Chapter Sixty-Nine: Inviting Guests for Dinner
Chu Zhen drives me to work every day. Usually, I ask him to stop at the intersection so he doesn't have to turn around. Today, I didn't say anything, and he drove straight to the entrance of my workplace.
"Sister Lin Dang, is that your boyfriend in the car?" I ran into Yao Yao as soon as I got out of the car.
"Hmm!" Yao Yao is a big mouth. If she knows something, within an hour, not to mention the whole newspaper, at least the entire department will know. I didn't deny it, or perhaps I just wanted others to know.
"So handsome~" Yao Yao wasn't lying; her infatuated gaze was all too real.
I didn't say much and walked towards the office.
After starting work, Chu Zhen and I discussed issues related to "food safety" online. We decided to start by investigating the vegetable markets where counterfeit goods were circulating. We arranged to have lunch together and then go to the vegetable market to investigate around 3 p.m.
"Lin Dang, let's have lunch together~" I shut down my computer and was about to leave when Amy came into my office.
"Sorry, I have an appointment for lunch."
"Is it Chu Zhen? Would you mind if I came along? I haven't seen him since I came back." Amy smiled and was very poised. If I refused, it would make me seem petty.
"We originally planned to invite you to dinner during our break, but let's do it today!" Since you're Chu Zhen's sister, I'm practically her future sister-in-law, so there's no need to be reserved.
When Amy and I appeared in front of Chu Zhen at the same time, I saw the surprise on his face, but it was fleeting. He opened the passenger door for me and fastened my seatbelt. He usually does these things, and I always say that I can do it. But today, I was enjoying what he was doing for me with ease.
Chu Zhen saw that Amy only nodded slightly, and then Amy got into the back seat by herself.
"Didn't you suddenly crave steak yesterday? I've made a reservation for today at your favorite place."
What's my favorite food? I wondered to myself. I'm not a picky eater, and I would never choose a restaurant just because of what I eat. Besides, when it comes to steak, my favorite is Chu Zhen's.
"What? Don't want to eat anymore?" Perhaps seeing that I didn't say anything, Chu Zhen turned to look at me.
"I don't mind, Amy. Is there anything you'd like to eat?" I turned to look at the back seat, since I should ask Amy's opinion before treating her.
"It's okay, I really like steak. Is it the same place we went to last time?" Amy remained poised and confident, but the implication was that she and Chu Zhen had dined alone at a Western restaurant.
“No,” Chu Zhen said coldly.
When we arrived at our destination, it was a restaurant I had never been to before. Huang Yanyan had said before that it was very expensive, and she had never been to it when she was on her allowance. After that, we mostly ate at street food stalls and skewers, and rarely went to such upscale places.
The waiter politely and warmly opened the door and led us to a quiet spot by the window. Looking out, we were overlooking the most bustling area of City A. Regardless of the taste, the location alone was enough to make this the most expensive restaurant in City A.
Chu Zhen helped me move a chair so I could sit down, and then sat down next to me. Amy didn't say anything and sat down opposite me.
"A medium-rare sirloin steak, a black truffle pasta, a cappuccino with mushroom soup and Earl Grey tea, and a foie gras cup," Chu Zhen ordered, handing the menu to Amy.
“I remember you always liked well-done steak, you liked the tender and juicy taste,” Amy said to Chu Zhen as she took the menu.
"Lin Dang has a sensitive stomach."
"Amy, what do you want to eat?" Chu Zhen was such a cold-faced king. Although I was a little unhappy, I knew I would be seeing Amy all the time, so I couldn't let things get too awkward.
"Lin Dang, how can you stand Chu Zhen's serious and unsmiling demeanor?" Amy asked me with a smile after taking a sip of water.
"Never smiles?" I deliberately glanced at Chu Zhen, who was clearly smiling at me!
"By the way, Chu Zhen, I'm new here and don't know much about City A. I see that Lin Dang is quite busy every day and doesn't have time to show me around. Why don't you show me around?"
"I'm busy too~" Chu Zhen didn't even glance at her.
"I don't have any missions lately, I'll keep you company!" Although we're not related by blood, there's still a connection, and it wouldn't be good to make things too awkward, so I offered.
"Okay, then I'll ask you out first, don't find me annoying then~"
"No, that won't happen~"
The meal was extremely awkward, but Amy seemed quite at ease, as if she was used to the atmosphere.
After dinner, Chu Zhen and I had to do some preparatory work and discuss how to proceed, while Amy took a taxi home alone.
"Pretty good, the two of them even ate steak alone!" I said sarcastically. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I'm becoming more and more insecure. I always feel like I'm jealous.
"I didn't expect you to have such a talent for acting! You seemed quite poised and confident just now!"
"Don't change the subject. Be honest. Things are different now. From now on, you must report any private moments with members of the opposite sex." I didn't give Chu Zhen a chance to make excuses.
"Sigh, married men are so pitiful. Luckily, I still have a chance."
"Chu Zhen, do you want to die?"
Chu Zhen still didn't answer the question about their meal alone, and I wisely refrained from pressing him. Since Chu Zhen had already made his intentions so obvious in front of me and Amy, there was no need for me to dwell on a meal. Besides, Amy recognized me the moment she saw me, so Chu Zhen must have already told her who I was.
Chu Zhen and I started collaborating again because of our feature report. It's funny how our relationship seems to grow stronger with each collaboration. I wonder what surprises this collaboration will bring us.
The market was our first stop on our undercover investigation. Chu Zhen and I went there early in the morning, right at the peak of the vegetable season. Most of the shoppers were middle-aged or elderly people. Young people mostly bought vegetables on their way home from work, while the elderly would rush to buy fresh produce early in the morning. Chu Zhen and I being at the market at this time was rather unexpected.
"You two are so loving. These days, most young people prefer to order online, and it's rare to see a young couple like you shopping at the market," the auntie at the meat stall said enviously.
"Give me some pork shoulder and a piece of pork shoulder."
Good heavens, there are different kinds of pork? This is the first time I've ever heard of that.
"Looks like you're the cook at home!" The aunt smiled and cut two pieces of meat according to Chu Zhen's request. "Girl, you're so lucky!"
"Thank you!" I said, feeling a little embarrassed.
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