No one quite understood what Chen Mo meant by "struck by lightning," and they exchanged puzzled glances, wondering if, after his job change, the Thunder God would also start to lash out.
Realizing their confusion, Chen Mo said no more, and after a distracted conversation, he made an excuse to leave the hall.
Reflecting on his situation, with a golden opportunity in his grasp yet unable to take full advantage of it, he couldn't help but feel a little frustrated. What was this nonsense? It was like being given a huge slice of cake and then told not to eat it—was there anything more torturous than that?
Just as he was about to reach the kitchen door, Ye Rong suddenly appeared in front of him, her face all smiles, looking like a fox spirit, as if she were about to wag her invisible tail.
Chen Mo, calm as ever, stroked his chin and glanced upwards, as if speaking to himself: "You know, after seeing so many tricks of fishing for rich men, one inevitably builds up immunity... Personally, I think a salary increase would be a lot more tempting!"
"Increase by thirty percent!" Ye Rong, realizing that sensuality wouldn't work on him, quickly changed her tune, though her mind was clearly plotting curses in circles.
Chen Mo gave her a nonchalant glance before returning his gaze to the ceiling, as if expecting a shower of RMB to fall from the sky at any moment.
Ye Rong stomped her foot in frustration and gritted her teeth. "Fifty percent, plus a full set of my swimsuit photos. If you refuse, then..."
"Deal!" Chen Mo grinned and nodded, as though just noticing Ye Rong for the first time. "But I'll only work three days a month, and I alone will decide what dishes to cook."
"Deal!" Ye Rong also smiled sweetly. Although it was only three days, considering the massive profits they could make, she was satisfied.
At that moment, the soft sound of a violin echoed from the entrance, and everyone instinctively turned to look.
Amidst the admiring and envious gazes, Jady made her way in, protected by several bodyguards, and immediately captivated the crowd's attention.
Even in such a noisy environment, her poise and elegance stood out, as though she wasn't entering a somewhat chaotic restaurant but walking down the red carpet to the Oscars.
Watching Jady's graceful movements and comparing her with Chen Mo, who appeared troubled, and Ye Rong, whose expression was strange, the guests finally realized something: defeating the Greeks didn't seem any easier than defeating the Japanese, even though the methods of combat were completely different!
In truth, sometimes the allure of a beautiful woman could outshine even the most delicious food. Jady's grand entrance instantly became the focal point of the room, making the scent of the dishes almost forgotten.
Ye Rong sighed in resignation, watching Jady walk with her poised grace. She couldn't help but weakly murmur, "I wonder, is business at the opposite restaurant really so slow that this young lady has time to pay us a visit?"
Still maintaining her regal air, Jady first cast a deeply affectionate glance at Chen Mo, before her expression turned cold again. With a graceful step, she approached Ye Rong.
At that moment, the entire hall was engulfed in a fiery swirl of gossip. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two beauties, with some even pulling out their phones and cameras, as though ready to wave flags and cheer.
But just as everyone was bracing for an epic showdown, the anticipated confrontation didn't occur. At the height of the tension, Jady merely cast a casual glance at Ye Rong, then slightly nodded and said, "You've done well, but this is just the beginning!"
Her words of approval lingered in the air as she turned and walked toward Chen Mo, who, under everyone's gaze, she intimately hooked her arm with, then planted a soft, sweet kiss on his lips.
The room fell utterly silent. Many of the guests reflexively touched their own cheeks, as though feeling the kiss themselves, and inhaled deeply.
A middle-aged man, who had been sipping his drink, suddenly spat out his water, shaking his head. "Unbelievable, if I were in his shoes, I would've surrendered long ago. Chen, my brother, you've got some serious self-control!"
"Now, that's what a real man looks like!" After witnessing Jady's breathtaking beauty and grace, the guests finally understood just how much courage it took for Chen Mo to reject her.
Clearly, many of the women present now regarded Chen Mo with admiration—if not for their own reasons, they might have rushed forward to fight for him.
"Well... maybe we should just sit down and have some tea?" Chen Mo, knowing his advice was unlikely to be heeded, hesitated for a moment and asked, looking at her shimmering, soulful eyes.
"No need! I never fail!" Jady slowly shook her head, her smile soft yet firm. She then turned and began to leave.
Lin Lin, watching the scene, finally couldn't contain herself and blurted out, "Miss Jady, actually, all of this is Chen Ge's doing. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Here it comes! It's starting! The explosion!" Everyone exchanged looks, suddenly alert and brimming with energy, turning toward Lin Lin. A few fashionable office ladies even looked regretfully at their lack of a DV camera, eager for a daily soap opera-style drama.
But contrary to their expectations, the dramatic scene they had anticipated never occurred. Jady, showing no anger or reaction, continued to calmly walk away, seemingly unaffected by Lin Lin's words.
Lin Lin froze for a moment, but sticking to her role as the bad guy, she shouted louder, "Miss Jady, why deceive yourself? If Chen Ge truly cared for you, why would he help Rong Jie? Don't you understand..."
"I understand!" Just as she was about to leave the restaurant, Jady turned slowly, her expression calm as she looked at everyone.
After a long, tense silence, she suddenly broke into a sweet smile, clasped her hands together toward Chen Mo, and softly spoke, "I know. This is a test of love... Mo, don't worry. I will prove to the entire world that I am the perfect wife for you!"
"Oops!" The middle-aged man, who had been drinking, coughed violently, almost choking on his water. "Is this some kind of logic that only Greeks understand?"
In the awkward silence that followed, the crowd stood frozen, as if they had all been petrified by the same spell. No one said another word, and they watched as Jady's slender figure disappeared through the door.
"Well..." Chen Mo sighed lightly, raising his hands in a shrug, and said, "This has nothing to do with me. It's her own interpretation!"
"Interpretation, my foot!" A few seconds later, Ye Rong suddenly lunged at him, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him violently. "What did you give her? Why is this silly girl so fooled? She's even got me almost moved... What are you looking at? I'm a woman too, isn't it okay for me to be moved?"
Though it was a scene of rivalry, Ye Rong couldn't help but blink back tears, as if she were on the verge of surrendering.
But just seconds later, the situation shifted once again—amidst the mixed expressions of the crowd, the female housekeeper who had been following Jady reappeared at the door and coldly said, "Miss Ye, don't think you've won. Just as our young mistress said, this is merely the beginning, and I guarantee you won't have to wait much longer!"
If Jady's image still elicited some sympathy, this unpleasant housekeeper certainly didn't receive the same treatment.
Before her words had even fully left her mouth, nearly a hundred guests simultaneously raised their middle fingers and let out a chorus of boos.
Without changing her expression, the housekeeper gave a slight bow and exited the scene without a care.
Ye Rong, watching her leave, immediately regained her strength and shouted defiantly, "If you have the guts, come back! Even if you bring the Mafia, I won't step back a single inch!"
Her words instantly sparked applause throughout the room, but many in the crowd couldn't help but wonder—does Greece even have a Mafia?
Chen Mo, unfazed, sighed again and patted Ye Rong on the shoulder. "Rong Jie, I wasn't going to say this, but the Mafia's in Italy... fine, if you say it's on Mars, I'll go along with it!"