Over these days, she had imagined every possible scenario between them, such as business trips, social gatherings, and so on. She imagined accompanying him to social venues, inevitably dancing or drinking, and then perhaps ending up with some intimate moments…
Zhiwei shuddered, feeling ashamed of her own thoughts. What was she thinking? Looking at the man’s confident and broad back as he strode away, she shook off her wild thoughts.
Only, some things couldn’t be avoided – what dress should she wear tonight?
In the past, she had always scoffed at these social activities, describing them as a group of people with pockets full of money, gathering together and putting on airs.
She despised those calculating social smiles, preferring to let herself sweat profusely in pubs and dance halls rather than sit in such settings, worrying about her skirt getting wrinkled.
But now… perhaps likes and dislikes aren’t absolute, and might change with one’s identity? Or purely because of a different person? Or because of him?
In any case, she was glad to have plans after work, so she wouldn’t be alone anymore!
Yes! She was just too lonely, just wanting someone to accompany her, and he was a decent choice, at least to help pass the time without feeling too wronged.
Zhiwei, who had finally positioned herself for him, broke into a grin. n hours later, Tang Zhiwei felt like crying.
What was this place?
”Are you sure this is… here?” She stared at the wooden sign for “Black and White Cut” in front of the stall.
Shang Peng nodded, greeted the owner warmly, then turned back and called her: “Come sit.”
Sit? Zhiwei certainly wanted to sit, and she didn’t want to become another sign, as she felt gazes gathering on her.
But she was troubled – how could she prevent her lace-adorned, floor-length skirt from becoming a broom?
”Do you… need help?” Shang Peng also looked at her with a troubled expression.
How to help? Zhiwei was both amused and exasperated, but under everyone’s watchful eyes, she took a deep breath and told herself that the more embarrassing the situation, the more she needed to maintain her most elegant posture!
She squeezed out a smile for him, shook her head, then gently lifted her skirt, held her chest high, pulled in her stomach, and started walking!
Instantly, customers standing in front of the stall waiting for takeout automatically moved to both sides, creating a passageway for her.
Finally seated, Zhiwei adjusted her hair, and couldn’t help but complain: “I didn’t expect you to come to a place like this!”
”Old Wei, the stall owner, was my commanding officer when I was in the army. I come here when I have time,” Shang Peng sat down, his retort flat: “Isn’t this place good? Or is the young lady accustomed to fancy restaurants?”
”Warning you, don’t mock me!” she said fiercely.
”You’re the one complaining,” Shang Peng shook his head and laughed. This woman actually used the word “warning”?
”My complaint has nothing to do with how good this place is. The problem is… you didn’t explain clearly beforehand, making me dress like this. Look, how ridiculous!”
”No way, I think you look very beautiful right now!” Shang Peng’s gaze fell on her exposed snow-white skin.
”Hey, what are you looking at?”
”You told me to look,” Shang Peng propped his chin, his eyes full of amusement. “What? You know how to be shy now?”
Zhiwei opened her eyes wide. What did this mean? Was he saying she didn’t know shame? Filled with anger, she put on a stern face and coldly said: “I’m not afraid of others looking, I’m afraid of you.”
”Me?” Shang Peng spread his hands. “There’s a difference in treatment?”
”It’s a wise choice,” she glanced at him, wearing a deliberately relaxed smile, “Others can only look and enjoy the view, but you’re different.”
”How am I different?”
”Of course you’re different,” she answered with utmost seriousness: “You’re my boss. If you can’t control yourself and suddenly go wild, wouldn’t I be asking for trouble?”
”By now… you still think I’m interested in you that way?” His pondering expression was quite strange.
This sentence didn’t sound good. Zhiwei’s internal alarm bells rang; she was sure the words coming out of his mouth next wouldn’t sound pleasant, like saying she had persecution complex or was narcissistic…
”Okay. I admit it, yes! I still want to have sex with you!”
What? Zhiwei’s mind went blank.
Just then, a customer passed by, deliberately turning to glance at her with an ambiguous, sly smile.
Zhiwei’s cheeks burned. “You… couldn’t you speak softer? Everyone heard that!”
”So what if they heard?” he remained unfazed, incredibly relaxed.
”Nothing can be done, but don’t you think you’re too… direct?”
”Too direct? Okay.” Shang Peng adjusted his sitting position, his expression changing, gentle waves instantly rippling in his deep eyes. “Then I’ll say, I want to explore your mysterious forbidden zone, I want to taste your fragrant sweetness, I want to share a passionate moment with you, ok?”
”You…” If not for the final “ok” revealing his playful intent, Zhiwei, almost immersed in his overly gentle expression, might have been momentarily stunned.
In the end, was this man teasing her? What was his purpose? To see her blush? Oh no, she couldn’t let him have his way!
”Didn’t expect you could write such prose, but…” she looked at him with misty eyes, “what to do? My Chinese isn’t good, I heard but didn’t understand.”
”Is that so? Okay, I’ll say it in the most colloquial way.” He leaned towards her, winking, “I want to stir-fry rice with you!”
”Stir-fry rice? Dad, Uncle Shang says he wants to eat stir-fry rice!” Suddenly a childish voice emerged from beside the table, a girl around ten years old, standing next to them with a wide grin.
Shang Peng collected himself, immediately showing a friendly smile, warmly calling to the little girl: “Xiaojing, you’re here to help dad?”
”Yes, I picked up my little brother from the babysitter, but he’s asleep.
Following the direction the little girl pointed, Zhiwei only then discovered a corner inside, where a baby crib was placed, with mosquito nets hanging around it.
She frowned, unable to understand why such a small child would appear here? Turning her head, watching Shang Peng conversing with the little girl, she was stunned.
Only seeing him inquiring about her studies with a gentle expression, his large hand softly stroking the back of the little girl’s head.
This intimate gesture made her heart slightly tremble. This scene seemed so familiar? As if it had appeared somewhere before?
The kind and warm smile, the gentle and concerned gaze… Looking and looking, after confirming the source of familiarity, Zhiwei’s eyes suddenly became moist.
If this scene had ever existed, it would only have been in her heart or in her dreams… It turned out this scene was merely a strong desire she had never possessed.
Shang Peng occasionally turned his head and discovered her gaze fixed on him.
While the little girl wasn’t paying attention, he lightly touched Zhiwei’s hand, then raised an eyebrow and said with a smile: “I really want to know what you’re thinking while staring at me like this?”
“Thinking about another man,” Zhiwei, who had returned to her senses, said with a slightly tired voice.
“Oh.”
His exceptionally off-key response made Zhiwei look up again, facing his strange expression, and she calmly added: “You remind me of my father.”
“Father? Me? You… father?” He muttered a few words, seemingly somewhat troubled.
Seeing the man’s uncomfortable reaction, Zhiwei found it somewhat amusing, which also helped dispel her inner melancholy.
She let out a long sigh and said: “I suddenly remembered that when I was the same age as Xiao Jing, once when I got first place in an exam, the first thing I did when I got home was rush to my father’s room to tell him this good news.
