A Favor Done, A Husband Won-Chapter 491 - 485: Shi Su Doesn’t Like Sweet and Sour

The attendant respectfully and politely said at the door: "Usually, the first floor is used for hosting banquets. It’s rare for someone to book a single table on the first floor; most guests choose to dine in the private rooms on the second or fifth floors. These rooms vary in size, catering to different needs of the guests."

Before Shi Su could enter, Shi Lingkang, tired of waiting, came out to greet her. Upon stepping out of the elevator and spotting Shi Su with Jing Jihan, he immediately approached with a smile, "You’re here? The roads are slippery in the snow, was traffic terrible?"

The attendant quietly stepped to the side, saying no more. Shi Lingkang advanced, intending to pat Shi Su on the shoulder with the gesture of a father dining with his daughter. However, before his hand could touch Shi Su, she discreetly avoided it.

Shi Su seemingly didn’t notice his hand, she turned and looked around at the surroundings, observing the attendants and waitstaff passing by, and merely said, "Which floor?"

Shi Su and Jing Jihan arrived at the hotel ten minutes earlier than the agreed time, certainly not late. Faced with Shi Lingkang’s attempt to make conversation out of nothing, she had no intention of responding.

"The third floor. I booked the third floor. If you’re not satisfied with Tingtai Residence, you can switch rooms or move to the fifth floor; the fifth floor has larger rooms." Shi Lingkang said, smiling as he looked at Jing Jihan, and nodded with a smile, "Having a meal with my daughter, it’s really too much trouble to have Mr. Jing accompany us here as well."

Jing Jihan glanced at Shi Lingkang, his eyes calm and indifferent, depicting no excess emotion, and returned a cold nod as a gesture.

"Let’s go, upstairs, sit down and chat." Shi Lingkang turned and headed toward the elevator.

Shi Su followed, asking before entering the elevator, "Are there other people?"

"No, today’s meal is just me, no outsiders." Shi Lingkang looked at Shi Su, and as he mentioned there were no outsiders, he gave a meaningful glance at Jing Jihan.

However, Jing Jihan and Shi Su acted as if they didn’t notice his deliberate insinuation of including them with himself, entering the elevator expressionlessly.

The private rooms on the third floor all have different names. Shi Lingkang booked Tingtai Residence, which still had a traditional style, but the sandalwood racks around it were differently decorated compared to other rooms. There were many oversized conchs of varied styles and colors displayed, adding a unique charm. The room was adorned with gauze and curtains, all in sea-blue thin fabric, which lightly fluttered under the air conditioning, resembling ocean waves.

As expected, no other people were present. Without waiting for Shi Lingkang to invite them to sit, Shi Su unceremoniously sat at the table.

Jing Jihan took the wool scarf she casually removed.

Seeing neither of them intended to remove their coats, it was clear they wanted to first hear what Shi Lingkang planned to say. If it was a topic they weren’t interested in or didn’t accept, they’d directly walk away at any time.

Shi Lingkang smiled as he sat down and said to Jing Jihan, "I’ve already ordered the dishes, they should be served soon."

Then, he turned to Shi Su, "Shi Su, anything you want to eat? What do you like? Call the waiter in and order a few more."

"No need, I don’t have much appetite, anything will do." Seeing the once consistently hostile Shi Lingkang’s perpetual smiling face now, Shi Su found it extremely unpleasant, her voice turning colder: "I’ve been easy to raise since childhood, as long as I don’t starve."

Shi Lingkang’s smile faltered a bit, as he looked at Shi Su.

Shi Su remained expressionless as she met his gaze.

Back in Jiang City, he could continuously forsake her for Shi Yunyin, an inexplicable daughter. Despite all the years she spent in the Shi Family of Jiang City, Shi Lingkang’s smiles she’d seen couldn’t compare to this moment.

He never smiled at her, never spoke with the tender tones of a father, offered no companionship, no guidance, no comfort, no familial affection.

Unsure if the cutthroat dealings in the imperial business circles changed him, or simply because he needed her as a trump card now, made him so eager.

Whatever the reason, it could never be out of fatherly affection.

These four words have never existed between them.

The atmosphere at the dining table was very cold and awkward. Shi Lingkang tirelessly sought various topics hoping to liven the mood, yet Shi Su either remained silent or retorted sharply, leaving him speechless.

Jing Jihan was unresponsive or indifferent to the topics Shi Lingkang raised, his presence at such social occasions proficient despite often being praised and without needing many social skills. Still, his presence today was excessively strong, making it hard for Shi Lingkang to maintain a fitting facial expression whenever defeated by Shi Su’s words.

He wished to display a father’s authority but lacked the qualification, especially in front of Jing Jihan, unable to assert the aura.

The waitstaff knocked and entered to serve the dishes, three people, with more than ten dishes served, yet none were to Shi Su’s liking.

Seeing those dozen dishes, Shi Su, who hadn’t smiled since her arrival, suddenly chuckled.

How skilled that every dish avoided her favorites, her own father entirely unaware of her preferences or favorite tastes.

Finally, sweet and sour ribs were served last.

Jing Jihan glanced at the dishes on the table, then perceived the newly served ribs, his eyes deep and shallow, devoid of discernable emotion.

Shi Su doesn’t like sweet and sour, she prefers braised dishes.

Indeed, an entire table circumventing her preferences.

The two exchanged a look, likewise sharing an understanding smile.

"Let’s go, the dishes are here." Shi Lingkang didn’t even bring an assistant today, called the waiter to uncork a good bottle of wine, pouring for Jing Jihan and Shi Su.

"I still need to do a voice interview with the TV station at the hotel tonight, so I won’t drink." Shi Su didn’t bother to be courteous, she even pushed the wine glass away, stating plainly: "Earlier we were waiting for the dishes, now they are served, just say whatever you need; everyone’s time isn’t that plentiful."

"It’s already five, have a bite and let’s talk, just us father and daughter relax." Shi Lingkang suddenly smiled and stood, placing a piece of sweet and sour rib into Shi Su’s place setting: "I noticed your gaze lingered on the ribs earlier, enjoy ribs then? Eat more. This place’s food is nice, people from both north and south like it."

Watching the rib being placed on her plate by Shi Lingkang, Shi Su lowered her eyes to the sweet and sour rib, her lips curling up suddenly, but the otherwise visible smile didn’t feel genuine.