Tycoon: From Rags to Riches

"Mr. Gu, you might not be aware."

"Sushi Yun Omakase is currently the most high-end Japanese restaurant in Ji Province. To dine here, you basically have to book a week in advance. If it’s a Friday like today, or a weekend or holiday, you might not get a table even if you book half a month ahead."

"If you just drive over like this, you and Ruan Ruan could wait until closing time and still not get a table. After all, everyone else booked their tables far in advance. No one’s going to just give up their spot, right?"

As he finished, Yan Peng glanced at Jiang Ruan, as if deliberately making an excuse for Gu Heng. "Ruan Ruan, don’t blame Mr. Gu. He’s probably used to doing whatever he wants at his own restaurant, thinking the whole industry is a walk-in-and-eat sort of deal."

All four of them were adults; who wouldn’t be able to detect the mockery dripping from Yan Peng’s words?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruan’s expression changed slightly.

She instinctively looked toward Gu Heng, only to see he still wore that same calm and unruffled expression, which hadn’t changed one bit from the start.

"I actually wasn’t aware you needed a reservation to eat here."

Gu Heng smiled faintly, as if he hadn’t detected the sarcasm in Yan Peng’s tone at all.

"It’s fine. You’re still young."

"It’s perfectly normal not to know a lot of things."

Yan Peng’s smile widened. Then, his tone shifted. "But little brother, don’t mind me for being nosy. Next time you ask a girl to dinner, you should at least put in a bit more effort. Otherwise, getting turned away at the door like this... isn’t that just so awkward?"

"Besides, I think such a hasty invitation is also a form of disrespect toward the young lady."

Seeing Yan Peng starting to press his luck, Jiang Ruan’s expression darkened. "Senior Yan, I already told you, President Gu and I just decided on the spur of the moment to grab a bite. Since this place is full, we’ll just find another one."

"Furthermore, I have never felt that President Gu was being disrespectful to me in any way. I hope you’ll refrain from making wild assumptions about my feelings, Senior Yan."

By the end, Jiang Ruan’s expression was exceptionally serious, and a hint of anger even flickered across her cool, refined face.

Huang Yufan, who had been standing silently to the side, couldn’t help but let a flash of surprise show in her eyes when she saw Jiang Ruan reveal such an expression just to defend a man.

The two of them were high school classmates and now roommates.

In all the years she had known her, she had never seen Jiang Ruan care so much about a man.

’Just who is this President Gu...?’

Huang Yufan discreetly sized up Gu Heng, who remained calm and composed, a spark of curiosity igniting within her.

As for Yan Peng, who had just finished lecturing Gu Heng only to be shut down by Jiang Ruan, he was now feeling a bit awkward. At the same time, an uncontrollable surge of jealousy toward Gu Heng rose in his heart.

He had pursued Jiang Ruan for a full two years during his graduate studies.

After returning to Beichun, he had pursued her for another six months.

In all that time, he had only managed to ask Jiang Ruan out once.

And even that one time, Jiang Ruan had brought Huang Yufan along. It was only because he’d bought a Mercedes E300 from her, and she had graced him with her presence as a way of thanking him.

’In terms of education, I have a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate from prestigious universities, with excellent future job prospects.’

’In terms of resources, my family is wealthy. They paid for a Mercedes E300 in cash for me right after I finished my master’s and even got me a mortgage on a spacious, nearly 170-square-meter apartment near the university.’

’And this guy in front of me?’

’Just a small-time restaurant owner!’

’So what if he’s a bit taller, a bit more handsome, has more hair, and carries himself a little better than me? What gives him the right to ask Jiang Ruan out so casually?!’

Jealousy nearly made Yan Peng lose his mind.

In stark contrast to the inwardly frantic and jealous Yan Peng, Gu Heng was watching Jiang Ruan with great interest.

He was starting to get the picture now. This man, Yan Peng, must have been one of Jiang Ruan’s suitors. After all, the jealousy rolling off him was so thick you could smell it from kilometers away, let alone from this close.

As for Yan Peng’s companion, Jiang Ruan’s roommate Huang Yufan, and why she was with him... well, that was a more interesting question if one were to dig deeper.

Recalling the awkward expressions on their faces when they first ran into each other, it was obvious their date tonight was being kept a secret from Jiang Ruan.

’Tsk, tsk...’

’Interesting.’

Gu Heng didn’t pay any mind to Yan Peng’s earlier words. After all, this gentleman was here to hand him money.

Even for the sake of money, he wouldn’t stoop to arguing with the man.

It was like a yapping puppy in a pet shop yard barking at its owner. The owner wouldn’t hit it and throw it out, would they?

"Ruan Ruan, I misspoke just now. Please don’t be angry."

Seeing Jiang Ruan’s displeasure, Yan Peng quickly explained, "I just feel it’s not fair to you."

Hearing this, Gu Heng’s expression suddenly turned a little strange.

That last sentence...

Why did it sound so familiar?

It reeked of disingenuousness!

"Senior Yan, you and Yu Fan can continue waiting for a table."

Jiang Ruan’s expression softened slightly, but she was still clearly unhappy.

She thought about how she had waited anxiously for five days just to see Gu Heng, and he had even been the one to ask her out.

It was supposed to be a happy occasion, but Yan Peng had to go and spoil it.

After she spoke, Jiang Ruan turned to Gu Heng, her voice instantly softening. "President Gu, it looks like it really is crowded here today. Why don’t we go eat something else?"

"We’re already here."

"Let’s just eat here."

Gu Heng smiled. "I happen to have a *little* bit of pull here."

When Yan Peng heard this, he nearly rolled his eyes into the back of his head.

’Pull?’

’Even my PhD advisor would have to obediently make a reservation and wait in line if he came here.’

’Who the hell do you think you are?’

’What a fucking poser!’

Yan Peng was ranting furiously in his mind, but with Jiang Ruan present, he didn’t dare say more. All he wanted now was to watch this guy, who was clearly bluffing, try to talk his way out of this boast.

"Oh..."

"Alright, then."

Hearing Gu Heng say this, Jiang Ruan agreed, albeit with some hesitation.

Although she knew Gu Heng had an extraordinary background and considerable wealth, she had no clear concept of just how extraordinary his status was, or how deep his pockets truly were.

Ultimately, her entire impression of Gu Heng had been formed that day at the Mercedes-Benz dealership. In reality, most things about him remained shrouded in mystery to her.

Just as an inexplicable silence fell over the group, the sound of hurried, successive footsteps suddenly echoed from the distance...