They walked to the dining area.
Lin Yiren’s gaze swept around. Several exquisitely decorated and bustling restaurants caught her eye, stirring up her appetite.
But Chen Zhaoyue didn’t stop at any of them, still pulling her along.
After turning a corner, they saw a Western restaurant playing soothing music. Inside, handsome men and beautiful women sat facing each other, swirling red wine in a romantic atmosphere.
Could it be this one? It looked high-class and elegant, very “young lady” style. But it would probably be even better at night, with something like a Candlelight Dinner.
Lin Yiren watched as they drew closer to the restaurant, her imagination running wild.
Yet they didn’t even pause at the entrance, instead taking another turn and stopping in front of a restaurant with wooden decor.
Compared to the other places, this one seemed a bit deserted, with only a few people coming and going.
“Doesn’t seem like many people come here.”
“That’s because it’s by reservation only. Let’s go in.”
Inside, the space was very spacious, divided into many small Private Rooms.
Before long, someone came to lead them into one of the Private Rooms.
“Is this place for rich people only?”
Lin Yiren looked around at the elegant decor.
“No, you just have to book in advance, that’s all.” Chen Zhaoyue smiled.
The Beautician brought in a pot of tea and two cups.
“Could we trouble you for a basin of hot water?” Lin Yiren said.
Once the hot water arrived, Lin Yiren used it to rinse their utensils.
“Thank you.” Chen Zhaoyue smiled with her eyes.
“Mm… Every time my mom eats out, she insists on scalding everything first.”
“Oh.”
The two sat facing each other, sipping their tea in silence for a while.
This was their first time eating out together. It felt a little different from eating at home.
***
Lin Yiren shifted in her seat, searching her mind for a topic.
“I thought you were going to that Western restaurant earlier.”
“I’ve eaten there before. It doesn’t fill me up.” Chen Zhaoyue frowned, showing a troubled, rather cute expression.
But she quickly relaxed and smiled, “Did you want Western food, or maybe… a Candlelight Dinner with lit candles?”
To have her thoughts seen through, Lin Yiren’s face grew flustered at once.
“No! I was just making conversation.”
Seeing her flustered denial, Chen Zhaoyue couldn’t help but curl her lips and said, “Then next time, let’s go—Candlelight Dinner.”
“Sure.” Lin Yiren suddenly calmed down and replied in an even tone.
Chen Zhaoyue hadn’t expected her to agree so directly. Her pink lips parted slightly, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Lin Yiren appeared calm, but her ears hidden beneath her hair were already bright red.
She recalled her father’s words, not to always be hesitant or timid.
She didn’t know if Chen Zhaoyue liked boys or girls, nor did she quite understand her own situation yet, but at least, having once been a boy, she couldn’t always remain passive.
And now, the one flustered had become Chen Zhaoyue.
Lin Yiren felt a sense of accomplishment, her face taking on an even more serene air.
Chen Zhaoyue returned to herself, and the indifferent expression of the girl before her made her want to break through it, to see her reveal that shy look she once had.
At this moment, there was a sound at the door—the Beautician had brought their food.
A steaming plate of Red Braised Pork was set on the table, the glistening fat wobbling as if it would burst with juice at a bite.
***
Lin Yiren couldn’t help but swallow. She filled her own bowl with rice, and then did the same for Chen Zhaoyue, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her, “Let’s eat then.”
Seeing her so eager, Chen Zhaoyue couldn’t help but smile.
Forget it, she’d let her go this time.
“Let’s eat.” She picked up a piece of meat and put it in her bowl as well.
Lin Yiren bit into the Red Braised Pork with her rice.
Tender, fragrant, and sweet.
Next came Stir-fried Chicken with Chestnuts and Dry Pot Cauliflower.
Lin Yiren ate with oil running down her lips, biting off the cauliflower stem with a single “ah-woo” before eating the rest.
Chen Zhaoyue also ate heartily, though not as wildly as Lin Yiren.
“You said you come here often. Are these your usual dishes?” Lin Yiren asked.
“Mm. I also like to order Stir-fried Wagyu Beef and Pickled Cabbage Wagyu.” Chen Zhaoyue listed them off.
“Chen Zhaoyue, do you really like meat?”
“Yeah. Vegetarian dishes are nice, but I don’t think they have much flavor.”
Somehow, this didn’t quite fit the image of a young lady, though Chen Zhaoyue hadn’t really acted much like one anyway.
“Do you usually exercise? Eating all this meat has a lot of calories, right?” Lin Yiren probed for Chen Zhaoyue’s preferences.
But Chen Zhaoyue didn’t answer immediately. She looked at her and said, “Did you just call me ‘Chen Zhaoyue’? You’ve been doing that a lot lately.”
“Wh-what about it?”
“Didn’t you say you’d call me ‘Zhao Yue’? I’ve always called you ‘Yiren.'”
Lin Yiren’s face flushed. She’d only called her “Zhao Yue” a few times during their trip, and the intimacy of it made her a little shy.
“Then, Zhao Yue, do you usually exercise?” Her gaze flickered, her long lashes fluttering.
Chen Zhaoyue showed a satisfied smile. “Can’t say I like it, but I do have the habit.”
No wonder she’s so strong. Well, if she’s not a sports enthusiast, then if I practice hard, I can surpass her one day.
Lin Yiren cheered herself on internally.
“Do you have any other hobbies?”
“And…”
During this fragrant lunch, their conversation became a dish of its own.
Lin Yiren put down her chopsticks, looking satisfied.
Not just because her stomach was full, but because she learned more about Chen Zhaoyue.
Her hobbies, her tastes, some of her experiences at university—Lin Yiren felt she’d gotten a little closer to her.
***
They left the restaurant and strolled leisurely.
From the top floor down to the second, Lin Yiren’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Ahead was a Game Arcade. A middle-aged man was skillfully dancing on the Dance Machine, drawing a crowd.
“Have you ever played in a Game Arcade?” Lin Yiren asked Chen Zhaoyue.
“No.”
“Let’s go check it out then,” Lin Yiren invited with anticipation, “Zhao Yue.”
Looking at the bright-eyed, smiling girl beside her, Chen Zhaoyue couldn’t refuse.
“Let’s go.”
The Game Arcade was already packed. Many young faces laughed and joked amid the noise.
Lin Yiren led Chen Zhaoyue through the crowd, the basket of coins in her hand jingling crisply.
“Let’s try this one.”
Lin Yiren pointed to a floating Motorcycle and approached to insert coins.
What is this, just like those kiddie rides?
Chen Zhaoyue folded her arms, wondering if it would sing a nursery rhyme when you sat down.
Lin Yiren had already hopped on, gripping the handles. “Come on, just hold on like you’re riding. Watch the screen to control the direction.”
Chen Zhaoyue swung a leg over, copying Lin Yiren and leaning forward to grab the handles.
“Here we go!”
She heard Lin Yiren’s voice, and then the screen in front of her became a racetrack, her bike shooting off with exhaust fumes.
Oh, so you steer by moving the handlebars.
A slight smile appeared at the corner of the young lady’s lips as she made a cool turn.
Then—the bike crashed into the guardrail.
On the screen, the bumper car-like Motorcycle quickly erased Chen Zhaoyue’s smile.
This controller is terrible, Chen Zhaoyue frowned prettily.
She glanced to the side.
Lin Yiren sat astride her seat, leaning skillfully left and right, her hair swaying with her body like a real rider.
And on her screen, the Motorcycle dashed past the others, roaring across the finish line.
Lin Yiren straightened, a triumphant smile on her delicate face.
She turned and saw Chen Zhaoyue’s Motorcycle ramming the guardrail. She couldn’t help but show her little tiger teeth as she hopped off.
“You have to move with it.” Lin Yiren approached to show her.
But Chen Zhaoyue just hopped off and said, “Why don’t you show me?”
Lin Yiren hesitated but got on. Just as she was about to start, someone mounted the bike behind her, a pair of hands encircling her waist.
The touch at her waist made her jolt, a tingling sensation spreading from where she was held.
“What are you doing up here!”
“Let me experience it—I’ll learn faster that way.” Chen Zhaoyue was perfectly justified.
The people around glanced over at the two beautiful girls pressed together.
Lin Yiren’s face burned bright red, and the softness behind her sent heat surging through her body.
She forced herself to focus and started the game.
Faster! Accelerate!
Only when “Last Place” appeared on the screen did those pale hands finally leave her waist.
Lin Yiren felt a little weak in the knees.
Chen Zhaoyue held her warm, limp hand and helped her down.
“Yiren, you’re amazing.” She praised sincerely.
“…Mm,” Lin Yiren’s voice drifted. “But this is really a single-player game.”
“Ah? I see. It was my first time playing,” Chen Zhaoyue put on an “apologetic” face.
Lin Yiren steadied herself and said, “It’s fine, let’s try something else. I’ll teach you.”
With that, she turned to look for the next game.
Chen Zhaoyue covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes narrowing in delight.
As evening approached, the two finally left the mall side by side.
Lin Yiren was still holding a pink pig plushie—the prize from the Claw Machine, bought with their last coins.
It was a gift for Xing Yao.
Uncle Xu was already waiting by the roadside.
Chen Zhaoyue got in first and took the plushie, and Lin Yiren sat down beside her.
“Let’s go—to the banquet.”