Wu Jing arrived quickly, showing up before the food had even been served.
He was bundled up tight, wearing a black baseball cap and a face mask that covered everything, leaving only a pair of bright, piercing eyes visible.
A mischievous smile touched Su Chen’s lips as he teased, "What’s this? Is the Wolf Warrior himself afraid of being recognized now?"
"Ugh, don’t even get me started!" Hearing this, Wu Jing gave a wry smile and quickly took off his mask and cap.
In the past, he really wouldn’t have worried. Not many people recognized him on the street. But now, things were different. He was the center of attention wherever he went.
Ever since the release of *Wolf Warrior 2*, Wu Jing had shot to stardom, becoming the new darling of the entertainment industry in less than a month.
Before, who in the entertainment industry even knew of him, a Z-list celebrity who couldn’t even make the cut? But now... he had friends all over the industry.
Whether they were Best Actor award-winners, A-list superstars, or famous directors, they all greeted him with beaming smiles now. They were so friendly that anyone who didn’t know better would assume they were old friends.
It really proved the old saying true: "When you’re a nobody, not even the cameraman will give you a second glance. But once you’re famous, you have friends everywhere you go."
The saying fit Wu Jing’s current situation to a T. As a result, he was constantly either at a social engagement or on his way to one, which in turn greatly expanded his network within the entertainment industry.
Wu Jing, who had never been hounded by paparazzi before, was now getting a taste of the ordeal of public scrutiny. Just a few days prior, he had dinner with a few old friends—people he’d known and been close with for years.
The very next day, the paparazzi broke a "bombshell" story claiming Wu Jing was having a late-night rendezvous with a "long-legged hottie." The news shot to the top of trending topics that day, sparking widespread discussion.
But the "scoop" didn’t hold up for long. Sharp-eyed netizens soon figured out the truth and revealed that the "long-legged hottie" was actually the actress Ma Li. The report instantly became a laughingstock among the paparazzi.
After that whole affair, Wu Jing stopped going out so casually. He’d always wear a disguise, which at least spared him a fair bit of trouble.
Just as Wu Jing sat down, the waitstaff began serving the dishes. When they saw him, their faces lit up with excitement.
They even proactively asked if they could take a photo with him.
Naturally, Wu Jing didn’t refuse. Having worked his way up from the bottom, he didn’t have the high-and-mighty air of some other industry bigwigs. He was still quite friendly and never turned down a request for a photo.
Su Chen watched this all unfold. He had anticipated as much when he told Wu Jing to take off his mask and cap.
"So, Mr. Big-Shot Director, how does it feel?" Su Chen asked with a grin after the waitstaff and a few other patrons had finished taking their pictures.
"Awesome!" Wu Jing said, nodding with a wide grin.
He made no attempt to hide his true feelings. It would be a lie to say it didn’t feel great. In the past, forget photos, no one had ever even stopped him on the street. How could such a night-and-day change not leave him thrilled?
"Mr. Su, the reason I came today was to talk to you about—"
Before Wu Jing could finish, Su Chen raised a hand to stop him.
"No shop talk at the table. We can discuss it after we eat!" Su Chen was here to enjoy a good meal and didn’t want to be disturbed.
Wu Jing paused, taken aback. After a moment, he nodded silently, making a mental note of Su Chen’s rule.
Qingyun Building truly lived up to its name as a century-old establishment. Despite some commercialized changes, the quality of their food was uncompromising.
They ordered all the house specialties—classic Lu cuisine dishes like Braised Sea Cucumber with Scallion, Sautéed Fish Fillets in Rice Wine Sauce, and Nine-Turn Large Intestine. The three of them barely paused as they ate, clearly enjoying the meal to the fullest.
"It’s so much better back home. You can find all kinds of amazing food," Su Chen sighed, leaning back in his chair.
’Next time I travel, I need to bring a cook. That way I won’t be stuck with nothing but bread, barbecue, and steak. It’s fine once in a while, but eating that every day is just torture.’
Wu Jing caught the implication and asked curiously, "Mr. Su, did you just get back from a trip abroad?"
"Yup. I was wandering around Russia for a month. Just got back yesterday!"
Hearing this, an idea sparked in Wu Jing’s mind. He smiled and asked, "Mr. Su, do you have any plans for after dinner? If not, I can arrange something."
Su Chen gave Wu Jing a knowing look. "Plans? Not really. I was thinking of taking a walk down Yandai Xiejie to grab some snacks, but nothing else."
"In that case, Mr. Su, how about we go to a club for a foot spa and massage? Help you unwind a bit?"
"A foot spa and massage?" Su Chen raised an eyebrow. He was, in fact, a little tempted.
’They say wise men don’t fall in love; adults get foot massages. I’ve actually never been to one of those high-end places. It’s always just been the little roadside shops where you get a quick foot soak and a simple rubdown for a few dozen yuan.’
"Yeah, I could use some relaxation," Su Chen said, rolling his slightly stiff shoulders. "Things got pretty tiring over in Russia."
Having made their decision, the three of them didn’t waste any time.
Wu Jing insisted on paying the bill, then led Su Chen and Chen Fei to his car, and they headed off to the spa.