Liu Ruyun suggested, "I know of a new hot pot place that’s quite good. Aunt, isn't hot pot your favorite?"
"Oh, what a coincidence! Isn't that Director Liu from the Yunshang Group? Here to dine at Seven Stars Tower as well?"
Before Liu Ruyun could finish speaking, a group of people appeared at the end of the corridor. The middle-aged man in the lead adjusted his glasses, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Liu Ruyun, a flicker of lechery hidden deep within his gaze.
"Good evening, President He."
Seeing who it was, Liu Ruyun frowned slightly, though she still forced a smile to greet him. The man was He Rui, president of Shengshida. Shengshida was the largest transport firm in Xianhai, controlling nearly all sea, land, and air transport channels in the region—a true monopoly. Consequently, while it was technically just a logistics company, its status in Xianhai was significant. Many had to bow to He Rui’s wishes, as he held the power to dictate shipping costs and decide whose goods were even transported.
"Director Liu, it's been a long time. You've become even more beautiful," He Rui said, his rat-like eyes squinting as he stepped closer. He had been coveting this woman for a long time but had yet to make his move.
"My wife is always beautiful. But does that have anything to do with you?"
Xiang Feng couldn't sit still anymore. He stepped forward, shielding Liu Ruyun completely.
"Your wife? And who might this be?" He Rui paused, then laughed. "Director Liu, I didn't realize you had such... unique tastes."
He thought to himself that a married woman was fine; even if he couldn't have the first taste, an "official wife" was still a prize. "Director Liu, since we’ve run into each other, why not dine together? We could discuss matters regarding next quarter's cooperation, how about that?" He Rui ignored Xiang Feng entirely, issuing the invitation directly to Liu Ruyun.
"No, thank you, we—"
Liu Ruyun was no flower vase. Despite her youth, she was well-acquainted with the treacherous games of the business world. She knew exactly what kind of man He Rui was, and she knew this meal would be nothing but trouble.
"Miss, since you know each other, why not dine together? Seven Stars Tower is quite busy right now, and the Tianxuan room President He booked is large enough for all of you," a waiter chimed in with a smile.
"Oh? So you haven't booked a table?"
Hearing this, He Rui’s smile widened. He looked at Xiang Feng provocatively, thinking, *A true country bumpkin. Can’t even book a private room for dinner. I really don't know what Liu Ruyun sees in this poor brat.*
Liu Huijun, who had remained silent until now, held the same thought. *What is so good about Xiang Feng? Why is my precious niece acting like she’s possessed? Look at this—he can’t even secure a private room. What is the use of a man like that?*
"It's no problem, let's all eat together. More people, more fun. Director Liu, you wouldn't refuse, would you?"
"No need!"
Before Liu Ruyun could speak, Xiang Feng stepped forward and said, "My wife doesn't like crowds, and she especially dislikes dining with any man other than me. I can’t help it—my wife just loves me that much." Xiang Feng shrugged, pulling a helpless expression.
"Pfft!"
Even the waiter couldn't help but laugh this time.
"Hm?" Xiang Feng didn't like that. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"I apologize, sir. We are professionals. We don't laugh unless we simply cannot hold it back," the waiter said politely.
"..." Xiang Feng was annoyed.
"Heh, brother, you really know how to brag," He Rui said, no longer bothering to give Xiang Feng any face. "You can’t even book a spot at Seven Stars Tower, yet you claim you don't want to eat with other men? In my view, if you can't even get your own wife a meal, are you even a man?"
This was exactly what Liu Huijun was thinking. A man could be poor, but he shouldn't be poor and arrogant. Now, even Liu Ruyun was being embarrassed along with him.
"Isn't there still one room left? We want that one!" Xiang Feng, now provoked, pointed to the highest pavilion. "I want that room. Take us there."
"Brother, will it kill you not to brag? Do you know what that building is?" He Rui’s smile became even more radiant.
"Is it not just a building for eating? What? Is it not a private room of Seven Stars Tower? Does it not fall under their management?" Xiang Feng frowned, turning to glare at the waiter. "Take us there. Don't worry, you’ll be well tipped!"
"I'm sorry, sir. You cannot dine there." The waiter didn't move, his polite smile replaced by mockery.
"Why?"
"Because you do not have the qualifications to enter the Moon Gazing Tower." The waiter was blunt, his demeanor arrogant.
*No qualifications!*
"Is this how you treat customers at the Moon Gazing Tower?" Even Liu Ruyun was losing her temper.
"Director Liu, it seems you aren't familiar with the Moon Gazing Tower," He Rui explained, standing to the side. "The Moon Gazing Tower represents the seven stars surrounding the moon. It is the flagship room of Seven Stars Tower. It is said that since the establishment of Seven Stars Tower, they have only received guests there twice. Do you think your husband is qualified to dine inside?"
He Rui stared at Xiang Feng with a smirk, thinking: *Where did this bumpkin come from? What kind of dumb luck did he have to take Liu Ruyun’s virginity? Heaven is truly blind.*
Hearing this, Liu Ruyun’s face turned pale. She knew they were in for a humiliation today!
"But what if my wife and I *are* qualified to dine in the Moon Gazing Tower?" Xiang Feng said coldly. He, above all else, would not let his wife be wronged.
"If you manage to bring Director Liu up to the Moon Gazing Tower to eat today, I, He Rui, will kneel on the ground and call you 'Big Brother'!" He Rui pointed to the floor. "But if you can't get in, you have to kneel here and shout, 'I am a toad who is not worthy of Liu Ruyun.' Do you dare?"
"That’s enough, Xiaofeng. Don't make a scene. It’s getting late, and I'm not feeling well. Let's just go home," Liu Ruyun said, her face distraught. Although she knew her young husband was capable, how could he possibly get into the Moon Gazing Tower?
She knew that the only reason she had been able to dine at Seven Stars Tower in the past was thanks to her late grandfather's reputation, and even then, she was only a standard member.
The Moon Gazing Tower... it was legendary. Since it opened, it had only hosted guests twice. It wasn't for lack of business; it was because there were too few qualified guests. Imagine a restaurant that dared to turn away high-ranking regional officials—would they ever worry about not having business? Xiang Feng was just a barefoot doctor from Mount Qingyun without even a medical license. Where would he get the qualifications to climb the Moon Gazing Tower?
Liu Ruyun knew Xiang Feng had exceptional medical skills, and most high-ranking officials treasured their lives. But officials weren't stupid; they were good at maintaining their health and wouldn't purposely get sick just to be treated by him. To save Xiang Feng from embarrassment, she made an excuse about not feeling well.
"Ruyun, no need to rush home. I’d like to see how he continues this act!" Liu Huijun couldn't hold back anymore. She had been observing Xiang Feng, wondering if she had underestimated him. Now, she was convinced she was right. He might have some talent, but he was still just a loser—a loser who happened to know a little medicine. She wanted to shatter his confidence in front of others, to make him see reality and understand that he was not only unqualified for the Moon Gazing Tower but also unworthy of her precious niece!
"That's right, Director Liu. Don't rush off. You wouldn't want to make excuses for your husband, would you? I really want to see what kind of guests are qualified to enter the Moon Gazing Tower." He Rui’s mockery grew, his eyes fixed on Xiang Feng.
"You just said I have no qualifications to enter the Moon Gazing Tower?" Xiang Feng ignored He Rui and turned to the waiter. Unlike his usual laid-back self, his eyes were now cold and sharp, radiating not just irritation, but killing intent. Nobody was to covet his woman!
"Yes. You have no qualifications to enter the Moon Gazing Tower. Please stop making a scene, or I will have security escort you out." The waiter was losing patience; he didn't even bother with the polite smile anymore.
"Very well." Xiang Feng nodded slowly, laughing instead of getting angry. "I wanted to live among you as a normal person, but now... I’m not pretending anymore. I’m showing my cards."
"Enough! Don't make a fool of yourself. Let's go." Liu Ruyun finally reached her limit. Was he really pulling lines from a movie he watched last night? She didn't mind playful banter in private, but this was humiliating! This was the first time she felt Xiang Feng was unreliable. A man could be poor, but he had to be grounded.
"Wife, trust me. I really can take you up there."
"I..." Liu Ruyun suddenly stopped. She saw the waiter’s expression change—he was staring, wide-eyed, at the green card in Xiang Feng’s hand.
"G-Green Bamboo Card!"
The waiter was terrified. He was looking at the legendary Green Bamboo Card!
Seven Stars Tower memberships came in Silver, Gold, and Diamond tiers. Those were the public levels. But only the staff knew there was a tier above them all: the Green Bamboo Card. Fewer than five had ever been issued! The holder of a Green Bamboo Card could go anywhere in Seven Stars Tower and command all its resources. To have the card was to be half-owner of the tower. Of course, the holder had the right to dine in the Moon Gazing Tower!
"Now, am I qualified to enter the Moon Gazing Tower?" Xiang Feng was satisfied with the waiter’s shock. He thought, *The old man didn't lie to me. This card is actually useful.*
"Yes, yes, yes!" The waiter nodded frantically, bowing deeply, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. He had just mocked the owner of a Green Bamboo Card! If the boss found out, he was dead.
"Hm." Xiang Feng nodded and turned to He Rui. "Now you can start kneeling and worshipping. But don't call me 'Big Brother.' I don't have a brother as fat as you."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" How could He Rui kneel? "Did you misread that? What Green Bamboo Card? Who knows if it’s a fake? How could a poor brat have one? I don't believe it!"
"Mr. He, do you think I can't distinguish between real and fake?" the waiter asked, his tone filled with fear.
He Rui stayed silent, his face turning the color of a liver. He couldn't bring himself to kneel to a loser.
"Kneel! Are you waiting for drinks or food? Hurry up. Once you're done, I still have to take my wife to dine in the Moon Gazing Tower." Now it was Xiang Feng’s turn to be smug.
"Xiaofeng, don't make a scene," Liu Ruyun said, trying to smooth things over. Though she was shocked by Xiang Feng’s turnaround, she had to stay rational. She couldn't afford to offend He Rui yet. The Yunshang Group was already struggling with the Li Family; she couldn't handle another enemy like Shengshida.
"The President is just joking with you, don't take it seriously," Liu Ruyun said.
"Yes, yes, just a joke!" He Rui added quickly.
"Alright, wife, I'll listen to you. You're beautiful, so you're always right!" Xiang Feng took her hand, bragging to himself, "Who else is a good man of the 21st century like me? I just love my wife the most."
Liu Ruyun’s face turned bright red, but she felt sweet inside.
"Wife, let's go." Xiang Feng pulled her toward the Moon Gazing Tower. Behind them, He Rui looked on with malice. He never dreamed he would lose to a loser! How could he have that card? Even the richest man in Xianhai, the Li family, had been rejected for it several times.
*Humph, so what if you have a Green Bamboo Card? Don't let me get my hands on you!* He Rui cursed as he left, having lost his appetite.
"The Moon Gazing Tower isn't that impressive," Xiang Feng said after entering, led by the waiter. He was disappointed. He had heard so much about how "powerful" this place was, but looking around, he just curled his lip. "Apart from being big, what else is there?"
The waiter nearly tripped. He estimated that only Xiang Feng would dare to look down on the Moon Gazing Tower. To everyone else in Xianhai, getting into this room was a matter of status and face.
"Sir, would you like me to help you order? Our dishes are complete..."
"Wife, what do you want to eat? I'll order for you. Oh, right, your Aunt Flo is visiting, so no spicy or cold food. Let’s start with Gastrodia and Silkie Chicken Soup, and a slow-stewed pigeon—at least five years old. And remember to add plenty of goji berries, the black ones are best."
Xiang Feng only had eyes for Liu Ruyun. He ordered a dozen dishes, all light and nourishing. Liu Huijun, sitting to the side, was nearly fuming. She had been looking forward to hot pot, but Xiang Feng’s doting behavior and his ability to pull out a Green Bamboo Card had left her stunned and conflicted. She also realized he had seen through her husband’s "condition" just by looking. *If he can see that, maybe he can treat it?*
"Wife, this soup is great for replenishing blood and qi. Since it's the first day, you need to nourish yourself. Here, let me feed you." Xiang Feng stirred the soup, blew on it, and held it to her lips.
"Xiaofeng, stop, I can do it myself," Liu Ruyun said, blushing.
"Wife, you aren't feeling well. Come on, open up. Good girl." Xiang Feng served her attentively.
Liu Huijun watched, getting goosebumps. *It's just a period, not a tragedy, is it necessary to be this clingy?*
"Ahem." Liu Huijun cleared her throat and glared at Xiang Feng. He ignored her as if she were air.
"Aunt, Xiaofeng, you guys eat too. The soup is quite good," Liu Ruyun urged.
"Yes, it’s good," Liu Huijun muttered, "but it tastes a bit sour."
"Actually, I think it’s average. Not as good as what I can make," Xiang Feng remarked, glancing at the lobby manager, Zhang Feng. "This soup is a bit gamey. Did your chef not graduate from culinary school?"
The manager, who had been serving them personally since seeing the card, was stunned. "Sir, our chefs are top-tier..."
"Are you saying my palate is the problem?" Xiang Feng raised an eyebrow. "How about a bet? With the same ingredients, I bet I can make something better than your chefs. Do you believe me?"