The Hundred Flowers Revolving Restaurant

When the family of three got out of the ride-hailing car, Chen Yinuo frowned as she looked at the upscale, grand sign in front of her.

"Don't tell me we're eating at the Hundred Flowers Revolving Restaurant!" she said.

"What about it?" Ye Chen asked.

"Do you even know how much it costs to eat here? A glass of milk costs over a hundred yuan! I know you've got a bit of extra cash now, but don't forget the days when you had nothing. The money you earned from picking up bargains in the antique market isn't enough to let you splurge like a nouveau riche!" Chen Yinuo said coldly.

"How is this splurging? We're just having one meal as a family, not coming here every day. Besides, it's my birthday, and it's not like I'm out partying with drinking buddies. We're spending time together as a family—how can that be considered wasteful? Remember how you used to say it would be a unique experience to dine here one day? Back then, I was such a failure. I never gave you or our daughter any quality experiences, whether before or after our marriage. Now that I can afford it, I just want you to experience it."

Ye Chen's sincerity was evident.

Did Chen Yinuo yearn for the Hundred Flowers Revolving Restaurant?

Yes.

At least, back when she hadn't completely given up on Ye Chen, she'd look up at it every time she passed by, imagining what it would be like to come here one day with her family. To overlook Jiangzhou's bustling cityscape while dining would surely be delightful.

But after being hurt so many times, after reaching a point of utter despair, she no longer indulged in such dreams. Life's harshness had made her believe it was no longer realistic. If she could just raise their daughter, Yoyo, well, she'd already be content.

"Mommy, I really like it here! Can we go in? Please?" Yoyo begged, tugging on her mother's hand with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Fine. It's better than you wasting it all gambling. Let's go in," Chen Yinuo said with a shake of her head, dropping her resistance.

In her mind, Ye Chen's gambling nature would soon squander whatever money he had left anyway.

"Yay! Daddy, let's go in!" Yoyo cheered, running to Ye Chen and holding his large hand joyfully.

As they entered the glass elevator, Yoyo's excitement was uncontainable. Rather than being scared by the rapid ascent, she seemed thrilled, as though a new world had opened up for her.

Watching her, Ye Chen felt a pang of guilt.

Over the past few years, he hadn't just failed to provide any material comforts for his wife and daughter; he hadn't even given them his time. Even something as simple as a sightseeing elevator—something far from high-tech—was something he'd never shown his daughter. He felt a wave of self-loathing.

After about ten seconds, they reached the Hundred Flowers Revolving Restaurant.

Though the restaurant's cost per person was high, it wasn't exclusive to the point of requiring membership or reservations. Soon, under the guidance of a server, Ye Chen led his wife and daughter to a window-side table.

"Daddy, I want this, and this, and this—oh, and this too!" Yoyo exclaimed, pointing at the vibrant food pictures on the digital menu.

"Yoyo, lower your voice! Don't disturb others," Chen Yinuo said nervously, covering her daughter's mouth.

Seeing this, Ye Chen couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, whatever Yoyo wants, Daddy will order it all," he said indulgently.

Even though Yoyo might have been picking based solely on the pictures, Ye Chen still placed every order she pointed to.

Watching this, Chen Yinuo frowned deeply again. She couldn't help but say, "She's just a child. You don't have to indulge her like this. It's a waste of money."

"It's fine. Seeing Yoyo happy is worth it," Ye Chen replied with a smile. "Yinuo, what about you? What do you want to eat?"

"Anything is fine," she said, not even reaching for the menu.

"Alright, I'll order for you."

Based on his memory of what she had once longed to try, Ye Chen skillfully placed the order.

For some reason, watching Ye Chen's calm and confident demeanor as he navigated the menu, Chen Yinuo felt an odd sense of familiarity—as if Ye Chen were well-acquainted with this place.

But how could that be?

This level of expense was far beyond what the old Ye Chen could have afforded. And as a gambler, he would have poured any money he had into the casino rather than splurging on a meal like this.

Once the food was ordered, they sat in silence while waiting for it to arrive.

"How's work going recently, Yinuo?" Ye Chen broke the silence after a long pause.

"Not bad. I can support myself and Yoyo," she said indifferently, with no intention of sharing her recent promotion. Then she added, "You should just focus on yourself. Yoyo and I don't need your concern."

Ye Chen was at a loss for words.

With an awkward laugh, he fell silent again. Without Yoyo's lively presence, this might have been one of the most awkward moments of their lives.

Under Yoyo's cheerful chatter, the food soon arrived.

"Mommy, try some of Daddy's! Daddy, you try some of Mommy's! And both of you try some of mine—yum, it's so good!"

The little girl, mindful of not disturbing others, spoke softly but kept the atmosphere lively, acting as a bridge between her estranged parents.

"Yoyo, stop messing around. Finish eating so we can go home with Mommy," Chen Yinuo said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin after finishing most of the meal.

Just then, a mocking voice came from behind her.

"Well, well, isn't this our dear Team Leader Chen?"

Ye Chen looked up, and Chen Yinuo turned to see Wang Tao, the deputy general manager of Huaxing Trading, approaching with a woman by his side.

Seeing him, Chen Yinuo's expression instantly darkened.

"And you are?" Ye Chen asked, narrowing his eyes at the unwelcome visitor.

"Oh, let me introduce myself—Wang Tao, deputy GM of Huaxing Trading. I used to be Team Leader Chen's direct supervisor. But now that she's climbed the ladder, I don't have the privilege of managing her anymore. Let me guess—you must be her husband, right? The one everyone says is a gambling king who lives in casinos? I'm surprised you're here. A meal like this costs thousands—must've been a good run at the tables, eh?"

Wang Tao's words were dripping with sarcasm, each one aimed to sting.

"Wang Tao, that's enough! Where I eat has nothing to do with you. Have I ever wronged you?" Chen Yinuo snapped, her teeth clenched.

"Oh, come on, Team Leader Chen, no need to get so worked up. It's just a friendly hello between colleagues. Or... are you afraid I might spill something that could upset your gambler husband?"

Wang Tao's tone grew even more malicious.

"Wang Tao, what do you mean by that? Did Yinuo offend you somehow?" Ye Chen stood up, his voice cold.

"Let's go, Ye Chen. There's no need to waste time on people like him," said Chen Yinuo, grabbing Yoyo's hand and preparing to leave.

Her perception of Ye Chen as overly suspicious made her wary of Wang Tao saying something to provoke him. Despite their marriage being on the brink of divorce, she didn't want any more complications.

"Oh, Team Leader Chen, why the rush? Afraid I might let your husband in on certain... unseemly details?" Wang Tao sneered, blocking their path.

"You bastard! What unseemly details? I've done nothing wrong!" Chen Yinuo shouted, trembling with anger.

"If you've got nothing to hide, then why so defensive?" Wang Tao grinned mockingly before turning to Ye Chen. "Well, Mr. Gambler, I bet you don't know just how 'capable' your wife is. Not only did she win contracts with prices lower than our competitors, but the client's CEO even insisted that only she could handle their business moving forward. I hear that the day she signed the deal, she had a private meeting with him. And not long after that, she shot up the company ranks like a rocket. Impressive, huh?"