"Chenchen, you're finally back." Wang Li opened the door and looked at Xu Chen, who was late, with a hint of resentment. Xu Chen looked apologetic and said to Wang Li, "Come on, Lili, let's go out for a big meal." Hearing this, Wang Li quickly went back to the bathroom to tidy herself up, while Xu Chen went into the room to help her clean up the takeout trash, and then led Wang Li downstairs.
On the way, looking at the bustling traffic and flashing neon lights outside the window, Wang Li turned to Xu Chen and asked, "Chenchen, what kind of fancy meal is it? Is it expensive?" Xu Chen patted her head and said gently, "Feeding my little Lili, even the most expensive meal is cheap in my eyes." The driver in the front seat seemed to ache with envy upon hearing this. Soon, the two arrived at their destination. Xu Chen looked at the Western restaurant in front of them and said to Wang Li, "Lili, when we were in Xingcheng, we visited restaurants representing all eight major cuisines. Today, we're having a Western meal together." Wang Li was quite curious and was about to step inside to find out more when, as soon as they reached the entrance, Wang Li seemed to remember something and nervously said to Xu Chen, "Chenchen, I... I don't know how to eat Western food. Do you hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right, or the knife in your left hand and the fork in your right?" Xu Chen patted her shoulder and comforted her, saying, "I don't know either, so I booked a private room, just the two of us. Today, we'll eat Western food with chopsticks."
The two then entered the restaurant. Upon entering, a waiter inquired about Xu Chen's reservation. Xu Chen showed him his phone, and the waiter led them upstairs to a private room. At first glance, the table was set with lit white candles and scattered rose petals. Since Xu Chen had mentioned he was dining with his wife, he thought, "This restaurant is quite thoughtful." The two sat facing each other, occasionally glancing at the table setting and the oil paintings on the walls, which had a distinctly Western style. Wang Li picked up the knife and fork, playfully struggling with them with her left and right hands like a child. Xu Chen watched her tenderly. A moment later, the waiter brought in the steak. Xu Chen asked the waiter, "Could you bring two pairs of chopsticks?" The waiter hesitated for a moment, then replied that it was fine. Xu Chen picked up his knife and fork, ignoring his left and right hands, and tried a small piece of steak. "The taste is quite novel, Lili, you should try it." Wang Li followed suit, picking up her knife and fork and trying a small piece of steak. "Hmm." Then she cut off a small piece and said to Xu Chen, "Ah, Chenchen, open your mouth." Xu Chen did as she was told, opening his mouth and eating the steak Wang Li handed him in one bite. Afterwards, the waiter brought in chopsticks and pasta. The two put down their knives, picked up their chopsticks, and directly used them to pick up steak, taking a bite of steak and then eating a bite of pasta with their forks, just like eating Chinese food.
After finishing dessert, Wang Li looked at the dishes on the table and said to Xu Chen with some dissatisfaction, "Chenchen, don't come to eat Western food next time. The portions seem so small." Xu Chen picked up a napkin from his lap and wiped his mouth. "Yeah, the portions are too small. Our little foodie isn't full." Wang Li glared at Xu Chen, then glanced around at the dishes on the table and said to Xu Chen with some concern, "Chenchen, do you have enough money? If not, I have some more." Xu Chen waved his hand. Just then, the waiter came in to settle the bill. Xu Chen paid the bill quickly and left the private room with Wang Li. After learning the price, Wang Li felt a pang of heartache, as it was all her husband's money. She whispered to Xu Chen, "Chenchen, this price is enough for us to eat out a hundred times in Xingcheng." Xu Chen glanced at Wang Li's dissatisfaction with the Western food price and comforted her, "Okay, Lili, we just came to try something new today. We'll never eat Western food again." Wang Li nodded emphatically, then said to Xu Chen, "Chenchen, how about we walk back? I've never seen the night view of Beijing before." Xu Chen looked... Surrounded by towering buildings, Xu Chen said, "Okay, let's walk back." He then strolled along the streets of Beijing with Wang Li. Beijing truly lived up to its name; even though it was nearly eleven o'clock, the traffic was still constant. The headlights on the overpasses formed a colorful ribbon. Wang Li looked around curiously, then pulled Xu Chen and pointed to a building, saying, "Chenchen, look, the 'Big Pants' building." Xu Chen looked in the direction of her voice and found a strangely shaped building. The two chatted about this and looked at that from time to time, showing some of the characteristics of a Beijing urban planning designer.
"Chenchen, do you think we should settle down in Beijing in the future?" Wang Li, having witnessed the city's prosperity, felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of leaving in a few days and asked instinctively. Xu Chen patted Wang Li's head. "Do you want to settle down in Beijing? If so, let's work hard together." A flicker of struggle crossed Wang Li's eyes. As a Chinese, she knew all too well that the city was somewhat unattainable for her. Then her face fell. "I do want to, but my younger sister is still young, and Mom and Dad are very busy with work." She didn't mention the housing prices, only explaining the practical reasons her family faced. But honestly, if their children could truly settle down in Beijing, every Chinese parent would probably do everything in their power to overcome their own difficulties and provide the greatest support. Xu Chen understood what she was thinking. He gently touched Wang Li's fair face and said softly, "Wherever Lili is, that's where I'll be." Wang Li's gloom vanished. Yes, being with family and loved ones was a million times better than being blinded by the glitz and glamour of a metropolis. She hugged Xu Chen tightly. "Chenchen, you're so good to me." "We're going to the Forbidden City tomorrow. Remember to charge your phone." "Okay, Chenchen." "It'll be a bit hot tomorrow. I've prepared a parasol for you; it's in my room. I'll give it to you later." "Okay, Chenchen." "Remember to go to bed early tonight; you won't look pretty waking up with dark circles under your eyes tomorrow." "Okay, honey."
Back at the hotel, Xu Chen told Wang Li to come to his room for a parasol. Wang Li, like a little rabbit, went into Xu Chen's room. Xu Chen quietly locked the door. Wang Li was about to ask where the parasol was when she saw Xu Chen standing by the door with a mischievous grin. Suddenly realizing something, she nervously said, "Chenchen, are you up to something again?" Xu Chen didn't answer directly. He tossed the parasol he'd hidden behind his back onto the sofa, hugged Wang Li, and gave her a passionate French kiss, leaving her weak and flushed. Xu Chen picked up the parasol and handed it to Wang Li, patting her head and smiling, "Lili, sweet dreams tonight." Wang Li took the umbrella, nodding somewhat awkwardly, then lightly punched Xu Chen with her hand, "I knew it, Chenchen, you're such a pervert!" She quickly left the room, saying to Xu Chen at the door, "Chenchen, goodnight." Xu Chen gently replied, "Goodnight." The two then fell into a deep sleep.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
