I am not just a tycoon-Chapter 773 - 458: Intermittent Fever, This Hospital of Yours Isn’t Quite Proper

Five minutes later, Qi Xi timed her return to the media room perfectly. Dong Ya's complexion had noticeably improved, and there was even a hint of satisfaction on her face.

?

A big question mark popped up in Qi Xi's mind.

Dong Ya smiled lightly. "See, I told you it was nothing."

Qi Xi blinked her beautiful eyes. "Was it really intermittent fever?"

This kind of intermittent fever only seems to happen when she's with Shen Yuan. Who knows, maybe you'll experience it tonight as well. Dong Ya hooked her arm around Qi Xi's and led her outside. "Alright, alright, don't dwell on the details too much. It's almost time for dinner."

For dinner, Ji Ya had arranged Western cuisine. Starting at 5 PM, the head chef and his two assistants had already begun preparing the tableware and handling the ingredients in the kitchen.

Around 5:30, the chef went around and had quick one-on-one consultations with everyone, learning about any dietary restrictions and preferences, and confirming the dinner theme and menu with Shen Yuan.

This time, Ji Ya had instructed the chef to prepare French Gillardeau oysters, clearly intending to nourish Shen Yuan.

There was also A5 Wagyu from Japan, white truffles from Alba in Italy...

As for wine, the sommelier had chosen a 45-year-old Mouton Vineyard red wine.

At 6 PM, the group gathered in the dining room. The sommelier pulled out the chair at the head of the table, and Shen Yuan took his seat directly. The bearded chef served the appetizer, a smoked salmon and caviar tart.

Then, the bearded chef put on a live demonstration of dry ice-smoked steak, showing off his skills with great flair.

Shen Yuan was already used to these kinds of flashy acts, but Dong Ya and Qi Xi were intrigued.

They'd only been to regular Western restaurants before, where you wouldn't encounter this level of service or such high-quality ingredients. Most typical Western restaurants used frozen steaks, which were pan-seared on cast iron at high heat, resulting in a dry and tough texture.

The private chef Shen Yuan invited was on a different level. The steak preparation alone had multiple steps: first slow-cooking at a low temperature, then flame-grilling, and finally dry ice smoking.

Everyone except Tan Xin had a glass of red wine in hand. While eating the steak, Dong Ya's cheeks had already turned rosy, and Ji Ya looked a bit tipsy as well. Qi Xi, however, hadn't touched the glass of red wine in front of her.

Shen Yuan was about to say something when Dong Ya beat him to it. "Qi Xi, you're not drinking?"

Qi Xi gently shook her head. "I don't know how to drink."

"There's a first time for everything. Besides, this is red wine; the alcohol content isn't high. Look, I've had so much and don't feel anything."

Dong Ya picked up her own wine glass, gave it a slight swirl, then clinked it gently against Qi Xi's glass. "Come on, it's really good!"

Qi Xi was still hesitant, but Dong Ya had already taken a sip. Her supple tongue teased her crimson lips, her face showing a dazed expression. "I've already had mine, Qi Xi. Now it's your turn."

Qi Xi glanced at the glass of liquid resembling blood beside her hand, hesitated for a long while, and finally furrowed her brows and took a small sip.

As the red wine slid down, the furrow between Qi Xi's brows gradually relaxed. She realized the wine wasn't as unpleasant as she'd imagined. In fact, it tasted rather good.

At first, there was a slight acidity, and her throat felt a faint warmth. But after adapting to the acidity, it revealed a sweetness like hawthorn jelly, delicate and dense.

"Not bad, right? Have some more; just treat it like a beverage."

Dong Ya raised her glass. This time, she waited for Qi Xi to take the initiative and clink glasses with her. The crisp sound echoed before she took yet another small sip.

Shen Yuan sighed inwardly. Seems like Dong Ya really wants to drag her friend into this, huh.

This can't be blamed on me, Qi Xi—it's all Dong Ya's fault. You just had the misfortune of meeting her… Shen Yuan thought to himself, while casually lifting his own wine glass. "Come, let's all take one together."

Not long after, Qi Xi's half-full glass of red wine was almost empty. She felt her cheeks grow faintly warm and her mood gradually loosen up, a relaxation she'd rarely experienced.

After dessert, the bearded chef brought out some snacks and muttered a few sentences in English. Ji Ya translated, "The chef says these are dark chocolate and Parma ham, meant to go with the wine. They help neutralize the acidity and enhance the fruitiness."

Dong Ya and Qi Xi nodded half-understandingly. Dong Ya initially wanted to ask how much this whole meal, including the wine, might cost. But after hesitating for some time, she decided not to. The higher the price, the guiltier she'd feel eating.

Someone with a monthly salary of just over ten thousand yuan would cry—or laugh—knowing this meal could cost as much as one year, or even three to four years of her salary.

"So, you and Qi Xi won't have to work night shifts anymore?"

"That's right. Colleagues in the department are so envious, jealous, and resentful—some even want to treat me to dinner to build a closer relationship. Both openly and subtly, they express one desire: they want to meet you."

Dong Ya took out her phone. "Look, just now another colleague asked me if I came here to meet you and whether I could bring her along."

Qi Xi felt a slight sweat in her palms. Listening to Shen Yuan and Dong Ya's conversation sparked a sudden urge to share something, though it seemed beyond her control.

"I... I've had similar experiences too."

Dong Ya and Shen Yuan turned to the suddenly chatty Qi Xi, thinking this must be the wine talking. Alcohol loosens tongues, the so-called "courage potion."

"So, does it bother you?" Shen Yuan took the lead again.

A faint blush had already crept onto Qi Xi's pale face. She shook her head and said, "At first, yes. But later on, no one asked anymore."

Dong Ya chuckled. "With your personality, people probably give up after asking twice. No one would keep probing."

Shen Yuan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Qi Xi, I've always been curious—why are you religious?"