That evening, Brian took everyone out to a well-known private dining spot.

The ce was hidden deep within a traditional Chinese garden. Smooth stone paths stretched beneath their feet, winding through the lush scenery. Pavilions and terraces with sweeping, curved roofs were scattered artfully across the courtyard. In the center, a jade-green pond shimmered in the fading light, dotted with pale pink and white water lilies. A few koi driftedzily through the water, leaving gentle ripples behind them. By the pond, a delicate stone bridge arched gracefully across the water.

By the time they arrived, the sky was already tinged with the colors of dusk. Thest rays of sunlight spilled golden across the courtyard, bathing everything in a soft, timeless glow.

"Brian, you really know how to pick a spot. This ce is gorgeous," Olivia said, grinning.

Brian smiled. "It''s owned by a friend of mine. It''s not even open to the public."

Sabrina shot him a sideways look, her voice cool. "Another one of your female friends?"

Brian hurried to exin, "No way. His name''s Eason. Definitely a guy."

"He''s back in town?" George asked.

Brian nodded. "Yeah, he just got back and opened this ce—serves Huaiyang cuisine. The food''s amazing."

They crossed the stone bridge and wandered through the garden, chatting as they walked. The whole ce was huge, designed like a Suzhou garden-ssic, elegant, and quietly beautiful.

"You''ve eaten here before? With who?" Sabrina''s tone wasced with jealousy.

Brian couldn''t help but grin-he secretly loved it when she got jealous. She looked so cute it made his heart race.

"I''ve only been here once, just me and Eason. No girls. Even the servers were all guys," he said.

That seemed to satisfy Sabrina.

"George, you know Eason?" she asked, turning to him. "Howe I''ve never heard of him?"

George shrugged. "I know him, but not well. He was Brian''s ssmate in college same year as us. Went abroad after graduation."

"Oh."

They reached a pavilion where the food was already set out.

"I called ahead to order," Brian said, pulling out a chair. "These are all their signature dishes. Figured you''d all be tired and hungry after today, so I wanted everything ready when we got here."

"Look at you, always so thoughtful," Sabrina teased, sitting down.

Oliviaughed. "Brian, you''re seriously the most considerate."

George pulled out a chair for his girlfriend Tracey, who sat next

Olivia. He took the seat on Trace et

other side, while Joshua and Allison settled in together as well

Brian was still standing, looking around. "Wait, all the food''s here, but where''s Eason? I''ll give him a call."

The dishes on the table were still steaming, clearly fresh from the kitchen.

A momentter, a tall guy walked over, calling out, "Brian."

Brian stood up. “Let me introduce everyone. This is Eason, my college buddy and the owner here."

Eason was about six foot one, dressed in a casual white T-shirt and dark gray jeans. His hair was short and neat, his features handsome and striking-a total sunshine guy.

Sabrina''s eyes lit up. "Wow, handsome guy alert."

Brian quickly jumped in, "Eason, this is my girlfriend, Sabrina."

Easonughed, teasing, "Man, you''re quick to im her. Jealous already, just because she called me handsome?"

Brian grinned, shrugging. "What can I say? She''s got mepletely under her spell."

Brian went around introducing Joshua, Allison, George, Olivia, and Tracey. Only then did he finally take his seat.