He Yu leaned against the car’s hood, spotting Xie Xiaobao jogging over, bouncing like a cheerful kitten.
The little kitten stopped in front of He Yu, panting, with a goofy grin. “He… He Yu, kept you waiting?”
“Not long. Hop in.” He Yu straightened, opened the passenger door, and caught a glimpse of Xie Xiaobao’s adorable hair whirl as he ducked his head, just as cute as the rest of him.
Xie Xiaobao settled into the passenger seat. He Yu closed the door, walked around, and started the car.
It was his first time dining with the boss, and Xie Xiaobao felt nervous, lips pursed, unsure what to talk about, staring blankly ahead.
He Yu glanced at him from the corner of his eye and broke the silence. “Like seafood?”
Xie Xiaobao’s eyes lit up, his stomach growling in protest, but thinking of his diet, he reluctantly said, “I already ate at home.”
“Mm,” He Yu’s lips curved slightly. “Seafood it is, then. Keep me company and have a bit.”
He Yu chose a steam seafood restaurant, opting for a quieter table in the main dining area rather than a private room.
The open setting might help Xie Xiaobao relax, as He Yu noticed his persistent nervousness around him and felt a bit helpless about it.
The waiter brought the menu. He Yu ordered a few signature dishes and handed it to Xie Xiaobao. “Anything else you want?”
Xie Xiaobao eyed the vibrant menu photos, swallowing hard as his stomach growled again, but he stubbornly declined. “No, I can’t eat much.”
He Yu noted his expression but didn’t push, handing the menu back to the waiter.
The restaurant’s specialty was freshness—every seafood dish arrived alive, steamed right at the table, and paired with dipping sauces, bursting with flavor.
“Have some ginger tea to warm your stomach first.” He Yu poured Xie Xiaobao a cup.
Xie Xiaobao thanked him, took a sip, and savored the faint spicy kick of ginger on his tongue, squinting happily before taking another.
He Yu watched, a smile tugging at his lips, then asked out of the blue, “You really don’t remember me?”
“Cough!” Xie Xiaobao nearly choked, coughing into his hand, eyes wide with shock as he stared at He Yu.
He Yu’s smile turned wry as he passed him a napkin. “Choking on a sip of water? Same as when you were a kid.”
Xie Xiaobao mentally protested, *You startled me!*, but mumbled, “I-I don’t really remember much.”
He Yu propped his chin on interlaced hands, watching Xie Xiaobao’s flushed face and evasive eyes as he scrambled for an excuse.
“It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten a lot.” Xie Xiaobao stammered, gesturing a small distance with his fingers, then shrinking it further. “Maybe… this much?”
He Yu laughed, amused. “That much, huh?”
Xie Xiaobao, face red, clammed up. Just then, the waiter arrived with their seafood. A plate of shrimp was poured into the steam pot, turning a vibrant orange-red through the translucent lid.
Once cooked, the waiter plated the shrimp and left, giving them space.
The sweet, briny aroma filled the air. Xie Xiaobao’s eyes were glued to the orange-red shrimp, sniffing eagerly.
He Yu put on gloves, peeling a shrimp slowly. The tender, pinkish-white flesh curled invitingly, looking perfect in Xie Xiaobao’s eyes.
“Try it.” He Yu placed the peeled shrimp on Xie Xiaobao’s plate.
Xie Xiaobao stared, torn between temptation and restraint. Finally, unable to resist the aroma, he thought, *Just a taste.*
He picked up the shrimp, skipping the sauce, and popped it into his mouth. The fresh, tender shrimp had a slight bounce, bursting with sweet flavor.
Savoring it, Xie Xiaobao set down his chopsticks with feigned restraint. “It’s good.”
He Yu smiled, sliding a plate of several peeled shrimp toward him. “Glad you like it. Eat up—seafood doesn’t fill you up much.”
Xie Xiaobao’s refusal died on his lips as the shrimp landed in front of him.
The glossy, pinkish-white shrimp were too tempting. After a brief two-second struggle, he gave in, picking up his chopsticks.
The seafood hit all the right spots for Xie Xiaobao. Though not as good as home-cooked, the unprocessed, steamed flavors were pure and fresh. Bite by bite, the small plate of shrimp vanished into his stomach.
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