"When acting as a shield, remember to maintain a scoundrel's bearing. Even if a beauty asks you to wash her underwear, do not refuse, for this is an essential virtue of a rogue." — The Chronicle of Yang Yi's Pursuit of Beauties

"Relax, I won't eat you," Yang Yi smiled faintly, the roguish curve of his lips deepening as he glanced at the youth seated at the other table.

Xia Shiyun couldn't fathom what Yang Yi was thinking, but his willingness to help her, ignoring her previous manipulation, had certainly elevated his standing in her estimation. Yet, what should she do next? Though she had deliberately invited Yang Yi here and set this meeting time, she still felt utterly stuck.

Yang Yi observed Xia Shiyun, his deep, star-like eyes seeming to pierce her thoughts. He spoke, "Don't worry. Leave the rest to me. I guarantee he won't bother you again!"

"Mm," Xia Shiyun softly agreed, then paused. "Classmate Yang, thank you for not holding a grudge and for being so proactive in helping me. Let me treat you to dinner."

"Oh? Thanking me already? No rush, no rush, it's still early!" Yang Yi said casually, though an inscrutable scheme seemed to be brewing in his mind.

A good man never refuses a beautiful woman, but an even better good man never refuses at all. This wasn't because Xia Shiyun looked pitiful, nor solely because she would be grateful for his aid. It was simply because every man, every rogue, harbors a hidden desire to pursue and appreciate beauty—a simple, primal impulse, nothing more.

In a short while, the waiter presented the dishes and a bottle of red wine, pouring a glass for each of them. Just as the waiter was about to offer the customary pleasantries and depart, Yang Yi suddenly called out, "Wait!"

"Uh!" The waiter froze, then quickly resumed a smile. "Is there anything else the gentleman requires?"

"Yes, it’s like this. Do you see that young man at the other table?" Yang Yi pointed toward the youth who was currently eating and drinking merrily.

"Oh, sir, you know Young Master Ling?" the waiter asked with obvious surprise.

"Ling?" Yang Yi mused inwardly. In this day and age, someone still had the surname Ling? Despite a flicker of surprise at the youth’s name, he maintained an altogether harmless smile. "Yes, very well. Since you know him, have our bill sent over to him!"

"This..." The waiter clearly hesitated. If a stranger suddenly claimed acquaintance with a regular patron and demanded that patron settle his tab, it did seem quite improper.

But Yang Yi understood the waiter's thoughts immediately, offering a calm smile. "What? You don't believe me?"

"Ah, no, of course not. Since the gentleman knows Young Master Ling, it can certainly be done," the waiter replied shrewdly. He knew exactly who Young Master Ling was, and observing that Yang Yi, though plainly dressed, was dining with a beauty like Xia Shiyun, the waiter inferred that Yang Yi’s background must not be insignificant.

Yang Yi was oblivious to the complex thoughts swirling in the waiter’s mind, unaware that his acceptance hinged on Xia Shiyun's presence. He gave a playfully mocking glance toward the youth who remained engrossed in his revelry.

"Come on! Eat a little!" The woman sitting beside the youth continually cajoled him with a seductive voice and flirtatious eyes.

The young man surnamed Ling, whose full name was Ling Bin, belonged to a family of some standing in A City, thanks to his father, the Police Chief. He was naturally dissolute and excessively profligate, known only for his tasteless extravagance and reliance on his family name—in short, a typical second-generation rich brat of modern society.

Yang Yi noticed Xia Shiyun's bewildered look and smiled. "Let's eat first!"

"Mm." Xia Shiyun didn't know what Yang Yi intended, but she slowly began to eat, her confusion mingling with her apprehension.

Sometimes, trouble finds you even if you don't seek it out. Yang Yi understood this perfectly, so he remained unhurried. He continued to eat and drink, unconcerned, but that didn't apply to Xia Shiyun.

Just as she was about to voice her worries, the youth accompanied by two young women at the other table began preparing to settle the bill and leave.

"Boss, how much is it!" Ling Bin asked with a magnanimous smile, occasionally pinching the hips of the two young women beside him as he spoke.

"Oh, Young Master Ling, hehe, you’re a regular. How about this, I'll give Young Master Ling a discount," the owner, who was processing the wine order, called out to the cashier upon hearing Ling Bin’s voice.

"Yes!" The cashier, hearing his boss speak, hurriedly began processing the payment.

The two young women beside Ling Bin chatted with him. "Young Master Ling, are you taking us shopping later? I saw a ring yesterday that would suit you perfectly!"

"Mmm! Me too!" The other girl chimed in with a contrived sweetness, unwilling to miss such an opportunity. Ling Bin was known to be generous; getting a windfall when possible was the modern girl’s secret weapon.

"Alright, alright, both my darlings will get one. Heh heh, as long as you two work hard later, you definitely won't miss out," Ling Bin said with a lewd chuckle, pinching one girl's chest with one hand.

"Mmm—you're naughty!" the girl murmured, yet she clearly enjoyed the attention.

They acted with utter disregard in the Western restaurant, yet most patrons minded their own meals and paid them little attention. Ling Bin’s suggestive moan from the girl made him feel a sudden dryness in his throat, prompting him to urge, "What? Not ready yet? How much is it?"

"Ah, almost done." The cashier was flustered by Ling Bin's sudden impatience. After all, he knew from the owner that this young man was the son of A City’s Police Chief; he couldn't afford to offend him. "Young Master Ling, thank you. Three thousand six hundred yuan."

"Three thousand six hundred yuan? Wasn't there a discount? And today is the same as usual, why is it suddenly so much more?" This question wasn't from Ling Bin, but from the girl standing beside him. Clearly, this girl had an agenda in approaching Ling Bin, and whatever that agenda was, it likely wasn't just about money; perhaps there were other factors involved.

"Yes, why is today so much more than usual?" Ling Bin asked boastfully, his mood soaring because the woman he favored most seemed to be so protective of his wallet.

"This—Young Master Ling..." The cashier was uncertain; he was merely charging according to the itemized bill, and those bills were all registered under Ling Bin's table number.