After speaking, the restaurant manager winked at the waiter, who immediately called over two security guards dressed in black suits.

  At a high-end restaurant like this, security was naturally on hand to prevent disturbances and ensure other guests could dine in peace.

  After all, the clientele here were all high-class individuals, and safety was the restaurant’s most basic guarantee to its guests.

  “Exactly! Kick them out!” Young Master Qi puffed out his chest, nostrils flaring arrogantly.

  He was a regular at this restaurant, spending hundreds of thousands here every year, which was why the manager treated him with such deference.

  “You think you can just order us out? Who gave you, a mere restaurant manager, so much authority?” Lin Yu said coldly.

  With that, he pulled out a black-gold card from his pocket and handed it to the manager. “Take a good look at this before you speak.”

  This card was a custom VIP card Yang Chenming had given him after their photo session. It entitled the holder to complimentary dining.

  Lin Yu had initially refused, but Yang Chenming insisted, saying it was a small token of gratitude for treating his father without charging a single cent.

  The manager’s face paled the moment he saw the card, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

  Yang Chenming had explicitly instructed him: *This card represents me. Anyone who holds it is my top-tier guest.*

  In the past, guests who presented this card were either political elites or international figures. The manager never expected an unassuming young man like Lin Yu to possess his boss’s VIP card.

  If Yang Chenming found out he’d offended such a guest, he’d be fired on the spot.

  Trembling, the manager bowed deeply. “S-Sir, my sincerest apologies. I was blind. Please forgive me. We’ll sanitize this table immediately for your use.”

  “What did you say?!”

  Young Master Qi’s expression twisted in fury. “Have you forgotten how much I’ve supported your business?”

  He couldn’t understand how a simple card could make the manager do a complete about-face.

  “Young Master Qi, if you’d like, I can seat you elsewhere. If not, then I’m afraid you’ll have to leave. Do not disturb our VIP guest.”

  The manager’s tone turned icy as he addressed Young Master Qi.

  At his signal, the two black-suited security guards stepped forward, radiating intimidation.

  Young Master Qi clenched his jaw, face flushing red with humiliation.

  He’d recently started dating a university beauty queen and had brought her here to show off for her birthday. Instead, he’d ended up humiliated in front of Lin Yu.

  Tonight was supposed to be the night he swept her off her feet—grand gestures, a romantic dinner, and then a hotel room. If he left now, all his plans would be ruined. Swallowing his pride, he had no choice but to back down.

  “Let’s sit over there!”

  Young Master Qi stormed off with the university beauty in tow, shooting Lin Yu a venomous glare.

  “Sir, my deepest apologies for the inconvenience. This was entirely my fault.” The manager bowed repeatedly, his heart still pounding with fear.

  Lin Yu didn’t even glance at him, waving him off dismissively.

  Once seated, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of card was that? Why did he treat you so respectfully?”

  “It’s their black-gold VIP card. Yang Chenming gave it to me when we met,” Lin Yu answered truthfully.

  “I don’t believe it. Why would he give *you* one?” Jiang Yan’s skepticism was written all over her face.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Smile for me, and I’ll tell you why.” Lin Yu grinned playfully, thinking it was a shame Jiang Yan’s expression remained so cold on such a special day.

  Jiang Yan rolled her eyes and ignored him, focusing on the menu instead.

  Suddenly, Young Master Qi stood up with his wine glass, addressing the entire restaurant.

  “Today is my girlfriend’s birthday, and I’m thrilled to celebrate it here with all of you. If everyone wishes her a happy birthday, I’ll send a bottle of red wine to every table!”

  The crowd murmured in surprise. Even for a high-end clientele, this was an extravagant gesture—each bottle cost at least several thousand yuan.

  Giving away over a dozen bottles meant spending tens of thousands.

  Many patrons came here not just for the food but for the wine, which was richer and more complex than anything found elsewhere.

  Free wine? Naturally, everyone was happy to oblige, raising their glasses to toast the university beauty’s birthday.

  Blushing, the girl was overwhelmed by the romantic gesture, her heart swelling with happiness.

  But this was only the beginning.

  Young Master Qi pulled out a velvet jewelry box from Feng Yuan Xiang and opened it dramatically, revealing a dazzling emerald necklace.

  “Happy birthday, my love,” he said tenderly. “I’ll cherish you until the end of time.”

  “Bravo!”

  The crowd erupted in applause, swept up in the moment.

  Tears welled in the university beauty’s eyes. She recognized the necklace—they’d seen it together in the store, priced at over 80,000 yuan. She never imagined he’d actually bought it for her.

  At this moment, she felt ready to give him everything.

  After clasping the necklace around her neck, Young Master Qi straightened up and cleared his throat.

  “Since this is Manager Yang’s restaurant, it’s only fitting we have his blessing too. Waiter! Play the video from my phone on the big screen!”

  A server hurried over, connecting his phone to the restaurant’s display system via Bluetooth.

  Soon, Yang Chenming’s recorded message played on the screen, wishing the university beauty a happy birthday by name.

  By now, the girl was crying tears of joy. She hadn’t expected Young Master Qi to go to such lengths for her.

  Even the other diners were moved, many gazing at the couple with envy. Getting a personalized birthday message from a superstar like Yang Chenming was no small feat.

  Jiang Yan watched silently, a flicker of longing crossing her face before she quickly masked it with indifference.

  Lin Yu suddenly regretted not asking Yang Chenming to record a video for him too.

  Amidst the cheers, Young Master Qi and the university beauty shared a kiss, his hand sliding possessively down her back. She didn’t resist.

  *Another one conquered,* he thought smugly.

  True to his word, Young Master Qi had the waitstaff distribute bottles of wine—worth 6,600 yuan each—to every table… except Lin Yu’s.

  Glancing over, he smirked at the lack of wine on their table. “Cheapskates.”

  But no sooner had he spoken than the restaurant manager approached Lin Yu’s table with a bottle in hand.

  “Mr. He, your wine—a 1986 Lafite, compliments of the house.”

  The crowd gasped. A 1986 Lafite, given away just like that?

  Many here were wine connoisseurs and knew that while the ’86 vintage wasn’t as legendary as the ’82, it was still an exceptional rarity, worth a small fortune.

  And yet, the restaurant had just handed it over for free. Who *was* this man?

  Young Master Qi’s face burned with humiliation. His grand gesture had backfired spectacularly—instead of shaming Lin Yu, he’d only made himself look petty.

  His “expensive” wine paled in comparison to the Lafite.

  Jiang Yan was equally stunned but bit back her questions, knowing Lin Yu would only tease her if she asked.

  Lin Yu raised his glass. “Happy two-year anniversary. Whether in poverty or prosperity, I hope we’ll always have each other.”

  He’d looked up the toast online and stumbled slightly over the words—after all, this was his first wedding anniversary (even if it was technically the second).

  Jiang Yan blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected “He Jiarong” to say something so heartfelt. Nodding in approval, she clinked her glass against his.

  Suddenly, the manager stepped into the center of the restaurant and announced excitedly:

  “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we celebrate the wedding anniversary of two very special guests! In honor of this occasion, I’ve decided that *everyone’s* food and drinks are on the house!”

  The restaurant erupted in cheers. Free meals? Tonight was their lucky night!

  All eyes turned to Lin Yu and Jiang Yan, curious about the couple who could command such privileges.

  “Mr. He, Ms. Jiang, may your love last a hundred years!” The manager bowed deeply to them.

  The entire dining room rose in a standing ovation, the atmosphere electric.

  Young Master Qi’s face turned ashen. Was this guy the manager’s relative or something?

  Even Jiang Yan and Lin Yu were taken aback. They hadn’t expected *this*.

  Then, a rich, melodic voice began singing from the restaurant’s inner chambers:

  *“How deep is my love for you? How much do I love you…”*

  A man in a sleek black suit emerged, microphone in hand, his soulful voice filling the room.

  “Yang Chenming!”

  “Oh my god! It’s really him!”

  “It’s him! The real Yang Chenming!”

  The restaurant exploded in screams. Even the most poised ladies abandoned decorum, shrieking like teenagers.

  Young Master Qi’s jaw dropped.

  Lin Yu and Jiang Yan exchanged stunned glances.

  Yang Chenming—international superstar, owner of this very restaurant—was serenading *them* on their anniversary.

  As the song swelled, the manager discreetly placed a hand on Young Master Qi’s shoulder.

  “Sir, I think it’s time for you to leave.”

  The security guards stepped forward, their meaning clear.

  Defeated, Young Master Qi grabbed his girlfriend’s hand—only for her to yank it away, her eyes glued to Yang Chenming.

  “Are you kidding me? I’m not leaving now!”

  Young Master Qi could only watch, utterly crushed, as his grand romantic plans unraveled before his eyes.

  Meanwhile, Lin Yu reached across the table and took Jiang Yan’s hand.

  For the first time in two years of marriage, she didn’t pull away.