9: The Difference

However, one couldn't deny that Shen Yifei's performance was simply too flawless. Su Muqing had almost been completely taken in by his gentlemanly charm.

Zhang Wenzhi's face flushed with embarrassment. He shot a glance at Shen Yifei, already thoroughly displeased with the man.

Shen Yifei remained expressionless, a subtle hint of disdain playing on his lips. He mused inwardly, 'Could such a piece of trash truly be a hundred times better than me? Is Su Muqing an idiot?'

Hadn't Su Muqing complained that he lacked cultivation and ambition? He might as well be ostentatious, then, and let this woman truly see what the disparity was!

A tall, charming French waitress led the trio into the restaurant.

Every patron entering and exiting Louise Restaurant exuded an air of noble elegance in their demeanor and movements. Many foreign patrons were present, and one could faintly sense the distinct aura of high society.

The grand hall was remarkably spacious, bathed in soft, elegant lighting. It felt more like a high-end social venue than merely a restaurant.

A spotlight-illuminated stage featured a live band playing jazz.

Reaching a table, the three took their seats, preparing to order.

Zhang Wenzhi himself wasn't particularly fond of Western cuisine; he had only chosen this venue because he felt it was necessary to make an impression.

In his pursuit of beautiful women, he had even delved into researching their perceived weaknesses.

In such a top-tier French restaurant, girls, upon entering, might feel lost, unsure how to order or navigate the proper dining etiquette and sequence.

At this point, he, Zhang Wenzhi, could calmly and elegantly instruct the girl on dining etiquette, perhaps even discussing Western culture as he'd gleaned it from Baidu (a popular Chinese search engine), thereby seizing the initiative in the conversation.

He had even specifically learned a few simple French phrases for the occasion.

After taking his seat, Zhang Wenzhi greeted the French waitress in French.

Shen Yifei had assumed Zhang Wenzhi understood French, but unexpectedly, when it came to ordering, he reverted to Mandarin.

“Zhang Wenzhi, I never knew you spoke French,” Su Muqing said with a faint smile.

“Just so-so, really, just a rudimentary grasp. Nothing impressive,” Zhang Wenzhi replied, a surge of pride swelling within him. He had deliberately showcased his French, hoping Su Muqing would praise him.

“You’re being modest. I think your French is quite good,” Su Muqing complimented.

As the CEO of a fashion company, Su Muqing frequently attended international events and thus knew some French herself.

While Zhang Wenzhi’s French wasn't particularly good, he was, after all, an old classmate, and a little 'face' (social respect or dignity) still needed to be given.

“Good? I found it rather mediocre. The sentences weren’t even coherent, and the proficiency was quite terrible,” Shen Yifei suddenly interjected.

Upon hearing Shen Yifei's words, Zhang Wenzhi's mood soured. A hint of disdain flickered across his face as he retorted, “Judging by Mr. Shen’s tone, it seems you are quite accomplished in French, aren’t you?”

Shen Yifei nodded. “Hm, at least more accomplished than you.”

Zhang Wenzhi felt a prick of indignation. He suspected Shen Yifei was merely showing off.

Originally, Zhang Wenzhi had intended to seize the opportunity to mock Shen Yifei, but as he himself didn't truly understand much French, the topic seemed ill-suited for deeper discussion. He quickly changed the subject.

“Let’s order quickly.”

The French waitress understood Chinese. After Zhang Wenzhi finished ordering a few dishes, he casually added two bottles of high-end red wine.

Zhang Wenzhi looked at Su Muqing and asked, “Su Muqing, what would you like to eat?”

“Whatever,” Su Muqing shook her head.

“And Mr. Shen? What would you like?” Zhang Wenzhi inquired.

As he spoke, Zhang Wenzhi’s heart was already filled with anticipation. He felt it was highly probable that Shen Yifei had never had a proper French meal, and might not know how to order at all.

Shen Yifei glanced at the French waitress and spoke in fluent French: “Beautiful miss, please bring me an order of escargots, bouillabaisse, and pan-seared duo of foie gras.”

“You… you speak French, sir! Your French is very fluent, and it’s a Parisian accent,” the young French woman exclaimed, her eyes sparkling, her spirits somewhat agitated.

It was rare for people from China to speak French, especially with Shen Yifei’s impressive fluency.

Su Muqing’s pretty face froze in surprise. This man spoke French? And so proficiently and fluently? Shen Yifei smiled faintly and continued in French: “Haha, Mademoiselle, judging by your accent, you must be from Strasbourg, aren’t you?”

Shen Yifei's tone was calm and casual, as if he were simply chatting about everyday matters with the young French woman.

“Huh?”

Zhang Wenzhi was utterly bewildered, staring blankly at Shen Yifei and the French waitress, as if listening to gibberish.

What was going on? Could this pretty boy (a derogatory term for a handsome but effeminate man, often implying he lives off women) actually speak French?

He strongly suspected Shen Yifei was just spouting nonsense, but observing the French waitress's excited demeanor, Shen Yifei seemed to be speaking genuinely, and quite fluently at that.

Su Muqing’s pretty face showed a hint of emotion. She never would have imagined that this seemingly casual and unkempt fellow actually possessed such genuine talent.

“Oh! You’re amazing, to be able to tell! Yes, my hometown is indeed Strasbourg.”

The young French woman's face flushed red, her expression visibly excited. She said amicably, “Sir, have you been to Strasbourg?”

“I went once before. It’s a very beautiful place,” Shen Yifei replied with a faint smile.

Shen Yifei’s fluent French, coupled with his polite, gentlemanly demeanor, had almost completely enchanted the young French woman.

The young woman leaned closer and whispered into Shen Yifei’s ear, “Sir, you truly are the most polite and well-mannered Chinese person I’ve ever met. Hehe, could you tell me your phone number?”

Shen Yifei smiled and politely declined. He had no intention of romancing foreign women (literally 'picking up foreign girls,' a common, somewhat colloquial Chinese expression) at the moment.

Hearing Shen Yifei speak such fluent and authentic French, Su Muqing’s beautiful eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

In that instant, her impression of Shen Yifei shifted slightly. Recalling how her grandfather had gone to great lengths to arrange her engagement and cohabitation with this man, she wondered, could there truly be a deeper reason behind it?

The French waitress, visibly thrilled to hear Shen Yifei speak such authentic French, became even more amiable. Fearing that the French cuisine might not satisfy such an international patron, she very patiently began recommending various dishes to Shen Yifei.

Zhang Wenzhi was utterly shocked internally. 'Damn it,' he cursed silently, 'This is truly bizarre. This kid (a slightly derogatory term for a young man) actually knows French?'

But outwardly, Zhang Wenzhi remained unperturbed, a slight smile on his face as he watched Shen Yifei and the French woman, as if he, too, understood French.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wenzhi was quickly trying to gauge Shen Yifei’s identity.

Shen Yifei seemed too young to be someone who had returned from abroad, so he suspected Shen Yifei might be a French interpreter.

To verify his conjecture, Zhang Wenzhi asked with a smile, “Mr. Shen, your French is quite good. Do you work for a French company?”

Shen Yifei glanced at Su Muqing, then chuckled softly. “No, I’m an unemployed drifter.”

He didn’t want to reveal his true profession in front of Su Muqing just yet.

Upon hearing this, the expression on Zhang Wenzhi’s face was truly something to behold. He turned to Su Muqing and chuckled, “Su Muqing, you are so beautiful and so outstanding, I imagine many people have pursued you. To choose an unemployed drifter as your boyfriend, isn’t that a bit beneath your standing?”

Although Su Muqing didn’t particularly like Shen Yifei, Zhang Wenzhi’s clearly malicious words still caused a pang of displeasure in her heart.