Orchid Court Vegetarian.
This is a well-known vegetarian restaurant in Oceanport.
At Orchid Court Vegetarian, with its antique decor and focus on vegetarian cuisine, even a simple cabbage dish can sell for hundreds of yuan.
Yet even so, the place is wildly popular, becoming a favorite haunt for self-styled upper-class elites.
All about posturing as tasteful.
Lily Zhong stepped out of the car in her professional attire, and right away a man in a crisp white suit came up to greet her at the entrance of Orchid Court Vegetarian.
"Finally managed to get you here, Ms. Zhong. Not easy, huh?"
Gavin Zhao looked at Lily Zhong, his eyes flashing with calculation. "I went through all sorts of trouble trying to invite you before, Ms. Zhong. Thinking back now, it’s kind of funny."
"I’m pretty busy with work, and honestly, I don’t like eating with people I don’t really know. Sorry."
Lily Zhong didn’t give Gavin Zhao much face. She’d seen plenty of men like him—give them a little attention and they’d think they could open a dye shop.
Gavin Zhao originally planned to use his connections to force Lily Zhong into having dinner with him, but the Zheng family stepped in and shut it down, so he didn’t get his way.
So in Lily Zhong’s eyes, Gavin Zhao was never worth befriending.
"No worries, no worries. I know you’re busy, Ms. Zhong, so I made sure to find a reason to invite you today."
Gavin Zhao listened to Lily Zhong’s words and didn’t get angry, putting on a cheerful act, though a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes.
He smiled and gestured for her to enter. "Since you’re here, Ms. Zhong, I’ll just get straight to the point."
"You probably know why I invited you—it’s not really me who wants to see you, it’s Leo Li."
"Leo Li is waiting inside. Shall we head in now?"
Gavin Zhao led the way.
Lily Zhong walked beside him.
"What’s the real connection between this Leo Li you mentioned and the Rejuvenation Beauty Pill?"
Lily Zhong asked in a steady voice as she walked forward. The servers all smiled warmly and welcomingly at her.
Everyone watched from the sidelines, etiquette impeccable.
"Leo Li is exactly the person you want to meet. Don’t worry, I’m not shooting in the dark."
Gavin Zhao beamed. "And who knows, maybe you and I will end up working together someday, Ms. Zhong."
"Please."
They walked toward a private room deeper inside.
Gavin Zhao pushed open the solid wooden door. As it swung open, sandalwood incense curled through the air, filling the room with a fresh fragrance. Lily Zhong saw more than ten people seated inside.
Two men sat at the head of the table.
One was a young man, about twenty, pouring tea. At his side sat a middle-aged man, around fifty.
The older man sat with his eyes closed, a small bronze censer in front of him. The censer was engraved with a skull motif, giving off an unsettling, gloomy vibe.