The secretary frowned, puzzled by her boss’s behavior.
But Liu Han was utterly agitated.
For years, his father had often spoken of a certain person, his eyes filled with reverence and fervent admiration every time.
According to his father, Liu Ji, without that person’s help, he’d never have been able to open a restaurant in prime Ninghai real estate. In truth, Ninghai Restaurant belonged to that person—all these years, the Liu family had merely been guardians.
Liu Han knew that to his father, this “senior” was like a mentor, though his father never dared call him that, always saying he wasn’t worthy.
All these years, Liu Ji’s greatest wish was to find that senior again. He’d spent a fortune searching, but sixty years had passed with no trace. Liu Han had long suspected the senior was dead, giving up hope.
Yet now… he’d heard that name.
“Sixty years have passed. That senior would be nearly a hundred by now. These are just two young people—could they be his descendants?” Liu Han’s brow furrowed.
If they were here to claim the restaurant as their inheritance… trouble would follow.
The Liu family’s power in Ninghai stemmed from the restaurant, their connections and prosperity rooted here. It was their core asset, impossible to lose.
Liu Han’s thoughts whirled. After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to meet them. He needed to know their intentions.
Zhou Tian and Zhou Xue waited outside. Soon, a well-dressed 中年 man in a suit emerged.
At the sight of Zhou Tian, Liu Han froze.
His family kept a portrait of that senior in the main hall, one he saw daily. This young man looked identical to the senior in his youth—down to the last detail.
“So they must be the senior’s descendants,” he thought.
In Zhou Xue’s livestream, viewers erupted at the sight of Liu Han.
“Look! That’s Liu Han, general manager of Ninghai Restaurant—I’ve seen him before!”
“Whoa, streamer, you’ve really done it now. You actually got the GM to come out. This guy’s no nobody—piss him off and you’re dead.”
“This stream’s wild. The streamer’s risking it all to show us what happens when you cross big shots. Never seen this angle before—fresh!”
……
Reading the comments, Zhou Xue felt flustered. She’d just been hungry and wanted a meal—how had it escalated like this?
Zhou Tian eyed Liu Han, frowning slightly. “Who are you? Where’s that Liu Ji?”
Liu Han paused, then frowned. Liu Ji was his father—this kid, a mere 晚辈，dared call his father by name? No respect at all.
But recalling he might be the senior’s descendant, he held his tongue.
“Little brother, my father’s elderly now. He hasn’t managed the company in years—I handle everything.”
Zhou Tian nodded. Life, old age, illness, death—time was ruthless. After leaving Ninghai, he’d traveled alone for forty years, then endured twenty years of nirvana. Sixty years gone in a flash. The reckless young Liu Ji of yore was now in his twilight.
But he’d seen too many lives fade to care. “Since your father’s not here, you’ll do. Arrange a meal for us.”
“Meal?” Liu Han blinked. “Is that all?”
Zhou Tian frowned. “Of course. Any problem with that?”
Liu Han relaxed, smiling faintly. “No problem at all, little brother. I’m just curious—what’s your relation to Senior Zhou Tian?”
Zhou Tian said calmly, “I am Zhou Tian.”
Liu Han’s expression froze, words failing him.
So he’s hiding his identity, he thought, growing wary. But he didn’t dare offend. “If you’d rather not say, that’s fine. Please, come in.”
Zhou Tian strode in unceremoniously.
Zhou Xue was baffled. Her brother had been so rude—why was the GM smiling and welcoming him?
She wasn’t the only confused one; the livestream chat was chaos.
“What… what’s happening? Mr. Liu’s not mad? He’s inviting them in for a meal?”
“Whoa, streamer—you must know the Liu family! Been playing the fool for months just to flex today? We’re all typing ‘666’ over here!”
“Dude, anyone who gets Mr. Liu to greet them personally isn’t some nobody. Would someone like that even need to stream?”
“Ever think… maybe her brother was telling the truth? Not about himself, but his ancestor—a big shot back in the day, now fallen on hard times?”
“Makes sense. That’s what I’m thinking too.”
……
Zhou Xue barely glanced at the chat, just followed her brother in a daze, her phone camera pointed forward automatically.
Liu Han led them to the innermost luxury private room.
Stepping inside, Zhou Xue gaped at the decor. The room exuded classic elegance—fine hardwoods, tasteful ornaments, pure opulence.
Four waiters stood at attention, clearly handpicked for looks and poise.
Zhou Xue’s heart raced. How much would a meal here cost?
“Mr. Zhou, Miss Zhou, please sit,” Liu Han said.
Zhou Tian sat, and a waiter presented menus.
Zhou Tian pushed a menu to Zhou Xue. “Xiaoxue, order whatever you want.”
Zhou Xue’s lips twitched at the prices—every dish cost four figures. A few courses would eat through two months of her livestream earnings.
But they were already seated, and her brother seemed set on eating here. Clenching her teeth, she ordered two of the cheaper dishes.
Liu Han smiled and told the waiter, “Bring out all our best dishes. My treat today.”
Zhou Xue was shocked. The chat erupted:
“Ninghai Restaurant’s best? That’ll be tens of thousands, easy.”
“Dude, you’re lowballing. A meal here hits six figures—enough for a down payment on a third-tier city house!”
“For real? That’s insane!”
“Mr. Liu’s treating? What’s Little Joy’s brother got on him?”
……
The chat went wild, but they had no idea—more shocks were coming.
