(Part One)
The warm-toned ambient lighting of the restaurant cast a cozy glow.
A bouquet of manta roses lay quietly on the table— fresh, judging by the dew still clinging to the petals and sliding down the cellophane.
Drip. It splashed onto the table.
Qian Duoduo looked at the delicate bouquet in front of her, blinked, then turned to Lu Qiming.
It took her several seconds to find her voice again. “So you bought me flowers just because you heard that girls feel better after receiving them?”
She paused after saying that, her expression even more puzzled, with a hint of curiosity. “Is there something that made Mr. Lu think I’m in a bad mood?”
Lu Qiming said, “Old Mr. Qian’s health isn’t great. It must be a lot for you to deal with.”
Qian Duoduo’s pupils trembled slightly, but her expression quickly returned to normal.
She smiled and asked him, “Did my grandparents tell you that?”
Lu Qiming said no.
Qian Duoduo asked, “Then how did you come to that conclusion just now?”
Lu Qiming was silent for a moment, then said, “Last time in the car, I saw several folded medicine bags in the side door’s storage pocket. The dates were consecutive. And earlier, you mentioned that Grandpa Qian has been on medication for a while.”
Qian Duoduo froze, then remembered.
After her grandfather’s chemotherapy, there was always a ton of medicine— about ten bags each time. Over time, they piled up.
Once, her mom took a bunch of them down to throw away, and just after she did, the neighborhood’s cleaning lady picked them up to sell for recycling.
After that, Qian Duoduo decided to just collect the medicine bags in the car and hand them over in batches to the cleaning lady.
She genuinely admired how attentive this man was to detail.
The so-called ability to perceive the big picture from small clues, to see through things with clarity— that must be what it meant.
“Grandpa’s not well, and I’m not a doctor. I can’t really solve his problems.” Qian Duoduo curved her lips in a smile at Lu Qiming, though this one held a trace more sorrow and guilt than usual. “All I can do is regularly pick up his prescriptions, as a way of fulfilling my duty as a granddaughter.”
Lu Qiming looked straight at her. He touched the manta rose lightly with his long fingers and gently pushed it toward her. “So this bouquet is for you. I hope it brings you some good luck.”
“If it’s a ‘flower of good fortune,’ then I really can’t refuse.” Qian Duoduo’s tone lightened, the curve of her lips resembling a new moon in the sky. “Thank you.”
As she spoke, she cupped the roses in both hands, lowered her head to gently take in the scent, and didn’t hold back her praise. “Smells amazing.”
Human relationships sometimes require a subtle kind of finesse.
Take flower-giving, for example.
Normally, when a man gives a woman flowers, it’s loaded with ambiguity and hidden messages.
Qian Duoduo had initially felt quite awkward about it, but Lu Qiming’s calm and composed demeanor actually gave her some inspiration.
Might as well “process it as friendship.”
Graciously accept the flowers. Graciously say thank you. The more open and unreserved, the more upright and transparent.
As they were speaking, there were two sharp knocks on the elegant private room door.
It was soon pushed open from the outside, and two waitstaff came in to serve the food.
“Spicy chicken giblets, stir-fried beef, chopped chili fish head. Please enjoy your meal,” one of the waitresses said with a cheerful smile before leaving with her colleague.
The dishes looked and smelled amazing— classic Hunan cuisine. The spicy aroma made Qian Duoduo’s mouth water.
She picked up her chopsticks, but instead of digging in right away, she politely offered, “Mr. Lu, would you like to try some?”
Lu Qiming usually preferred lighter food and rarely ate heavily seasoned dishes.
He’d come to the Hunan restaurant simply so as not to dampen Qian Duoduo’s enthusiasm.
But looking at the bright sparkle in her eyes and the slight upward curve of her lips, for the first time he actually found himself with an appetite for a table full of spicy dishes.
He picked up a piece of beef and put it into his mouth, chewing with only the faintest visible movement of his handsome lips.
In just two seconds, his expression changed slightly.
Qian Duoduo caught the shift, eyes wide with concern. “Is it too spicy? I ordered it medium-spicy instead of extra, but maybe I should’ve gone with mild…”
“It’s fine.” Lu Qiming’s expression didn’t change much. After a pause, he added, “I can handle it.”
“As long as you can really handle it.” Seeing his lips turn a vivid red and a flush rise to his earlobes, Qian Duoduo looked a little embarrassed for a second, then kindly passed him a glass of water. “Here, drink some water.”
Lu Qiming took a big sip.
The tea had been sitting for a while and was already lukewarm, but it helped ease the burn in his mouth.
He took a tissue and wiped his lips.
“The vegetable soup should be here soon,” Qian Duoduo said tentatively. “If you’d like, I can order a few lighter dishes?”
“No need,” Lu Qiming replied calmly. “I need to get used to this kind of flavor anyway—might as well adapt in advance.”
Qian Duoduo felt a little confused after hearing that.
If he didn’t like spicy food, why force himself to get used to it?
But she didn’t voice her internal doubt. Instead, she refilled his tea and offered a dining tip. “Before eating, dip the food in water for a bit. That way it won’t be so spicy.”
Qian Duoduo couldn’t help but feel a little guilty and muttered to herself softly, “If it’s like this, then I’m glad you don’t blame me. No need to thank me, really.”
*
After finally finishing the meal, Qian Duoduo made an excuse to use the restroom and slipped out.
She opened her phone’s payment app. “Excuse me, how much was our total bill?”
“One moment please, I’ll check for you.” The cashier smiled sweetly, bent over the computer to verify, then said, “Hello, miss. The tab for your private room has already been settled.”
Qian Duoduo was startled. “Already paid? When did that happen?”
“I don’t remember exactly,” another girl nearby chimed in, “But it was a really tall, handsome guy.”
Well then.
She’d thought she was fast enough, but Lu Qiming had still beaten her to it.
What could she do?
Shoulders slightly slumped in embarrassment, Qian Duoduo walked back into the private room.
Lu Qiming had already put his coat back on and was sitting in the same spot, waiting for her.
His posture was straight and clean, with sharp lines that made him look like a pale brushstroke from a distance— like a snow-dusted mountain peak.
“Did you enjoy the meal?” Lu Qiming asked casually, his tone mild and unhurried.
“Yeah. It was great.”
“Then let’s go.” As he spoke, he rose from his seat, and while passing the chair, he picked up her coat and handed it to her.
The whole movement was smooth and natural, as if it had been choreographed.
The space between them closed— just a few inches apart. Qian Duoduo instinctively lowered her gaze, glanced at the coat in Lu Qiming’s hand, then at the faint scar on his wrist. Her heart suddenly thudded— twice— sharply and unexpectedly.
A clean yet intense scent lingered in the air around her, so strong that she couldn’t ignore it.
Reflexively, she took a half step back to put some space between them.
Then she awkwardly asked in a low voice, “When did you pay the bill?”
“About half an hour ago.” Lu Qiming paused briefly. “Why?”
“You already treated me to dessert twice, helped take my grandparents to the doctor, and now you’ve even paid for dinner.” Qian Duoduo grew more embarrassed as she spoke, her cheeks burning with heat. “It makes me look like someone who takes advantage and freeloads.”
At that, she glanced at the time on her phone.
Before Lu Qiming could respond, she took the initiative and said, “It’s still early. There’s a milk tea shop nearby that’s really good. I want to treat you.”
Light streamed in at an angle through the window, tracing a faint edge along her profile.
A few wisps of hair fell around her ear, and soft shadows flickered across her slender white neck— delicate and graceful.
Lu Qiming watched her expressive face and subtle, endearing expressions. He smiled almost imperceptibly. “Alright.”
Qian Duoduo pulled open the private room door.
As she was about to step out, she caught a glimpse of the bouquet left on the table and suddenly stopped in her tracks.
After a couple seconds of hesitation, she turned back and gently cradled it in her arms before saying to Lu Qiming, “Let’s go.”
*
Qian Duoduo led the way to the milk tea shop, which was just a few hundred meters from the Hunan restaurant— no need to drive. Walking served as a nice way to digest the meal.
Night had fallen, and the city lights had just begun to shine.
At the convenience store entrance, hot oden bubbled away, sending wisps of steam swirling into the air.
Somewhere nearby, a passerby was watching short videos on their phone with the volume cranked up: “According to the National Meteorological Bureau, our city will see its third major cold snap this November. Citizens are advised to dress warmly…”
Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew past.
Qian Duoduo’s nose tickled, and she sneezed. She raised a hand to clutch her coat collar tightly.
“Cold?” Lu Qiming turned to glance at her, his brows lightly furrowed.
“Just a little, it’s fine.” Qian Duoduo smiled. “It was sunny earlier, so I didn’t dress too warmly. I didn’t expect we’d stay out this long.”
Lu Qiming considered for a moment, then said, “If I took off my coat now and offered it to you, you’d refuse to wear it, wouldn’t you?”
Now that was an unusual question.
“…Probably,” Qian Duoduo answered after forcing a slightly stiff smile.
“Then let’s get milk tea another time,” he said. “It’s getting cold. I’ll take you home first, or you’ll catch a cold.”
“My immune system’s pretty strong. I don’t get sick that easily. It’s fine.” She waved her hand. “We’re almost there, and getting milk tea won’t take long.”
Lu Qiming’s eyes stayed on her.
She was a typical southern girl— slender frame, petite bones, slim waist, delicate figure.
Her calves were barely thicker than his forearms.
It was hard not to question the credibility of her so-called “strong immune system.”
But clearly, she was insisting out of a desire not to owe him too much, so buying him a milk tea was her way of balancing the scales.
Lu Qiming guessed her thoughts and didn’t argue further.
They continued walking toward the milk tea shop.
Qian Duoduo tightened her collar, tucking her face into the warm furry lining.
She rubbed her hands together for warmth.
After a few more steps, she suddenly noticed the cold wind was gone.
Puzzled, she tilted her head slightly.
She saw that at some point, Lu Qiming had silently moved to her right rear side.
His tall frame blocked the wind completely, like a silent mountain between her and the chill.
Her ears grew hot, like a tiny fire had ignited beneath the skin.
Her cheeks flushed in turn. A wave of inexplicable fluster rose within her, and she quickly looked away.
Ding ding— the ringtone of her phone chimed.
She lit up the screen and saw a message from Zhao Jingxi: [When are you getting here?!!! angry face.jpg]
[Coming soon, don’t be mad~ kissy face.jpg] she replied quickly.
Just after she hit send, Lu Qiming’s voice sounded beside her. His tone was relaxed and casual, like chatting with an old friend. “Granny Qian mentioned you’ve been on a few blind dates, but none of the guys ever caught your eye.”
The word “none” carried just the right touch of nuance.
“Ha… ha ha.” Qian Duoduo let out an awkward laugh. “My grandma doesn’t really know the whole story. They were all decent guys— just not the right fit.”
Lu Qiming turned to look at her, his dark eyes focused on her delicate, fair profile. “Then if it’s not too forward, may I ask what kind of boyfriend Miss Qian is looking for?”
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