As soon as the waiter saw Mu Bai enter, they immediately said, "Miss Mu, this way please."

Liu Shaoquan and the others looked around in amazement at the magnificent scene inside, truly feeling awed. Who would have thought there were so many people dining here? Moreover, the interior decor was so luxurious, it felt like dining in a palace in the United Kingdom.

"It's truly worthy of Sichuan Restaurant."

"Indeed, so grand."

Liu Shaoquan and the others couldn't help but be impressed.

The group was especially shocked and surprised.

The second floor was much quieter; a few people walked down a long corridor, laid out with a long red carpet embroidered with hand-crafted patterns. It was beautiful and very clean. The carpet was imported directly from Australia and replaced every year, each floor's carpet costing tens of thousands.

The waiter led them to the last private room, and as they entered, the scene inside changed instantly.

The private room wasn't luxurious; on the contrary, it was a very retro room. It was decorated in Qing dynasty style with all solid wood furniture.

"Wow, it's like two worlds inside and outside," exclaimed someone in a white shirt.

"It's truly worthy of Sichuan Restaurant."

The group looked particularly surprised as they entered. A feng shui ornament was placed inside the room, a small artificial mountain with water slowly flowing down, accompanied by wisps of smoke.

"Have a seat," Mu Bai said with a smile.

This wasn't her first time at Sichuan Restaurant, so she was used to its luxury by now.

Mu Bai smiled warmly at everyone.

Everyone quickly took their seats.

Soon, drinks were served, and the dishes followed. The table was quickly filled with exotic and precious dishes.

"What's this?" asked the person in a white shirt.

"Pangolin," Mu Bai replied, "the meat is very tender and tastes authentic."

"Aren't pangolins a protected species?" Liu Shaoquan quickly asked.

"These are farm-raised," Mu Bai chuckled and continued, "And this is porcupine meat, and this is turtledove..."

Mu Bai pointed out each dish, as if reciting from memory.

"I've never even seen these before, let alone eaten them," someone joked.

"Dig in," Mu Bai urged, "don't waste my good intentions."

"Come on, let's drink," Liu Shaoquan quickly said with a smile, "Mu Bai's treating us to this lavish feast today; we must finish it."

"Cheers," everyone nodded in agreement.

Mu Bai seemed very happy, as they had sorted out the office space, and this was also her first meal with the department colleagues, which was a joyous occasion.

They clinked glasses and drank several rounds.

Mu Bai's cheeks turned rosy from drinking, looking even more charming, which almost left Liu Shaoquan entranced.

The person in the white shirt nudged Liu Shaoquan with an elbow.

"Huh?" Liu Shaoquan snapped out of it.

The person in the white shirt leaned in quickly, whispering, "Da Liu, you never have the courage to confess. This morning, I wanted to say it for you, why wouldn't you let me?"

"It's something I should do myself, no need for you to interfere," Liu Shaoquan shook his head.

"I think Mu Bai is a really nice girl. If you like her, it's best to confess sooner. Don't wait until someone else makes a move; it'll be too late then," advised the person in the white shirt.

"Yes, yes!" Liu Shaoquan nodded, "I know."

"What are you two whispering about?" Mu Bai, slightly tipsy, looked at them with a smile, "Hurry up and eat and drink, stop whispering."

"Hehe..." Liu Shaoquan nodded immediately.

He drank two more glasses.

Alcohol does embolden a person. With the courage from the drink, Liu Shaoquan asked with a smile, "Mu Bai, do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," Mu Bai shook her head, "Why? Are you planning to introduce me to someone?"

Hearing this, Liu Shaoquan lit up with joy, "Well then... tell me, what type do you like?"

"What type?" Mu Bai blinked, "Hmm... that's hard to say. As long as they can manage a household and be there for me when I'm sad, that's enough. Other than that, not much, but they do have to look decent."

"Is it really that simple?" Liu Shaoquan asked.

"Yeah!" Mu Bai nodded and said, "What did you expect?"

"I thought, since you've been single for so long, you must have high standards for a boyfriend." Liu Shaoquan chuckled and said, "Now it seems I misunderstood."

"Hehe." Mu Bai laughed immediately, "Did you think I wanted to find a tall, rich, handsome guy and marry into a wealthy family?"

"Yes." Liu Shaoquan nodded, "I really thought you wanted to marry into a wealthy family."

"I don't want that." Mu Bai shook her head, "Home life is just about getting by. As long as he's kind-hearted, that's better than anything else."

"Then..." Liu Shaoquan stammered.

"What do you think of our Da Liu?" The guy in the white shirt couldn't hold back.

"Ah?!" Mu Bai was stunned and laughed heartily, "Da Liu? Such a great guy, how could I bear to mess things up for you?"

Liu Shaoquan was dumbfounded, unable to grasp the situation. He quickly said, "Mu Bai, what do you mean by that?"

"I mean, you're so talented, handsome, and capable." Mu Bai laughed, "I'm such an ordinary girl, I can't possibly catch your eye."

"No, no." Liu Shaoquan quickly shook his head, "Mu Bai, you're wrong. Actually... Actually, I've always liked you. I want you to be my girlfriend. I want to marry you. I want to protect you emotionally. Mu Bai, be my girlfriend."

Liu Shaoquan seemed a bit excited, speaking quickly.

Mu Bai was completely shocked. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Liu Shaoquan, "Da Liu, are you drunk?"

"No, I'm not drunk!" Liu Shaoquan quickly shook his head, "I really like you."

"I..." Mu Bai panicked, "I think you're just drunk. I told you not to drink so much, but you still did, silly you."

Liu Shaoquan had drunk about half a liter of white liquor, but his tolerance was about one liter. So, half a liter wouldn't make him drunk, just very flushed. And then he gathered the courage to confess to Mu Bai. His face had turned red up to his neck, and he explained loudly, "I'm really not drunk; I'm seriously confessing my feelings to you. Mu Bai, please say yes."

Just as Mu Bai was about to speak, the guy in the white shirt quickly said, "Mu Bai, just say yes. Da Liu truly likes you."

"Yes, we can vouch for that." Several colleagues nodded, "Da Liu really likes you."

"I..." Mu Bai quickly shook her head, "But, but... but I've always seen Da Liu as a good brother. You guys... you can't bully me like this."

Mu Bai was nearly in tears.

The guy in the white shirt laughed, "Mu Bai, to tell you the truth, when you asked him to come work, he had two choices. One was a trader position at Donghua Securities with a post-tax annual salary of a million. The second was here, with a monthly salary of twelve thousand. But he chose to help you run this charity fund without hesitation for your sake. So..."

"Ah?!" Mu Bai was dumbfounded.

"So you understand, right?" The guy in the white shirt laughed warmly at Mu Bai.

"Da Liu, is it true?" Mu Bai asked.

"Yes!" Liu Shaoquan nodded, "Actually, I first knew you from TV, always following your program. I liked you from then on. Later, I saw you were recruiting and so I came..."

"Oh, you..." Mu Bai was at a loss, looking down, "It's all my fault for delaying your prospects."

"It doesn't matter." Liu Shaoquan shook his head, "Everyone makes their own choices. Besides, you once told me life isn't just about money, it's about meaning. I find my current job more meaningful than being a trader. Despite the lower pay, it's enough for me, isn't it?"

"But..." Mu Bai was at a loss.

"Mu Bai, I won't force you." Liu Shaoquan smiled, "I'll give you a few days to think about whether we can be together."

"I..." Mu Bai's mind was in turmoil.

"Alright, let's keep drinking." Liu Shaoquan raised his glass.

Mu Bai muddled through the meal and drinks, but her mind was spinning with thoughts.

To Liu Shaoquan, Mu Bai truly always saw him as a good friend and brother, never remotely considering him romantically. But she never expected Da Liu to care for her so deeply, even sacrificing a million-a-year job for her. That... that was simply unbelievable. Mu Bai never imagined that Liu Shaoquan, always cheerfully around her, actually liked her. Mu Bai was at a loss for what to do.

If she rejected him, wouldn't she become a heartless woman? But if she accepted him, she'd never really be able to do so. It would just be deceiving someone's feelings.

After eating and drinking, Mu Bai muddled out the door, took a taxi, and headed home.

As soon as she got home, she heard some rustling sounds inside.

"What's that sound?" Mu Bai's ears perked up immediately. She quickly grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen and went to investigate the source of the sound.

The sound was coming from the bathroom.

Mu Bai quietly approached the bathroom, just about to open the door.

Squeak...

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened. A man dressed in just boxer briefs walked out.

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