Chapter 920: Chapter 859: A Chance Encounter
At noon, Liu Hun planned to invite Yang Yi to lunch, but Yang Yi was still busy handling the money she just earned from the Tong Family. Although it was a considerable sum, there were still some follow-up tasks to complete.
Seeing Yang Yi was occupied, Liu Hun didn’t disturb her and headed out by himself towards a food street.
Since he decided to enter the dining business, Liu Hun naturally wanted to sample the options before deciding on what dishes to offer.
After wandering down the food street for a while, Liu Hun still hadn’t found a restaurant with distinctive dishes.
"Seems like being an outsider is indeed a bit troublesome," Liu Hun muttered softly to himself.
As soon as he said that, he noticed a crowd gathered at the entrance of a restaurant up ahead, creating a lively scene.
After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Hun decided to walk towards the crowd. Since there was a gathering, it might mean the restaurant’s food was pretty good, otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people.
Squeezing into the crowd, Liu Hun saw a familiar figure and couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback.
"Ladies and gentlemen, don’t miss out! Today our store not only offers a 20% discount, but we’re also introducing many new dishes for you to try." A graceful girl stood at the door, her figure and exquisite beauty unobstructed even by the apron she wore.
"How is it her?" Seeing the girl, Liu Hun’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.
"Better not go in. Although the girl is beautiful, this place almost caused a customer to die of poisoning. Let’s just admire the beauty from outside."
"Yeah, I wouldn’t dare eat at this place. It seems like every time I used to eat here, I’d feel a bit unwell later. Luckily, I didn’t get poisoned back then."
...
Listening to the whispers of the surrounding customers, Liu Hun was once again taken aback. He then asked a young man next to him, "Buddy, what’s going on with this place? I just arrived in Huaihai Province, so I’m not aware of this matter."
"Since you’re an outsider, you should be careful. Previously, after a customer had lunch here, he walked out only to collapse with foam coming out of his mouth. He was rushed to the hospital, and the doctor diagnosed it as food poisoning. Even the restaurant owner admitted later it was due to the chef’s mistake," the young man explained with ease, recalling the incident.
"And this restaurant is part of a national chain. If they had such a mistake, what if the chef makes another error the next time we eat here? We might all leave on stretchers. Remember this place and never eat here, even if it tastes good," the young man advised Liu Hun with a reminder at the end.
"Thank you," Liu Hun nodded to the young man and then turned his gaze to the girl in the crowd.
Amidst the buzz of discussions from the crowd, the girl was naturally able to hear it clearly. Her delicate face was tinged with bitterness, yet she continued to introduce the restaurant to everyone with a forced smile.
As more people gathered around, but none stepped inside, the girl’s face was full of disappointment.
"May I come in for a meal?" Liu Hun approached the girl slowly, with a slight smile on his face, asking warmly.
The girl had almost lost hope, but upon hearing this voice, her face immediately lit up with joy. No matter who he was, as long as someone takes the lead, the restaurant might attract more patrons next.
Unconsciously lifting her head, when she saw the young face in front of her, the girl was taken aback.
"Liu... Liu Hun, how come it’s you?" The girl, who was Han Xin’er, the former dean at Southeast University, was surprised to see Liu Hun and exclaimed in amazement.
This expression mirrored the one Liu Hun had when he first saw her.
"Dean Han, what is it? Not welcoming me?" Liu Hun’s lips curved slightly as he chuckled.
"Wel... welcome..." Han Xin’er nodded after a moment of shock. Her beautiful eyes scanned the others, realizing they weren’t planning on entering, and she gave up, taking Liu Hun directly inside.
Upon entering, a strong rustic style greeted them. This kind of decor in a bustling city felt like a quiet and peaceful place.
"Sister Xin’er, have we finally got a customer? Sister Xin’er really is amazing; we didn’t have a single customer for a month, but once you came, we got one," said a sweet girl, delighted, as she approached the two and gave Han Xin’er a thumbs up.
"He’s the former chairman of Tianhe Company, Liu Hun!" Facing the girl’s praise, Han Xin’er’s face showed a bit of bitterness, and she helplessly explained.
"What? The former chairman of Tianhe Company?" The girl was astonished upon hearing this, but the next moment, her face was full of delight.
If this news got out, perhaps their restaurant might have a chance to be revived. After all, if even the former chairman of Tianhe Company was dining there, what would others have to worry about?
"Liu Hun, feel free to order whatever you want to eat; I’ll treat you today," Han Xin’er sighed, looking at Liu Hun.
"Since it’s Dean Han’s treat, I won’t hold back," Liu Hun replied, sitting down and ordering a large array of dishes.
As she watched Liu Hun, eating alone and ordering such a large table of food, Han Xin’er couldn’t help but roll her eyes, remarking in a teasing tone, "You’re really not holding back, are you? Can you finish all this by yourself?"
"Whether I can finish it or not, that’s my business, after all, you’re the one paying." Liu Hun replied to Han Xin’er with a smile.
Han Xin’er didn’t mind and directly instructed the girl beside her, "Let the chef make it for him, hopefully he eats till he’s stuffed to death."
The girl overhearing their conversation figured that they must have known each other before, otherwise Han Xin’er wouldn’t treat the only customer of the month in their shop like this.
After the girl left, Han Xin’er sat directly in front of Liu Hun, and before he could open his mouth, she glared at him and said, "Liu Hun, can you give me an explanation? Back then, it was one thing for you to mess around at school, then after being a teacher for just a few days, you vanished, and now suddenly you show up in Huaihai Province living freely!"
Facing Han Xin’er’s anger, Liu Hun’s face instantly showed a hint of embarrassment. Truly, if you were to talk about it, it was indeed his fault.
He had come to the school initially because of Qian Zhongshu, and since Qian Zhongshu already decided not to stay at the school, Liu Hun naturally had no reason to stay either.
"Director Han..."
"I’ve resigned now, just call me Han Xin’er." Han Xin’er said directly.
"Then I’ll just call you Xin’er, it feels awkward calling you Han Xin’er, right?" Liu Hun said shamelessly, taking advantage.
Han Xin’er wasn’t seeing Liu Hun’s shamelessness for the first time, but she knew his personality well, it’s all just talk to him.
They were all old acquaintances, even if Liu Hun called her that, Han Xin’er didn’t mind.
"Xin’er, let’s put it this way, the reason I agreed to come to Southeast University to be a teacher wasn’t because I thought it would be fun, nor was it because you were pretty, well, of course, that was part of it, but not much." Liu Hun coughed lightly twice, then put on a serious face.
Watching Liu Hun speak nonsense in all seriousness, Han Xin’er glared at him, but didn’t respond.
"It was because of Teacher Qian that I agreed, and don’t ask me why, I have my reasons for what I’ve done." Seeing Han Xin’er showing no hint of shyness, Liu Hun immediately lost interest and said calmly.
"Where’s Teacher Qian now?" Han Xin’er slightly frowned.
Back then, Liu Hun and Qian Zhongshu disappeared together, at least Liu Hun is here now, but there is no news at all about Qian Zhongshu.
"I don’t know where he is either; alright, let’s not talk about me, but you, why did you suddenly quit being a director and come to this Huaihai restaurant to be a waitress?" Liu Hun changed the topic, curiously looking at Han Xin’er and asked.
At the mention of this matter, Han Xin’er’s face once again showed a hint of bitterness, she shook her head, took a deep breath, then sighed, "This chain is owned by my dad, I believe you’ve heard people outside say it too. A month ago, due to a chef’s mistake, a customer almost got poisoned. Since then, we haven’t had much business. As a member of the family, with these events happening, naturally I had to come back to help, so I resigned."
Although Han Xin’er spoke lightly, Liu Hun could still feel the bitterness in it. Han Xin’er, at such a young age, held the position of director at a university, her future prospects were immeasurable, yet she resigned due to this family incident.
If it were Liu Hun, he may not have been as decisive.
"But now you’re back, it seems you aren’t much help, isn’t that kind of a waste?" Liu Hun bluntly said to Han Xin’er.
"Do you think I wanted this? Being a teacher is my lifelong ambition, but after the family incident, my mom fell ill, I’m their daughter, it’s my responsibility." Han Xin’er said helplessly.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Han Xin’er’s beautiful eyes suddenly lit up, she lifted her head and stared at Liu Hun.
"Did I...did I forget to wash my face this morning? But that shouldn’t be it, even if I didn’t wash, my face is still cleaner than most." Liu Hun said, still reaching out to touch his face.
"No, no, no, I just suddenly thought you’ve become much more handsome during this time you were gone." Han Xin’er hurriedly waved at Liu Hun.
"Really? How about I go propose to your parents then?" Liu Hun said with some excitement, looking at Han Xin’er.
Liu Hun originally thought Han Xin’er would harshly reprimand him, but unexpectedly, Han Xin’er didn’t and instead slightly raised her mouth, saying, "If you help cure my mom’s illness, I might consider being your girlfriend, and by then my parents are unlikely to object."
Faced with Han Xin’er’s reply, Liu Hun was momentarily dumbfounded, he was merely teasing Han Xin’er, but unexpectedly, she answered so straightforwardly.
"Oh no, I can’t afford this. You’re the daughter of a wealthy household, I’m just a poor boy from the countryside, naturally unworthy of you." Liu Hun said, his mouth twisting.
"If you’re a poor boy, then there wouldn’t be any rich people left in this world." Han Xin’er rolled her eyes, retorting at Liu Hun indignantly.
"Well, having a meal from you and treat an illness for free, it seems I’m at a loss." Liu Hun muttered.
"Originally planned to compensate you with a beautiful girl, but too bad you don’t want it, so you can’t blame anyone else." Han Xin’er said with a sudden smile, seeing Liu Hun’s expression at the moment.
With the store’s situation and her mother’s illness, Han Xin’er hadn’t smiled for a long time, but at this moment, Liu Hun’s appearance made her heart relax a lot, it was as if with this guy around, she didn’t have to worry about anything.