Chapter 1

I was lying in bed scrolling through Xianyu when a listing caught my eye.

“A 3,888-yuan luxury buffet for 188. One spot only.”

I sat straight up.

A 3,888-yuan buffet for 188?

That was practically free!

A food vlogger I followed had reviewed this restaurant.

Nothing but praise.

I’d practically drooled all the way through the video.

It was just too expensive. One meal would cost two months of my university living allowance.

The thought alone hurt. No way could I justify it.

And now here was my chance.

I messaged the seller privately.

“Is this legit?”

He was online too.

“We Chinese don’t scam our own.”

“How do I redeem it after I order?”

“Wait outside the restaurant at four tomorrow afternoon. I’ll take you in.”

Still dubious, I placed the order.

Then I told my roommates about it.

One of them suddenly handed me a black plastic bag.

I gave her a knowing smile.

“For sneaking leftovers out?”

She shook her head.

“No. If the restaurant owner catches you, put it over your head. We don’t want to see your face online tomorrow under ‘You Won’t Believe What This Female University Student Did! Moral Decay or the Dark Side of Human Nature?'”

I lunged at them, flailing. “How dare you mock your queen!”

After we’d finished fooling around, I grew serious. “I checked carefully. This seller has excellent ratings. I believe he’s a good person.”

The next day, I arrived at the restaurant half an hour early.

The seller wasn’t there yet. I didn’t dare go in, but I was afraid I’d look like an idiot standing outside.

I glanced around and spotted a row of large planters nearby.

I ducked down and scurried behind them.

Perfect.

I crouched there and waited. And waited. My legs were nearly numb.

Just when I couldn’t crouch any longer, a group of men in suits approached from a distance.

Immaculate suits, gleaming leather shoes. Clearly members of the elite.

Especially the man in front.

Cool, handsome features. A bespoke charcoal suit. Tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

He walked with an unhurried, almost languid ease, the kind that came from being born wealthy and never wanting for anything.

Handsome, sure. Nothing to do with me, though.

I stayed in hiding, searching the group for my seller.

Suddenly, someone among the high-flyers cleared his throat three times.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem.”

Huh?

Wasn’t that our secret signal?

The seller had told me he’d cough three times when he arrived.

Then I was supposed to call him my brother, and he would answer.

I instinctively stood and met the eyes of a suited man in glasses.

I swallowed. “Bro?” I ventured.

His eyes lit up. “Hey, over here! Come on, little sis!”

With all those high-flyers watching me, I nearly forgot how to coordinate my arms and legs.

Glasses Guy led me over to the gorgeous man at the front.

“Boss, this is my sister. She’s studying nearby. Since we could bring family to dinner, I invited her along.”

What?

Oh my God. You scared me.

What kind of admission arrangement was this?

The boss gave me a cool glance.

My toes curled with nerves.

“All right. Let’s go in.”

I breathed out. My back was damp with sweat.

Glasses Guy whispered in my ear, “Don’t be nervous. Once we’re inside, just eat. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”

I nodded.

Well, we were here now. Food first.