Chapter 176: Classmates

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Classmates

Keeping her voice down, she explained the name of each dish to Zhang Yun. "I like mine more tender, so I get it medium-well," she said naturally. "The texture is softer, and when you cut into it, there won’t be any pink, and the juices will be mostly clear."

"Do you prefer a firmer texture, or something more tender?"

Zhang Yun was overwhelmed by Su Wan’s attentive care. All her awkwardness melted away, and she found herself relying on her a little more. ’Sister-in-law really is a wonderful person,’ she thought. ’She has to be, to be a match for my cousin.’

Zhang Yun suddenly felt a pang of shame. ’I can’t believe I doubted my sister-in-law’s character just because of a boyfriend.’

The comparison was stark.

She couldn’t help but think, ’Zhao Yuan is good to me, but... he’s never made me feel as cared for as my sister-in-law does right now.’

"Alright then, we’ll order these. Thank you," Su Wan said, handing her and Zhang Yun’s menus back to the waiter.

The waiter smiled and said, "Alright, Ms. Su Wan. It’ll be out shortly."

"Hm? You know me?" Su Wan looked up in surprise. Zhang Yun also glanced over curiously. ’Wow, my sister-in-law is amazing,’ she thought. ’She has connections even at a Western restaurant.’

"Wanwan, you know so many people. I don’t know anyone here," Lu Zhengchuan couldn’t help but say what was on his mind.

Su Wan shook her head. "I don’t know him, either."

Everyone instinctively looked at the waiter who had spoken.

’Is the waiter trying to fake a connection?’

"Ms. Su Wan, my name is Huo Ming. I’m a classmate of Su Jue’s," Huo Ming introduced himself. "I’m also in the English department, which is why I was able to get a part-time job at this Western restaurant."

Su Wan now knew who he was and greeted him proactively. "Oh, so you’re Mr. Huo. Hello. What a coincidence. Keep up the good work. A job at a Western restaurant isn’t something many people in the country can do."

"Yes, I feel pretty lucky myself to have been hired for this job. The only downside is that the disco across the street is too loud, and it’s affecting our restaurant’s business."

Huo Ming seemed to mention this casually.

Before Su Wan could react, he saw Lu Zhengchuan’s thoughtful expression and immediately changed the subject.

"Ms. Su Wan, Su Jue and I also write to each other often, usually about once a month. But this time, it’s been over a month and I haven’t received a reply from him. Have you heard from him? I’m a bit worried since I haven’t gotten any news," Huo Ming asked with concern.

His question made Su Wan think back, and she realized that she also hadn’t heard from her third brother in over a month.

"The last time I was in contact with my third brother was also a month ago. You’ve just reminded me. I’ll contact him when I get back."

"Okay." Huo Ming clutched the menus and backed away. "I won’t disturb your meal any longer."

Lu Zhengchuan comforted her, "Wanwan, your third brother was capable enough to become an exchange student in E Country, and he’s a smart guy. He must just be busy with his studies and got held up."

"Let’s eat first. You have to go back to the university to continue your experiment later. If we eat early, you can go back and rest for a bit," Lu Zhengchuan said, handing her a napkin to wipe her hands.

Electric fans were installed on the ceiling of the Western restaurant, making it quite cool.

Before long, the steaks and other dishes arrived.

Su Wan taught Zhang Yun how to use a knife and fork, then cut up a plate of steak for Lu Zhengchuan.

"There’s no point to eating Western food. Chopsticks are much easier," Lu Zhengchuan said, eating the steak in big mouthfuls. He used chopsticks directly, and since he was eating what Su Wan had cut for him, it tasted even more delicious.

Zhang Yun had been a little nervous, but seeing her cousin use chopsticks, she no longer felt self-conscious about her own clumsy handling of the knife and fork.

Qi Hao nodded, adding with a devil-may-care air, "Exactly. What’s the big deal with knives and forks? It’s no different from when we’re on a mission in the wild, roasting meat and cutting it with a knife to eat. And they call this elegant? Food that actually gets in your mouth is what tastes good. Why do we have to be so particular about ’fork on the left, knife on the right’? Can’t I do it the other way around? You should just use them however feels natural."

"Actually, both ways of using a knife and fork are acceptable. The difference is between American and European style. European style is the typical ’fork in the left, knife in the right.’ For American style, you just do whatever is comfortable."

"Right now, the information we get about foreign countries is rather one-sided. It’s also influenced by what the restaurant owners have the waiters teach people. And since no one wants to be embarrassed, over time, it just becomes a default habit."

Qi Hao glanced at the composed Su Wan. He had actually rarely spent time with her.

’I have to admit,’ he thought, ’what she said is right up my alley.’

"Sister-in-law, you know so much. I just thought a Western restaurant would be a novel experience, so I invited you and Old Lu. I’m just glad you don’t mind."

"How could we mind a free meal? It’s the thought that counts," Su Wan said with a sweet, pleasant smile, thanking the person treating them.

Qi Hao slapped Lu Zhengchuan on the shoulder. "Old Lu, no wonder you guys all want to get married. Now I want to, too."

"Didn’t your grandfather tell you to go on a blind date?"

The corners of Lu Zhengchuan’s mouth lifted. Anyone could see how pleased he was.

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

Su Wan looked out through the glass window.

She saw a group of people shouting in front of the disco across the street. They had even brought out a boombox and were blasting music.

Su Wan couldn’t help but rub her ears.

Zhang Yun looked over curiously and immediately saw the group. They were wearing fashionable bell-bottoms and aviator sunglasses, their hair slicked with gel, all talking boisterously.

It was the first time she had ever seen such a scene.

"It’s deafening," Qi Hao said, his brow furrowing as his expression darkened.

Lu Zhengchuan glanced over. "Who owns that disco? I recall that this kind of public disturbance isn’t officially permitted."

"Hmph, who knows. I just heard there was a Western restaurant over here and came to try it out. I didn’t investigate beforehand. Who knew I’d run into something so annoying just trying to have a meal."

"No wonder that waiter said what he did earlier. Was that some kind of preemptive disclaimer?"

As the music grew louder and louder, Qi Hao put down his knife and fork. He looked around, spotted Huo Ming coming out from the back kitchen, and waved him over directly.

"Sir, what can I help you with?"

"Is there a phone booth nearby? I need to make a call," Qi Hao asked, his face grim.

Huo Ming nodded. "There is, but we also have a landline in the restaurant. The owner spent a fortune on it."

A landline was indeed very expensive back then. Getting one fully installed would cost at least several thousand yuan—enough to buy a small shop.

Su Wan was a little surprised by the extravagance of the shop’s owner.

But more than the owner’s extravagance, she was curious about what Qi Hao was going to do.

"Old Qi, what are you doing?"

"Just making a call. You all keep eating." Qi Hao stood up. At six-foot-two, dressed in his military uniform, he had an imposing aura. His crew cut made his expression look even fiercer as he turned to Huo Ming.

Even though Huo Ming had prepared himself, he was still affected by the man’s presence.

"Mr. Qi, this way, please."

Qi Hao followed Huo Ming to the front counter.

Su Wan took a bite of steak and asked, "Will he be okay?"

"He’ll be fine. Old Qi knows what he’s doing," Lu Zhengchuan reassured her.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Qi Hao returned.