Chapter 170: Candlelight Dinner

Watching Ling Chen walk to the door, Nanrong Wanqing suddenly thought of something and hurriedly called after him.

"Is there something else?" Ling Chen turned around.

"Do you have time tonight?"

"Tonight? I have a dinner appointment with friends. What’s up?"

"Can’t it be another day?"

Ling Chen hesitated for a moment, shaking his head apologetically. "The person I’m meeting today is quite important, so... Did you need me for something tonight? If it’s urgent, I can..."

"It’s nothing," Nanrong Wanqing interjected. "Just asking casually. Since you’re busy, let’s forget about it."

"Oh, then I’ll be off now."

As she watched Ling Chen leave the office, the blush in Nanrong Wanqing’s beautiful eyes gradually faded. Thinking about Ling Chen being unavailable tonight couldn’t help but make her feel somewhat disappointed.

In the evening.

After work, Ling Chen took Nanrong Wanqing back to the Nanrong Family’s home. Glancing at the time, it was already close to six-thirty, leaving only an hour to get ready.

After a quick shower, he changed into a set of relatively fresh clothes and then drove alone to his destination, Xiyuan Restaurant.

Shortly after his departure, a white Maserati slowly entered Wealthy Manor and stopped at the Nanrong Family’s front door.

The car door opened, and a pair of slender, beautiful legs stretched out first, followed by the youthful and pretty Su Lin, who dashed into the villa like a breeze.

"Wanqing!"

Upon entering, she excitedly called out.

"I’m here." As she finished speaking, Nanrong Wanqing appeared at the top of the stairs in her wheelchair.

Seeing her outfit, Su Lin couldn’t help but exclaim "Aiya" and pout, "Why haven’t you changed clothes yet? It’s almost time!" Saying this, she hurried up the stairs, helped push the wheelchair into Nanrong Wanqing’s room, and urged, "Hurry up and change, we leave in half an hour."

Nanrong Wanqing looked helplessly at her but complied obediently.

Today was her big day; she couldn’t spoil her mood.

In less than half an hour, Nanrong Wanqing came out of her room first. She usually wore plain whites, but today she had put on a beige long dress. Her jet-black hair fell like a waterfall, setting off her stunning beauty. Since the climate had entered autumn and the evening breeze was cool, she added a light-colored shawl on top. With her beauty and grace, she conveyed an additional air of nobility.

Soon after, Su Lin also came out of the bedroom.

She was dressed very formally today, in a pink dress, with her shoulders slightly exposed and the hem adorned with shiny silver foil. Under the lighting, it sparkled brilliantly. Her smooth hair slipped down her shoulders, and her delicate face was lightly made-up. A pure white diamond necklace graced her tender neck, complementing her fair skin.

Already beautiful by nature, she became even more dazzling after a little dressing up, matching Nanrong Wanqing in splendor.

"How do I look, Wanqing?"

Su Lin twirled, her dress fluttering like a blossoming violet, displaying her beautiful smile.

Nanrong Wanqing nodded gently, her eyes showing a trace of admiration.

"Sister, cousin, the car is all ready. Shall we head out?"

At this point, Nanrong Hao walked in from outside. Compared to his two sisters, he was dressed more casually, as always.

"Let’s go. If we don’t leave now, I’m afraid we’ll be late."

Nanrong Hao looked around and asked curiously, "Sister, where’s Chen? Isn’t he ready yet?"

"You didn’t mention it; I almost forgot." Su Lin, already at the door, turned back and said, "How come I don’t see Ling Chen? Wanqing, didn’t you tell him?"

"He’s got something on tonight; he’s already left."

"Left?" Su Lin was slightly disappointed. "Since he’s got something to do, let’s leave it at that."

Dusk, 7:20 PM.

Ling Chen arrived at Xiyuan Restaurant ahead of time, quietly waiting in the hall for Zhu Xiaozhu’s arrival. Thinking about seeing Zhu Xiaozhu soon, he immediately felt nervous, with sweat continuously breaking out on his palms.

On a normal day, he wouldn’t be so nervous, but today’s meeting was unusual for him, hence the inevitable nerves.

Xiyuan Restaurant is a newly-opened high-end establishment; the interior decor is very opulent, with the spacious hall furnished with over twenty tables and chairs. When the restaurant is full, the staff will use screens to partition the area around, creating a private little space to avoid disturbance from others, providing attentive service.

After waiting for a few minutes, a graceful figure slowly stepped into the entrance of Xiyuan Restaurant. Ling Chen raised his head, and his gaze was instantly captivated.

Zhu Xiaozhu was wearing a simple dress with flat shoes, carrying an exquisitely small shoulder bag – the usual attire. However, one difference for tonight, especially, was that Zhu Xiaozhu had deliberately adorned herself with a snow-white pearl necklace and teardrop-shaped earrings.

Though merely two unostentatious pieces of jewelry, they added a touch of enchanting charm to Zhu Xiaozhu’s fresh and elegant demeanor, like a radiant moon fringed by dazzling stars – extraordinarily charming.

"Xiaozhu."

Ling Chen quickly stood up and waved to Zhu Xiaozhu in greeting.

Seeing him, a faint blush crept onto Zhu Xiaozhu’s pretty face as she walked straight over.

"Please, take a seat." Ling Chen gallantly pulled out a chair for her.

Once Zhu Xiaozhu was seated, Ling Chen snapped his fingers, summoning the waiter. He then passed the menu to Zhu Xiaozhu, "Take a look at what you’d like to eat."

The restaurant offered a fusion of Chinese and Western cuisine, catering to all tastes. Zhu Xiaozhu, being from Beijing, still preferred the flavors of the north.

After placing the order, two waiters promptly set up screens, crafting an isolated world for two.

Facing each other, upon looking into Zhu Xiaozhu’s bright, limpid eyes, a gentle ripple spread across Ling Chen’s heart. Sensing the unusual look in his eyes, Zhu Xiaozhu couldn’t help but lower her head, the glow of blush spreading across her tender, pale cheeks, causing Ling Chen’s heart to skip a beat.

Just then, a waiter entered, replacing the vase on the table with two candlesticks in the center, and poured them a glass of red wine.

Moreover, even the lights overhead gradually dimmed, allowing the romantic glow of candlelight to pervade the small screened-off space.

"This is..."

Ling Chen looked at the waiter, puzzled.

With a smile, the latter said, "Sir, this was your request. Please enjoy your dinner at your leisure."

My request? Ling Chen was taken aback; when had he made such a request?

Could it be... Little Hua?

Yes, it must be that girl.

Ling Chen was torn between laughter and tears; that girl didn’t even give him a heads-up, so he could be mentally prepared.

Looking at the candlelit dinner in front of her, Zhu Xiaozhu’s pretty face reddened even more, her expressive eyes filled with shyness.

What woman doesn’t like romance? Even someone as refined and unworldly as her harbors the same expectations as any ordinary woman in her heart.