The newly opened Kerry Mall was bustling with crowds.
Many people were browsing, eating, drinking, and shopping. After all, Kerry Mall housed numerous top domestic and international brands. Although these major brands had other physical stores in Rongcheng, newly opened malls typically collaborated with brands for promotional events. While this was a way to offer benefits to customers, it was ultimately the customers who footed the bill.
"I really didn't expect this mall to be so popular."
Even before entering the mall, just to find a parking spot in the underground garage, Du Fei had driven to B3 and circled for a long time. Looking at the packed underground parking lot, Du Fei couldn't help but sigh.
Liu Shishi also hadn't anticipated so many people. Since Du Fei and Liu Shishi arrived around lunchtime, they took the elevator directly to the fifth floor, which was the dining area of Kerry Mall.
Ding dong, as the elevator doors opened, Du Fei and Liu Shishi had only taken a few steps when they saw many men and women in various work uniforms standing along the corridor. As soon as they spotted Du Fei and Liu Shishi emerge, they eagerly rushed forward, handing them stacks of exquisite menus. These individuals were specifically arranged by the restaurants on this floor to distribute flyers. In this day and age, everyone was going to great lengths to attract customers.
Du Fei took the menus and quickly led Liu Shishi away.
"So, what do you want to eat for lunch today?" he asked, spreading out the stack of flyers in his hand and turning to Liu Shishi beside him.
Liu Shishi was currently looking at the shop signs on both sides of the mall, as if searching for something. Hearing Du Fei's question, she immediately said, "No need to look at these flyers. Didn't I tell you my colleagues came here before? They said there's a hot pot place here that's especially delicious, with secret recipes for the broth and dipping sauce."
Upon hearing Liu Shishi's words, Du Fei put away the flyers and walked forward with her along the path they had come.
"Found it, it's that place ahead, 'Chuan Wazi'!" After walking for a while, Liu Shishi happily pointed ahead and said to Du Fei beside her.
However, just as the two were about to reach the entrance of Chuan Wazi, Du Fei's expression tightened.
"Uh, Shishi, how about we go to a different place?" Du Fei stopped Liu Shishi's hand.
Liu Shishi turned to look at Du Fei, frowning slightly. "What's wrong? Didn't you just say you wanted to eat hot pot, and you can eat spicy food too?" Liu Shishi was a bit surprised by Du Fei's sudden suggestion to change restaurants. They had eaten hot pot before, and Du Fei was known for his tolerance for spice, so why the sudden change of plans?
"Uh, uh, I'm not feeling very well today, I don't want to eat anything spicy," Du Fei said, while unable to help but glance inside the hot pot restaurant.
Liu Shishi suddenly understood. However, after hearing about it from her colleagues a couple of days ago, she had been eager to try this hot pot place. Now that they were here, it felt like a real pity not to try it. Suddenly, Liu Shishi's eyes lit up, and she thought of a brilliant idea.
"How about we order a yuan yang pot this time? You can just eat the clear broth part," she suggested. After all, this was one of the advantages of hot pot, two flavors in one pot, catering to both spicy and non-spicy preferences.
To her surprise, as soon as Liu Shishi finished speaking, Du Fei said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Shishi, I really don't feel like eating hot pot today. How about I accompany you to eat it another day when I'm feeling better?" Although she found it strange that Du Fei, who was usually in good health and a skilled doctor himself, would feel unwell, the gentle and considerate Liu Shishi didn't probe further. She felt a little disappointed but nodded in agreement.
Seeing Liu Shishi nod, Du Fei immediately felt a sense of relief and was about to lead her away.
"Du Fei, what a coincidence, why are you here too?" However, just as Du Fei turned to leave with Liu Shishi, someone called out his name from behind.
Alas, what one fears will happen, will happen. If only he had brought Liu Shishi away sooner, but there was no use dwelling on it now.
"Yes, quite a coincidence. Are you also here to eat?" Du Fei turned around and looked at Luo Wenwen behind him.
Luo Wenwen, seeing Du Fei holding Liu Shishi's hand, couldn't help but size her up. Afterward, before Du Fei could even speak, Luo Wenwen seemed to have guessed Liu Shishi's identity. Before this, she had never imagined someone could be so beautiful and elegant, captivating even a woman like herself. The reason Du Fei had pulled Liu Shishi aside earlier was because he had spotted Luo Wenwen and Catherine sitting inside Chuan Wazi. To avoid any unforeseen situations later, Du Fei had decided to prevent such an encounter. Little did he know, despite his careful planning, he couldn't escape it. Since he had been called out, Du Fei faced the situation calmly and introduced Liu Shishi and Luo Wenwen to each other.
"Du Fei?" Hearing this somewhat familiar voice, Du Fei's lips couldn't help but twitch slightly. He truly feared what would happen, and here it was. As for Luo Wenwen, who was facing Du Fei, she also felt a tinge of regret upon hearing the voice, wondering why she had called out to Du Fei in the first place, essentially inviting trouble.
"Du Fei, you're here too..." Catherine had just been looking for Luo Wenwen, who had disappeared in a flash. To her surprise, she then discovered Luo Wenwen talking to Du Fei at the entrance and excitedly ran out. However, as she got closer and was about to speak, she saw Liu Shishi, whom Luo Wenwen had been blocking. Catherine then saw Du Fei holding Liu Shishi's hand, clearly indicating they were shopping together and looking for a place to eat.
"Why is it you?" Liu Shishi was also very surprised to see Catherine appear. She had a deep impression of Catherine from her previous dealings with the Billis Group. What was unexpected for Liu Shishi was that Catherine apparently also knew her boyfriend, Du Fei? What was going on?
The next moment, the gazes of the three women converged on Du Fei. For anyone else, being stared at by three alluring beauties, one of whom was exceptionally stunning, would be a cause for immense joy. However, Du Fei, as the person in question, felt his head spinning. His mind raced, trying to figure out how to resolve this monumental dilemma.
"Miss Liu, it's truly unexpected that we meet again so soon. What's wrong? Did Du Fei not tell you that we know each other? Perhaps it's because he treated me personally, so it was inconvenient to mention," Catherine said first, as Du Fei was still struggling with his thoughts. And with this opening, she dropped a bombshell. Upon hearing Catherine's words and seeing her deliberately cast a shy glance at him, as if there were some ambiguous history between them, Du Fei instantly thought of a term: a beautiful viper.