Chapter 57: Introducing a Blind Date

Lanting Iron Plate Buffet.

This is a high-end, club-style restaurant housed in a three-story detached building, featuring a beautiful environment and an open kitchen and dining area.

They took their seats in a private booth.

Hu Mingli took out her phone to start taking photos for social media, posting them to her Moments in the process.

Tang Song took the tablet handed to him by the waiter and selected three "Premium Buffet Packages" priced at 399 yuan each.

Gold brick foie gras, mantis shrimp, roasted durian, abalone, Wagyu beef, premium fruit, beverages...

Everything was unlimited; they could eat to their heart's content.

Guo Peng’s mouth hung open. He had originally intended to say that the 299 yuan package was more than enough, but thinking of Tang Song’s BMW 330i, he tactfully shut his mouth.

After discussing for a while, the three of them ordered everything they wanted to eat.

While waiting for the food, Guo Peng couldn't help but sigh, "President Chen is truly shameless. He stole your credit and then pushed you out."

Tang Song said, "I can probably guess his plan. He likely wants to use this opportunity to be promoted to CTO. Du Shaokai's uncle is President Li, who is in charge of channel business; he wants to pull in more votes."

"If an external CTO is parachuted in, our President Chen will definitely have a breakdown."

Hu Mingli winked and said, "It's actually quite possible. Since they invested in our company, they won't leave without installing any of their own people. Right now, I'm just hoping for a CTO with good character who can thoroughly suppress and crush Old Chen!"

"Hearing you say that, Mingli, I actually feel a little excited. I'd love to see the expression on President Chen's face then."

Soon, the dishes prepared on-site were served one after another.

A rich aroma wafted toward them, whetting their appetites.

The foie gras was silky and delicate, melting in the mouth; the charred Wagyu beef was incredibly juicy...

In the lively small booth, the fragrance of food mingled with laughter and chatter.

After eating and drinking their fill.

Guo Peng rubbed his round belly and asked, "Xiao Song, what do you plan to do after leaving the company?"

"Start a business." Tang Song wiped his hands and smiled. "I already have a direction and have found a reliable partner. We are already in the preparation stage."

"Being your own boss means you won't have to take crap from anyone. If your family circumstances allow and you have your own ideas, it's a good choice." Guo Peng's eyes were full of emotion, and he added, "You should still be cautious in the early stages. Don't invest too much; the current economic environment isn't great."

Having met many people over the years, he knew many friends who had ended up heavily in debt due to entrepreneurship, so he couldn't help but offer a few words of advice.

"Thanks for the golden advice, Brother Guo."

Hu Mingli put down her phone and said with a smile, "I really didn't realize before that Tang Song was the highest-quality male in the company. To be honest, I really regret not actively pursuing you earlier."

Guo Peng teased, "Too late. Regret is useless now. Why not consider a 'growth stock' like me?"

Hu Mingli blinked and said, "Brother Guo, your stock is already in a downward trend; you're nowhere near a growth stock. I'm afraid my investment would go down the drain."

"Haha, Mingli, you're 27 this year, right? Your family must be quite anxious, huh?"

"Whoa, Brother Guo, you're trying to hurt each other!"

Tang Song listened to the two teasing each other from the side, occasionally chiming in with a laugh.

...

At 8:30 PM, the three of them walked out of the restaurant.

Guo Peng shook his phone and smiled, "The car I called will be here soon. You really don't need to drop me off. You two are heading the same way anyway; there's no need to delay yourselves for half an hour because of me."

"Alright then. Take care on the road, Brother Guo. Let us know when you get home."

"Will do!" Guo Peng patted Tang Song's shoulder firmly and said sentimentally, "Remember to find me for a drink when you have time. Even after you leave, we'll still be in the same city, not far apart."

Tang Song nodded. "Thanks for looking after me these past few months, Brother Guo. Let's stay in touch."

"Stay in touch! Oh, my car is here. Goodbye Xiao Song, bye-bye Mingli!" Guo Peng waved his hand and jogged toward the roadside.

He hopped into a new energy vehicle with its hazard lights flashing.

"Let's go." Hu Mingli stretched and stepped down the stairs.

Since it had rained a few days ago, the temperature hadn't risen much.

Hu Mingli tightened her short jacket.

Turning around, she was about to say something witty, but she froze instantly.

Tang Song walked toward her against the April evening breeze, one hand in his pocket.

The orange streetlights illuminated half of his body, casting light and shadow across his upright and handsome features, while his apricot-colored knit cardigan swayed gently.

He possessed a subtle, ethereal aura that matched the cool and quiet night.

The [Outfit - Cool Night Breeze] effect was triggered.

Hu Mingli stared blankly at her former colleague, her mind buzzing.

Ridiculous! How could there be such a massive change just from losing weight and skincare?

She admitted that Tang Song's looks were decent before, but his skin was mediocre and his features weren't particularly striking or defined; he was still a bit far from being a true heartthrob.

But at this moment, Tang Song's unique aura was such a massive bonus that it left her stunned.

"What's wrong, Sister Mingli?" Tang Song waved his right hand in front of her.

Hu Mingli studied him carefully for a moment and sighed, "Tang Song, you look truly handsome walking in the wind like that. You've made me a total fangirl. If I knew my own worth, I'd actually want to try pursuing you."

While she had been teasing him at the dinner table, she truly felt this way now.

However, she had self-awareness; her looks and figure were even inferior to Zhao Yue's, and a high-quality man like Tang Song certainly wouldn't look at her.

Flattered by her praise, Tang Song's face flushed slightly, and he said somewhat shyly, "I have to admit, that's true."

Hu Mingli couldn't help but burst out laughing. After a thought, she suddenly said, "Come, come, stand in front of the car. I'll take a photo of you."

"Sister Mingli, you're not going to use my photo for something bad, are you?"

"Get lost! Am I that thirsty?" Hu Mingli gave him a nudge and rolled her eyes. "It's for something good. I'll tell you in a bit."

Tang Song smiled and instinctively stood in front of his BMW.

*Click—*

"Too dark. Move a bit to the right. Good, right there!"

*Click—*

"OK, this one is good. Come on, look up, one more."

After a bit of fussing, Hu Mingli was finally satisfied.

Sitting in the car.

Tang Song asked curiously, "Sister Mingli, what exactly are you going to do with my photo?"

Hu Mingli blinked and asked back, "Tang Song, I remember you've always been single, right?"

"How can you slander my reputation out of thin air? I'm not a lifelong single! I've had a relationship before; it wasn't as tragic as you make it sound!" Tang Song corrected her righteously.

He wasn't lying about this. During the summer after high school graduation, he had been very close to his "white moonlight."

Although neither had explicitly stated it, that innocent, youthful affection was real.

There was even a time when he had drunk too much and held her while sleeping in a KTV for over an hour, and she hadn't even been angry.

That heart-pounding first experience of love remained vivid in his memory to this day.

Hu Mingli smiled. "Fine, fine. My point is that you're single now. Do you want me to introduce you to someone?"

"Uh..." Tang Song's mouth twitched, feeling somewhat speechless.

"Haven't you been working out lately? A friend of mine is also a fitness enthusiast—a real professional. She could definitely help you."

Tang Song fell silent for a moment, then said carefully, "Sister Mingli, thank you for your kindness, but I'm currently focusing on my career. Let's pass for now."

When a friend introduces a romantic interest, things can get awkward for all three people if it doesn't work out.

Besides, he wasn't lacking excellent women around him right now.

"It's okay, you can look at her photo first before deciding." Hu Mingli had a mysterious smile. "To be honest, if I hadn't seen how handsome you are today, I wouldn't dare introduce you. My friend is a bit of a visual person; she's very picky."

Tang Song looked troubled. "How about we wait until I've settled down? After all, I just left my job and haven't started my business yet. It wouldn't look good to others."

Hu Mingli didn't say anything, looking down to operate her phone.

(End of Chapter)