Chapter Sixteen: You Pamper Your Wife, I'll Foot the Bill?

Imperial Feast truly lives up to its reputation as one of the finest restaurants in Ocean City. The establishment boasts a uniquely crafted ambiance, with an architectural style that is both elegant and warm.

Inside, the lighting is perfectly arranged—bright yet gentle—creating an atmosphere that refreshes the mind and whets the appetite simply by being there.

Xu Xu followed Huo Hanshen and a group of restaurant staff deeper inside. As they walked, she leaned closer to Huo Hanshen and asked, “What’s going on here? How come you can just walk in without a reservation?”

Imperial Feast is known for its high standards, and the restaurant manager rarely comes out to greet guests personally.

Moreover...

Xu Xu glanced around and noticed the entire restaurant was remarkably quiet. Apart from their group, there seemed to be no other diners.

Had the place been cleared out?

“I’m friends with the owner of this restaurant,” Huo Hanshen said with a smile, offering no pretense.

Xu Xu’s eyes widened with surprise and a hint of confusion. The owner of this restaurant was Lin Feng, the eldest son of the Lin family—a family renowned for their immense wealth. How could Huo Hanshen possibly know him?

Could it be...

Huo Hanshen was actually the son of a wealthy family but kept a low profile, which was how he knew Lin Feng?

Come to think of it... Huo Hanshen had never claimed to be poor; his car and clothes just looked modest.

Could it be that he wasn’t a “frugal husband” after all, but a wealthy one?

“We were classmates at university,” Huo Hanshen explained, perhaps sensing Xu Xu’s curiosity. “We met there and got along quite well.”

University classmates?

“I see,” Xu Xu nodded, suddenly realizing she knew very little about Huo Hanshen. She pressed further, “Which university did you graduate from?”

“A University,” he replied.

---

“A University!?” Xu Xu’s face lit up with delight at the mention of the school. “What a coincidence! That was actually my first choice for college! Unfortunately...” Her tone faltered, and the excitement on her face dimmed slightly. “Unfortunately, due to some special circumstances, I never ended up going.”

Seeing the faint regret on Xu Xu’s face, a complex, inscrutable emotion flickered in Huo Hanshen’s eyes.

“Why didn’t you go?” he asked softly.

Xu Xu sighed lightly and turned her gaze away from him, her expression darkening.

“After the college entrance exam, some changes happened in my family. So... I didn’t go.”

She didn’t say more, but considering the situation with the Xu family, Huo Hanshen could roughly guess the reasons.

He didn’t press further and instead changed the subject. “The dishes here are actually quite good. Order whatever you want.”

By the time they reached the private dining room and sat down, Huo Hanshen signaled the manager to hand the menu to Xu Xu.

Xu Xu had only heard of this restaurant before but never actually dined here. When she saw the prices, she couldn’t help but gasp.

This restaurant was expensive, but she hadn’t expected it to be this extravagant!

Just one dish easily cost over ten thousand!

Although Xu Xu still had some savings, there were many upcoming expenses to consider, and she simply couldn’t afford such extravagance.

After a few moments of thought, she ordered two signature dishes. “That’s all. I’m not very hungry; I’m planning to lose weight soon.”

Huo Hanshen saw through her hesitation and smiled. “Don’t worry about saving money. Order whatever you want. Lin Feng is treating us tonight.”

“Ah?” Xu Xu was surprised. “Why is he paying?”

“He owes me a big favor. This meal is his way of repaying me. So...” Huo Hanshen winked, “Madam, order more; let’s get our money’s worth.”

---

Xu Xu laughed and quickly took back the menu. “Well, if you don’t eat your fill, how can you lose weight? I’ll order more!”

She began circling all the dishes that looked good—since the food was so expensive, she might not have another chance to try them. She wanted to see just how delicious they were!

Having finished ordering, Xu Xu looked up at Huo Hanshen. “What about you? What do you want to eat?”

She handed him the menu, but he declined.

Xu Xu looked at him curiously, and Huo Hanshen leaned close to her ear, lowering his voice.

“I like whatever you like.”

His deep voice, paired with the warmth of his breath, instantly flushed Xu Xu’s cheeks a deep red.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, she gently pushed him away and handed the selected menu to the manager.

The manager smiled, pretending not to notice their exchange. “Very well, please wait a moment, esteemed guests.”

He then left the room.

---

A short while later, Lin Feng, who was relaxing in his villa’s bath, received a call from the restaurant manager. The manager briefly explained what was happening.

“Got it. Put it on my tab,” Lin Feng replied casually before hanging up.

But as soon as he ended the call, the calm demeanor vanished. He began cursing under his breath.

“You, Huo Hanshen! It’s one thing to dine and dash on me, but now you’re showing off your love life here too!”

Lin Feng, the perpetually single and envious one, had just been hit with a tidal wave of sweetness!