Chapter 25
Lin Qi was so amused by Chen Yan's metaphor that "the soft Wu dialect can also be a soft knife" that he almost cried with laughter.
"I can imagine it," she said, laughing, finally catching her breath. "So, the tone isn't important; what's important is the content."
Seeing her smile so happily, the smile in Chen Yan's eyes became deeper and deeper, as if he was completely infected by her happiness.
He nodded, agreeing with her conclusion: "Yes."
"The content and the look in your eyes when you speak are the key," he added, looking at her very gently and with a smile.
He really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and her unguarded laughter.
Chen Yan watched her slowly stop laughing, picked up a tissue and wiped the corners of his eyes, then picked up his chopsticks again and moved the plate of steamed grouper that they had barely touched to the middle.
"Okay, enough laughing." There was still a hint of laughter in his voice. "We were having so much fun chatting that we almost forgot about the protagonist."
"Come," he said, "try the fish. Otherwise, it will get cold."
Lin Qi was amused by him again. He lowered his head and started eating the fish seriously.
Seeing her laugh again, the smile in Chen Yan's eyes became even brighter. He liked to see her happy like this, for no reason, he just felt good.
He also picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish and tasted it carefully.
For the rest of the time, they kept quiet, letting the food on the table truly take center stage. The conversation slowed down, with him perhaps explaining the cooking process between courses, or she commenting on the flavor of a dessert.
There was no more testing and pushing and pulling, no more deep, heartfelt confessions; everything became very homely and peaceful. Just like a couple who have been together for a long time, the most comfortable state is to sit together and have a good meal.
The dinner was coming to an end, and Lin Qi waved to pay the bill, but Chen Yan took the lead and paid with his mobile phone.
She looked at him with some confusion.
He put down his phone, looked at her, and explained seriously:
"This is the first stop in our 'grand plan' and it is of great significance."
"According to the rules, I, the only invited guest, should be the one to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to show my sincerity."
He looked at her and made the final decision in a gentle tone that brooked no room for argument:
"So, this time, I have to come."
"Next time, and the next time, I'll follow Guide Lin's instructions."
Lin Qi looked at his serious expression and readily agreed: "Okay, then let's follow the rules."
She accepted his "rules" so readily that the smile on his face became even more pronounced.
He nodded and said seriously, "Okay."
Then, in a tone of anticipation, he very naturally "booked" the next appointment:
"Then I will look forward to Guide Lin's next arrangement."
He glanced out the window and saw that it was already late at night.
"It's getting late," he stood up and naturally helped her take off the coat that was draped over the back of the chair and handed it to her, "Shall we go?"
"Yeah." Lin Qi nodded, stood up and put on his coat.
Chen Yan waited for her to get dressed, then naturally reached out and held her hand.
This action was no longer as tentative and uncertain as it had been at the theater entrance. His palms were warm and dry, wrapping around her firmly, as if it was a matter of course.
They walked out of the restaurant side by side and back into the cool night air.
"I called a taxi." He glanced at his phone. "It should be here soon."
They stood by the roadside, not saying a word, just quietly watching the traffic and neon lights in front of them. The hand he held became the most stable anchor in this bustling city.
Soon, a car stopped in front of them.
He opened the car door for her, helped her get in, and then got in himself. From beginning to end, he never let go of her hand.
The car started smoothly, and just like the last time he took her home, they fell into a very comfortable silence that did not require words.
But this time, their identities have quietly changed.
They are no longer "first acquaintances with a good impression of each other", but two people who tacitly include each other in their future plans.
The car drove smoothly all the way and soon arrived at the gate of Lin Qi's community.
Just like last time, he got out of the car with her, held her hand, walked through the quiet path, and sent her to the gate of the apartment building.
They stopped and he released his grip, handing her the shopping bag containing her loot.
"Here we are," he whispered.
The surroundings were very quiet, and he didn't brew anything in silence like last time. He just looked at her with a very gentle look and a calm smile.
Then, naturally, as if doing something very ordinary, he lowered his head slightly and kissed her.
This kiss was longer than the last one, warmer and more determined. It was no longer a test, but a confirmation.
After they separated, his thumb gently stroked her slightly red cheek.
"Okay, let's go up." His voice was low, with a hint of smile, "Get some rest early."
He looked at her, thought for a moment, and then asked a new question in a negotiating, slightly expectant tone:
"I'll wake you up tomorrow morning, okay?"
Lin Qi was slightly stunned, a blush still lingering on her face. "What are you calling me for? Are you calling me on the phone?"
Seeing her slightly stunned and blushing as she asked this question, the smile in Chen Yan's eyes deepened, as if he thought her reaction was extremely cute.
He did not answer immediately, but took a small step forward, raised his hand, and touched her hot cheek very lightly with the back of his fingers.
"Yeah," he replied in a low voice, his voice carrying a hint of gentle magnetism in the quiet night, "Call."
He looked her in the eye and added in a tone that was half joking and half serious:
"Or are you afraid... the sound of just waking up in the morning is not pleasant?"
He gently threw the "pressure" of this issue back to her with a gentle teasing.
"Okay," he withdrew his hand and made the decision for her without waiting for her answer. "It's settled."
"Come on up, it's cold outside."
"...Tomorrow morning, wait for my call."
"Okay, then I'll go upstairs. Be careful on the way." Lin Qi blushed, turned around and ran into the corridor in a somewhat "fleeing" manner.
Looking at her back like a frightened deer, Chen Yan finally couldn't help but laugh softly. He could feel her shyness, and also the joy that could not be hidden beneath that shyness.
He didn't turn around and leave immediately, but stood downstairs of her house for a long time.
It was not until the light in a window upstairs came on that he felt as if he had finally completed his escort mission for the night and finally felt relieved.
He averted his gaze, the smile still lingering on his face. Then, he turned, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked slowly into the dark night, taking steps that were more relaxed and more determined than ever before.
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