Brick by Brick (Bxb)

Chapter 14: In Dangerous Company

"They won't be joining us? Why not?"

"Their flight was delayed due to bad weather. It can't be helped. Besides, this dinner was pretty last minute anyway." 

It was Chen Yu Lin's turn to look apologetic. On the other hand, Ming Kai couldn't be more relieved. In fact, it was already showing on his face.

"Have we placed our orders?" Chen Tian Lin asked.

"Yes, though I should get them to reduce the serving size to three instead." 

Chen Yu Lin signaled for the waiter to make the amendments. While she was busy, Chen Tian Lin was silently examining Ming Kai in great detail and made no effort to be discreet about it.

Ming Kai didn't know whether to start a conversation or continue being subjected to such scrutiny. It was difficult not to fidget under his intense gaze, but the awkward atmosphere appeared to difficult for him to bear. 

As such, the easier option was to let his eyes wander everywhere else. 

"I wonder what my sister sees in you that she'd invite you over for dinner like this." 

It seemed to be more of a condescending remark than a question. Ming Kai didn't have a good impression of him from the start anyway. If he wasn't sure before, he was sure now. 

He really hated this guy.

"We're on a date. The question is, why are you here?" Ming Kai didn't bother mincing his words either. So what if he was her brother? He didn't really care. In fact, having Chen Tian Lin hate him would make breaking up a whole lot simpler.

"We are here for dinner, not a fist fight. Big brother, please act your age! And Ming Kai, my brother was just teasing you. He does that all the time, so don't take it to heart."

So Chen Tian Lin was an asshole all the time? Why doesn't that sound surprising?

"Aw, why spoil the fun, little sis? I was just testing to see if he's made of the right stuff. And I must say, he's an interesting one." 

"Say what you want for now, we won't be meeting again anyway,"  Ming Kai thought to himself. 

Amidst the tense atmosphere, the waiter appeared with a large, silver platter. Atop lay an intricate pattern of sashimi, nestled between a bedding of radish frills and a multitude of other fresh seafood.

"Here are you appetizers. The main course shall be served shortly."

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Fanciful dishes came and go on the dinner table, replaced by new ones the exact moment they finished their food. The restaurant staff kept an eye on every table, always ensuring that customers were served their next dish without delay.

Ming Kai tried his hardest not to think about the hole this dinner was going to make on his wallet.

"Can I have the bill please?" Chen Tian Lin gestured to the waiter, who promptly brought him a leathered receipt holder. He slipped out a blue credit card among the many in his wallet and handed it back to him.

"How much is our share?" Ming Kai asked, somehow praying that the restaurant staff would somehow conveniently forget to include a few of their food items. In fact, how about Chen Tian Lin conveniently offering to pay for the meal. That would be lovely.

"Don't bother," came the older man's reply. "You won't be able to afford it anyway"

It wasn't easy to keep himself from boiling over, but Ming Kai maintained his indifference toward that bastard's offensive remark and kept his wallet anyway.