Lin Feng relaxed in his chair, swirling his wine as he watched Su Yuyan intently.
Their conversation had been easy, filled with playful remarks and light exchanges, but now, he was at a crossroads.
How much should he spend?
The system was clear on the guidelines:
Spending money increases favorability.
Only luxury purchases count.
Excessive gifts might turn her off.
Su Yuyan was astute. If he went overboard, she might get wary. But if he was too cautious, the system wouldn't give him any benefits.
[Ding! System Alert!]
[Su Yuyan appreciates subtle indulgence, not extravagant purchases.]
[Optimal spending range: Mid-to-high tier.]
Lin Feng couldn't help but smile. "Subtle indulgence"? Really?
Su Yuyan took another sip of her wine, studying him. "You've been eyeing your glass for a while. Regretting your choice?"
Lin Feng snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "Just trying to decide if I should order another bottle."
Su Yuyan laughed softly. "Feeling confident, huh?"
Lin Feng called the waiter over and ordered a vintage 1982 Bordeaux—not the priciest, but refined and highly rated.
[Ding! Su Yuyan's favorability +4%!]
[Total favorability: 14%.]
Su Yuyan raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She seemed to notice his choice but didn't seem bothered by it.
As they continued their meal, Lin Feng kept the conversation flowing smoothly. Following the system's guidance, he realized that Su Yuyan wasn't swayed by reckless displays of wealth. She appreciated someone who had a refined taste.
As the evening progressed, Lin Feng felt more relaxed.
[Ding! Favorability +2%.]
[Su Yuyan is starting to find you interesting.]
Lin Feng grinned inwardly. Slowly but surely, he was making progress.
Meanwhile…
Across the restaurant, a man in a sharp suit kept his eyes fixed on them, his expression tense.
Zhao Chen, a former admirer of Su Yuyan, wasn't pleased.
"Who is that?" he muttered under his breath, setting his drink aside.
His friend grinned. "Don't know him? That's Lin Feng. He's been making moves lately."
Zhao Chen scoffed. "Never heard of him."
His friend leaned in closer. "You will. Word is, he's climbing the ranks pretty fast."
Zhao Chen's face darkened. Lin Feng, huh? Let's see how long this lasts.