Chapter 194: Chapter 194: Arriving in C City
They were halfway through their movie when a rich aroma drifted out from the kitchen, and both of them suddenly felt hungry.
"What are they making in the kitchen? It smells amazing."
The movie could no longer hold Yun Zijin’s attention. Her eyes kept darting toward the kitchen.
’It’s been over half an hour. Isn’t the food ready yet?’
"I’m not sure, but from the smell, it’s probably dumplings."
’I just don’t know what kind.’
"Maybe I should go ask if it’s ready..."
’If I go to the kitchen now, I might get to eat them fresh off the stove. They’ll definitely taste better than if I wait until they’re served at the table.’
"No need. They’ll bring it out when it’s ready."
The staff Lu Yunque brought on the plane were all long-time retainers from the Lu Family household; they knew what to do.
Since Lu Yunque had said so, Yun Zijin didn’t press the issue. In the end, she couldn’t focus on the movie at all, her attention completely captivated by the aroma from the kitchen.
After what felt like an eternity, Yun Zijin’s eager anticipation was finally rewarded when someone emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray.
"Sir, Master Liao made crystal shrimp dumplings for you and Miss Yun. Please, enjoy."
The person who brought out the dumplings was the kitchen assistant. He placed two plates of shrimp dumplings, two sets of bowls and chopsticks, and the dipping sauces on the dining table before beating a hasty retreat to the kitchen—now they could have their meal too!
"Pausing the movie! Let’s eat!"
Yun Zijin snatched the remote and decisively paused the movie. Then she pulled Lu Yunque into a little jog toward the dining table, sat down eagerly, and immediately picked up her chopsticks to put some dumplings in her bowl.
"This chef you brought is amazing! Did he make his name on crystal shrimp dumplings or something?"
’His skills... are they even better than my own pastry chef’s?’
Yun Zijin was no professional food critic; she could only judge by what she liked.
"No, he’s the pastry chef from the main family residence. I had to get my grandparents’ permission to bring him along."
Many of the staff at the main residence were veterans who had spent the better part of their lives with the Lu Family. Even Lu Yunque had to get his grandparents’ approval before he could borrow someone.
He hadn’t held out much hope, but the moment Lu Yunque mentioned he was taking Yun Zijin on a trip, his grandparents agreed instantly.
Lu Yunque had mixed feelings about that.
He and Zijin weren’t even an official couple yet, and his grandparents were already acting like this. Lu Yunque could already predict that if he and Yun Zijin ever actually got married, his own standing in the family would drop even lower.
After all, the Lu Family had produced nothing but sons for three generations. His grandparents’ desperate hope for a granddaughter had been utterly crushed when his younger cousin, Lu Yunfeng, was also born a boy.
As a result, the three boys of the Lu family’s younger generation were each less doted upon than the next. (Lu Yunque also has an older brother who has not yet appeared.)
"Oh, so he’s a veteran master chef. No wonder he’s so skilled."
Yun Zijin picked up another crystal shrimp dumpling, dipped it in sauce, and popped it into her mouth. The delicious flavor made her eyes crinkle in bliss.
"Save some room. I’ll take you to eat some other tasty things after we land."
C City was a renowned culinary capital, and Lu Yunque had already planned to take Yun Zijin to try some of the local specialties.
Yun Zijin’s eyes lit up. "Where are we going?"
"You’ll find out when we get there."
Lu Yunque was being intentionally mysterious.
"All right, then. I’ll save some room and stop eating."
After about six or seven dumplings, Yun Zijin already felt full and stopped eating.
Lu Yunque saw the few dumplings left on Yun Zijin’s plate, moved them to his own bowl, and finished them in a few bites.
"You ate so much. Aren’t you stuffed?"
Although Yun Zijin was the long-lost daughter of the Xia Family, she had grown up in the south and ate like a bird.
Seeing Lu Yunque eat his own plateful and then finish off her leftovers, Yun Zijin worried he might be too stuffed to even walk.
"I’m fine. This is just right."
Lu Yunque wasn’t just putting on a brave face. He was a man, after all; that amount of food was nothing to him.
After their meal, the two returned to the living room sofa to finish their movie.
Before they knew it, the plane had landed.
Carrying nothing but a small bag with her documents, Yun Zijin followed Lu Yunque off the plane.
A dedicated team was waiting for them at the C City airport. After deplaning, the group was escorted all the way out.
’If Lu Yunque hadn’t already arranged for a pickup,’ Yun Zijin thought, ’the airport staff would have probably arranged a private car to take us anywhere in C City.’
The pickup was a dedicated car service for the presidential suite of C City’s Jinsheng Hotel. Likely because of Lu Yunque’s special instructions, the hotel had sent two vehicles.
One for Yun Zijin and Lu Yunque, and one for the bodyguards. It was a perfect fit.
"Let’s head to the hotel first. I’ve arranged for some clothes to be sent over, so you can see if there’s anything you like.
If you don’t like any of them, I’ll have them send other options."
Since it was just a short trip, Lu Yunque had arranged for them to stay at the Jinsheng Hotel rather than bothering to have his house in C City cleaned.
Yun Zijin nodded, having no objections to Lu Yunque’s arrangements.
"Let’s get in the car now, then."
Lu Yunque supported Yun Zijin, helping her get into the car.
After Lu Yunque was in, an attentive member of the airport staff helped close the door for them.
「On the way back to the hotel.」
"Besides the Panda Base, is there anywhere else you want to go?"
The entire purpose of this trip for Lu Yunque was to deepen his relationship with Yun Zijin. It would be even better if he could get her to officially acknowledge their status as a couple.
Therefore, Lu Yunque wanted to cater to Yun Zijin’s every whim, no matter how small, to avoid any missteps.
"Didn’t you say you’d already arranged everything?"
Yun Zijin hadn’t planned on visiting C City, so she hadn’t done any research on it.
Since Lu Yunque said he had everything planned, Yun Zijin was more than happy to sit back and relax.
"If there’s a place you want to go, I can make some adjustments to my original plans.
If we don’t get to do everything this time, we can always come back for another trip."
"For now, just the Panda Base. I’ll let you know if I think of anything else."
If asked right now where she wanted to go, Yun Zijin really couldn’t come up with anything.
"Okay."
As they made idle chitchat, the car arrived at the Jinsheng Hotel in C City.
As the president of the Lu Corporation, Lu Yunque was expected, and people were already waiting for him at the entrance.
Before he arrived, they were all craning their necks in anticipation. The moment he actually appeared, however, they all lost their nerve.
"Take us to the presidential suite. My men will be on the floor below us. Someone will be delivering clothes shortly; just bring them straight up when they arrive."
Yun Zijin followed by Lu Yunque’s side, not needing to say a word.
"Of course, Mr. Lu, Miss Yun, and gentlemen. This way, please."
The person greeting them was the general manager of the C City Jinsheng Hotel. Facing Lu Yunque, he was smiling so broadly that the wrinkles on his face deepened.
Lu Yunque took Yun Zijin by the wrist and walked into the elevator, his expression as impassive as ever.
"Wait a minute. Are you saying I’m staying in the presidential suite with you?"
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