Xu Li asked cautiously.
"His name is Chen Fan. What's wrong, Dad?"
Xu Zhouqun replied indifferently.
Chen Fan?!
That name struck like thunder in Xu Li's ears. His face turned pale, and he suddenly leapt to his feet in panic.
"That's really the new owner of Yongjia Shopping Center! He's not an impostor! Where are you now?"
Xu Li's voice trembled with urgency.
Zhouqun gave him his exact location.
Three minutes later, Xu Li came rushing over in a complete panic.
From a distance, he could already see Chen Fan standing there coldly, expression unreadable.
"Boss, if I had known you were coming, I would've rolled out the red carpet!"
Xu Li hurried forward with an ingratiating smile plastered on his face.
Everyone in the store was stunned.
So the young man really was the new owner of Yongjia Shopping Center!
"If I had informed you in advance, how else would I have witnessed what goes on here firsthand?"
Chen Fan responded coldly. His dislike for Xu Li was apparent.
"You idiot! What are you still standing there for? Get over here and apologize!"
Xu Li turned and roared at his son.
Xu Zhouqun, now shaking like a leaf, scurried over in fear.
"Well?! What are you waiting for? Apologize to the boss!"
Xu Li was desperate to salvage the situation.
"There's no need."
Chen Fan cut him off coolly.
"I've already informed HR. Pack your things and get out of my mall."
At that moment, the store clerk returned with the shopping bags.
Chen Fan and Xia Ruoshui took their bags and walked out of the boutique.
Xu Li stood frozen on the spot.
He was dumbfounded.
He had only a few more years until retirement—he had planned to collect his pension and enjoy a peaceful old age.
And now, all of that had been ruined by this worthless son of his.
Xu Li's anger erupted.
With a snarl, he yanked off his crocodile leather belt, preparing to deliver a brutal "childhood memory" to his son!
Moments later, screams echoed through the entire Yongjia Shopping Center.
Xu Zhouqun was officially transported back to the trauma of his childhood.
Meanwhile, Chen Fan and Xia Ruoshui headed toward the parking lot to drop off their shopping bags.
"I didn't expect President Chen to also be the owner of Yongjia Shopping Center. You're truly accomplished at such a young age…"
Xia Ruoshui couldn't help but express her admiration.
She found herself more and more intrigued by Chen Fan.
Her sister had told her a bit—Chen Fan came from the prestigious Chen family but had cut ties and was now a disowned heir.
And yet, even with that status, he was climbing higher and higher. Xia Ruoshui couldn't help but respect him.
In a way, she and Chen Fan were the same kind of people.
"You flatter me, Miss Xia."
Chen Fan replied.
Having such an incompetent subordinate really embarrassed him.
After storing the items, the two resumed shopping around the mall.
When they passed by the supermarket and Chen Fan saw freshly cut beef and lamb, a sudden idea came to him.
"President Xia, do you like barbecue?"
Chen Fan asked.
"Barbecue?"
"I've… never had it."
Xia Ruoshui said softly, her tone a little sad.
Her family had been strict growing up, and she never got the chance to eat snacks or street food. Now, as the head of the Xia Group, she was constantly attending formal business dinners, frequenting high-end restaurants and private kitchens. Street food like barbecue was simply out of reach.
There were actually many things she had never tasted before.
"You've never had it?"
"What a shame. Then how about this—come to my place tonight. I'll throw a barbecue feast."
Chen Fan suggested.
His villa had a huge courtyard—perfect for grilling.
"Alright."
Xia Ruoshui nodded.
Chen Fan then bought a whole range of barbecue ingredients, a grill, smokeless charcoal, and all other supplies.
Just then, the system notification sounded again:
[Ding!][Mission Completed: Shop with Xia Ruoshui][Reward: 100x Cashback Card (Limit: ¥500 million)][Reward: 51 XP]
Mission complete—he now had the 100x cashback card in hand.That meant Chen Fan's net worth had jumped another 500 million yuan!
Now, he was only one final step away from breaking the 10 billion mark!
—
With everything purchased, Chen Fan and Xia Ruoshui returned to his villa at Yujing Shanzhuang.
In the courtyard, the two of them began preparing the food. While Xia Ruoshui's cooking skills weren't great, she had no problem with basic prep like chopping vegetables.
Just as Chen Fan was about to start grilling, he received a call from Wei Jingxiong.
"President Chen, do you have time tonight? Let's have dinner together."
Wei Jingxiong invited warmly.
"Sorry, Boss Wei. I already have plans tonight."
Chen Fan responded. After all, his barbecue had already begun.
"That's unfortunate. How about tomorrow then? You free tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow works."
"Great! I'll treat you. Don't forget to come!"
"No problem."
They confirmed the plans.
—
About half an hour later, Chen Fan finished grilling the first batch of skewers.
"Here, try this."
He handed one to Xia Ruoshui.
She took a skewer curiously and took a bite. Her eyes lit up instantly.
"This tastes completely different from the grilled food at restaurants…"
She was surprised.
After years of eating nothing but upscale gourmet meals, this down-to-earth barbecue had a unique and delightful flavor.
"Right?"
Chen Fan nodded.
With his natural talent and top-level culinary skills from the system, his barbecue was on another level.
But just eating wasn't enough.
He turned and went into his wine cellar, returning with a few bottles. Pouring two glasses, he handed one to Xia Ruoshui.
She hesitated for a moment but accepted it.
Though she rarely drank—always abstaining at business dinners—this time she couldn't refuse. With Chen Fan personally pouring, and her work stress building up, a little drink wouldn't hurt.
After just one sip, her cheeks turned pink.
And after just one glass, the usually cool and reserved Xia Ruoshui suddenly became a chatterbox.
As two children of elite families, they had plenty of common topics. The more they talked, the more comfortable they became.
"Umm… Miss Xia… you might want to slow down a little..."
Chen Fan saw she was starting to get tipsy and offered a gentle warning.
"Don't worry! I can hold my liquor. I'm not even close to drunk..."
Xia Ruoshui waved her hand, her face flushed red.
Her usual icy demeanor was now replaced by a charming softness.
"Also, President Chen… since we're friends now, let's not call each other by our titles anymore—it feels so distant."
She suggested.
Calling each other "President Chen" and "President Xia" at home felt awkward.
"Then how about this: I'll call you Ruoshui, and you can just call me Chen Fan."
He agreed.
Ruoshui?
That name startled her.
Usually, only her parents or elder relatives called her that—it was a very intimate name.
If it were any other man, she would've stormed off in anger.
But when Chen Fan said it…
For some reason, she didn't feel any resistance at all.
Even she didn't understand why.