Lu Ming's expression turned peculiar after listening. Before he could even attempt to stop them, it was too late.
For someone who had lived in the Yangtze River Delta for years, accustomed to sweet and sour flavors, forcing them to eat the intensely spicy hot pot of the Fog City was predictable.
One word: tragic!
When the hot pot arrived, Lu Ming's face contorted.
The entire pot was a fiery red, filled with chili peppers and topped with a thick layer of oil.
Lu Ming muttered inwardly, "Is this stuff really supposed to be good?"
As the oil in the pot began to bubble, Su Wanran threw in various meats and vegetables, stirred them with long chopsticks, and even cracked an egg into it.
Before long, a fragrant aroma wafted out.
"So fragrant," Sun Yao couldn't help but drool.
While this was happening, Su Wanran prepared three dipping sauce dishes, one for each person. "This is a dipping sauce I've spent a long time researching and perfecting. Give it a try."
Lu Ming picked up a slice of lamb roll, dipped it into his sauce bowl, and took a big bite.
Fragrant, spicy, delicious!
"How does it taste?" Su Wanran asked with a smile.
Lu Ming, unable to speak, simply gave a thumbs-up, indicating his satisfaction with the meat and the sauce.
Only one issue: it was too spicy.
Just one slice of lamb roll had already turned Lu Ming's tongue red. Especially this kind of intensely spicy hot pot, its afterburn was formidable. It might not seem overwhelmingly spicy at first, but give it a moment to settle, and you'd feel your entire body ablaze, your mouth spewing smoke from the heat.
After a few more pieces of meat, Lu Ming was already overwhelmed.
Pathetically, the dignified Dragon Warlord, who shed blood and sweat but never tears, who had never cried in battle, was now so overwhelmed by the spice that his face turned red, and tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably.
He didn't want to cry.
But he couldn't help it!
He went through tissue after tissue, wiping away his tears. Lu Ming had never felt so utterly defeated.
Across from him, Su Wanran was devouring meat and drinking heartily, eating even more and faster than Lu Ming. Yet, she only seemed to be sweating profusely, with not a single tear in sight.
Her mouth seemed utterly impervious to spice.
As she ate, Su Wanran teased, "Lu Ming, you don't seem to handle it very well."
Lu Ming desperately wanted to retort, but the overwhelming spiciness rendered him speechless. He kept gulping down plain water, trying to wash away the numbing sensation.
As the three of them were enjoying their meal, a waiter emerged from a private room on the second floor and announced to the people downstairs from the staircase: "I have good news for everyone. Miss Tang is in a good mood today, so all expenses will be covered by Miss Tang! Eat and drink to your heart's content, Miss Tang is footing the bill."
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.
"Long live Miss Tang!"
"She truly is the woman I admire. Her generosity is incredible. Having money feels amazing."
"Today, I'm going to eat my fill!"
Meanwhile, Su Wanran stared at the second floor, muttering to herself, "I didn't expect Miss Tang to be here."
Lu Ming chugged a large gulp of beer and sighed, asking, "Miss Tang? Who?"
Su Wanran replied, "Tang Yuyao, a venture capitalist."
Being a venture capitalist meant she was wealthy.
Su Wanran continued, "She's a very mysterious woman. No one knows her background, only that she's incredibly rich and has a sharp eye. Any project she invests in is guaranteed to be profitable! Miss Tang has invested in six projects in Fog City, and every single one is now booming."
"That impressive?"
Lu Ming asked, "Doesn't anyone get jealous?"
"They do." Su Wanran's eyes narrowed, her voice laced with a hint of fear. "There was someone who was envious of Miss Tang's investments and tried to snatch them from her. The result... the result was that person disappeared. Never seen, never found."
Hoo—
It seemed this Miss Tang was quite ruthless.
Su Wanran added, "While no one knows Miss Tang's background, everyone is certain that it's far from ordinary. In Fog City, everyone gives Miss Tang face."
Hearing this, Lu Ming couldn't help but chuckle.
He asked curiously, "What would happen if Miss Tang met Han Shichong, the Sleepy Dragon of Fog City?"
Uh...
Su Wanran also smiled. "I'm not sure. They are both powerful figures. If they were to meet, they would likely be polite and seek peace."
She glanced at the second floor again and said, "Miss Tang once invested in our Su family, helping my grandfather with product research. She's a benefactor to our Su family. I think I should go up and offer her a toast to show my respect."
Whether it was to show respect or to forge a connection, only Su Wanran knew for sure.
Regardless of the reason, the toast was necessary.
Su Wanran took out her portable mirror, wiped the oil from her lips, applied a touch of light makeup, then poured a full glass of wine. She contemplated how to offer the toast without appearing awkward.
As she was thinking, several black cars pulled up to the entrance.
The car doors opened, and a large group of people disembarked and entered the hot pot restaurant. Leading them was the representative of Han Shichong – Xue Zong!
He had obtained Lu Ming and Su Wanran's precise location earlier and had brought his men here.
He surveyed the area.
Xue Zong's gaze immediately locked onto Lu Ming.
"Bastard, where do you think you can escape today!"
Xue Zong strode forward, his subordinates drawing out their extendable batons, their eyes fixed on Lu Ming, blocking all escape routes.
With such a grand display, Lu Ming and Su Wanran naturally noticed.
"This is bad!" Su Wanran exclaimed. "Lu Ming, you insulted Xue Zong at the funeral. Now he's here for revenge."
Lu Ming chuckled, completely unfazed.
These few people? Not a threat.
As they spoke, Xue Zong arrived at Lu Ming's table. He spread his arms, placed his hands on his hips, and tilted his head up, saying, "Bastard, do you still recognize me?"
Lu Ming replied nonchalantly, "Oh? You're the bastard's father? Then aren't you a turtle yourself?"
His words drew laughter from the surrounding patrons.
Xue Zong's face contorted with rage. He slammed his palm on the table and roared, "Bastard, still daring to talk back to me when death is at your doorstep? Do you even see who has arrived?!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a tall, thin man walked over, holding a thick hemp rope.
Upon seeing this man, a stir went through the hot pot restaurant.
"Why is he here?"
"Shh, don't talk. It's not good if we get implicated."
"Good heavens, I didn't check the almanac before coming out today. How did I run into this powerful figure? This is terrible."
The newcomer was none other than Sang Biao, one of the twelve captains!
Seeing Sang Biao, Su Wanran's heart pounded rapidly. She shoved Lu Ming hard, "Run, hurry and run!"