The ex-wife of a former CEO regrets resigning to raise her child and retire from public life.

Chapter 87 Good Places to Go

Xiao Zhao, Lao Wang, and a few others sat at a square table in the corner, feeling restless and uncomfortable, as if they had needles stuck in their buttocks.

Especially Xiao Zhao, who was still clutching the 58 yuan receipt tightly in his hand, his eyes frequently glancing at the food counter, only to quickly look away when Su Chen looked over.

"Old Wang, when President Su... no, Young Master Su comes over, what should we say as our first words?"

Xiao Zhao lowered his voice, his tone full of struggle. He nudged Lao Wang with his elbow, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

"Should we call him 'General Manager Su' or 'Little Su'? We can't exactly call him 'that waiter,' can we?"

Old Wang wiped his face and sighed deeply: "Take it easy. Look at Young Master Su, he doesn't seem embarrassed at all."

If we're too hesitant, it makes us seem narrow-minded.

As they spoke, an intensely rich, almost overpowering aroma of beef brisket wafted towards them.

The smell was like waves carrying warmth, lapping against everyone's faces one after another.

"Here are the four servings of braised beef brisket with potatoes that you ordered. Be careful, they're hot when you bring them over."

Su Chen's voice was clear and steady, without the slightest awkwardness.

He deftly arranged the four large porcelain bowls in a row, placing them steadily on the table. The bright red soup swayed slightly with the sides of the bowls, but did not spill out.

Xiao Zhao stiffly raised his head, the words "Thank you for your hard work, Young Master Su" that he had prepared stuck in his throat.

Because he met Su Chen's radiant face.

He had prepared a whole host of comforting or tactful words, but looking into Su Chen's clear eyes, he couldn't utter a single one.

"You really came!"

Su Chen handed them the chopsticks while flashing an extremely bright smile.

There was no trace of the awkwardness or forced smile they had expected in those smiles; instead, they revealed the joy and surprise of old friends reuniting.

"Eat more. You'll definitely want to eat Brother Chen's food again after you finish it."

The rice is over there. Do you see that big red wooden bucket?

You can get free refills there. If you feel you don't have enough soup, just call me anytime. Don't be shy about asking me for more.

"Today, you are the customers, and I'm just a messenger."

After speaking, Su Chen wiped the sweat from his forehead and straightened his gray apron.

Old Wang sat directly opposite, staring intently at Su Chen.

He's been in the workplace for over twenty years and is an expert at judging people.

He realized that Su Chen had really changed, and this change was not as simple as just changing clothes.

In the past, Su Chen was polite to people at the company and never lost his temper with his subordinates, but that politeness was like being separated by a thick layer of glass.

He always hunched his shoulders, and although his voice was gentle, it conveyed a sense of detachment, as if he were always ready to retreat.

But now, standing amidst this smog and noise, Su Chen gives people a sense of groundedness, as if he has "roots firmly in his feet."

"Young Master Su, you...you seem much easier to get along with than before, and you seem much more lively."

Old Wang couldn't help but speak, his tone filled with emotion, and his originally heavy expression softened.

"To be honest, we still feel uneasy about you giving us all the commissions from that project in the North District."

I was so worried about you working here as a waiter that I couldn't sleep all night. I kept thinking that we were the ones who caused you to fall into this predicament.

But seeing your enthusiasm today, I feel much more at ease. I always felt like I was worrying about things that weren't my business.

The thought of you working as a waiter here made me feel uneasy.

But seeing your enthusiasm, I realize I'm just worrying unnecessarily.

Su Chen smiled and didn't respond to that question. Instead, he reached out and helped Old Wang tuck the receipt that was about to fall off the table under the vinegar bottle.

Old Wang's gaze followed Su Chen's hand upwards, finally settling on Su Chen's chest.

The collar of the gray sweatshirt was open, and the wooden pendant that Su Chen had always hidden deep inside the shirt collar and never shown to anyone was now hanging out openly, swaying gently with Su Chen's movements.

It was the wooden leaf that Su Chen had carved, and now, under the dim light, it gleamed with a lustrous sheen.

"Mr. Su... Mr. Su." Old Wang habitually changed his form of address, pointed to the pendant, and asked hesitantly.

"This pendant... I remember you used to always hide it inside your shirt collar."

You used to always cover yourself up tightly when we had meals together.

Why are you putting it out there so casually today?

Su Chen was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously looked down at the leaf.

He used to tuck it into his underwear, as if hiding something that couldn't be seen in the light.

He was terrified of being seen by his father and his brother.

In the eyes of the Su family, this kind of thing is irrefutable proof of "indulging in frivolous pursuits and losing one's ambition," and is utterly worthless garbage.

Su Chen raised his head, his fingers gently stroking the edge of the leaf, his smile brightening with confidence.

"Brother Chen said this carving is very good." Su Chen's voice was soft, but firm.

He said that the work of a craftsman is nurtured with his heart and soul, and should not be buried in the collar.

I agree with him.

Since I carved it myself, since I like it so much, and since it represents the real me, there's no need to hide it.

Su Chen stood up straight as he said this.

The self-identity emanating from his very bones gave Old Wang, a seasoned veteran, a strange sense of awe.

Old Wang stared blankly at Su Chen's bright smile. In that instant, a distant memory that had been sealed away for more than thirty years suddenly surged up like a tide.

That was when he was a ten-year-old boy.

He hid in a dusty storage room and spent three whole weekends, even staying up until his eyes were bloodshot, to finally assemble that huge Lego brick into a majestic helicopter.

When he presented his work to his parents with high hopes and sweaty palms, hoping to receive even a word of affirmation.

When he eagerly presents his work to his parents, hoping to receive praise.

His father merely glanced at him coldly and casually uttered a cold remark that he would remember for the rest of his life:

"What's the point of assembling this thing?"

Can this help you get a perfect score on your math test?

Will I let you be a boss when you grow up?

"Take this down right now and focus on your work. If I see you doing this again, I'm throwing it all in the trash."

Old Wang remembered that chilling feeling of his passion being extinguished, that despair of his self-worth being completely denied, for thirty years.

Even now that he's a senior executive at the Su Group, he still doesn't dare to play with any toys at home.

He looked at Su Chen in front of him.

Young Master Su probably experienced this kind of "useless" judgment every day in the luxurious Su family mansion.

In this small restaurant, this pampered young man from a wealthy family rediscovered the sunshine he had lost for over twenty years.

"Indeed..." Old Wang took a deep breath, his voice tinged with a mix of regret and relief.

"It is indeed a very nice handmade pendant."

Young Master Su, the veins on these leaves are engraved... they have even more lifelike quality than real leaves.

Boss Chen is right, good things should be shown off.

On his way here, Old Wang had thought of countless ways to persuade Su Chen to go back. He thought that giving up the Su family's wealth and glory for just one sentence was too heavy a price to pay.

But seeing Su Chen's reborn appearance, he suddenly realized that if he actually said those "realistic" words, it would be an insult to Su Chen's resolute courage.

"Boss! Table five needs a bowl of soup! Hurry up!"

The rude urging of diners could be heard.

"Coming! Almost there!"

Su Chen responded loudly, his voice booming.

His face showed no displeasure at being yelled at; instead, it was full of enthusiasm.

He even joked to the customers at the next table, "Brother, you have a good appetite! Here's some soup, I guarantee you'll have plenty!"

He turned his head and waved to Lao Wang and the others.

"You guys should eat it while it's hot. Brother Chen's stewed beef brisket with potatoes is all about the cooking time. It would be a shame if it got cold and lost its gelatinous texture."

I'll go get to work now. Call me anytime if you need anything; I'm your most professional server here!

Watching Su Chen pick up the large copper kettle and rush back into the crowd in his gray back, Old Wang and the others fell silent.

Xiao Zhao picked up a spoon, scooped up a piece of soft, mushy potato, and put it in his mouth.

"Old Wang, I feel like..." Xiao Zhao said, his voice slightly choked as he chewed.

"Eating this beef brisket warms my heart."

"When we used to go out with President Su to eat at those restaurants that cost over a thousand yuan per person, we never felt this was this amazing!"

Old Wang ignored Xiao Zhao's affectation.

He picked up a piece of beef brisket coated in rich sauce, and the moment it entered his mouth, the intense aroma of the meat overwhelmed his taste buds.

However, his mind was not on the delicious bowl of food.

He thought to himself that Young Master Su's good deeds were probably rewarded.

Although others might see him as losing a watermelon to gain a sesame seed, for Su Chen, this is his safe haven, probably a million times warmer than that cold Su family mansion.

"Eat up, stop talking nonsense." Old Wang lowered his head and shoveled a big mouthful of rice into his mouth. "Young Master Su has found himself a paradise."

Let's finish this meal and then go back to suffer Old Master Su's humiliation.

However, if I miss Su Shao in the future, I'll come here often for a bowl of soup. That 58 yuan was worth it, really worth it!

The group remained silent, simply burying their heads in their food.

The only sound on the table was the crisp clinking of spoons against porcelain bowls.

Before leaving, Old Wang made a point of saying goodbye to Su Chen.

"President Su, you've really found a great place."

Su Chen smiled brightly as well:

"Yes, when you get back to the company, you must make that old city renovation project outstanding and show those people who look down on them."