Zheng Feng opened the passenger door, piled his things on the seat, then turned around and saw Wei Juan standing there in a daze.
"Get in the car."
Wei Juan said "Oh" and sat down.
The car started and slowly merged into the traffic. The interior was quiet, with only the slight hum of the engine.
Wei Juan looked down at the paper bag in her arms. Inside, a sky-blue dress resembled a tiny piece of the sky. She gripped the bag's handle tightly, her voice barely a whisper, and said:
"Dad... thank you."
"I'm your dad, there's nothing to thank me for," Zheng Feng said with a smile.
Next, Zheng Feng took Wei Juan to the state-run restaurant.
This was Wei Juan's first time visiting a state-run restaurant.
Before, she could only watch Wei Lili's family eat at state-run restaurants, but now, she can come too.
The state-run restaurant was bustling with activity, filled with the rich aroma of meat and oil, making one's stomach rumble. The clinking of white porcelain bowls and plates, and the loud calls of the waiters, were all a stark contrast to the world outside.
Wei Juan clutched the hem of her clothes, her feet seemingly rooted to the spot, not daring to move an inch.
Every table here, every waiter in a clean uniform, even the gleaming wooden floor, was exactly as Wei Lili had described when she boasted about it. Before, this place was like the moon in the sky to her—visible but unattainable.
Zheng Feng seemed to sense her unease. He didn't say anything, but simply reached out his broad hand and gently pushed her back, leading her to an empty table by the window.
"Sit down." He pulled out a chair.
Wei Juan sat down cautiously, only daring to sit on the front half of the chair, her back ramrod straight, like a student afraid of being called on by the teacher in class.
A waiter in a white coat came over with a menu and asked routinely, "Comrade, what would you like to eat?"
Zheng Feng didn't look at the menu, but pushed the booklet in front of Wei Juan: "Xiao Juan, order whatever you want to eat."
Wei Juan's gaze fell on the menu, where "braised pork," "sweet and sour fish," and "stir-fried mutton with scallions" were printed on it... Each dish name seemed to have a hook, making her itch with desire, but she dared not order them. Just hearing the names of these dishes, she knew they would cost a lot of money and tickets.
She pushed the menu back, her voice barely audible, "Dad...you decide, I...I'm fine with whatever I want to eat."
Looking at her timid appearance, Zheng Feng sighed inwardly. He didn't press the matter further and directly told the waiter, "Bring all your signature dishes. Braised pork, sweet and sour carp, stir-fried pork slices, stir-fried eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers, cucumber salad, and tomato and egg soup. Three bowls of rice, please."
The waiter paused on the paper, glanced at Zheng Feng, then at the thin, petite girl opposite him, a hint of surprise in his eyes. These days, only the wealthy could order food like that.
"Comrade, are you sure you want them all?"
"Confirmed." Zheng Feng's tone was calm and unquestionable.
The waiter didn't ask any more questions, wrote down the order, and then shouted to the kitchen, "Table three! Braised pork belly, sweet and sour fish, stir-fried pork slices..."
As she rattled off a long list of dishes, the diners at the next table couldn't help but cast curious glances. Wei Juan's face flushed red instantly, and she wished she could bury her head under the table.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
