CHAPTER 187: CHAPTER 187 FRENCH CUISINE

This French restaurant is similar to many high-end French restaurants in China. It sells personal set meals, and a waiter will serve each customer their own dishes sequentially.

The restaurant offers two types of set meals. The first is the tasting menu, priced at 1988 yuan per person, which includes duck liver and duck meat, pike perch, porcini mushrooms, squab, and apricot.

The other is the supreme set, priced at 2488 yuan per person, which includes duck liver and duck meat or tuna and caviar, pike perch, blue lobster, porcini mushrooms, squab or beef, and optional desserts.

Neither set meal includes drinks, which can be ordered separately. Also, if you feel the set meal isn’t enough, you can order additional dishes.

Li Jing chose the supreme set meal for everyone and additionally ordered some wine and dishes.

"This duck liver is shaped like a lollipop, coated with cocoa butter, topped with almond crumbs and prune sauce. The second one is a smoked trout taco with avocado..."

After the first course was served to each person, a handsome waiter in a fitted formal outfit placed his hands on his lower abdomen and respectfully introduced the ingredients and preparation methods of the dishes to everyone.

This is a common service in many high-end Western restaurants.

Li Jing was already used to this, while Zhou Shun, Yang Xiaoxiu, and Xu Tuantuan, who don’t often visit such restaurants, listened attentively to the waiter’s explanation, clearly surprised by the seemingly professional jargon.

Regardless of the dish, for a normal person, it can be finished in just a few bites, and then the next dish is served.

As dinner proceeded for several minutes, everyone gradually relaxed and began chatting with each other.

During this time, everyone followed tradition and gave Li Jing red envelopes.

Besides those present, Wen Lan helped deliver red envelopes from Wei Jia and Liu Shou and conveyed their blessings.

An Tong helped Zhang Xinxin deliver a red envelope, Zhou Shun delivered red envelopes from Huang Jun and Liu Huaming, and many people from the film crew asked Yang Xiaoxiu to help deliver theirs too.

Li Jing was a little surprised, not expecting so many people to give red envelopes.

Ever since he became wealthy, he found that his acquaintances and friends were gradually increasing.

If he were his old self, he’d probably have little interaction or connection with anyone other than his colleagues.

Li Jing was amazed at the number of people giving him red envelopes, while others were secretly impressed by Li Jing’s network.

Zhou Shun was already a bit surprised to learn that Wen Lan was a newly famous director, and even more so when he heard that renowned professors from the drama academy were also giving Li Jing red envelopes, giving him a new perspective on Li Jing’s social circle.

Meanwhile, Wen Lan and Yang Xiaoxiu were surprised to find Li Jing so familiar with the fitness circle, and Zhou Shun mentioned Captain Liu and other institutional leaders, which was unexpected for them.

Though the dinner party wasn’t large, it included people from various industries and of certain status.

There were directors, actors, big influencers, gym owners, and absent professors and leaders.

The information hidden beneath this dinner gathering made those present think differently and led them to a deeper understanding of Li Jing’s social circle and capabilities.

The meal progressed slowly, partly because of everyone chatting, and partly because the serving pace was slow. It took three hours to finish, ending past ten o’clock.

After dinner, everyone exchanged a few pleasantries downstairs in the building before leaving.

Xu Tuantuan, who was still holding a camera, saw Li Jing and An Tong hadn’t left yet. After hesitating for a moment, she mustered the courage to approach and ask, "Uh, President Li... can I film you for a bit?"

Li Jing raised his eyebrows at the question and nodded, "Sure, what do you want to film?"

"Thank you, President Li."

Seeing him agree, Xu Tuantuan was instantly elated and immediately said, "It’s very simple, I’ll just ask a few questions and you answer."

As Li Jing nodded in agreement, Xu Tuantuan opened the camera and set it to record both herself and Li Jing.

"President Li, may I ask how much this meal cost in total?"

At this, Li Jing thought for a moment before replying, "Including the extra dishes and service fee, the total cost was over twenty-three thousand yuan."

"Over twenty-three thousand?"

Xu Tuantuan looked incredulous, perhaps due to the presence of the camera, her expression was exaggerated.

But she was genuinely surprised, as she recalled the set meal being 2488 yuan each, and didn’t expect the final total cost to be several thousand more than she anticipated.

"President Li, how did you find the meal? Was it worth it?"

"Taking into account the night view, I’d say it was alright."

"President Li..."

Xu Tuantuan asked several simple questions that the audience might be interested in, and Li Jing answered each based on his true opinions.

Finally, Xu Tuantuan faced the camera alone and exclaimed, "Everyone, Tuantuan finally had a good meal today, many thanks to President Li.

Secretly telling everyone that President Li also has an account where he shares his daily life. If you’re interested in his lifestyle, go follow him!"

After finishing filming, Li Jing and An Tong bid farewell to her and went home.

On the way, Li Jing learned that An Tong had also filmed some short video clips, but they were meant for his account, not hers.

Compared to Xu Tuantuan’s professional and complex work, An Tong’s clips were much simpler, and she decided to edit and upload them to Li Jing’s account that night.

So, upon reaching home, An Tong hurriedly took out her computer and started editing.

Watching her busy figure in the living room, Li Jing remotely turned on the heater, took off his coat, and said, "You don’t have to work so hard, you can upload them tomorrow."

"No, I asked Tuantuan, she said her team should upload their video tonight."

An Tong replied quickly while operating the computer, "I have to upload before they do so that the traffic they bring can better stay on your account."

Li Jing was slightly surprised: "Tuantuan edits so fast?"

"She only needs to film; her company has a professional team for post-production and editing."

"I see."

Li Jing understood and said, "Alright then, don’t stay up too late, I’ll go freshen up."

"Okay, okay."

An Tong didn’t lift her head, her eyes glued to the screen while operating the keyboard and mouse.

Watching her serious look, Li Jing chuckled and then went into the bathroom.

...

The next morning, with bright sunlight, Li Jing slept until past ten o’clock.

The new apartment’s large bed was much more comfortable than An Tong’s rental, and the warm winter sun streamed in from the window.

As Li Jing opened his eyes sleepily, he heard excited exclamations from the living room, followed by An Tong rushing in with quick steps.

Seeing Li Jing just waking up, she immediately exclaimed excitedly, "Look, your account already has fifty thousand followers! And it’s still growing!"

An Tong walked eagerly to Li Jing’s bedside with her phone in hand, completely oblivious to her open sleepwear revealing much white skin.

She handed the phone to Li Jing and exclaimed with surprise, "Look, Xu Tuantuan’s team finished editing the video last night and released it. Her video now has millions of views and over twenty thousand likes!"

Seeing An Tong’s thrilled expression, Li Jing smiled, seemingly not as excited as her. Then, noticing her open sleepwear revealing captivating scenery, he was moved and directly embraced her with a grin, "First thing in the morning, let’s not talk about work."

At this, An Tong hesitated, sensing his hand moving toward her sensitive areas, her cheeks reddened, and she softly murmured, "You just woke up, yet you’re doing this..."

"Don’t you know men have a physiological phenomenon called morning wood?"

With that, the warm and spacious room was filled with the glow of the morning.