As the vehicle moved forward, Wen Wan’s body leaned back from the inertia. Startled, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Xu Cheng’an’s waist.
Xu Cheng’an’s back stiffened, and Wen Wan quickly realized it was inappropriate.
Still, his waist was lean and firm—felt pretty nice. She had even touched his abs.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Wen Wan withdrew her wandering hands.
However, if Xu Cheng’an could see her expression, he would notice there wasn’t the slightest bit of apology on her face—only a secret delight at taking advantage.
Hehe!
“Sit properly. The road ahead isn’t smooth.”
The roads nowadays weren’t like the wide, flat asphalt roads of later generations; some parts were uneven and bumpy.
During the ride, Wen Wan accidentally grabbed his waist again.
She swore this time it really wasn’t on purpose.
Still, the bicycle wasn’t as comfortable as she imagined—the seat was a bit hard and uncomfortable.
For a single woman to establish her own household registration was usually troublesome. It required proof from the original household, as well as certification from the neighborhood committee and workplace. It definitely couldn’t be done before the end of the workday.
But when they saw that Xu Cheng’an had brought her, they politely processed her household transfer and helped her set up a new registration.
“Officer Xu, thank you. I have money now—let me treat you to a meal. Let’s go to the state-run restaurant.”
Wen Wan looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a smile. Her soft pink lips resembled flower petals, glistening with moisture.
Xu Cheng’an turned his face away. “No need. It was just a small favor.”
Wen Wan pouted. “Officer Xu, I sincerely want to thank you. Just give me a chance, okay? You’re my only friend.”
She had originally wanted to shake his arm, but seeing his serious expression, she held back.
Still, those clear, spring-like eyes made it hard to refuse.
Xu Cheng’an’s gaze swept quickly over her face. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly before he spoke a single word: “Alright.”
He walked to the bicycle without looking at her, took off his coat, folded it, and placed it on the seat. “Sit.”
Wen Wan tilted her head, looking at him with admiration. “Officer Xu, how did you know? I didn’t even say—”
She stopped herself just in time, pressing her lips together, leaving unsaid that the seat was too hard and uncomfortable.
Xu Cheng’an’s lips curved slightly. She had been fidgeting the whole way—he’d have to be pretty dull not to notice.
Wen Wan sat down, much more comfortable this time.
The state-run restaurant wasn’t far. After all, the county hadn’t been developed yet like in later years, so it wasn’t very big.
The restaurant itself was small, and since it was mealtime, there were quite a few people. Wen Wan looked at the chalkboard listing the day’s dishes and ordered several signature items.
“Besides these, are there any other dishes? Can I see the menu?” she asked the server.
In this era, servers at state-run restaurants tended to be rather aloof. But seeing the refined appearance and temperament of the two, it was clear they weren’t ordinary people.
Especially the man—his gaze carried an imposing pressure.
The server swallowed the question “Can you finish all that?” and instead said, “Wait a moment.”
Wen Wan took the menu and added two more dishes.
Six dishes for two people should be about right.
Waste was frowned upon in this era. If there were leftovers, she wouldn’t eat them, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to have Xu Cheng’an pack them up.
The food tasted surprisingly good. The ribs were tender and flavorful, and even the eggs had no fishy smell.
Even she, who didn’t like eggs, took a couple of bites.
Wen Wan only tasted a few bites of each dish. Ever since she started using the spiritual spring essence, she rarely felt hungry.
Back in university, her roommates used to joke that she was like a fairy who could live on air and dew.
But that wasn’t entirely true. The spiritual spring essence provided all the nutrients her body needed, so even without eating much, she still got sufficient nutrition—and wouldn’t gain weight.
Xu Cheng’an noticed how little she ate. She hadn’t eaten much in the morning, had been busy all day, and now this was all she ate?
How had this girl lived all these years?
Even a bird ate more than she did.
No wonder she was so thin.
Yet her lips were red, her teeth white, and her skin smooth and radiant—nothing like someone who was undernourished.
Wen Wan quietly went to pay the bill, but the cashier smiled and said, “Your partner already paid.”
Her partner was really generous—ordering six dishes. Most people would just get a bowl of noodles and maybe one or two extra dishes when dining with their partner.
Wen Wan didn’t catch the word “partner”; her mind was stuck on the latter part.
When had he paid? She hadn’t noticed at all.
After thinking it over, it must have been while she was ordering.
She returned to the table, her lips unconsciously pouting. “Officer Xu, I said I’d treat you.”
“You’re a young girl. You should keep your money,” Xu Cheng’an said.
She seemed delicate and pampered, wanting an easy job like drinking tea and reading newspapers. Factory work wasn’t easy—who knew how long she could last?
“I have money. My grandfather left me some.”
“Mm,” Xu Cheng’an responded, not intending to continue the topic.
Xu Cheng’an ended up eating nearly all six dishes himself, leaving him quite full.
Forget it—he’d walk her back to the textile factory.
It wasn’t far anyway—good for digestion.
Actually, Wen Wan had wanted him to take her there too.
But she had already troubled him too much and felt embarrassed to ask.
She didn’t expect him to offer on his own.
With the coat cushioning the back seat, it was much more comfortable. Sitting behind him, Wen Wan held onto the back of Xu Cheng’an’s white shirt. As the wind lifted her skirt, her mood brightened, and even the rows of low houses didn’t seem so ugly anymore.
Passing by a pastry shop, Wen Wan used ration coupons to buy plenty of pastries and White Rabbit candies.
Director Liu had workers helping her move and clean her house—she couldn’t be stingy.
Xu Cheng’an noticed her spending freely, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. Though the Wen family had treated her poorly, she carried herself without any trace of timidity, as if she had always lived this way.
While he was thinking, the girl came bouncing back, unwrapped a milk candy, and held it up to his lips. “Officer Xu, have some candy.”
Her fingers were fair and slender, with no signs of housework.
Seeing he didn’t move, she urged, “Go on, it’s very sweet.”
She had just eaten one herself—the rich milky flavor was even better than in later years.
Xu Cheng’an lowered his head slightly and opened his mouth. His lips accidentally brushed against her soft fingertip. In that instant, it felt like an electric shock, sending a tingling sensation through his whole body.
It took a moment for his senses to return, the sweetness of the candy spreading in his mouth.
Actually, he didn’t like sweets.
But for some reason, he didn’t refuse her.