Magnate Tycoon: How Did Simply Enjoying Life Make Me a Male God?-Chapter 555 - 394: A New Gift

Next, the two of them conversed while dining.

As a leisure resort for the upper class, the restaurant here was equally expensive.

Li Jing only glanced casually at the menu and estimated that the average cost per person would be between 6000 to 8000 yuan.

Even though he had frequented numerous high-end locations, this expenditure wasn't cheap.

However, the restaurant had its unique features; though the prices were steep, all ingredients were top-grade, air-freighted from around the globe, with dishes prepared by a team of Michelin-star chefs.

Before long, the waiter brought out carefully crafted dishes.

The foie gras mousse, wrapped in gold leaf, had a rich flavor perfectly balanced by the drizzled balsamic reduction. Freshly opened French Gillardeau oysters, their meat shimmered in the mist. The main course, wagyu ribeye, was grilled over fruitwood, with a crispy outer layer and a pink, juicy interior; as a knife cut through, the juices gently seeped.

Li Jing tasted a few bites, found the food quality satisfactory, and nodded lightly, then casually chatted with Huang Qin.

To his surprise, compared to before, Huang Qin's tone now carried a noticeable amount of respect and even a hint of detachment.

Li Jing was initially puzzled, but when Huang Qin repeatedly thanked him and continually brought up the Little Gate Island project, he finally realized.

"President Huang, although we are partners in this project, I'm the client, but there's no need for this. We're not just business partners; we're friends, aren't we?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Qin was taken aback. She then realized her subconscious change in attitude had been noticed by him and quickly apologized: "President Li, I'm sorry if my behavior was inappropriate, please forgive me."

Li Jing shook his head: "What you're saying now is too distant. I actually prefer and miss the times we had dining and walking in Yashi."

Upon these words, Huang Qin's thoughts instantly drifted back to that day.

She remembered she had drunk too much then, and, in a daze, had even embraced him proactively.

Thinking of this, her face flushed slightly, but she quickly concealed it.

Noticing this, Li Jing also recalled that scene, a smile unconsciously forming at the corners of his mouth, teasingly saying: "I wonder if President Huang would be willing to embrace again today?"

Huang Qin's eyes flickered unnaturally, barely managing a smile before saying: "If President Li is willing, then of course I am too."

Seeing her somewhat troubled expression, Li Jing waved his hand, smiling: "Let's drop it, I don't like forcing matters."

Upon hearing this, Huang Qin's expression changed slightly, but she said nothing more, gently stirring the wine in her glass.

After the meal, the two strolled in the garden behind the restaurant. It was more apt to call it an elaborately sculpted large park rather than a garden. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The hotel on this island, blessed with abundant land resources, was much larger than high-end hotels in urban areas, and the area behind it, meant for guests to walk and relax, was akin to a well-equipped city park in scale.

At this moment, the afterglow of the sunset hadn't completely faded. Amidst the hazy dusk, there were already a few scattered guests strolling leisurely, naturally maintaining a courteous distance from one another, with occasional soft laughter from men and women wafting through.

Li Jing and Huang Qin chose a relatively quiet path, with weeping willows lining the sides, their branches swaying gently in the evening breeze.

The artificial lake shimmered with ripples, and though it was near dusk, the warm yellow lights around the lake, the fairy lights adorned on tree branches, and the spotlights hidden behind artificial rocks, illuminated the entire area.

The fog flowed gently in the lights, adding a touch of romantic ambiance to the scenery before them.

As they walked, Li Jing noticed the change in Huang Qin.

Since confirming their collaboration, Huang Qin's attitude subtly shifted. She seemed to deliberate over her words, cautiously observing Li Jing's reactions to each of her actions, as if fearing any inadequacy.

Li Jing understood in his heart that this was because the Little Gate Island project was crucial to Huang Qin's company, and as the main contractor, the shift in Huang Qin's mindset led to changes in her behavior.

This also meant that, in Huang Qin's mind, although they were called friends, he hadn't truly entered her inner world.

"President Huang, I did help you, yet you seem more distant to me than ever; this makes me feel as if my help has been in vain."

Li Jing jokingly teased, looking at Huang Qin with a half-smiling gaze.

These words were like a stone cast into a lake, stirring a thousand waves in Huang Qin's heart.

Her expression changed slightly, her steps unconsciously halted, a hint of panic flashed in her eyes as she looked at Li Jing, but her professional demeanor quickly restored calm, forcing a smile:

"President Li, you're exaggerating; this business will certainly not let you suffer any loss."

As she spoke, she took the initiative to gently link her arm with Li Jing's.

This action, though carrying a formal air of upper-class social etiquette and lacking intimacy and spontaneity, was already a rare gesture of goodwill from Huang Qin's perspective.

Li Jing looked at Huang Qin's somewhat stiff posture, shook his head helplessly, and explained: "That's not what I meant."

Huang Qin felt a slight tension in her heart but continued to hold onto Li Jing's arm.

After all, this project carried the future of her company, and she dared not slack in the slightest.

After hesitating for a moment, she mustered the courage to say: "Perhaps we could embrace again?" With that, she extended her arms towards Li Jing.

However, Li Jing raised his hand to reject her.