A delicate, porcelain-white face turned around, with charming almond eyes, skin as smooth as jade, and cherry-red lips that looked luscious. Every smile and frown was like a delicate pink flower bud on a spring branch, pure and beautiful.
The two young men immediately forgot their scorn and stared blankly at Ji Xia's face, speechless for a moment.
Seeing the distracted look in their eyes, Chen Jing became even angrier.
He brazenly blocked Ji Xia's path and coldly rebuked, "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a beautiful woman before?"
With their view obstructed and the pretty girl's true face hidden, the two young men finally regained their senses.
He subconsciously glanced behind Chen Jing: "What's it to you if I'm looking at my beauty?"
Chen Jing was even angrier and was about to speak when a soft, boneless hand covered his mouth.
Ji Xia peeked out from behind his shoulder, her expression cold and impatient: "He is my fiancé. Also, I hope you won't overinterpret our mutual support and encouragement. If you don't want to hear it, just walk away."
After she finished speaking, she took Chen Jing's hand and whispered, "I'm hungry. Don't waste time with such an unimportant person. Let's find a place to eat. I've heard that there are many famous snacks in the capital. Shall we go and try them?"
Chen Jing was angry, but Ji Xia's words of comfort immediately dispelled his anger.
Hearing that she was hungry, Chen Jing immediately replied, "Okay, would you like lamb hot pot or roast duck? Wang Luoran has told me about several time-honored restaurants, each with its own unique characteristics—"
"I've never had lamb hot pot before. I've heard that eating lamb can warm and nourish your hands and feet in cold weather—"
Chen Jing knew that Ji Xia loved food, and had even asked Wang Luoran for advice on Beijing cuisine on the way.
The two took a bus to Donglaishun Hot Pot Restaurant in Wangfujing, ordered a mutton hot pot, and some side dishes.
The waiter quickly brought out a milky white mutton soup base, various side dishes, two large plates of thinly sliced mutton, mutton intestines and tripe, and two small dishes of dipping sauce.
Before long, the small square table was filled with food. Chen Jing asked for a pot of hot water and put the two people's bowls and chopsticks into a small bowl to slowly warm them.
Ji Xia stared intently as Chen Jing's slender fingers deftly twirled, quickly scalding each bowl and plate. Suddenly, she smiled and said, "Chen Jing, you're so thoughtful and considerate; you'll spoil me."
Chen Jing chuckled and looked up: "It doesn't matter if you spoil them, I'll take responsibility for them for the rest of my life!"
As he was speaking, his smile suddenly vanished: "These two bugs came along too, how disgusting."
Ji Xia turned around and saw the two young men she had met on the road earlier. They had also followed her to Donglaishun. When they saw Ji Xia, they suddenly gave her a fawning smile.
Ji Xia turned her head with a cold expression, but whispered, "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. In this capital city, any random stone could probably hit three officials or their relatives and friends. You should restrain yourself."
A surge of anger welled up in Chen Jing's heart, but he suppressed it and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person who can't plan ahead. Just focus on taking the exam."
Ji Xia nodded, first serving each of them a bowl of mutton soup, then pouring in half of the mutton tripe, intestines, and meat.
The lamb slices were so thin that they changed color very quickly when poured out.
Chen Jing scooped a few pieces of mutton into her bowl and said, "This mutton should be very tender, want to try some?"
"It is indeed very tender, melting in your mouth. Donglaishun truly lives up to its reputation."
Not only is it tender, but neither the mutton soup nor the mutton itself has any gamey smell, which is truly rare.
The two of them were so engrossed in their meal that they completely forgot about everyone else and thoroughly enjoyed their meal.
The sun had fallen below the horizon, its afterglow still painting half the sky a crimson hue, while the other half was a deep, hazy blue-purple.
Ji Xia ate until she was half full, and finally had time to look up at the twilight outside the window and the endless stream of cars on the street.
The hustle and bustle of the big city is still more comfortable to look at. She turned around and smiled happily, "Teacher Rong registered me a long time ago. Tomorrow I will bring my work to Teacher Rong for guidance. However, the exam is in half a month. Will we continue to stay in the guesthouse?"
Chen Jing thought for a moment and said, "After I take you to see Teacher Rong tomorrow, I'll wander around and see if there are any houses for rent."
Alternatively, you could buy a house and live there.
He had a mysterious confidence in Ji Xia. How could someone who could draw so many appealing designs not get into college? He didn't believe it.
Since Ji Xia is going to stay here for several years, he has to find a way to buy a house and stay here.
Otherwise, with such a beautiful and elegant young wife, even two random passersby would be reluctant to leave.
Once you get into school, who knows how many competitors you'll encounter?
After eating for more than half an hour, Ji Xia was full. She looked at the remaining mutton and side dishes, and then at the prices on the menu. This meal cost them twenty yuan, which was equivalent to a month's salary in the countryside.
"There's still so much left. Can you finish it all? It'll be a waste if you don't.
Chen Jing nodded nonchalantly: "Don't worry, it won't be a waste. Leave it to me."
Sure enough, Ji Xia sipped mutton soup and kept Chen Jing company, while Chen Jing finished off all the remaining mutton, offal, and side dishes.
Back on Chaoyang Street, they weren't in a hurry to return to the guesthouse. Instead, they took a leisurely stroll on the nearby streets to digest their food.
He chuckled and rubbed his stomach, "So full, I can go on a big battle tonight without getting hungry."
"Dream on."
Ji Xia glared at him, her pretty face full of weariness: "You've been on the train for forty or fifty hours, aren't you tired? I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open, and I need to be in the best condition to see Teacher Rong tomorrow."
"Moreover, we are now engaged. If we live together and someone finds out during a room check, I'm afraid I'll be sent back to my hometown. If that happens, I'll have no choice but to get a divorce and take the exam at another art academy."
Chen Jing sighed regretfully, his mind now completely blank.
It seems that he can only buy his own house as soon as possible so that he won't have to spend his nights alone.
Back at the guesthouse, as the two went upstairs, the staff specifically reminded them to return to their respective rooms and not to linger in each other's rooms.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xia happily thanked the waiter, while Chen Jing looked dejected.
At dawn, the rosy dawn pushed back the deep blue sky, and a white mist veiled the outside of the window, while the cool air slowly seeped in through the cracks in the glass.
Ji Xia lay huddled under the covers, her breath coming in tiny droplets of mist that condensed in the air.
February in the capital was truly cold. She rubbed her hands together, glanced at her watch under her pillow, and realized it was almost eight o'clock. She had no choice but to sit up, wrapped in her blanket.
She put on the thick sweater and wool pants from the bedside table one by one, then put on a loose puffer jacket over them, but wore tight-fitting skinny jeans and mid-calf sheepskin shoes, dressing herself up nicely.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
