CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 430: COME ON, LET’S HURT EACH OTHER!

Upon hearing this, the manager, looking thoroughly displeased, coughed lightly. "That’s just a metaphor," he explained.

Jiang Chaoge gave him a cold glance and chose a spot to sit down.

Interestingly, there were no tables for two or four, only large ones.

Why? Because each meal served here consisted of at least eighteen courses; that was just the bare minimum. More extravagant sets started with thirty-six courses, all just for a taste.

Jiang Chaoge, though a woman of the world, found it hard to believe when she flipped open the menu.

The cheapest meal set cost 188,888 yuan, and the prices only went up from there, each one doubling the previous.

Coming from a collateral branch of the family, she was mindful of her spending. She closed the menu. "Are there any other options? It’s just the two of us."

With a dignified smile, the manager apologized, "I’m sorry, miss. This is the minimum spending here. If it doesn’t suit you, I can see you out."

But how could Jiang Chaoge, so arrogant in nature, leave? Especially since Gu Anxi would be arriving soon, she couldn’t lose face!

So, she answered in a calm tone, "We’ll have the 188,888 yuan set."

The manager immediately perked up. "Miss, you indeed have the eye of a connoisseur. This set is the most cost-effective one."

Jiang Chaoge forced a smile and took a sip of water.

At that moment, Gu Anxi arrived, clad as casually as ever. She was in black jeans and a loose sweater, with a small backpack slung over her shoulders.

Jiang Chaoge silently looked at her own carefully chosen outfit. It seemed a bit much.

Gu Anxi sat down across from her, seemingly unconcerned about the surroundings, making Jiang Chaoge a bit unsettled. Does Gu Anxi come here often?

It was as though Gu Anxi knew what she was thinking. Gu Anxi chuckled. "I also read some reviews before coming. I heard the food here is delicious."

Jiang Chaoge barely managed a smile, desperately trying not to show how petty she was being.

Gu Anxi was more direct, though. "Dr. Jiang, did you invite me to talk about something?"

For this meal, she’d given up lunch with her uncle. It wasn’t just a meal she’d forsaken, but her uncle’s devastatingly handsome face!

Before Jiang Chaoge could speak, the manager had someone bring over the meal. First came two hors d’oeuvres, each meticulously prepared on even more delicate dishes. Eight waiters were bustling around, creating an atmosphere nearly as grand as a royal banquet.

"Please have them leave. We have matters to discuss," Jiang Chaoge told the manager.

Still grinning, the manager had his staff retreat and took a second glance at Gu Anxi. What a pretty girl.

With everyone gone and most of the dishes served, Gu Anxi tasted this dish, then that one, enthusiastically urging Jiang Chaoge to join her. "Dr. Jiang, try this... and this one... they’re so good... You’re the host, why aren’t you eating?"

Jiang Chaoge almost felt like she was going to vomit blood as she stated quietly, "I’m on a diet."

Gu Anxi glanced at her and simply replied, "Oh."

Then, seemingly unfazed by Jiang Chaoge, Gu Anxi continued to enjoy the food. She preferred Chinese cuisine and didn’t much care for Western food. The food here was indeed very good.

Only when Gu Anxi seemed nearly done eating did Jiang Chaoge softly ask, "Are you and Jack... close?"

"We hung out a bit before," Gu Anxi dodged the question, then looked her way again. "You can’t actually like him, right? He’s a playboy."

Jiang Chaoge was somewhat embarrassed, but she quickly recovered. "What I want to know is whether you’re helping the Bo Family secure the WK partnership."

Having eaten her fill, Gu Anxi replied indifferently, "If not for the Bo Family, should I be helping the Jiang Family instead?"

Jiang Chaoge realized something: Gu Anxi had a different aura after eating. Was this the same sweet, adorable girl from before?

She paused briefly before saying in a soft voice, "I don’t think you should get involved in this. After all, Jack and I..."

"You think?" Gu Anxi chuckled. "Dr. Jiang, do you know how many female companions Jack had while I hung out with him overseas? It was as normal for him as eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom. Sometimes he would be seeing four or five women at once. What you have with him is purely physical, completely devoid of emotions! And besides, Dr. Jiang, you’re an adult. Can’t you tell right from wrong?"

She sighed. "The more a man knows how to sweet-talk women, the more likely he’s a playboy!" Except for my uncle. He knows how to sweet-talk too, but only his little darling. Gu Anxi felt a surge of self-appreciation at the thought.

Jiang Chaoge paused again. "Four or five at the same time?"

Gu Anxi nodded. "That’s right! He’s a notorious playboy."

Nugul Jack, bring it on! Let’s hurt each other!

Jiang Chaoge felt insulted. She lowered her head for a moment, then looked up. "Bill, please."

The manager brought over the card reader with a smile. "Cash or card?"

Jiang Chaoge paid with her card, her heart aching. 188,888 yuan! All just for a brief chat with Gu Anxi...

Gu Anxi was grinning. "Dr. Jiang, that must have been costly."

Jiang Chaoge scoffed. "I know you wouldn’t spend like this. Consider it my treat."

Gu Anxi kept grinning, then said to the manager, "Ask the chef here if he’d be willing to work at Si Garden. I can offer a salary of 1 million yuan per month. His cooking is really good."

The manager was stunned.

Jiang Chaoge was so mad that she turned around and stomped away.

Only after she left did the manager quietly ask Gu Anxi, "Do you really wish to make the offer?"