“By the way, Lingling, your work shouldn’t require you to dress old, right? This disguise isn’t part of your job, is it?” Wang Nie said to Luo Yaling.
“How can you say that? What do you mean ‘dress old’? I’m not dressing old at all!” Luo Yaling pouted at Wang Nie, insisting it was art.
“Then what are these?” Wang Nie took out items he had removed from her.
“Hair pins, glasses. What’s wrong?” Luo Yaling questioned, confused.
“You still wear these, and you say you’re not dressing old?” He felt he had to remind her to prevent future eye damage.
“Oh…” Luo Yaling replied quietly. So that’s what he meant! Why was everyone discussing this today?
Did her dressing harm them? Probably not. What was her mistake? Alas! What kind of world was this? They wanted to manage this? How frustrating.
“From now on, don’t wear these. I’ll confiscate them.” Wang Nie glanced at the items in his hand.
“What?” She had specially bought these. She had worked hard on this look! Was there something wrong with dressing like this?
“I’ve seen your face before; I don’t understand why you dress like this. You don’t need these two things; you’re fine as you are. However, I think it would be better if you wiped off the heavy makeup on your face,” Wang Nie said, frustrated. The smell made him uncomfortable even when kissing – it was dark and messy.
“What? Oh! But I won’t wipe off the makeup. I’ll consider the other things.” Fine! If she couldn’t wear them, she wouldn’t. Was it that damaging to his eyes? Such a big reaction. Why should she listen to him? Forget it, she wouldn’t argue. They wouldn’t ‘request’ her back soon, so she didn’t need to be concerned. However, she couldn’t expose her entire appearance to everyone.
“What do you mean ‘consider’? You must do it. Don’t even think about buying more; if you wear one, I’ll confiscate one until you stop wearing them,” Wang Nie said playfully.
“Then… okay!”
“I won’t wear them.” She didn’t want to waste money, and not wearing them wouldn’t cause her a big loss.
“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat! Lingling?” Wang Nie suddenly used a gentle voice, catching Luo Yaling off guard.
“Okay…” Luo Yaling responded in a daze.
“Wait, I don’t want to eat French cuisine again.” Luo Yaling quickly spoke up. She didn’t want to suffer there, especially being stared at by wealthy young women.
“Why? Isn’t it good?” That was a unique French cuisine. Wang Nie felt frustrated that she was unappreciative, especially when other women would beg for such an opportunity to dine with him.
“Hmm! I’ll guide the way! Turn there and you’ll arrive.” Luo Yaling directed Wang Nie.
She had accidentally discovered this place and had been excited for days, eager to get there quickly, almost drooling at the thought.
Chapter Fifty-Two: A Real Foodie
They arrived at the designated location. Wang Nie stood in disbelief, looking at the bustling environment filled with people and small stalls smoking.
All kinds of people were around. He looked uncertainly at the person beside him.
“Of course. How could I possibly remember wrong? Surprised? Come, I’ll take you to eat shabu-shabu right now,” Luo Yaling said, pulling Wang Nie to a small stall.
“Very surprising,” Wang Nie murmured.
“Boss, two bowls of shabu-shabu. I’ll add this, this, this, and that. Wang Nie, what do you want to add?” Luo Yaling ordered.
“This… is it even edible?” Wang Nie asked, eyeing the master grabbing ingredients with his hands. He was put off by the unhygienic roadside setting.
“Of course it’s edible. Just order the same as mine; that’s settled. Boss, two identical portions,” she decided for him, her stomach grumbling with hunger.
“Okay! Two shabu-shabu!” a high-pitched voice called out.
“It’s delicious. I guarantee you’ll want to eat it again next time. Come, let’s sit over there,” Luo Yaling said, leading the dazed Wang Nie to a table.
“What’s wrong? Are you too shocked? Is this your first time in a common street? Though small, the food is delicious—like shabu-shabu, grilled corn, grilled sausage, and roasted sweet potatoes,” Luo Yaling said excitedly.
But Wang Nie wasn’t well; the more she spoke, the darker his face became.
These were junk foods he would never try; he hadn’t even looked at them, let alone eat them. However, he didn’t interrupt her.
“Miss, your shabu-shabu.” The master brought two steaming bowls.
“Eat! It’s delicious, I’m starting!” The long-awaited shabu-shabu had arrived! Luo Yaling swallowed, picked up her chopsticks, and began eating. Seeing Wang Nie staring blankly at her, she spoke to him and continued.
“Hmm.” Wang Nie watched her relish the food and slowly picked up his chopsticks. But seeing the master’s hairy hands, he lost his appetite again.
“Huh? Why aren’t you eating?” Luo Yaling noticed Wang Nie’s untouched bowl after finishing a bowl quickly.
“This… I’ll leave it for Lingling to eat!” Wang Nie laughed somewhat unnaturally.
“Really? Great, I won’t hold back.” Luo Yaling moved his bowl in front of her. Just as she was about to eat, she paused and said, “You haven’t eaten, open your mouth. It’s delicious, I’m not lying.” She fed a quail egg to Wang Nie.
Wang Nie saw Lingling’s bright eyes and couldn’t bear to spit it out, so he reluctantly bit down.
“How is it?” Luo Yaling looked at him excitedly.
“Hmm! Not bad!” It tasted better than he expected.
“I’m done.” In less than a minute, Luo Yaling patted her belly.
“Let’s go!” Wang Nie stood up, amazed by her speed. Was she reincarnated from a starving ghost?
“Boss, check out!”
Wang Nie took out his wallet and called to the boss.
“Twenty.”
“Take it, no change needed.” Wang Nie tossed a hundred-yuan bill and pulled Luo Yaling away.
“Sir, wait! Your change.” The boss stopped him, handing back the money.
Wang Nie looked at him blankly, unable to comprehend why he would refuse money.
“Come on! I want to eat more! Let’s go there…” Luo Yaling said excitedly.
“Okay!” Wang Nie replied reluctantly.
“Yay!” Her joy was infectious, making Wang Nie’s heart lighten. He accompanied her, trying a bit of the food. He had never expected such pleasure from this small place.
After eating at numerous spots, Wang Nie asked, “Lingling, can you still eat?”
“Of course!” she replied confidently while holding a skewer, but a burp betrayed her.
He thought, You can’t possibly still be hungry after eating so much! Let’s head back. You’ve been eating for hours, and your stomach needs a rest. We can come back another time.
Wang Nie noticed Luo Yaling’s reluctance to leave and decided to be firm with her. He had seen her eat continuously since her arrival and assumed she was already full, not expecting her to be such a big eater.
“Okay then!” Luo Yaling pretended to agree reluctantly, but she was thrilled. She had relished the meal and wished she could eat everything, though her stomach limited her.
Since he sent her home that day, Wang Nie had not appeared, instead sending flowers to her office. She followed his advice not to wear certain things, and her appearance remained unchanged. She didn’t initiate contact, nor did he, but she found herself missing him while staring blankly at a bouquet.
One day, Wang Nie entered Luo Yaling’s workplace in a white suit, drawing surprised looks from his employees. Wang Qing eagerly approached him, assuming he was there to see her after their recent meeting, excitedly wondering if he was pursuing her.
“Sorry, I don’t seem to remember you. I’m here to find Xiao Ling,” Wang Nie said, recovering his smile. He didn’t expect to see her here; the surprise wouldn’t derail his plans.
“How do you know her? She’s not here right now,” Wang Qing blocked his line of sight.
Why was he looking for her? Did he know her? Wang Qing thought viciously, He was hers; she wouldn’t let anyone take him away. What could she possibly use to compete with her?
