Hong Jie and Ou Yunchen followed the proprietress towards a private room on the first floor. As they passed the corridor, a display case with a glass cover stood prominently against the wall.
Hong Jie glanced at it and burst into laughter.
Hong Jie pointed at the item inside the glass case and said, "You actually kept it! Look, it's all spoiled!"
The proprietress pulled Ou Yunchen closer, "Mr. Ou, take a look, can you tell what this is?"
Ou Yunchen frowned, "A steamed bun?"
Hong Jie was still laughing, and the proprietress shook her head.
Ou Yunchen added, "A flower roll?"
The proprietress still shook her head.
"Sorry, I can't tell," Ou Yunchen said with regret.
Hong Jie patted Ou Yunchen's shoulder, "This is the cake your Sister Lan baked for my birthday."
With that explanation, one could indeed see a large lump of dough with burnt marks.
"Why keep it? If guests see it, won't they question the quality of your private kitchen?" Hong Jie said as she took out her phone to snap a photo.
The proprietress teased, "That's why I need to push myself!"
The two women, arm in arm, entered the private room, reminiscing about funny stories from the past. Ou Yunchen listened quietly as they chatted until the pre-meal appetizers were placed on the table, at which point the proprietress got up to leave.
"Yunchen, what kind of person do you think the proprietress is?" Hong Jie asked.
Ou Yunchen thought for a moment and said, "Like Sister Hong, she's independent, smooth, and has her own way of doing business."
Hong Jie nodded, very satisfied with the answer, "I brought you here today with a different intention. My sister here is truly extraordinary. I hope you can learn more from her."
Ou Yunchen smiled. He had already learned a lot from Hong Jie. In his eyes, Hong Jie was not only his savior but also a life mentor.
She had taught her adopted son, who used to only obey orders, many new principles. If Ou Zhan was strong before, it was just a tough exterior. Now, Ou Yunchen had a soul. He was no longer a pawn to be manipulated; he wanted to become a king, lead thousands of troops, and fight for his own glory!
"The proprietress is very good at judging people. Guess what score she gave you?" Hong Jie looked at Ou Yunchen.
Ou Yunchen shook his head. Such questions couldn't be answered casually. Saying too high a score would be overconfident, and too low would make him seem self-deprecating.
Hong Jie swirled her wine glass and calmly stated, "3 points."
Such a score was truly surprising. Let alone Ou Yunchen, even Hong Jie wondered if she was underestimating the man she had personally trained.
"Don't you think it's too hasty to give such a low score based on a mere glance?"
Ou Yunchen dared not answer and could only respond with a smile.
"Since Sister Hong said the proprietress is a woman who is good at judging people, then I believe her score must have its reasons. If possible, I'd like to know where the remaining deducted points were lost."
Hong Jie nodded, "Yunchen, you meet my standards. It's because the guests at my bar are all here for entertainment, and they just see you as a handsome bartender."
"But if you can catch Mrs. Lan's eye, you'll be able to navigate high society with ease. If you have her as your second mentor, you'll go higher and further."
Ou Yunchen finally understood that Hong Jie had been helping him connect with people. This was not just a reunion dinner but a handover ceremony.
He had graduated from Hong Jie's tutelage and was now aiming for higher ground, needing a more suitable patron.
Ou Yunchen was filled with emotion. He was grateful to Hong Jie, who always silently pushed him forward when he needed it most.
Hong Jie smiled again, "Don't look at me like that anymore. I've taught you all I can, and it's time for you to leave me. If you stay by my side, you'll never shed the scent of the common world."
Ou Yunchen raised his wine glass. No amount of words could express his gratitude for Hong Jie's nurturing. His usual eloquence failed him at this moment, leaving only a heartfelt "Thank you."