Chapter 68 A Sudden Flutter of the Heart

If you really think about it, He Peiru didn't actually wait that long.

However, standing with Cherry, the hostess, naturally meant having to socialize with the guests, so even if you wanted to slack off, it wasn't so easy.

She was really tired, which is why she sat down to rest.

Now that Gu Zhaoqian's side was finished, He Peiru didn't need to stay there any longer, so she said, "I'll go tell Cherry that I'm going back first."

He nodded and replied, "Okay."

They couldn't just leave like that, and He Peiru also thought that she should at least say goodbye to Cherry before leaving.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, she saw Cherry looking at her tentatively and saying, "If there's a chance in the future, could you tell me about what's going on between you and Young Master Gu?"

Given the current situation, Cherry's perceptiveness suggests that her rebuttal would seem like a futile struggle. It would be better to wait for the right time, or for an opportune moment, before speaking out.

She immediately replied, "Okay."

This can also be seen as her most basic respect for her friendship with Cherry.

After saying goodbye to Cherry, He Peiru went to the rest area to find Gu Zhaoqian.

She asked with some curiosity, "How did you know the driver took the day off today?"

This question left Gu Zhaoqian speechless. He found it amusing and retorted, "Have you forgotten how familiar I am with the situation here?"

"Okay... I just couldn't remember it for the moment."

He blurted it out without much thought, ultimately because these things couldn't be kept from Gu Zhaoqian.

Neither of them spoke as they walked to the parking lot.

The manor was deserted, and any slightly loud voice would echo, which made He Peiru immediately suppress her intention to speak.

Only after getting into the car did she ask, "Why did you come to this dinner party?"

After all, it was too strange for Gu Zhaoqian to appear here, so she wanted to know the reason.

"Why?" Gu Zhaoqian looked at her in the dim light inside the car. Just from the innocent expression on her face, he knew that she probably hadn't realized what was going on.

He chuckled softly before saying, "Because I want to see you."

If they were to meet He Peiru privately and with prior notice, their meeting would become a known event. It would be better to suddenly appear before her at the dinner party.

It could even be considered a surprise.

Nourished by the love Gu Zhaoqian had shown her these past few days, He Peiru had now grown boundless courage. She murmured, "But I don't feel that you want to see me."

Despite saying that, even after experiencing countless direct advances from men, she would still be moved by it.

“I know why you said that.” Gu Zhaoqian turned his head and explained to her seriously, “Although I had expected it, I didn’t expect the situation to be so tricky, so I overlooked you.”

I was surrounded by people as soon as I entered the banquet hall; there was really nothing I could do about it.

Even if Gu Zhaoqian wanted to get away and find her, it would only make the two of them the focus of this social dinner.

"Okay, I accept that explanation."

She turned her head away and looked out the window, too embarrassed to look away from the man's gaze.

"Since you've come to the banquet, when can you spare some time to have dinner with me?"

However, Gu Zhaoqian began to relentlessly pursue her, and He Peiru could feel his gaze still lingering on her.

His question made He Peiru sense a sense of humility in it, and she couldn't possibly gloss over it.

She quickly came up with an answer and replied, "Then...this weekend?"

"Where is the location?"

Gu Zhaoqian seemed to have guessed that she would answer like that, and asked the question very naturally.

After thinking for a moment, she decided to give the initiative to Gu Zhaoqian: "You can arrange the location?"

Although she had been in England for some time and had visited countless restaurants, many of which she had only gone to because of their reputation, she believed that Gu Zhaoqian must have some hidden gems.

Fearing that Gu Zhaoqian might limit her decision by focusing too much on her preferences, she immediately added, "I can eat anything."

He didn't seem too surprised by He Peiru's reaction and replied softly, "Then I'll decide."

That was exactly what she wanted to do, so she quickly replied, "Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

Just as the two finished their discussion, the car stopped.

Before I knew it, I was back downstairs at my apartment building.

The security measures here are thorough enough, so Gu Zhaoqian naturally doesn't need to worry about safety. Besides, it's getting late, so it's not really appropriate for him to go up there anyway.

However, he still got off the bus.

He Peiru was wondering what he was going to do when she saw the man raise his hand, pat her head, and say to her, "Good night."

"You messed up my hair." She frowned slightly, glanced at him, and then mumbled, "Goodnight."

Gu Zhaoqian smiled, smoothed her hair with his hand, and continued, "You've worked hard tonight, Aru. Go back and get some rest."

He Peiru disagreed with him and said softly, "If that's the case, then you're the one who's suffering."

She could see that Gu Zhaoqian's lips were still curved in a smile when she raised her eyes slightly, as if he had been in a good mood ever since the banquet ended.

But she didn't know where this feeling came from, and instead of delving into it, she urged, "You should go back and rest too."

If the two continue to stand there entangled, there's a greater chance they'll engage in endless, meaningless conversations, so someone has to speak up and end it.

"Okay." He didn't say anything more, only saying, "You go up first."

"Well..." she said no more, and repeated, "Good night."

He Peiru turned around and walked towards the lobby, but she could clearly feel the gaze following her closely.

She knew it was Gu Zhaoqian, but she didn't turn around. She didn't truly relax until the elevator doors closed.

Even in the same situation, even if you experience it many times.

She couldn't control the sudden flutter in her heart.

He Peiru and Gu Zhaoqian scheduled their dinner for Saturday.

She wasn't sure if it could be considered a date, but she knew she should prepare well no matter what.

Before we knew it, it was afternoon.

He Peiru didn't know where the destination was, she only knew that Gu Zhaoqian would come to pick her up from the apartment at the agreed time.

She looked at the clothes in the walk-in closet and thought it over again and again before finally choosing a simple dress and a short jacket.

No matter where she ends up, she can't go wrong with this outfit.

He Peiru came downstairs at six o'clock sharp.

Before she could even speak after getting in the car, Gu Zhaoqian told her, "Tonight we're going to a Chinese restaurant that serves Western food, located in central London, not far from here."

"Right in central London?" It was definitely the right thing to do to let him decide. He Peiru had no idea such a restaurant existed. "This is the first time I've ever heard of it."

Gu Zhaoqian then gave her a brief introduction: "Although it is a Chinese restaurant, all the dishes are prepared by the head chef."

Seeing that she was listening attentively, he continued, "I have already explained to them which dishes you don't like or can't eat, and basically everyone I know who has been to this restaurant thinks it's good."

"The people around you?"

He Peiru frowned in confusion, but was more curious about the other things mentioned in the conversation.

Gu Zhaoqian was worried that she would misunderstand, especially since she had brought it up herself, so he immediately added, "For example, your uncle, Cui Haonian, or some business partners."

"I see."

She thought there would be others.

Seeing her slightly disappointed expression, Gu Zhaoqian chuckled and teased, "Looks like I didn't give you the answer you wanted to hear?"

She stuck out her tongue, showing no displeasure at being exposed, and simply muttered, "No way."

As Gu Zhaoqian said, they arrived at the restaurant soon.

After they sat down and rested for a while, the waiter served them appetizers.

Despite appearing to be a blond, blue-eyed British native, he spoke fluent Chinese.

While feeling taken aback, He Peiru almost lost control of her most basic facial expression.

Gu Zhaoqian, as if he had expected it, explained to her, "The customers here are mainly Chinese."

She instantly understood and couldn't help but marvel at how much the other person loved their job.

The waiter gave a standard smile and said, "I started learning from our head chef a long time ago, and later I learned Chinese so that I could better serve our customers."

Seeing that the other person was explaining carefully, word by word, she smiled and said, "No wonder your Chinese is so standard."

"Next, let me introduce this appetizer to you both." He didn't forget his job and immediately got back to the main topic, "This is a jelly made from broth made from pork ribs and chicken, topped with caviar for garnish and to enhance the flavor."

He Peiru picked it up, and the moment it entered her mouth, she could feel the umami flavor mixed with a hint of sweetness. The caviar flavor blended perfectly with the broth.

Compared to the usual, conventional dishes we eat, this method of preparation is certainly much more novel.

This made her start to look forward to what other delicious food she would eat next.

Each of the subsequent dishes was served in relatively small portions, and while the presentation was exquisite, it also employed Western cooking techniques.

Although these dishes can be finished in just a few bites, you can order more if you have any favorite dishes.

He Peiru ate her dinner to her heart's content. After Gu Zhaoqian saw her put down her cutlery and had the waiter bring out dessert, he didn't linger in the restaurant any longer and said to her, "Let's go."

She assumed Gu Zhaoqian had other plans and was about to take him home when she heard him ask, "Want to go for a walk together?"

"Huh?" He Peiru paused, having already prepared to get in the car and go back. "Okay."

She had previously considered strolling around central London at night, but had never actually done so due to safety concerns.

Now, experiencing the city's prosperity with Gu Zhaoqian and looking at the bustling crowds around her, she felt a sense of unreality.

The riverbank is right outside the restaurant.

Despite the presence of travelers from all over the world, she could still feel the romantic atmosphere.

Moreover, just having Gu Zhaoqian by his side was enough to soothe the anxiety brought about by being in such an uncertain environment.

Neither of them had a specific destination in mind; they were simply taking a walk.

They strolled along aimlessly, turning into the neighborhood in unison.

And this will be the most exciting time.

The bars along the street were all bustling with people, and He Peiru took a few more curious glances.

Gu Zhaoqian also noticed this subtle movement and stopped to ask her, "Would you like to go inside and sit down?"

"OK."

We walked quite a distance without realizing it, so it was a good time to go in and take a short rest.

Although it looked crowded from the outside, there were quite a few empty seats inside the bar.

They casually found a place to sit down, and Gu Zhaoqian skillfully pushed the wine list on the table toward He Peiru: "Take a look and see what you'd like to drink?"

"Hmm..."

She looked down and began to read carefully.

The wine list is simple and thoughtfully includes non-alcoholic beverages.

Since Gu Zhaoqian was present, He Peiru had the idea of ​​trying something new, so she said, "How about... you help me choose a specialty cocktail?"