Chapter 430 - 429: Dinner at Yun Zijin’s Home

"Come on, let’s go. We’re clocking out."

Yun Zijin was a little stunned by Lu Yunque’s sudden actions. ’Is he really in that much of a hurry?’

But, trusting Lu Yunque, Yun Zijin obediently followed his lead.

Still, Lu Yunque’s behavior felt completely out of character to Yun Zijin.

’Where did her cold, aloof, proud, and taciturn domineering CEO go?’

It wasn’t until she was settled in the Rolls-Royce Phantom that Yun Zijin’s head finally cleared. She turned to Lu Yunque. "I already told Aunt Wang we’d be home around seven. There’s no need to rush."

Yun Zijin assumed Lu Yunque was worried about getting home too late and making a bad impression on the household staff, who might then whisper bad things about him to her later.

"I’m not in a hurry. It’s just... this is my first time going to your house for dinner, so I’m a little nervous."

Yun Zijin didn’t have any family living with her, just staff, so Lu Yunque didn’t have to deal with any parents.

But when it came to Yun Zijin, he always felt nervous, no matter the situation.

Hearing Lu Yunque’s words, it finally dawned on Yun Zijin. She never expected him to have a side like this.

"What’s there to be nervous about? It’s not like you’ve never been over. We’re just having a meal together. We eat together all the time. It’s just a change of venue, no different from any other time."

That might be how Yun Zijin saw it, but Lu Yunque disagreed.

"We always eat out. This is the first time I’m having dinner at your house. For me, this is like a bride riding in her wedding sedan for the very first time."

"Hahaha! What kind of analogy is that?"

Lu Yunque’s comment sent Yun Zijin into a fit of laughter.

It was the first time she’d ever heard a grown man compare himself to a blushing bride to describe his feelings.

"The analogy might be a little funny, but the feeling it conveys is about right."

Lu Yunque patted Yun Zijin on the back, worried she might laugh herself out of breath.

"Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous! I’m not going to eat you."

Yun Zijin patted Lu Yunque’s shoulder, encouraging him to relax.

With Yun Zijin’s reassurance and some self-pep talk, Lu Yunque finally managed to relax a little.

The car soon arrived back at Xingyu Mansion. As soon as it stopped at the entrance, Lu Yunque was the first to get out, turning to help Yun Zijin alight.

"Come on, let’s head inside."

Yun Zijin didn’t worry about Zero One and the others behind them. If they were hungry, they knew how to find the kitchen. If they needed anything else, they could come to her directly or send a message.

Lu Yunque followed Yun Zijin into Villa 1 of Xingyu Mansion and then into the main house.

Wang Minli had already come out to the entrance to wait for them, having heard the car approach.

Seeing Lu Yunque at Yun Zijin’s side, Wang Minli’s heart sank, feeling as if a prize pig had just run off with her precious cabbage.

Having worked in wealthy households for so long, Wang Minli of course knew exactly how she should behave around Lu Yunque.

"Aunt Wang, this is my boyfriend."

Yun Zijin gave the two a simple introduction, not giving it much thought.

The two nodded at each other by way of greeting.

"Miss, dinner is ready. Shall you and Mr. Lu be dining now?"

As soon as Yun Zijin gave the word, she could have the kitchen bring the food to the table.

Yun Zijin nodded. "Yes, we’ll eat now. You can have the kitchen staff start serving."

If Yun Zijin wasn’t home, the kitchen staff wouldn’t bring out the food, even if it was ready.

"Of course, Miss. I’ll see to it immediately."

With that, Wang Minli turned and headed toward the kitchen.

Lu Yunque and Yun Zijin followed her inside.

"Shall we go straight to the dining room?"

Yun Zijin turned to look at Lu Yunque.

"Yes, it’s getting late. Time to eat."

It was 7:00 PM, Dijing time, the perfect time for dinner.

Yun Zijin led Lu Yunque to the dining room, and they took their seats.

Just then, the staff Aunt Wang had arranged began bringing the dishes out from the kitchen.

In no time, the table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes.

"My chef doesn’t know your preferences yet, so give it a try. If it’s not to your liking, you have to tell me."

Using the serving chopsticks, Yun Zijin placed a spare rib on Lu Yunque’s plate.

"It’s fine. I’m not a picky eater."

Though Lu Yunque said that, Yun Zijin didn’t believe him for a second.

’If he really weren’t a picky eater, he wouldn’t have Assistant Mo order his meals from a specific restaurant every day. The moment they switch, he complains it’s not to his liking.’

But Yun Zijin couldn’t be bothered to call him out on it. ’He’s my boyfriend, after all. It’s okay to indulge him once in a while.’

In any case, the chef in Yun Zijin’s kitchen had been hired at great expense. The food they prepared was on par with, if not better than, that of a five-star hotel chef.

While the flavors were different from the restaurant Lu Yunque usually ordered from, they would absolutely meet his high standards.

After watching Lu Yunque take a bite, Yun Zijin asked expectantly, "So? It’s to your liking, I hope?"

Lu Yunque nodded. "It’s delicious. The texture and flavor are perfect."

Whether Lu Yunque was just being polite or was genuinely impressed, Yun Zijin chose to believe him.

"I’m glad you like it. By the way, what would you like to drink? Wine, or something else?"

"Either is fine. I’ll have whatever’s convenient."

"I don’t really feel like drinking. Shall I have Aunt Wang get us some juice, then?"

Lu Yunque nodded. "Sounds good."

He wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, so it made no difference to him.

Besides, he was worried that drinking might affect his self-control and cause him to do something he’d regret.

Without needing to be told, Wang Minli knew just what to do. A moment later, she brought over two glasses of orange juice and placed one in front of each of them.

"Mr. Lu, Miss, your juice."

"Thank you," they said in unison.

After dinner, Lu Yunque lingered in Villa 1 to watch a movie with Yun Zijin in the media room, only reluctantly returning to his own Villa 2 afterward.

As he left, Lu Yunque looked completely crestfallen, but Yun Zijin stood her ground and didn’t cave and let him stay over.

「The next day was Sunday.」

Yun Zijin didn’t have any spending tasks to complete, so she decided to go to the office with Lu Yunque.

On Monday, Yun Zijin attended her classes first, and afterward had Zero One drive her to the Lu Group.

Yun Zijin hadn’t forgotten that Lu Yunque was scheduled to meet with Situ Wenze at 3:00 PM that afternoon, and they had agreed she would tag along.

Lu Yunque was more than happy to have Yun Zijin at the office with him, and he had no problem with her joining his meeting with Situ Wenze.

「3:00 PM, in the coffee shop below the Lu Group building.」

When Lu Yunque walked in with Yun Zijin, Situ Wenze was already inside waiting for them.

Situ Wenze’s expression flickered with surprise when he saw that Lu Yunque had actually brought Yun Zijin with him.

"What are you doing here? Afraid I’m going to bully him?"

To be honest, Situ Wenze wasn’t particularly fond of Yun Zijin. Even the plan to transfer the Original Xia Group into her name had been an order from Situ Yunliang.