Chapter 18: The Enchanted Song

"All for nothing, huh?"
The most frustrating thing is always your companion's cutting remarks, and Yang Fan truly didn't feel like speaking.

Of course, although the road was now clear, Yang Fan and his group had nearly been driven mad by the traffic jam. Especially now, as his phone rang again.

It was Ai Xiaomei once more...

Clearly, he and Ai Xiaomei could communicate telepathically, but whether it was out of curiosity for phone calls or simply an urge to spend, she insisted on calling him no matter what.

Yang Fan simply handed his phone to Liu Haoyu and hailed two taxis. He really had no patience left to wait any longer, and besides, everyone was famished.

They found a small restaurant along the way, each wolfing down a large bowl of noodles in just a few minutes. As the two drivers arrived with their cars, someone else entered—the man who had been smashing cars on the main road.

Clearly, he had followed the cars here.

"Brother, you—"

"Big brother, I've really got business to attend to today. Let's talk tomorrow, alright?"

He left his contact information, and Yang Fan's group hurried off to Four Seasons Ode. The whole traffic jam had ruined their plans—a grand feast reduced to a hasty meal of noodles. Whatever joy Yang Fan had felt was now gone.

Four Seasons Ode had once belonged to Old Li’s family. After the Li family collapsed, Liu Mingfeng had renovated the place, giving it a low-key luxury themed around the four seasons.

Its main clientele was the upper-middle class. Ai Xiaomei and Xu Zihan were already waiting at the entrance, and they, at least, had already eaten.

"Brother, have you eaten?"

"Do you realize how torturous it is when you’re starving and someone keeps sending you pictures of delicious food?" Yang Fan shot Ai Xiaomei a glare as he spoke.

"How is that my fault?"

"Fine, it's not your fault," Yang Fan replied coolly. He was already full from the noodles, and the fancy meal was clearly not meant for him anyway.

"So you did eat after all?" Xu Zihan asked.

"Yeah, a huge bowl of noodles. Enough to fill anyone up. We can’t eat another bite," Zhang Chen said from the side.

"Good, then let’s head in," Xu Zihan said. Ai Xiaomei stood by with a smug look, though it was anyone’s guess what she was so pleased about.

Yang Fan received a message from Zhao Jing—his company colleagues had arrived, and Zhao Jing sent him the private room number.

"Ai Xiaomei, I have a task for you."

"Is there a reward?"

"All my money is with you—what more reward could you possibly want?"

Ai Xiaomei stuck out her tongue, then said, "So, what’s the task?"

"Keep an eye on Lin Ruo for me. Don’t let him ruin my plans."

"Take me shopping twice and I’ll do it."

"Go by yourself," Yang Fan said wearily. She already had all his money and still wanted him to tag along and watch her spend it. Besides, whenever Ai Xiaomei went shopping, she only bought things for herself.

Wasn’t this just rubbing it in?

"But I want to go with you. Say yes if you want, or forget it. But if Lin Ruo does spoil your plans, don’t blame me."

"Ai Xiaomei, you really are something."

Resigned, Yang Fan agreed to her grossly unfair terms. After entering the lobby, he cheerfully waved to everyone before heading straight to the second floor.

"Xiaomei, Haoyu!"

"Dad, Uncle!" Liu Haoyu called out. Xiaomei gave a little wave—that was her way of greeting. The others greeted them as well, except for Lin Ruo and Lin Xi, who showed no expression at all.

Liu Mingfeng and his younger brother both felt a chill; they only took one glance before quickly looking away. The twin sisters’ pupils were unsettling—these two were dangerous.

As for the people in the hall casting glances their way, one look from Lin Ruo was enough to make them avert their eyes.

It was like a flower’s fragrance—pleasant from afar, but up close, you might find not a lovely rose but a bloodthirsty poppy.

"Where’s Yang Fan?" Liu Mingfeng asked.

"My brother’s company is also having a gathering here today, so he went over there," Ai Xiaomei replied.

"Alright, you all enjoy yourselves." Liu Mingfeng smiled. With the grand opening, he was naturally in high spirits.

"But what’s the fun in that? I think we should try something new—like working as waiters," Ai Xiaomei suggested.

Liu Mingfeng was taken aback, and the others were left speechless. What was she on about? Besides, no one could picture Ai Xiaomei as the type to ‘experience life’ in such a way.

"Besides, Zihan is a star. Don’t you think that with me, Zihan, the two beautiful Lin sisters, and these handsome young men, we’d attract even more business?" Ai Xiaomei pointed to each of them in turn.

"Well, do as you see fit," Liu Mingfeng said before taking his leave.

His ambitions now reached far beyond this place—it didn’t matter how much profit this venue made. It was just a drop in the ocean compared to Ai Xiaomei’s true value.

"Auntie, are we really going to be waiters?" Liu Haoyu grumbled.

"Of course. It’s a good way to burn off dinner."

"But now that you mention it, we’re starting to get hungry again," he complained.

Ai Xiaomei pursed her lips—a bunch of useless guys.

"If you boys are out, then the four of us will do it! Lin Ruo, Lin Xi, you’ll be the exclusive waitresses for Suite 202."

Seeing Lin Ruo about to speak, Ai Xiaomei added, "No need to thank me. Just call me a genius."

"Zihan, you’ll sing on stage. Look, the current singer is terrible."

"Alright," Xu Zihan agreed at once. Though her company didn’t allow unauthorized performances, she couldn’t refuse when it was for Yang Fan, Ai Xiaomei, and the Liu family.

"Don’t worry. This isn’t a commercial gig—it’s our own family’s event," Ai Xiaomei clarified.

With that, she pulled Xu Zihan up to the stage. A waiter promptly handed them a microphone. Naturally, everyone in the Liu family’s business recognized these two as the family’s young ladies.

"Wow, it’s Xu Zihan!"

Immediately, excitement rippled through the crowd. Even if she wasn’t a top-tier star, just standing there with the ‘celebrity’ label was enough.

Applause started with Liu Haoyu’s group and soon spread throughout the hall.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you all for coming to our Liu family’s grand opening. As members of the Liu family, we sincerely appreciate your presence..."

Thunderous applause followed. After all, who wouldn’t cheer for a celebrity and a peerless beauty standing together on stage?

"And now, Zihan will perform a magical song for everyone."

Everyone froze—what on earth was a magical song? No one had ever heard of such a thing, not even Xu Zihan, nor Zhang Chen and Liu Haoyu in the audience.

"Yes, it’s a combination of magic and singing."

The crowd buzzed in confusion. Xu Zihan frowned—she could sing, but magic? That was another matter entirely...