The Range Rover drove out of the Finance Bureau and onto the main road.
Gu Jingchuan turned his head and asked, “Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
Su Ningyue hadn’t expected him to ask for her opinion. She said casually, “Anything’s fine.”
“I know a Western restaurant where the steak is quite good. Would you like to try it?”
A Western restaurant?
Su Ningyue hesitated, because in her view, eating Western food was a very romantic thing, and she and Gu Jingchuan weren’t lovers. But if she refused outright, wouldn’t that be a bit of a mood-killer?
“What, you don’t like Western food?”
“It’s not that.” Su Ningyue shook her head, and Gu Jingchuan directly cut off her next words. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Su Ningyue silently closed her mouth.
Forget it, she wouldn’t spoil the mood.
Soon, the Range Rover came to a stop. Su Ningyue unbuckled her seatbelt and got out, and what came into view was a resplendent Western restaurant. She couldn’t help but click her tongue in amazement. Apparently, the food at this restaurant was especially delicious, but it was also very expensive—at least a thousand yuan for one meal. Even so, many people still couldn’t get a reservation.
“Let’s go.”
Gu Jingchuan parked the car and walked over to stand beside Su Ningyue. Su Ningyue asked a rather silly question. “Um, I heard that this place requires reservations in advance.”
“Don’t worry, I’m a member here.”
Su Ningyue pursed her lips awkwardly. How could she have forgotten Gu Jingchuan’s status? He was someone everyone tried to curry favor with—how could he possibly need a reservation?
The moment she stepped through the door, she could feel a rich European ambiance washing over her.
In the spacious, bright main hall stood a black grand piano, its lid reflecting the soft glow of the lights. Occasionally, a pianist in a tailcoat would sit there, playing one beautiful melody after another, allowing diners to immerse themselves in an ocean of music while enjoying their meal.
By the windows were pots of delicate, blooming flowers, exuding a charming fragrance that added a touch of vitality and energy to the entire restaurant.
From the ceiling hung magnificent crystal chandeliers, their brilliant light cascading down and illuminating the entire space as brightly as daylight.
The walls were adorned with exquisite oil paintings, the figures and landscapes within so lifelike they seemed ready to step out of the canvas. The floor was covered in soft carpet, and walking on it felt as light as strolling on clouds.
Moreover, the waitstaff all wore uniform attire and greeted every customer with warm smiles. Their service was thoughtful and meticulous, making people feel truly cared for.
Su Ningyue couldn’t help but sigh—this place was practically a paradise for the rich!
Just then, a man in a suit hurried over, bowed to Gu Jingchuan, and said respectfully, “Director Gu, hello! I’m the manager of Bofei Western Restaurant. We’ve reserved a seat for you. This way, please.”
Gu Jingchuan gave him a slight nod, then took the young woman’s soft little hand. Su Ningyue immediately looked up at the man above her, as if startled, and began to struggle gently.
“Stay close to me, or you might get lost.”
Gu Jingchuan’s words seemed to have a calming effect, and Su Ningyue had no choice but to stop struggling and stay close by his side. The moment they entered the private room, she quickly withdrew her hand.
The manager beside them kept his eyes lowered and pretended not to see anything, speaking up at the right moment. “Director Gu, I’ll go down and have the kitchen prepare the dishes.”
Gu Jingchuan gave a light hum of acknowledgment.
After the private room fell completely silent, Gu Jingchuan said sincerely to the young woman, “I apologize. Holding your hand just now was a bit presumptuous of me.”
Su Ningyue was indeed a little displeased with him, but thinking that he hadn’t done it on purpose, she decided not to make an issue of it.
Gu Jingchuan kept trying to strike up conversation afterward, but it seemed he had upset the young woman—she showed little interest.
Soon, all the dishes were served.
Su Ningyue had originally planned to just take a few bites, but the delicacies on the table thoroughly captured her attention.
Seeing the stars in the young woman’s eyes, Gu Jingchuan looked at her indulgently. “Go ahead, eat.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Su Ningyue began to eat.
Taking a small bite of the steak, her eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, “This is so delicious.”
“If it’s good, eat more. If it’s not enough, we can order more.” Seeing her enjoy the meal, Gu Jingchuan felt content in his heart.
Gu Jingchuan cut his steak slowly and methodically, then placed the neatly cut pieces in front of the young woman.
Su Ningyue blushed as she looked at him. “This… I can do it myself.”
“Don’t feel burdened. Think of it as my compensation for earlier.”
The two then ate their Western meal in quiet. Gu Jingchuan didn’t eat much himself, focusing more on taking care of the young woman.
The meal lasted nearly an hour. When they finally left, the manager respectfully saw them out of the restaurant.
Before getting into the car, Su Ningyue tugged at the man’s sleeve and mustered her courage to say, “Um, how much was that meal just now? Let’s split it half and half.”
At that moment, she silently prayed it wasn’t too expensive…
Gu Jingchuan found the young woman’s earnestness both amusing and exasperating. “Didn’t I say this meal was on me?”
“That won’t do. I can’t take advantage of you.”
A hint of slyness flashed in Gu Jingchuan’s eyes. “Are you really insisting on paying me back?”
“Of course.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Su Ningyue vaguely felt something off about them, but she couldn’t take them back.
“Then how about you treat me to a meal next time?”
Su Ningyue’s face showed hesitation. She felt like she was getting more and more entangled with him.
Wasn’t he a director? Shouldn’t he be very busy?
Gu Jingchuan: “Not willing?”
“No, that’s not it.” Su Ningyue shook her head. “I might not have the money to treat you to a fancy restaurant.”
“That’s fine. You can decide where we eat.”
As long as he was with the young woman, Gu Jingchuan would even be happy eating plain coarse food.
At this point, Su Ningyue had no choice but to agree.
After returning to the Finance Bureau, Su Ningyue’s heart was still hanging in midair, because she knew well that her ultimate goal for coming here had not yet been achieved.
She mustered her courage, moved closer to Gu Jingchuan, and lowered her voice to remind him gently, “Director Gu, would you happen to be free now to sign this document?”
Hearing this, Gu Jingchuan gave a slight nod in agreement.
Calmly, he picked up the document from the desk and began flipping through it page by page with focused, serious attention.
During that brief moment, Su Ningyue stood to the side, unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes with her hands, silently praying that this man wouldn’t find any more faults.
Fortunately, after a careful review, Gu Jingchuan ultimately picked up his pen and signed his name with bold, flowing strokes.
Seeing this, Su Ningyue’s suspended heart finally settled back into place, and an elated smile involuntarily bloomed on her face. She quickly thanked Gu Jingchuan: “Thank you, Director Gu!”
After completing the mission, Su Ningyue felt much more at ease. She said politely, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, she turned and walked toward the door. However, just as she was about to step out of the room, Gu Jingchuan’s deep, magnetic voice suddenly came from behind her: “Miss Su, don’t forget you still owe me a meal.”
Su Ningyue’s body stiffened at his words. After taking a deep breath, she slowly turned around, her beautiful eyes fixed on Gu Jingchuan as she replied softly, “Director Gu, thank you for the reminder. I certainly won’t forget about it.”
Then, she bid him farewell once more: “Director Gu, goodbye.”
What she was thinking was, “Goodbye forever.”
Watching Su Ningyue’s retreating figure, Gu Jingchuan couldn’t help but chuckle softly, murmuring to himself, “She really is like a cute little rabbit!” His words were laced with an unmistakable tenderness.
“Ningning, we have plenty of time ahead…”