?"
Zain Yan: (from beneath the mask, voice authoritative) "I want the four most expensive dishes here: Peking Duck, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Soup, Lobster in Ginger and Scallion Sauce, and Royal Seafood Noodles. And yes, keep the spices low."
Lu Wei: (surprised, noting quickly) "Alright, sir. Your food will be ready in just a while."
…
Aanya: (in the kitchen, shocked) "Papa, a customer ordered four expensive dishes — even Peking Duck?"
Lu Wei: "Yes! His car and clothes were extremely expensive. I'm surprised such a rich boy came to our small restaurant."
Aanya: (laughing) "Yes, me too! Will he eat alone? How hungry is he?"
Lu Wei: "Why should we care! We just have to feed that hungry king. You go and serve quickly."
Aanya: (laughs) "Seriously papa, you're great."
Aanya carried four steaming hot plates and walked toward the corner table. While placing the plates, her eyes fell on his expensive watch and neatly groomed nails, making her uneasy.
Aanya: (rudely) "Enjoy your food, sir."
Zain Yan slowly removed his cap and mask, and looked at Aanya.
Aanya was completely stunned. The tray in her hand trembled violently.
Aanya: (voice shaking, shocked) "B…o…ss?! You?? Here?"
Zain Yan gave a soft, gentle smile — the kind that looks most dangerous on a stranger's face.
Zain Yan: (eyes teasing) "Hmm… so Miss Designer doesn't only handle office work… but can run a restaurant too?"
Aanya (in her mind, burning with fear and humiliation):
"This wolf doesn't let me breathe in the office, and now he has come here to bother me! Doesn't he have any other work?"
Zain Yan: (tasting the food) "The dish is good… but the service is even better."
Aanya: "Full of questions — how did you know about this restaurant? It's outside the city."
Zain said: "Do customers get asked such questions? 'Why did you come here? How did you know about this restaurant?' Is this how you talk, Miss Lu?"
Aanya gave a fake smile.
Aanya: "No. You may come whenever you want. I will give you a discount."
Zain Yan: (stopping her, voice calm but demanding) "Wait. I can't eat all this alone."
Aanya: (swallowing her anger) "Then boss, why did you order so much if you can't eat it?"
Zain Yan: "I felt like it. So? Will you give me your company?"
Aanya: (bowing slightly, covering protest with respect) "Boss, I'm sorry. I have a lot of work. I'm very busy. Please call a friend."
Zain Yan: (eyes flashing with revenge) "Alright. Then I'll cut the money from your salary. Anyway, you come late to the office."
Aanya: (voice rising) "Are you threatening me?"
Zain Yan: (quietly devilish) "Yes. Something like that. Sit if you want, or salary cut."
Aanya angrily pulled the chair and sat down. She picked up the chopsticks, took a big bite, widened her eyes challengingly, and said:
Aanya: "Is it okay now, boss?"
(in her mind: Yes, now I should even get a bonus!)
She began eating quickly.
Zain Yan hid his mouth and laughed.
Zain (in his mind): "By the way, you look cute when angry."
Just then, Shinyue entered the restaurant holding her son Chengxi's hand. She saw both of them sitting together and, shocked, walked toward their table.Where Aanya was angrily moving her chopsticks, with a stranger but attractive man sitting right in front of her. Shinyue froze for a moment.
Shinyue: (softly, in surprise) "Aanya? What are you doing here?"
Aanya quickly turned back, and seeing Shinyue, she became completely shocked. She immediately tried to stand up, but after seeing Zain Yan's face, she sat down again—because she was still under the pressure of his threat.
Aanya: (voice slightly trembling) "Bhabhi… you? You came?"
Chenxi (Lu Chenxi): (innocently, staring directly at the table) "Aunty, why are you sitting with that man? And so much food!"
Shinyue walked toward the table. Her eyes moved from the royal dishes—Peking Duck, Lobster—and then toward Zain Yan, who had removed his cap and was sitting comfortably. His eyes, which appeared harsh in the office, looked a little softer here, yet still expressionless.
Shinyue: (leaning a little, suspicious) "Aanya, who is this? And so much expensive food? You both…"
Zain Yan placed his chopsticks down.
Zain Yan: (calm, official tone) "I am Zain Yan. I am Miss Lu's boss."
Shinyue's eyes widened.
Shinyue: "Boss?"
She suddenly remembered how Aanya had recently told her about that strict, heartless wolf CEO who made overtime and weekend rules.
Shinyue: (swallowing her irritation, forcing a polite tone) "Oh! Hello, Mr. Zain. Aanya told me that you are the CEO."
Zain Yan: (gives only a slight nod)
Aanya: (quickly trying to change the subject) "Yes, bhabhi, boss couldn't eat so much food alone, so I gave him company. Bhabhi, you should check on papa, he's still in the kitchen."
Chenxi: (looking at the table with hunger and curiosity) "Aunty, can I eat those noodles? Those royal ones!"
Zain Yan suddenly looked at Chenxi. For a moment, his face showed no reaction, then an odd glint appeared in his eyes.
Zain Yan: (in a tone unusually sweet for children) "Yes. You can eat it. Do you like this royal food?"
Chenxi stepped back in fear, then gathered courage and nodded.
Shinyue: (quickly pulling Chenxi's hand) "No, Chenxi! We have to go to papa. And don't disturb the boss."
Zain Yan: (quietly) "It's fine. Miss Lu needs a break from work anyway. You may sit, Mrs…?"
Aanya (in her mind): "Great. This man found another chance to interfere in my life! Now he'll threaten me even in front of sister in law and Chenxi."
Xhinyue: "xhinyue. My name is Lu xhinyue."
Zain Yan: (this time looking straight into Aanya's eyes, a suppressed, satisfied expression) "Mrs. Lu xhinyue."
Zain a He thinks to himself that this is his wife, Lu Xinyu, and his son.
Zain said: "By the way, your husband doesn't seem to be around."
Lu Shinyue replied with a fake smile: "Because he is busy inside right now."
Aanya went inside for a moment.
Aanya said, anger rising as she looked at Zain: "Boss, you know about my brother… still why did you ask my sister in law that question?"
Zain Yan smiled—tasting his little victory.
Zain Yan: "No need to be scared, Miss Lu. I'm only enjoying the service. Now, eat. Your overtime starts at 7 a.m. tomorrow."