The sports car smoothly made its way toward the restaurant.
Lin Luan, sitting in the front passenger seat, shifted his posture a little, and his gaze inadvertently swept over the back seat, then paused in mild surprise.
On the leather seat in the back, there sat a plush Labrador stuffed toy, perfectly upright.
It looked brand new, its pair of honest black glass eyes staring straight ahead, as if it were another passenger in the car.
Lin Luan found it a bit amusing, and a little unexpected.
This really didn’t fit the simple and rather cold style he associated with Su Jin.
“Su Jin.” Lin Luan couldn’t help but speak, curiosity tinging his tone, “Is that puppy in the back new?”
He remembered the last time he rode in this car, there was no such toy.
Su Jin, who was focused on driving, paused for a second. Without turning around, she kept her eyes on the road and answered nonchalantly.
“Yeah, passed by a toy shop yesterday, bought it on a whim.” She hesitated, then tried to cover it up with another sentence, “The car was too empty, just put something in to fill the space.”
Su Jin’s ears gradually turned red.
Oh no, she forgot to take the puppy pillow she bought from the toy store back home last time.
“Really?” Lin Luan replied softly, his voice gentle, “It looks pretty cute.”
“Mm.” Su Jin answered coolly, “I think so too.”
A brief silence settled in the car until the sports car stopped in front of a restaurant with a distinctive style.
This was no ordinary roadside restaurant.
It was a meticulously restored historic Bund building, its stone exterior walls glowing warmly under the lights, the heavy bronze doors tightly shut.
At the entrance, there hung only a modest metal sign: “UV.”
A butler in a custom-tailored suit was already waiting at the door—Su Jin must have made a reservation.
“We’re here.” Su Jin said, elegantly unfastening her seatbelt.
The doorman stepped forward with practiced ease to open the door for Su Jin, who gracefully stepped out.
Su Jin extended her hand, ready to take Lin Luan’s arm—after all, Lin Luan didn’t know anything about these things, and someone had to teach him the proper manners…
But when she looked up, she found that Lin Luan had already offered his arm, giving her a gentle smile.
“Let’s go, Su Jin.” Lin Luan tilted his head slightly in invitation.
Su Jin was a little stunned, then took his arm.
Where did he learn these things…?
And… Su Jin suddenly noticed that he wasn’t calling her “Miss” anymore, which felt a bit odd.
She was the one who told Lin Luan to use her full name, but hearing it said directly like this… felt strange, leaving a tingling in her heart.
The waiter led them to a quiet spot by the window.
After they sat down, Lin Luan smiled and took two menus from the waiter, placing one gently in front of her, then naturally scooted his chair closer, his shoulder brushing against hers as they browsed the menu together.
“I heard the Wellington Steak here is quite good. Want to try it?” He turned his head, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear, his gaze soft as it landed on her face.
“Okay.”
Su Jin could feel the warmth radiating from his arm. Such a calm Lin Luan caught her off guard, and she could only nod.
“What about drinks?”
Lin Luan continued in that gentle tone, his finger gliding over the menu, his other hand gently holding Su Jin’s hand.
Before Su Jin could answer, Lin Luan proactively made a suggestion.
“Let’s get this one—the ‘Sunset.’ How about it?”
Lin Luan’s warmth seeped slowly through the back of her hand, disrupting Su Jin’s composure.
She forced herself to act calm, “That’s fine.”
After ordering, the appetizers were served quickly.
Lin Luan thoughtfully slid her portion in front of Su Jin, then naturally picked up a cherry tomato from his own plate with a fork and offered it to her lips.
“Try this, it should be good.” He smiled with his eyes, “I remember you really like cherry tomatoes, right?”
Su Jin hadn’t expected this at all. Staring at the fork so close to her lips, her cheeks grew a little hot.
She did indeed like cherry tomatoes, but no one had ever fed her before…
She hesitated for a moment, then under his gaze, parted her lips and accepted it. As her lips opened slightly, the tomato juice burst in her mouth, filling her senses.
“How is it?” Lin Luan gently wiped the juice from the corner of her mouth with a napkin.
“…It’s alright.” Su Jin felt her ears burning, and could only lower her head to hide her fluster.
She realized she was completely on the back foot.
What was with this little puppy Lin? How could he handle the pace so skillfully? Wasn’t he supposed to be the Labrador? Why was he acting like the male lead now?
But she was supposed to be the master!
Su Jin bit her lip, lowering her head, hands clenched on her knees, the Foxy Tail behind her curling into a ball.
The meal ended in a subtly charged atmosphere.
Su Jin couldn’t remember what she ate at all—every sense was focused on Lin Luan’s every move, the outside world fading away.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, the evening breeze was cool.
Su Jin was about to suggest going home when Lin Luan turned and proposed, “It’s still early. There’s a new mall nearby, I heard the observation deck on the top floor is nice. Want to take a walk? It’ll help digest dinner.”
Su Jin opened her mouth. She hadn’t really planned anything; she just wanted to have dinner with Lin Luan and teach him some etiquette. But now… it seemed there was nothing for her to teach.
The words of refusal caught in her throat and finally became a faint reply.
“Mm…”
She was supposed to be the one calling the shots, yet now she felt like a little animal being led along by the nose.
She didn’t like it… but couldn’t say she disliked it either.
From then on, everything turned into Lin Luan’s solo show.
He led her through the bustling, brightly-lit streets, going in and out of luxury stores.
In a high-end boutique, he picked up a pale purple tasseled dress, held it up in front of Su Jin, and told the assistant, “Please get her size and let her try it on.”
Su Jin was a little dazed as she was led into the fitting room by the assistant, then came out in the dress, receiving Lin Luan’s compliments.
“It suits you.” Lin Luan came forward to adjust the straps on her shoulder, his fingertips brushing across her exposed collarbone. “Feels like it was made just for you.”
Su Jin shivered all over.
She’d told Lin Luan in the car not to make a fuss over a little physical contact… yet here she was…
“R-really?” Su Jin’s cheeks flushed.
“When have I ever lied to you?” Lin Luan laughed softly, then told the assistant crisply, “We’ll take it.”
“Wait! I can—” Su Jin instinctively tried to stop him, used to paying for herself.
“No need.” Lin Luan cut her off, leaning down slightly to whisper in her ear, “Just take it as… a little gift from your boyfriend, okay?”
The warmth of his breath brushed her ear, and Su Jin instantly fell silent.
For the rest of the evening, she was like a doll being dressed up by her master—or more accurately, like a well-trained Little White Fox, dazedly holding onto Lin Luan’s arm, following him from shop to shop.
He didn’t just pick out clothes for her, but also chose a few matching accessories for himself, his demeanor relaxed and his taste impeccable, nothing like the disheveled man who didn’t even know how to wear a suit before.
Lin Luan even remembered that the high heels she wore would hurt her feet after walking for too long, and at just the right time, found a café for her to rest.
As she sat down, he naturally bent down to help adjust the back strap of her heels.
Su Jin stared at his lowered profile, her mind in a complete jumble.
Who was this guy, really?!
Such ease, that gentle yet commanding manner… He was nothing like the timid, obedient little Lin puppy she knew!
She hadn’t even had the chance to corrupt Lin Luan, but why did it feel like she’d been conquered first?
Could it be… that he’d been putting on an act all along?
The day passed by quickly.
Su Jin leaned back in the leather passenger seat, her gaze on the rapidly passing neon lights outside the window, but none of it registered.
Beside her hand was a shopping bag containing the expensive dress Lin Luan had bought her, and there was a slight ache coming from her feet.
Lin Luan was driving on the way back—part of a boyfriend’s duty.
He drove with total focus, his side profile looking exceptionally calm in the shifting light and shadow.
The sports car finally rolled smoothly into the garage of Sujia Villa.
“We’re here.” Lin Luan parked the car, his voice gentle.
Su Jin responded with a soft “Mm,” reaching out to unfasten her seatbelt. In that motion, a sharp ache flared at her ankle, making her frown slightly.
After walking so far in heels, the consequences had caught up with her.
As soon as the two of them got out of the car, Song Li appeared at the garage door as usual, right on time.
Her eyes landed on Su Jin first to make sure she was unharmed, then swept sharply over to Lin Luan.
“Miss, you’re back.” Song Li stepped forward.
Su Jin answered absent-mindedly, but before she could finish, Lin Luan spoke up again.
“After a whole day in heels, your feet must hurt. Want me to prepare a foot bath for you?”
“Eh?”
Both Su Jin and Song Li looked at Lin Luan at the same time.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.