Liu Meilin sat across from Gu Yichen.
The table between them was simple.
But the atmosphere?
Was suspicious.q
Liu Meilin rested her chin lightly on her hand, her eyes locked onto him.
There was something about him.
The way he spoke.
The way he analyzed her restaurant.
The way he thought…
It didn't belong to this era.
Not the 90s.
Not even close.
Her instincts were screaming.
Test him.
She leaned forward slightly.
"Mr. Gu," she said calmly, "you seem very confident about business strategies."
Gu Yichen smiled faintly.
"I like to think ahead."
That answer didn't satisfy her.
Not at all.
Her gaze sharpened.
"Then answer this."
He gestured casually.
"Go on."
Liu Meilin's eyes didn't leave his.
"If you were to expand a restaurant rapidly, what would you prioritize first?"
Without hesitation.
"Standardization."
Her fingers twitched slightly.
He continued smoothly.
"Same taste, same service, same experience across all branches."
"Consistency builds trust."
Her heartbeat quickened.
That answer…
Too precise.
Too modern.
She asked again, faster this time.
"What about customer retention?"
"Membership systems," he replied immediately.
"Discounts, loyalty programs, repeat engagement."
Liu Meilin's eyes widened.
She leaned closer.
"And branding?"
Gu Yichen chuckled.
"Emotional connection."
"People don't just eat. They experience."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The air between them tightened.
Liu Meilin stared at him.
Her mind raced.
This isn't normal.
No one in this era should be able to answer like this.
Not unless.
Her eyes narrowed.
Gu Yichen leaned back, watching her with amusement.
"You're testing me."
Her face instantly heated up.
She stood up abruptly.
"S-So you knew?!"
Her voice came out louder than expected.
A staff member glanced over.
She quickly covered her mouth, lowering her voice.
"You knew I was testing you and you still answered like that?!"
Her cheeks flushed.
"You made me look like a fool…"
Gu Yichen laughed.
A soft, light laugh.
"I thought you'd figure it out faster."
Liu Meilin froze.
"…Figure out what?"
He tilted his head slightly.
Then said calmly.
"You're not from this time either."
Her breath caught.
Her eyes widened.
The world seemed to pause.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Because he said it so easily.
So confidently.
Like it was obvious.
"…What did you say?" she asked quietly.
Gu Yichen leaned forward slightly.
"Your restaurant."
"Your systems."
"Your way of thinking."
"Your speed."
He looked straight into her eyes.
"You think like someone who's already lived in the future."
Her heart pounded.
There was no denying it anymore.
He knew.
He really knew.
Slowly… she sat back down.
Her voice dropped.
"…And you?"
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"I thought you'd ask that."
He paused.
Then said casually.
"I've been here for five years."
Liu Meilin's eyes widened.
"FIVE YEARS?!"
She quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
Her heart raced.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Five years…?"
Gu Yichen nodded calmly.
"Yes."
She stared at him in shock.
"I've only been here for one year…"
He smiled lightly.
"I guessed."
Liu Meilin blinked.
"You guessed that too?!"
He shrugged slightly.
"You're still adapting."
She shook her head in disbelief.
"This is crazy…"
Then curiosity took over.
"How did you… transmigrate?"
Gu Yichen leaned back casually.
"A construction site accident."
He said it like it was nothing.
"A brick fell from above."
Liu Meilin winced.
"Ouch…"
"That must have been painful."
He chuckled.
"I didn't feel it for long."
Then he looked at her.
"What about you?"
She hesitated for a second.
Then answered honestly.
"A car accident."
"That's how I ended up in this body."
For a moment.
Silence.
Not awkward.
Just… understanding.
Two people.
From another world.
Now sitting across from each other in the same time.
Gu Yichen smiled faintly.
"Looks like we both got unlucky."
Liu Meilin laughed softly.
"Or lucky."
They talked for a while longer.
About small things.
About this world.
About adapting.
It felt strange.
But also…
Comfortable.
Like finally meeting someone who understood.
After a while, Gu Yichen stood up.
He placed his business card on the table again.
"This time, properly."
Liu Meilin looked at it.
Then back at him.
"Let's meet again," he said.
"And talk about the investment."
She nodded.
"Alright."
He turned to leave.
But before walking out, he paused slightly.
Then glanced back at her.
"Next time…"
"…don't test me so obviously."
Liu Meilin rolled her eyes.
"Just go already."
He laughed lightly.
Then walked out.
Outside, a sleek car waited.
He got in.
And within seconds.
It disappeared into the city night.
Inside the restaurant, Liu Meilin sat quietly.
Her mind still spinning.
Then.
The system flickered.
[System Notification]
Special Individual Detected
Threat Level: None
Value: Extremely High
Liu Meilin smiled slowly.
This partnership…
Was going to be very interesting.
It's already I have to go back to the kitchen to make the night dishes.
People entered and left restaurant.
Workers doing their job.