Chapter 109: A Nocturnal Meeting

The filming progress the next day exceeded Chen Zhe’s expectations. Their shooting tasks were completed by just after 7 p.m., even managing to finish part of the schedule planned for the following day ahead of time.

“Xiuhao, don’t head straight back to the apartment tonight. Take me to this place first.” After saying goodbye to the rest of the crew and getting into the car, Chen Zhe immediately leaned toward the driver’s seat and rapidly gave Lin Xiuhao an address.

“JK Haven Harbor Restaurant on Yeouido Island? A Zhe, why are you going to such a high-end restaurant?”

Upon hearing the address Chen Zhe gave, Lin Xiuhao pulled out his phone to check the details. After learning more about the restaurant, he looked at Chen Zhe in surprise, unable to imagine why he would go to such an upscale place.

“It’s run by a childhood friend of mine. He knows I’m in Korea now and invited me for a long-overdue brothers’ reunion.”

Chen Zhe had already thought out this reason for visiting JK Haven Harbor Restaurant the night before, as well as an excuse for Lin Xiuhao to drop him off there after filming each evening.

“You have childhood friends here in Korea? Didn’t you say you grew up in China and rarely left?”

Lin Xiuhao furrowed his brow slightly at Chen Zhe’s mention of a childhood friend in Korea. He still remembered that Chen Zhe had said he grew up in China and hadn’t traveled abroad much, so the sudden appearance of a Korean childhood friend puzzled him.

“He’s a childhood friend from back home, two years older than me, a two-star Michelin chef, and JK Haven Harbor is his restaurant.”

Understanding Lin Xiuhao’s skepticism, Chen Zhe explained some basic information about his friend.

“I see. Well, that’s settled then. After your dinner, do you want me to drive you home or will you head back on your own?”

Relieved by Chen Zhe’s explanation, Lin Xiuhao finally relaxed, having worried that Chen Zhe might have been tricked into going to such a fancy restaurant at this hour.

“I’ll go back on my own. Xiuhao, I can’t bother you if I’m eating late into the night and disturb your sweet dreams!”

Smiling, Chen Zhe patted the driver’s seat playfully, lightening the previously tense atmosphere.

“You little rascal, what nonsense are you talking about? Alright, I’ll take you there right now!”

Lin Xiuhao’s face flushed immediately when Chen Zhe emphasized “sweet dreams,” as the words subtly hinted at something personal. Not wanting to be teased further, Lin Xiuhao quickly changed the subject to cut off any more jabs.

—————————— Time flew by during their casual chat on the road ——————————

After dropping Chen Zhe off at the restaurant, Lin Xiuhao drove away, leaving Chen Zhe free to observe the so-called restaurant before him.

Looking at the three-story building, Chen Zhe scratched his head in confusion. At first glance, it didn’t feel like a restaurant at all; it seemed more like a creative exhibition hall.

Still withholding judgment, he climbed the steps to the entrance. The first thing that caught his eye was a wooden plaque hanging on the glass door handle.

Etched on the plaque were the words: “Sorry, we are closed,” informing visitors that the restaurant had already shut for the day.

“Lao Bai, I’m downstairs now. Why are you closed already? The door is locked—how am I supposed to get in?”

Chen Zhe pushed gently on the door, but it wouldn’t budge. He took out his phone and called his childhood friend, unwilling to stand outside foolishly in the cold.

“Huh? Didn’t you say you might get here after eight or even later? I thought you’d be late, so I locked up early. Wait a moment—I’m coming down now to open the door.”

The man on the other end sounded surprised to hear Chen Zhe was already downstairs. He had only expected a late arrival and had just locked up. No sooner had he sat down on the terrace to relax than Chen Zhe had shown up early. Shaking his head helplessly, he got up to open the door.

“This isn’t a restaurant you’ve opened—it’s more like an art gallery!”

Stepping inside the first floor, Chen Zhe saw the space divided by screens into three sections, each showcasing different types of paintings: line drawings, oil paintings, and traditional Chinese ink paintings.

As a former designer with an art background, Chen Zhe carefully examined the three distinct styles and finally understood why they were displayed together.

Though their techniques and styles varied, the paintings all conveyed the same message: a sense of peace and tranquility.

Looking at the artworks, Chen Zhe felt the agitation within him slowly dissipate, and a calmness settled over him. Still, surveying the first floor’s setup of nothing but paintings and partition screens, he couldn’t help but tease his old friend.

“Well, I run a creative restaurant after all. This idea was actually Yu Zhe’s. The first floor is a small gallery lounge where guests can escape the noisy outside world and enjoy the calming effect of art.”

Hearing Chen Zhe’s playful jab, the handsome man beside him only smiled and shook his head, explaining the meaning behind the restaurant’s first-floor layout. He also shifted some of the responsibility to their mutual friend.

“Indeed, these paintings bring a sense of serenity. The artists created them to offer everyone a peaceful spirit.”

Looking at the artworks on display, Chen Zhe’s expression grew a little complex as he sighed softly.

“All right, great artist, today’s not about critiquing the restaurant’s design or the paintings on the first floor. Today is our long-awaited brothers’ reunion!”

Noticing Chen Zhe’s change in mood, the handsome man put an arm around his shoulder and led him toward the stairs to the second floor.