After a brief pause, Yan Qi, who had already guessed what important matter her mother wanted to discuss, asked:
“Mom, the important thing you wanted to tell me is about accepting Aunt Bai’s invitation to go out for a big meal, right?”
Hearing this, Li Caifeng, who was sitting on the sofa with her phone, smiled and nodded.
“That’s right. That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you.”
Having confirmed her guess, Yan Qi glanced at her mother’s still-lit phone.
“Mom, are you on the phone with Aunt Bai right now?”
“Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t have any important news to share with you.”
After hearing her mother’s reply, Yan Qi thought for a moment and continued:
“Mom, since Aunt Bai is treating our family to a big meal, when and where is she planning to take us?”
“Tonight at seven o’clock, at the Starview Hotel, the most famous restaurant in Windbreak City.”
When Yan Qi heard that Bai Yuling was treating them to a meal at the Starview Hotel at seven that evening, she couldn’t help but gasp. She knew that a single table at Windbreak City’s most famous restaurant would cost no less than 2,000 yuan.
“The Starview Hotel? Wow, Aunt Bai must be pretty well-off.”
Hearing her daughter’s remark, Li Caifeng thought of Bai Yuling’s prominent family background and nodded in agreement.
“Bai Yuling’s family is indeed quite wealthy.”
Not dwelling further on Bai Yuling’s generosity, Yan Qi—who knew she would soon achieve financial independence through writing novels—thought of her father, who was still at work, and asked her mother:
“Mom, will Dad have time to go to the Starview Hotel tonight?”
Li Caifeng looked at her daughter and replied:
“Don’t worry. Aunt Bai said she already checked with your dad’s supervisor. He’ll definitely be able to join us tonight.”
“So Aunt Bai already arranged it with Dad’s boss in advance.”
Muttering this to herself, Yan Qi remembered that Bai Yuling was the director of Windbreak City’s Supernatural Affairs Bureau and found it no longer surprising. She then added:
“Mom, is there anything else you wanted to tell me?”
“No, that’s all.”
“In that case, I’ll go start making lunch. You can keep chatting with Aunt Bai.”
“Oh, is it almost noon already?”
“Yes, it was already past eleven when I came downstairs.”
“Alright, Xiao Qi, you go ahead and prepare lunch. I’ll come help you after I finish talking with Aunt Bai.”
“Okay, I’ll get to it then.”
With that, Yan Qi stopped disturbing her mother’s conversation with Bai Yuling and hurried to the kitchen to make lunch for the two of them.
……
Time flew by, and it was soon six in the evening. Yan Qi had picked out the perfect outfit from her wardrobe and changed into it. Looking at herself in the dressing table mirror, she smiled with satisfaction.
Then, she picked up her sunglasses and yellow sun hat, left her room, and went downstairs to the living room.
“Dad, I’m all ready. Are you prepared?”
Seeing her father in the living room, Yan Qi—wearing a well-fitted light yellow dress and a pair of white sandals that showed off her plump, pink toes—asked him expectantly.
“I’ve been ready for a while now, just waiting for you two to finish changing,” Yan Zhenyi said teasingly as he turned to his daughter. He was wearing a black suit, which he only wore on particularly important occasions.
“For women, getting dressed is a very important matter. It’s meant to be taken slowly,” Yan Qi retorted, unfazed by her father’s teasing. After defending herself, she twirled in front of him and asked hopefully, “By the way, Dad, how do I look?”
Seeing his daughter in her yellow dress and white sandals, Yan Zhenyi—who already thought she looked beautiful and was, admittedly, a bit of a doting father—replied:
“Xiao Qi, you look absolutely beautiful.”
Hearing this and knowing her father wasn’t just humoring her, Yan Qi said:
“Thanks for the compliment, Dad.”
“What are you two talking about? I could hear you from inside the room.”
Having finished her makeup, Li Caifening—already pretty to begin with—now looked even more stunning as she stepped out of her room and addressed her husband and daughter in the living room.
Hearing her mother’s voice, Yan Qi quickly turned to her and said:
“Mom, I was just asking Dad what he thought of my outfit. What do you think?”
Li Caifeng looked at her daughter’s yellow dress and agreed that she looked lovely. With a tone of praise, she said:
“Xiao Qi, that outfit looks wonderful on you.”
“Hehe, I knew it! After all, I put a lot of thought into choosing this,” Yan Qi said, feeling quite proud after receiving compliments from both parents.
“Alright, that’s enough chatting,” Li Caifeng interjected. “We’re almost at the time we agreed to meet Aunt Bai. Let’s hurry up and get going.”
“Okay, Mom.”
With that, the family of three left their home.
Soon, they were driving off in their car toward the Starview Hotel.
……
“So this is the Starview Hotel? It really lives up to its reputation as the most famous restaurant in Windbreak City.”
Stepping out of their car and following her parents into the hotel, Yan Qi was inwardly amazed by the incredibly luxurious decor. It was her first time dining at such a place.
“Welcome! Is there anything I can help you with today?”
Noticing the family of three who had just walked in—already exceptionally good-looking and now dressed to impress—the receptionist perked up and greeted them with a warm smile.
In response to her question, Li Caifeng stepped forward and said:
“Miss, we’re here to meet someone for dinner. Could you please direct us to private room number three?”
“Private room number three? Of course, ma’am. May I have your name, please?”