【Lu Qingze: Manager Wang, can non-Dijing employees freely enter Dijing Dalou?】
【Manager Wang: Absolutely not!】
Manager Wang?
An Ning’s eyes lit up, “Is that the Manager Wang from the security department of Dijing Dalou?”
Lu Qingze nodded.
An Ning was stunned for a moment, then broke into a smile that curved her eyes.
Although she wasn’t entirely sure whether Manager Wang’s official response would actually stop her adoptive parents at the office building entrance, she was already grateful for Lu Qingze’s thoughtful gesture.
The gloom she felt earlier had now turned into pure joy.
An Ning had already made up her mind: even if Manager Wang had given a perfunctory answer, and even if her adoptive parents really stormed into her company at noon, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
She could just treat her colleagues to afternoon tea as an apology when she got to the office in the afternoon.
Today was her wedding day—a little extra expense could be considered a celebration of her new marriage.
“Thank you, hubby!”
An Ning said with a laugh.
Lu Qingze was momentarily taken aback. He looked down at the petite woman in his arms, his gaze growing even gentler.
The car came to a stop. Through the window, they saw a quiet, narrow lane.
At the end of the lane stood a small red-brick building that clearly had some years to it.
Yet, just from the red bricks, black tiles, and the spotlessly clean lane without a speck of dust, it was obvious this wasn’t a place ordinary people could enter.
Having grown up in Sicheng, An Ning had never known such a place existed in the city.
When she looked up again, she saw Ji Cheng waving them over. “Qingze, I’ve already reserved a private room. You and An Ning enjoy your meal and celebrate your wedding day. I’ll head off now.”
Holding Lu Qingze’s hand, An Ning got out of the car and walked into the lane. When they reached the entrance of the small red building, she saw the plaque above the door.
Zhuyuan.
An Ning stopped and looked at Lu Qingze. “Maybe we should eat somewhere else? This place… must be really expensive!”
She had never been here before, but she clearly remembered reading a food review on a public food blog.
Zhuyuan was undoubtedly the No. 1 restaurant in Sicheng’s culinary scene, whether in terms of flavor, decor, or price.
According to that food blogger, reservations at Zhuyuan had to be made a month in advance, and even then, it wasn’t guaranteed.
How her second uncle managed to book a table, An Ning had no idea.
All she knew was that this meal was beyond what she and Lu Qingze could afford, even on their wedding day.
“What should we do then?”
Lu Qingze looked at An Ning with a hesitant expression. “Second Uncle said he’s already paid for it.”
???
How good could this place possibly be that you pay before you even eat?
An Ning was stunned.
Lu Qingze added, “And if we don’t eat today, the reservation expires and the payment is forfeited!”
!!!
An Ning glanced at Lu Qingze, then at the elegant, upscale plaque of Zhuyuan. She tugged Lu Qingze’s hand and stepped inside. “Well, since we’re here, we might as well make the best of it.”
His gaze lingered on the girl’s face, which wore an expression as if she were marching off to battle, and on the determined way she held his hand, radiating a sense of sharing both fortune and hardship.
The smile in Lu Qingze’s eyes deepened.
Sicheng in July was already quite hot.
But as soon as they stepped into Zhuyuan, a wave of cool air greeted them.
Pavilions, towers, and winding corridors stretched before them, making it feel as if they had stepped into a private garden in Jiangnan.
Even before entering the private room, An Ning understood why this place was so expensive.
The scenery alone was one of a kind in Sicheng.
What had started as a bold, almost militant stride—as if she were storming a fortress—gradually slowed as An Ning took in her surroundings.
Change what can be changed, accept what cannot be changed.
For so many years, An Ning had lived by this principle.
Although Zhuyuan was beyond her usual means, now that she was here, she accepted it calmly and intended to fully enjoy everything this place had to offer.
And all of this would become vivid memories in her future life.
She gazed at the bamboo grove, admired the rockery, and looked up at the clear, azure sky overhead.
An Ning couldn’t help but sigh contentedly, “Today really is a wonderful day.”
“Mm.”
Lu Qingze nodded in agreement, “I’ll remember this day well.”
An Ning glanced back at him.
Lu Qingze smiled and said, “Our wedding anniversary.”
They had just gotten married today, and their wedding anniversary was still 365 days away.
Yet there was an inexplicable sense in his words, as if he intended to spend the rest of his life with her.
An Ning was momentarily stunned, her gaze unconsciously drifting to the pond beneath the stone railing.
A gentle breeze brushed by, causing the lotus buds on the water’s surface to tremble and slowly unfurl their petals.
An Ning felt as though she could hear the rustling sound of the flowers blooming.
That was… the sound of her heart stirring.
When she looked back again, she saw Lu Qingze leaning against the stone railing with his hands in his pockets, as if he was content to let her look at him for as long as she wished.
Throughout, the man wore a faint smile on his face, showing not a trace of impatience.
An Ning smiled and stepped forward, linking her arm with his. “Let’s go.”
Lu Qingze’s gaze paused briefly.
At the café that day, she had been as reserved as if she were being interviewed, not on a date.
Yesterday, when he held her hand, she had been so tense it seemed as if that arm no longer belonged to her.
But today, ever since they received their marriage certificate, she seemed to have switched gears all at once.
First, there was that unexpected “darling.”
Now, she even dared to take the initiative to link arms with him.
His little wife had quite the adaptability.
“Alright.”
Lu Qingze straightened up and let her hold his arm as they made their way to the private room on the second floor.
The waitstaff were as respectful as if the boss were inspecting their work. As soon as they entered, the dishes were served promptly.
The tableware was exquisite.
The presentation was beautiful.
The dishes on the plates were like landscape paintings, combining color, aroma, taste, and artistic conception.
After just one bite, An Ning was too engrossed to even speak.
And Lu Qingze kept serving her food, his gaze filled with affection from start to finish.
…
At the same time, in the lobby of Dijing Dalou on the first floor, An Mother was throwing a tantrum.
“What do you mean? What do you mean I can’t go in without a work pass?”
Glaring angrily at the receptionist who remained smiling throughout, An Mother forcefully pushed away the security guard and shouted, “I’ve been here at least eight or ten times! My daughter works here, why can’t I come see her?”
“Where’s your manager? Get your manager out here!”
An Father glanced around, occasionally looking toward the elevator entrance.
If they couldn’t catch An Ning, couldn’t they catch her colleagues?
He refused to believe that stubborn girl could hide in her office forever.
No sooner had he spoken than a large group of people rushed in from behind.
“Officers, it’s these two!”
Manager Wang from the security department pointed at An Father and An Mother. “Dijing has clear regulations: only employees of this office building can enter the elevators with their work passes. These two refused to leave no matter how much we tried to persuade them, and they’ve been causing a scene here for quite some time.”
They never dreamed they would end up summoning the police.
An Father and An Mother exchanged bewildered glances.
The police began their official inquiry and took statements.
Beside them, Manager Wang wiped his sweat and kept glancing toward the main entrance on the first floor.
That Mr. Lu is the big boss of Imperial View.
Not to mention him, even Manager Chen, who oversees the Sicheng branch, would probably have to be extremely cautious in his presence.
If he were to see the security work here in Sicheng in such a mess, wouldn’t this security manager’s job be over?
Faced with the police, An Father and An Mother lost their earlier arrogance, promising repeatedly like model citizens that they would not cause trouble at Imperial View again.
After taking a few unwilling glances at the elevator, they turned and left indignantly.
Manager Wang turned back and instructed the security guards, “Engrave these two faces in your minds! If they come again, don’t even let them through the gate—drive them away directly.”
“Yes!”