I am not just a tycoon

Having stayed at the Waldorf once before, Shen Yuan wasn't too impressed, though he could clearly sense some differences in the finer details.

Various pads in the room, like the remote control box and writing pad, were made of leather. Each bedroom, including the living room, had an air purifier, specifically a Dyson BP04. Even the toiletries in the bathroom were in small aluminum cans, and the drinking water and complimentary beverages in the guest rooms were either in aluminum packaging or glass, indicating that the whole hotel adhered to ESG principles.

The rooms also had floor heating installed throughout, so it was never cold.

After thoroughly introducing the amenities, the guest housekeeper didn't linger and left the suite with a smile.

Shen Yuan lay on the sofa, glanced at the time, realizing there were two hours until dinner. He thought it might be a good idea to invite a couple of girls for a meal.

He first sent two messages to Luo Bingying, then made a video call to Zhou Peiwei.

The video call connected shortly after, her crisp and pleasant voice kept low: "Hey, playboy, what's up? I'm in class."

Looking at the video feed, surrounded by white walls and tiered desks, it was unmistakably a college classroom.

Luckily, Zhou Peiwei was seated towards the back and had her phone placed under the desk, otherwise she wouldn't dare answer a video call so boldly.

"Are your classes as important as me?" Shen Yuan chuckled.

"Ha, you're thinking too highly of yourself."

Peiwei snorted, "You wouldn't be calling me without reason. What's up? If there's nothing, let's talk after class."

"Have you thought it over yet?"

Shen Yuan flipped the camera, pointing it at the hotel's living room and courtyard view, leaving Peiwei puzzled: "Hey, where's this? Doesn't look like your place... Hmm? Looks kind of like a quadrangle courtyard."

"Quadrangle courtyard?!"

Peiwei's breath hitched; quadrangle courtyards were a Yanjing specialty, combined with the timing of his call.

"You heartless fool, don't tell me you're in Yanjing?!"

Disregarding the class, she raised her voice, drawing attention even from the lecturing elderly professor.

The grey-haired professor just pushed up his glasses without saying anything, while classmates nearby advised Peiwei to lower her tone.

"Where are you? I have half an hour 'til class ends." Peiwei asked eagerly.

"It's okay, your class is important, keep attending it." Shen Yuan teased deliberately.

"Shen Yuan!"

Peiwei stomped anxiously, "Stop messing around, tell me where you are quick."

"At the Qianmen Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Bring Luo Bingying along for dinner, I'll have the hotel send a car to pick you up."

Peiwei finally displayed a smug smile: "Okay, hehe, you're finally showing some heart, making time to see me."

After disconnecting the call, Peiwei couldn't concentrate in class, and the thought of Shen Yuan's mischievous demeanor left her smiling, bothering her roommate nearby.

"Come on, Weiwei, don't push yourself. I know your mind's out of school already, go change clothes back at the dorm. I'll answer for you if roll is called later."

Peiwei excitedly patted her shoulder, "Good sister! I'll pack dinner for you tonight."

The roommate laughed, "You coming back tonight?"

Peiwei blushed, "I'll bring breakfast tomorrow."

"Now that's more like it."

....

Peiwei raced back to her dorm, glanced at her wardrobe, and got a headache: "What should I wear?"

She tried on four outfits, indecisively checking in the mirror before finally settling on one.

Putting on her beloved beige octagonal beret, she dug out a small pouch from the bottom and flushed as she stuffed it into her bag.

"You rascal, making me wear this outfit! Only because you came to find me I'll let it slide this once!"

Then she headed to Bingying's dorm, only to find it locked from the inside. Through the mirror, she saw it was empty.

Bingying still isn't ready? Didn't she have no classes this afternoon, what's taking so long?

She waited ten minutes at the door, nagging her on WeChat before Bingying finally rushed out.

"Bingying, what took you so long? Your face is red, what were you doing?"

Peiwei was puzzled, Bingying always handled things calmly, but today she seemed uneasy.

"Nothing, just showering, let's go." Bingying quickly took her arm and headed downstairs.

"Showering this early? That's odd."

Peiwei didn't think much of it, her mind soon wandering to Shen Yuan.

In truth, had Peiwei been a bit more observant, she'd notice Bingying's awkward gait.

The Alphard was already parked at the school's entrance, they confirmed the license plate and got into the car, reaching the Qianmen Mandarin Oriental Hotel in over half an hour.

The hotel had two restaurants, one called "Yan Court," known for its trendy Cantonese cuisine. The kitchen was staffed by a Michelin-starred chef teamed with a Chinese executive chef, specializing in Teochew and Cantonese dishes.

Another was an Italian restaurant named VICINI featuring an Italian chef.

Both girls leaned toward Western cuisine, so they chose VICINI.

Ji Ya didn't want to intrude on the boss and the girls' fun, so she opted not to join. When Shen Yuan saw the two at the window seats, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.

"No wonder it's my first love and my current girlfriend."

Peiwei was sporting a chic jacket atop her A-line skirt combined with leggings and high boots, a combination that accentuated her alluring full figure.

"Shen Yuan, not even stepping out to greet us, you have no sincerity whatsoever."

Peiwei was genuinely happy to see Shen Yuan; her eyes and brows sparkled with joy, though her words came out as reproach.

Shen Yuan stood up with open arms, "Come, give you a hug to make up for it."

"Hm, trying to take advantage of me again? Good thing it's cold lately and I'm wearing thick clothes."

Peiwei put down her bag and gave him a quick hug.

Bingying nodded at Shen Yuan from beside her, "Long time no see, Shen Yuan."

"Long time no see."

Shen Yuan thought, I was just checking your assignments on video the other day, how can you say long time no see? But since Peiwei didn't know, they had to act like they'd been apart for ages.

Peiwei pouted, "Shen Yuan, you're so unrefined. When treating a lady for dinner, you're supposed to pull out her chair!"

"You're always full of demands."

Shen Yuan pulled out a chair for Peiwei to sit, then assisted Bingying, waiting for them both to settle before snapping his fingers to call the waiter.

He ordered three Florentine steaks, one roast saddle of lamb, and one king crab pasta. These were their specialties; he let the waiter recommend the appetizers and desserts, then ordered a bottle of cocktail before handing back the menu.

It's often said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Peiwei was certainly in such a state. Not having seen Shen Yuan for nearly half a month, even her gaze upon him held waves of emotion.

"Shen Yuan, why did you suddenly show up? Couldn't you give me a warning beforehand?"

Peiwei rested her chin on her hands, openly expressing her longing.

"I missed you."

Saying this, Shen Yuan even glanced at Bingying.

Bingying lowered her head without speaking.

"You missed me? I thought it was just me missing you on my own. You're showing some heart."

Peiwei raised her chin, looking around the restaurant and outside the courtyard: "This hotel is expensive, only someone like you would afford it."

Shen Yuan just smiled without answering. Soon, Peiwei got up to head to the restroom, leaving Shen Yuan and Bingying sitting across from each other.

"Isn't it time your assignments are due?"

Shen Yuan raised his brow and asked.

Bingying's cheeks flushed slightly, unable to meet Shen Yuan's gaze: "Maybe later, we're in the middle of eating."

"That's just it, do it during the meal. It's warm here, so take off your coat and pass the item under the table to me."

Hearing this, Bingying's heart pounded fiercely, nervously glancing around. She shyly took off her coat, revealing the elegant figure beneath.

Beneath the thick coat was an off-shoulder strap dress exposing ample white skin, with transparent lace design at the front, appearing indistinct.

Pale white skin looked especially tempting under the lighting.

"Where's the item?" Shen Yuan inquired.

Bingying hesitantly opened her mouth: "What if we get caught...?"

Shen Yuan chuckled, reassuring her, "Don't worry, the restaurant's not crowded. Just make sure Weiwei doesn't notice."

Bingying hesitated for a long while before biting her lip and taking an object from her bag, clutching it in her palm, and quickly passing it under the table as if guilty.

Shen Yuan accepted the item, glanced at the small object, and smiled contentedly.

It was a small remote control.

"So, what do you think, set it to 2 or 3?"