After becoming the cover story for the magazine, Yuriko was actually a bit worried.
She was already eye-catching enough with her looks, and wearing the Shengxiu Academy uniform made it easy for anyone who had seen that magazine or had an impression of the promotional posters around the city to recognize Yuriko.
However, this seemed to be Yuriko overthinking things.
She had only been featured in a magazine once.
Although the impact was stunning, the magazine’s reach was too limited, so it didn’t really affect her daily life.
“It’s the weekend. Let’s go eat out.”
Yuriko glanced at the time.
It was four in the afternoon.
She wanted to invite Carmilla out for a meal and to hang out for a while.
Popular restaurants were usually packed, requiring reservations or waiting in line.
Leaving at four in the afternoon wasn’t exactly early.
However, the restaurant she was going to was one she owned.
She was the boss.
Exercising a little privilege to secure a table in advance was perfectly fine.
‘I just don’t know if Mira likes Sichuan cuisine~’
Since it wasn’t very far, Yuriko didn’t take a taxi.
After a ten-minute walk, she arrived at the restaurant’s location.
Sure enough, even though it wasn’t peak dining time yet, a long line had already formed outside the restaurant.
Dozens of people were waiting.
If she had to queue, it would take at least over an hour.
Yuriko ignored the people waiting in line and walked straight towards the restaurant’s kitchen.
“Ah, Big Sister, you’re here.”
The restaurant manager, also a member of Yuriko’s gang, ranked seventh, You-mi, put down what she was doing upon seeing Yuriko and greeted her.
The gang wasn’t just full of brutes who only knew how to fight.
Some members had little combat ability and disliked violence.
Yuriko assigned them to manage the businesses run by the gang.
“Yes, I’m planning to meet a friend for dinner. See when you can get me a free table.”
“Ah, let me check…”
You-mi quickly scanned the restaurant and said:
“The fastest is that corner table. It should be free within ten minutes. For a private room, it might take a bit longer, at least half an hour. How many people are in your party, Big Sister?”
Yuriko shook her head.
“Just one. If possible, save me a private room.”
Then, she remembered her current identity—not only the leader of a gang but also a student at Shengxiu Academy, and recently, having done a photoshoot, she was somewhat of a public figure now.
So she instructed You-mi, “From now on, don’t call me that in public. Just use my name.”
“Should I call you Big Sister Latia now?”
“Call me by my current name—Yuriko.”
“Okay, Big Sister Yuriko. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work. The restaurant is just too busy at this hour.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
Yuriko leaned leisurely against the counter, waiting for the private room to become available.
She took out her phone, wondering whether to message Carmilla now to come over.
Should she send it now or after the table is ready?
As she was pondering, a restaurant server carrying a large tray of food passed in front of her.
Because the restaurant was so crowded, she was bumped into the leg by a nearby customer and stumbled, tray and all.
“Ah!”
The server’s exclamation caught Yuriko’s attention.
Her gaze lifted and fell on the server who was about to fall.
Just as the server was about to hit the ground, a slender yet strong arm wrapped around her waist, halting her fall.
When the server looked up, she saw Yuriko’s captivating face.
Yuriko extended her other hand and caught the tray flying through the air, preventing the food from spilling.
She looked at the young woman she had caught, who seemed to be one of the decent girls she had recruited to work as a server.
This scene, witnessed by the diners in the restaurant, drew applause from the customers.
“Are you okay?”
Yuriko asked with concern.
At such close proximity, making eye contact with Yuriko, the young server’s face flushed bright red.
She stammered, “I-I’m fine…”
Yuriko released the server.
Glancing at the tray of food she was now holding, she asked the server, “Which table is this for? I’ll deliver it.”
“Over there, for the guests in Private Room Number One.”
The little server pointed towards the private rooms upstairs.
“Private Room Number One, got it. I’ll take it. You go back to your work.”
Since the restaurant was this busy, she, as the boss, might as well cosplay as an employee for a moment and help deliver a dish.
Carrying the dish to the door of Private Room Number One, Yuriko first knocked, then pushed the door open and entered.
“Hello, your Kung Pao Chicken is here.”
Upon entering the private room, Yuriko noticed there was only one person inside.
Moreover, this person was wearing sunglasses and a mask, as if terrified of being recognized.
Just one person?
Maybe their friend hasn’t arrived yet?
“Thank you. The other two dishes I ordered—”
The person in the room looked up at Yuriko.
The moment she saw Yuriko, she quickly turned her head away, lowering her face.
“Hmm?”
Her strange behavior piqued Yuriko’s curiosity.
Why did this guest stop mid-sentence and act so suspiciously?
“Guest, I didn’t quite catch that. Could you repeat it?”
The person still kept her head down, speaking in a voice slightly deeper than before.
“It’s nothing. Please leave.”
‘Is she kicking me out?’
If she hadn’t done this, Yuriko might not have pursued it further.
But seeing her desperately trying to hide something only made Yuriko more curious.
“Guest, this is a restaurant. Why are you wearing sunglasses and a mask? Are you afraid of being recognized?”
Upon closer inspection, Yuriko noticed this person had beautiful blonde hair.
The curves of her figure outlined beneath her clothes were also perfect.
Although her face was obscured, she was definitely a great beauty.
‘Come to think of it, her voice sounds familiar too. Where have I heard it before?’
Faced with Yuriko’s probing, the guest grew even more nervous, even using her hand to cover her already half-obscured face.
“My identity cannot be disclosed. If you understand, please leave quickly.”
Hearing her urge to leave, Yuriko felt the person’s voice sounded even more familiar, as if she was on the verge of remembering who it was.
“Oh? Can’t be disclosed. You seem rather suspicious, guest. As the owner of this establishment, I feel it necessary to verify your identity. If you are not a dangerous individual, I will not expose you. Could you please remove your sunglasses?”
“…”
Sweat beaded on the guest’s forehead.
She simply stood up, preparing to leave directly.
“Forget it. I’m not eating anymore.”
As she passed by Yuriko, Yuriko suddenly spoke up to stop her:
“Guest, you wouldn’t happen to be… Wyndham, would you?”