Chapter 57: "Commoner" Date (Part 1)

Zhao Chen's almost suffocating kiss, which was filled with punishment and possession, was like the most domineering seal, temporarily suppressing the doubts, cold anger and sharp fear that were churning in Yu Ling's heart.

She was like a small boat that was forcibly dragged into a safe harbor amidst the raging sea. She was exhausted and could only passively indulge in his hot breath and unquestionable control, letting her confused mind return to a tired chaos in the dizziness of lack of oxygen.

Over the next few days, Zhao Chen's clingy tactics reached an all-time high. He was almost always by Yu Ling's side, squeezing her living space into a tiny radius centered around him.

The good morning kiss in the early morning was filled with an irresistible tenderness; he would pick her up after get off work rain or shine, and would even wait downstairs an hour in advance; after dinner, he was no longer satisfied with just sitting side by side on the sofa, but would hold Yu Ling in his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head, like a dragon guarding a treasure, and even when she turned the pages of a book, she had to hold his hand while he did so.

Yu Ling was like being wrapped in airtight syrup. His gentleness was meticulous, his consideration was pervasive, and the deep, inextricable cherishment and attachment in his eyes was so real that it made her heart tremble.

In that eye-catching photo taken by Stanford Lake, Gu Qianqian's sweet and coquettish "Brother Chen" seemed to have been swept into the corner of memory by the surging daily love, and was covered with a layer of blur.

She began to cooperate with his "confinement," even leaning over to kiss the corner of his lips to comfort him when he occasionally expressed his frustration at having their time alone interrupted by work messages. The false sense of security brought on by the lease contract seemed to become solid again thanks to Zhao Chen's meticulous "reinforcement."

However, only Yu Ling herself knew that the reef called "doubt" deep in her heart had never disappeared. It sank to the bottom of the warm syrup, cold and hard.

Late at night, Zhao Chen fell asleep beside her, his breathing steady. She would open her eyes and gaze upon his hazy, handsome silhouette in the darkness. Gu Qianqian's bright smile and affectionate inscription from the photo would quietly resurface, a silent mockery. She was like a captive with exquisite acting skills, enjoying the splendor of the golden cage and the care of her owner, yet constantly yearning to glimpse the reality beyond.

On Saturday evening, the afterglow of the setting sun painted the city a warm orange. Instead of booking a fancy restaurant as usual, Zhao Chen changed into a more down-to-earth outfit: washed-out light blue jeans, a plain gray cotton hooded sweatshirt, and clean white sneakers. He looked as fresh as a recent graduate, his air of oppression deliberately suppressed.

"Lingling," he walked to Yu Ling who was changing shoes, with an eager, excited smile that belonged to a young man on his face, "I'll take you to a good place today! Experience the happiness of 'common people'!" He blinked, his eyes sparkling and a little mysterious.

"A good place?" Yu Ling looked at his attire and the rare, almost childish look of anticipation on his face in confusion. "Where are we going?"

"Keep it a secret!" Zhao Chen smiled and kept the secret, then took the bag from her naturally. "I guarantee that it will open your eyes and make you reluctant to leave!" He took her hand and walked out the door with light steps.

The car did not drive towards the familiar bustling business district or private club, but instead made many turns and drove into a street in the old city that was extremely lively.

The further we drove, the narrower the road became, lined with old residential buildings adorned with neon signs. The air began to fill with a complex and alluring blend of food aromas—the charred aroma of barbecue, the tang of fried food, the sweet and greasy taste of sugar-roasted chestnuts, and the spicy aroma of stir-fried chilies and spices.

Finally, the car struggled to find a parking space near the entrance to a large, brightly lit open-air plaza.

"We're here!" Zhao Chen parked the car, his tone slightly smug as he unbuckled Yu Ling's seatbelt. "Welcome to the West City Starlight Night Market! Haicheng's most famous 'late-night restaurant'!"

Yu Ling was pulled out of the car by him and was instantly shocked by the scene before her!

The vast square was illuminated by countless bright incandescent lights and colorful bulbs, making it as bright as day! The crowds were bustling and bustling! The endless stalls stretched like a long winding dragon, steaming and swirling with smoke!

Grilled squid sizzles on the iron plate, oil splashing everywhere; the huge pan of fried skewers rolls with golden waves; spicy crayfish piled up like a hill, their bright red color whetting the appetite; the "exotic aroma" of stinky tofu domineeringly wafts through the air; there are also candied haws, grilled cold noodles, grilled tofu, fried rice noodles, freshly squeezed juice... snacks from all over the world gather here, forming a torrent of sensory impact!

The clamor of vendors, the laughter of diners, the clatter of pots and pans, the playful clatter of children... all these sounds blend together to form a vibrant, deafening background sound! The air is filled with a rich, unique aroma of grease, spices, sweat, and the smell of fireworks, which hits you in the face, real and warm!

"So many people?!" Yu Ling's mouth dropped open slightly in shock at this unprecedented, wild, vibrant scene. She subconsciously tightened her grip on Zhao Chen's hand. This was completely different from the refined, quiet, and distant world she usually encountered!

"Are you scared?" Zhao Chen looked down at her, his amber eyes flashing with a mischievous smile under the bright lights of the night market. He held her hand tighter with his backhand and led her to him, "Don't be afraid, follow me closely! I'll take you to experience the real world!" His voice was filled with a strange excitement and confidence, as if he was back at home.

He pulled Yu Ling along, and like a nimble fish, they expertly merged into the surging crowd. His tall frame separated her from the crowd, and his arm naturally wrapped around her shoulders, forming a small, safe, protective circle.

"Come, try this! It's a Haicheng specialty!" Zhao Chen pulled her to a long line at a grilled squid stall. The stall owner, a burly man with bare chest and a towel draped around his neck, deftly flipped large strings of squid tentacles on the sizzling iron plate, brushing them with a secret sauce and sprinkling them with cumin and chili powder. The aroma was so overbearing it filled everyone's nose!

"Boss, two big ones! More chili!" Zhao Chen's voice was loud and familiar, completely devoid of his usual reserve. He scanned the code to pay smoothly and naturally.

Soon, two skewers of squid tentacles, roasted to a scorching aroma and coated in an alluring sauce, were handed over. Zhao Chen took them and thrust one into Yu Ling's hands, "Be careful! Eat them while they're hot, or they'll be fishy when they're cold!"

Yu Ling looked at the huge, shiny, and pungent string of "street food" in her hand, then looked at the diners around her who were eating with their mouths full of grease and no manners at all, and her heart was a little hesitant. But encouraged by Zhao Chen's expectant eyes, she mustered up the courage and carefully took a bite.

Piping hot! Chewy! The salty aroma of the sauce, the sweetness of the squid, the tang of the chili peppers, and the spicy aroma of the cumin exploded in her mouth! A raw and direct taste sensation instantly overwhelmed her! Delicious! Really delicious! It was completely different from the delicate, less "wok-fried" food she usually ate!

"How is it?" Zhao Chen also took a big bite, his cheeks puffed up, and asked vaguely, looking at her with bright eyes.

"Hmm! Delicious!" Yu Ling gasped because of the heat, but her eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously, with a smile of surprise from the heart on her face!

Zhao Chen watched her expression light up with delight, his smile deepening with pure satisfaction. He reached out and, with his fingertips, wiped the sauce from the corner of her mouth, his movements natural and intimate. "Let's go! Next stop!"