Rebirth at the Start: This Fate is Too Explosive!

Chapter 222 Jiangnan Stove - Black Pearl 2-Diamond Restaurant

She followed Ye Fan into the hotel's magnificent lobby, which was filled with a faint fragrance. Every step felt like walking on clouds, and her heart was in mid-air.

Miao Zi then discovered that things were completely different from what she had imagined.

An elegant wooden signboard with a Jiangnan (southern China) flair comes into view: Jiangnan Zao · Black Pearl Two-Diamond Restaurant.

The enormous restaurant facade came into view before her.

So it turns out... it's a restaurant! And a top-notch Huaiyang cuisine restaurant located inside a hotel!

A strong sense of shame instantly overwhelmed Miao Zi!

She seemed to have completely misunderstood Ye Fan; he had no such intention at all.

She felt her cheeks burning hot, as if they were on fire, and wished she could disappear into the ground.

What was she thinking about just now?! It was so embarrassing, and she was so presumptuous!

She stole a glance at Ye Fan beside her. He looked perfectly normal, his gaze already fixed on the approaching waiter, clearly oblivious to her dramatic inner monologue just moments before.

"Miao Zi, Miao Zi, what kind of nonsense is going on in your head all day long!" She cursed herself in her heart. Luckily... luckily she didn't blurt it out, otherwise she would have been mortified.

She quickly adjusted her breathing, trying to banish those absurd thoughts and regain the composure of a professional secretary.

It was so embarrassing. It was her first time in Nanjing, and she had no idea that a restaurant would be located on the first floor of such a big hotel. She felt like a country bumpkin.

The waiter guided them to their seats.

The restaurant's interior is serene and elegant, with flowing streams, swaying bamboo shadows, and the artistic conception of Jiangnan gardens cleverly integrated into the modern space, exuding a sense of seclusion in the city, which can calm people's minds.

She knew that prices here were quite high.

A while ago, President Wen hosted a banquet for Ye Fan. The expenses were paid from the company account. She was only responsible for making the arrangements. She didn't care how much was spent. In her view, it was just her job.

But this time it was completely different; Ye Fan was treating her to dinner privately.

The thought and expense put her under some invisible pressure, and she even considered suggesting that they go somewhere else.

But seeing Ye Fan's calm profile as he opened the menu, she swallowed back the words she was about to say.

As the exquisite Huaiyang dishes were gracefully served by the waiters, Miao Zi's eyes were instantly drawn to them.

Women love beauty and have a natural affinity for beautiful things.

Just like in the past life, there are many popular restaurants. The principle is the same: the food inside may not be delicious, but it must look good and the environment must be beautiful, so that countless people will come to check in.

Wensi Tofu Soup: Thin strands of tofu, as fine as hair, stretch gracefully in the clear broth, resembling a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Soft-shelled eel: Made from eel, with a rich, dark sauce, the eel segments are plump and glossy, emitting an enticing aroma.

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish: Head held high and tail curled up, fried until golden and crispy, drizzled with a crystal-clear sweet and sour sauce, its shape is vivid.

Three-Layer Duck: Layer upon layer, with a clear broth and an enticing aroma, it is the ultimate embodiment of skill and mastery of cooking techniques.

Crystal-clear meat: translucent, with alternating red and white colors, the meat jelly is bouncy and the presentation is like a work of art.

Yangzhou fried rice: each grain is distinct, golden and silver, garnished with green peas, shrimp, and diced ham, making it a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Wenlou Soup Dumplings: with skins as thin as paper and juicy soup filling, they lie quietly in an exquisite steamer.

The presentation and exquisite plating of these dishes perfectly exemplify the Huaiyang cuisine's pursuit of excellence in "color, aroma, taste, shape, and presentation."

Miao Zi almost instinctively reached for her phone—taking pictures of food and posting them on WeChat Moments when dining with her girlfriends is a routine operation.

But as soon as she moved her finger, she suddenly stopped.

Sitting opposite her was Ye Fan, her employer, a young tycoon with astonishing wealth.

And she was his private bank secretary.

In this situation, would you take out your phone to take a picture?

That would seem so unprofessional, so...like a naive young girl who's never seen the world.

She smiled bitterly to herself. Behind this seemingly glamorous job, there was actually a sense of boundaries and self-discipline that was hard for outsiders to understand.

She has handled reservations for countless high-end venues, but rarely enters them as a pure enjoyer.

Even when accompanying clients, she always keeps her position in mind, maintains proper decorum, and never oversteps her bounds.

She was just an ordinary bank employee. As she herself said, if it weren't for Ye Fan, she might never have had the opportunity to be promoted in her entire life.

She gently lowered her hand, which she had almost raised, and shifted her gaze from the tempting food to Ye Fan. Her face regained its usual professional smile, which carried a sense of distance. However, deep in her eyes, there was still a trace of lingering embarrassment and regret for her earlier lapse in composure.

Ye Fan's keen eyes caught Miao Zi's fleeting impulse to take a picture and the subsequent restraint.

He said casually, "Take pictures if you want, don't be shy. This isn't a negotiating table."

Miao Zi seemed to have her thoughts read, her face flushed slightly, and she subconsciously shook her head: "No need, that's too impolite. I'm your personal secretary, and my behavior in public will affect how others perceive you. Such rudeness is absolutely unacceptable."

Her voice carried a professional caution, as if an invisible boundary existed between her and pure relaxation.

Ye Fan chuckled lightly, the sound easily gracing the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant: "It's lunchtime now, not worktime, Miao Zi. I don't care at all what others think of me."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a knowing and tolerant look in his eyes, "Recording things you like, especially food, isn't that a girl's nature? I think it's great, it's very authentic. Go ahead and take the pictures, I really don't mind."

Ye Fan's frank and sincere attitude was like a ray of warm sunshine, briefly dispelling the thin ice called "professional ethics" in Miao Zi's heart.

She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of the dishes that looked like works of art, and whispered, "Okay!"

She took out her phone, but her movements were far less casual and relaxed than when she was having dinner with her best friend.

She only quickly and carefully took a few close-up photos of the most uniquely presented dishes, deliberately avoiding the full view of the table and Ye Fan sitting opposite her, as if she were defining a safe area.

He immediately put his phone away after taking the picture, his movements carrying a hint of barely perceptible unease.

Could she completely relax in front of Ye Fan and take photos like an ordinary girl? She felt she couldn't do it yet.

Ye Fan noticed her restraint but didn't point it out. He simply smiled, picked up his chopsticks again, and focused on the delicious food in front of him: "Let's eat. The skills of Jiangnan Kitchen are worth savoring."