Chapter 41: Inescapable Doom
Under the soft, warm yellow light, three chefs stood before the counter, completely absorbed in preparing the food. Near the private room’s entrance stood four servers, ready to step forward at a moment’s notice.
"Chairman Gu, Ms. Jiang, would you like me to pair some drinks with your meal?"
Bai Mingze bowed slightly, asking Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan in a low voice.
"Would you like something to drink?"
Gu Heng turned his head to look at Jiang Ruan.
"I’m fine with anything..."
’Even though I’m four years older than him,’ Jiang Ruan thought, ’I always feel like the younger one when I’m with him. He completely controls the flow of our conversations.’
"Then let’s have a little."
Gu Heng turned back to Bai Mingze and said with a smile, "Nothing too strong, please. Thank you, Master Bai."
"Of course."
Bai Mingze replied with a smile, then gave a couple of instructions to the apprentice beside him. The apprentice quickly brought out a prepared set of glassware from beneath the counter.
There were two large square boxes, each containing twenty-five small compartments filled with sake cups of various colors and styles.
Though all different, each one was as exquisite as a work of art.
They all seemed to glow faintly under the light.
"Chairman Gu, Ms. Jiang, these are all KAGAMI Edo-kiriko glasses. Please, feel free to choose whichever you like."
Bai Mingze gestured toward Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan.
As one of the pinnacles of fine glassware, seeing so many styles of KAGAMI Edo-kiriko at once was quite a stunning sight for Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan.
After all, these were the cups in those small compartments.
Any single one of them cost at least five thousand yuan, with the more expensive ones exceeding ten thousand.
The total value of the cups in these two boxes alone was enough to buy a Mercedes E300.
"I’ll take this one."
Gu Heng feigned composure as he picked out a crystal-yellow cup for himself.
"Then I’ll have this one."
After Jiang Ruan saw Gu Heng make his choice, she selected a sea-blue cup of the same style but a different color.
Once they had chosen, Bai Mingze’s apprentice immediately took the two cups from their compartments and meticulously cleaned them.
"Chairman Gu, Ms. Jiang, the first drink I’ve paired for you is Hanakako, a top-tier sake brand from the Sudou Family."
Bai Mingze took a bottle with a yellow label from the dazzling liquor cabinet behind him. He explained as he poured the sake into their cups.
At the same time, a series of exquisitely crafted appetizers were prepared by Bai Mingze’s two apprentices and respectfully served to the pair.
Squid ink with sea urchin, a sea urchin and scallop hand roll, sake-simmered abalone, rock oyster with vinegar jelly, snow crab, monkfish liver...
Normally, even the most expensive dinner set would have six appetizers at most.
But for Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan, the appetizers came one after another, seemingly without end.
Two people dining, seven people serving them.
This was truly the first time in Jiang Ruan’s life she had ever experienced such treatment.
"President Gu, they were all calling you Chairman Gu just now..."
After finishing several appetizers in a row, Jiang Ruan finally couldn’t help but ask Gu Heng, "Are you the owner of Sushi Yun Omakase?"
"Not just Sushi Yun Omakase."
Gu Heng shook his head gently and answered truthfully, "I’m the owner of the entire Zhen Cui Group. Sushi Yun Omakase is just one of the six brands under the Zhen Cui Group."
Hearing this, Jiang Ruan’s beautiful eyes widened instinctively.
’Zhen Cui Group?’
’The Chairman!’
Jiang Ruan worked in high-end automotive sales, so she was more or less familiar with the upscale establishments in Beichun.
Zhen Cui Group was a renowned restaurant giant throughout all of Ji Province.
’A multimillionaire?’
NO!
’A billionaire!’
A billionaire this young... For a moment, Jiang Ruan’s gaze on Gu Heng grew dazed.
"Chairman Gu, Miss Jiang, the first piece of our main course today is winter Spanish mackerel sushi."
"Winter Spanish mackerel has a high moisture content, making its texture much more tender than other fish. It’s incredibly delicious on its own, with no need for any dipping sauce."
After half an hour of appetizers, the main course finally began.
Master Bai, the head chef, presented two pieces of sushi with his clean hands, offering a simple introduction to Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan.
"Give it a try."
Gu Heng smiled at Jiang Ruan, then extended his right hand first to take the winter Spanish mackerel sushi from Master Bai’s hand.
He popped the whole thing into his mouth, chewing lightly.
The fresh sweetness and tenderness of the fish instantly filled his mouth.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
Just as Gu Heng and Jiang Ruan began to savor the main course, a few soft knocks suddenly echoed from the private room’s door.
Hearing the sound, Gu Heng’s brows twitched upward slightly.
He gave no other reaction, however, and continued to slowly chew the food in his mouth. Only after he had swallowed everything did he leisurely pick up a wet towel, wipe his mouth, and say, "Come in."
The two servers standing by the door only dared to move after receiving Gu Heng’s signal, quickly sliding the door open.
When the door opened, the restaurant’s general manager, Wu Tao, was seen standing outside, drenched in sweat. He immediately bowed and rushed to Gu Heng’s side, his expression a mask of panic and terror.
"Chairman Gu, I’m the general manager, Wu Tao."
"I wasn’t aware of your visit today. I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Wu Tao bent at the waist until his head was level with the seated Gu Heng. Looking at the Chairman, who was calmly and leisurely enjoying his meal, Wu Tao felt his heart was about to leap out of his throat.
"It seems Manager Wu is in high spirits tonight."
Catching the strong scent of alcohol from Wu Tao, Gu Heng turned to look at him. He appeared to be smiling, but his eyes were cold. "Manager Wu, why don’t you sit down and have a couple of drinks with us?"
"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare."
Wu Tao waved his hands frantically, wiping away sweat as he spoke. "Chairman Gu, please let me explain. An elder of mine is celebrating a major birthday tonight. I just meant to stop by for a moment, but I never expected..."
"Did you get leave from Qi Min?"
Before Wu Tao could finish, Gu Heng cut off his long-winded explanation.
"Chairman Gu, I..."
Wu Tao looked sheepish, wanting to explain further.
"Answer my question."
Gu Heng interrupted him again.
"No..."
Wu Tao’s mouth opened and closed, and he finally lowered his head and admitted it.
"Get out."
Gu Heng didn’t look at Wu Tao again. He turned his head back toward Master Bai and gave another order, "Manager Xu, call Qi Min and Fan Hong. Tell them to come see me right now."
"Yes, sir."
Standing at the edge of the doorway, Xu Liang stole a glance at Wu Tao’s face, which had turned the color of liver, before replying.
Hearing this, Wu Tao looked at Gu Heng, who had already resumed his meal. He knew he was doomed. He stumbled slightly, then walked out of the private room in a daze...