But Ye Tiancheng also told himself that he shouldn't be jealous, and jealousy was useless. In the end, Liu Lanying's destination would never be him.
This flicker of affection was just an illusion. Even if the two were very suitable for each other, Ye Tiancheng already had Hou Mingzhu, and Hou Mingzhu was pregnant.
She would give birth soon. How could Ye Tiancheng betray the woman who was willing to have children for him again? That would be too despicable.
As Ye Tiancheng was lost in thought, he suddenly heard the sound of a car. Ye Tiancheng looked outside. The two people who had left earlier had driven back.
Worried that something had happened, Ye Tiancheng hurried out to take a look. "What's wrong? Liu Lanying, why did you come back?"
The older brother from before looked displeased but was still trying to remain calm.
"They said they wanted you to come along. It doesn't matter if there's one more person for dinner. If Mr. Ye doesn't mind, please join us."
"Okay, let's go together. Aren't we having some high-end cuisine? I can tag along and have some too. I want to eat high-end cuisine."
Ye Tiancheng didn't feel much pressure. Since there was food, he'd eat it. Besides, if Liu Lanying didn't go, she probably wouldn't go either. He didn't need to spoil the mood; he could just eat quietly. Ye Tiancheng wouldn't overthink it, and there was no way he'd be involved in any socializing.
"Then let's go together. I've never seen such a spineless man. As a husband, you can agree to your wife eating with someone else, and on top of that, you're following along. This is too much. No wonder they say Mr. Ye likes to live off women; it seems to be true. You've lost all shame."
In the car, he couldn't hold back any longer, so he whispered into Ye Tiancheng's ear. Otherwise, he would feel too stifled, unable to even complain about such a thing.
"I don't want to talk about this. I just hope your arrangements are decent later. Don't talk about the best cuisine and then deliver something mediocre. If that happens, I'll definitely look down on you."
Ye Tiancheng's face remained unruffled. For him, his feelings for Liu Lanying weren't that deep. They weren't truly married. If other men could give Liu Lanying better emotional support, Ye Tiancheng hoped they could give her a good destination. He couldn't give this woman happiness. A good girl like Liu Lanying deserved a better life and more reliable prospects.
"You're truly something else, Mr. Ye. Today, I've finally witnessed what true thick skin is. I'm impressed."
That person couldn't complain anymore and stopped talking. Ye Tiancheng, on the other hand, was relaxed, watching the scenery flashing by outside the car window. He felt that coming out for a spin occasionally was quite good. Even if it wasn't for high-end cuisine, it was at least a drive. He felt very pleased and even hummed a little tune.
"You're quite talented. Seeing you so happy is truly shocking. I won't say another word to you."
The entire journey, that fellow remained sullen and refused to speak, but Ye Tiancheng was cheerful, constantly talking to Liu Lanying. They chatted animatedly. Even when they saw fields and livestock by the roadside, they found it all very interesting.
Perhaps this was what it meant to be kindred spirits, having so much to say and chatting so happily, making one person seem like a third wheel.
"You two are quite a match. It's a shame, though. I'm Liu Lanying's childhood friend. We are destined for each other. Even if you two get married now, without fate, you'll eventually drift apart."
This person was truly thick-skinned. He didn't know their marriage was a sham and thought they were genuinely married, yet he came to disrupt them. It was incredible. To go to such lengths for family property, he had no bottom line.
What's more, Ye Tiancheng had come along, and this third party showed no self-awareness. Instead, he wanted to challenge Ye Tiancheng. Such a person was utterly shameless. Even if you pricked him with a needle, it wouldn't penetrate.
Young Master Xue felt no embarrassment. Instead, he thought of himself as the legitimate spouse and Ye Tiancheng as the interloper, swaggering into the Hua Ming Grand Hotel.
This hotel was no ordinary grand hotel; it was renowned throughout the province. The hotel's biggest selling point was its ingredients, which were top-notch.
"Today, I'll show you two a thing or two. Don't just see it as a hotel; the restaurant here is even more famous. Taste it carefully later, but don't eat too quickly. Show a little etiquette, don't disappoint me."
As soon as Xue Shaoyang got out of the car, a doorman parked his car for him, clearly a regular here. He spoke a few words to Ye Tiancheng and Liu Lanying with his hands behind his back. These few words were all threats, without any deference, and his tone was like an elder addressing a junior, clearly showing disdain.
"Understood. Thank you for the generous invitation, Young Master Xue. We will savor the taste of these top-tier ingredients."
Ye Tiancheng had worked in the catering industry before, and he had even been quite successful, almost becoming a market leader. How could someone who had been a boss be intimidated? However, he maintained a polite demeanor on the surface.
Seeing Ye Tiancheng's composure, Xue Shaoyang gave a cold smile and led them into the hotel.
Once inside, he still kept his hands behind his back and looked at the greeters with a condescending attitude.
"I've brought important friends today. Treat them well. Don't neglect my friends, or I, as a distinguished VIP, will be displeased. I like to complain, so be careful."
Liu Lanying didn't have many memories of this childhood friend. However, seeing his arrogant demeanor, she felt as if she didn't know him. He was fine when he wasn't speaking, but as soon as he did, Liu Lanying's impression of him worsened.
"You two can order whatever you want. Today, I'm here to show you the world. Of course, I also want Mr. Ye to know that if Liu Lanying follows me, she can live a good life. If she follows you, I fear she won't be able to make ends meet and will eventually be ruined by you."
Ye Tiancheng casually ordered a few dishes. After the food arrived, he used his internal energy to sense the quality of the ingredients and was naturally very disappointed.
Ye Tiancheng strongly suspected that this hotel was a sham. The dishes looked delicious, but the ingredients used were not that good. As someone of Ye Tiancheng's caliber, he could tell at a glance.
"Young Master Xue, you know I've worked in a horticulture center and grown many top-tier plants. I'm quite knowledgeable. I advise you not to come here again. This place doesn't offer top-tier ingredients, or perhaps you've brought me to the wrong place. This is just the level of an ordinary restaurant."
Hearing Ye Tiancheng's words, Xue Shaoyang, as the host for the day, was naturally displeased.
Young Master Xue liked to be flattered, and those around him were accustomed to fawning over him, wishing they could carry his shoes. But now, Ye Tiancheng openly challenged him, completely disregarding his status as Young Master Xue.
"Mr. Ye, I advise you not to pretend to know what you don't. Do you know what high-end ingredients are? Don't think I'll think highly of you just because of your past experiences. If you had truly done well before, you wouldn't have fallen to this state. I think you were just a big fraud back then."
"Don't be angry. Let's talk calmly. I've worked in an exhibition center before, and frankly, I've seen more than you. The restaurant you've brought us to is indeed not very good. I'm a straightforward person; I say what I think."
Ye Tiancheng was too arrogant, and Young Master Xue found it hard to accept. He felt Ye Tiancheng's confident demeanor, as if he were dictating the world, was too self-assured, and he spoke his mind without considering others' feelings. Such a person was a typical megalomaniac.
"How interesting! If you were that farmer entrepreneur back then, I, Young Master Xue, would have given you some face. But now, you're just an unknown nobody, and you still dare to pontificate like this? I can't be bothered to listen."
Even though Young Master Xue was unhappy, Ye Tiancheng felt it didn't matter. Since there was food, he'd eat it. The so-called high-end cuisine was just a label. Ye Tiancheng's tone was calm, and his voice was firm.
"Whatever you say. I'm just stating the facts. I heard this table costs over twenty thousand yuan. I just don't want Young Master Xue to waste money in the future. I think the cost of this table is more than two hundred yuan. Only the lobster is worth something, but it's not very fresh either."
Ye Tiancheng had seen through the entire meal. Liu Lanying felt awkward on the side and found an excuse to go to the restroom.
Ye Tiancheng hadn't eaten much of the food and didn't think it tasted good. Seeing Liu Lanying go to the restroom, he also found an excuse.
"Young Master Xue, excuse me. I'm going to the restroom. We can talk about anything when I get back."
Young Master Xue knew that the two of them were going to conspire, but he couldn't stop them. He could only puff up with anger and then call the manager over. After hearing Ye Tiancheng's words, he felt bad and had to find someone to vent his frustration on. Who it was didn't matter, as long as there was someone. Otherwise, Young Master Xue, this great young master, would be suffocated.
In the restroom, Ye Tiancheng and Liu Lanying met. Liu Lanying specifically cautioned him, saying that Young Master Xue was very picky and always felt superior, making him difficult to deal with. She advised Ye Tiancheng not to argue with such a person and that there was no need to.
"Brother Ye, he's my childhood friend after all. I don't want you two to fight, so please be more understanding. He's not a good person. Just retaliate appropriately, don't go too far. He won't be convinced."
"I understand. I just couldn't help it. He told me it was top-tier cuisine, but I think it's purely a rip-off. I kindly advised him, but he wouldn't listen."
Liu Lanying chatted with Ye Tiancheng for a while longer before returning to the private room. As soon as she entered, she saw the manager with a bruised face leaving.
Young Master Xue had actually resorted to violence. Liu Lanying's impression of him plummeted completely. Hitting service staff was the mark of someone with no manners, someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Anyone who interacted with such a person for too long would surely become worse, as they lacked any moral character.
"We're childhood friends. I should have stayed until the end of this meal, but I can't stand it anymore. You don't even spare a service staff member. I think there's no need for us to interact anymore. I'm not of the same kind as you. I'll leave now."
Liu Lanying had just told Ye Tiancheng to be patient, but seeing Xue Shaoyang bullying a service staff member, she couldn't hold back any longer and exploded.
Realizing he had almost ruined things, Xue Shaoyang quickly apologized to Liu Lanying, his eyes full of embarrassment.