Pushing open the doors of Donglaishun—
A wave of warm air, carrying rich aromas, rushed straight toward her.
It instantly left Jiang Mian—who had been cold and hungry—dazed by the fragrance.
Fragrant!
So fragrant!
Even more fragrant than the fried sauce noodles she had eaten earlier today!
Jiang Mian couldn’t help but sniff deeply.
Through the misty air, a tall man in a wool coat stood up from his seat. His expression looked a bit anxious at first, but upon seeing who had arrived, it seemed to relax slightly.
Still, he remained cold, carrying a faint air of resentment.
Lu Heng’s gaze swept over Jiang Mian’s belly before he spoke in a low voice:
“I thought you weren’t coming.”
Jiang Mian subconsciously clenched her fists and raised her tone:
“Why would you think I wouldn’t come?!”
“I went to the guesthouse to pick you up, but you weren’t there. I waited a long time, and when you didn’t show, I came here alone.”
Jiang Mian was a little surprised:
“You went to pick me up? How?”
“I drove. I borrowed a car.”
Jiang Mian suddenly thought of the jeep parked outside—so it was his.
“Professor Lu, where’s the certificate?”
“Let’s eat first. I’ll give it to you after the meal.”
Fine.
Jiang Mian followed Lu Heng into a small private room.
After entering, she quietly observed the room, pretending to be calm—as if she were used to places like this.
Then she composed herself and sat down at the table.
Lu Heng watched her reactions the entire time and noticed that she was indeed very different from before.
In the past, she had been an inexperienced country wife, easily amazed by everything she saw.
Especially today—accepting an award on stage in front of so many people. The Jiang Mian of the past might have been so nervous she couldn’t even speak properly.
But today, with her belly showing, she had confidently walked onto the stage without hesitation.
Sure enough, after just a few days apart, one should look at a person with new eyes.
Her changes truly surprised Lu Heng.
He sat down across from her and handed her the menu:
“Go ahead and order.”
Jiang Mian took the menu. As she looked through it, staring at the prices listed after each dish, she finally revealed that familiar, inexperienced expression again.
Seeing her hesitating, biting her lip with that conflicted expression, Lu Heng couldn’t be bothered to waste time with her.
He directly snatched the menu and fluently rattled off a long list of dishes to the waiter.
Jiang Mian let out a breath.
You ordered all that yourself!
Don’t try to blame me when it’s time to pay!
The waiter noted everything down and went off to prepare the dishes.
Lu Heng glanced at the stack of books and documents placed on the table and reached out to take them.
Jiang Mian immediately pressed her hand down on them.
She quickly moved the documents onto the chair beside her.
Not letting him see.
Lu Heng: “…”
Guarding against him like a thief?
Lu Heng could tell—Jiang Mian was truly treating him like a thief now.
Completely unlike before, when they were on the farm—when she had been obedient, soft-spoken, and gentle.
Lu Heng felt stifled with frustration.
He held it in again and again.
Swallowing the words that had reached his lips.
Fine. I’ll settle this with you after the meal!
Soon, the waiter brought over a purple copper hotpot, with glowing red charcoal burning underneath.
Then came plates of neatly arranged slices of lamb—lean and fatty layered together, glistening with a fresh red color.
But in Jiang Mian’s eyes, they were way too thin!
Wasn’t this a rip-off?
One plate cost so much, and this was all you get?
At most, just a couple of ounces!
Money was really easy to make off city folks!
Suppressing her urge to complain, Jiang Mian couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Aside from the lamb slices, there were also frozen tofu, cabbage, bean sprouts, and more, along with a small bowl of sesame paste sauce.
The table was completely filled.
A pot of tea was also served.
Despite still feeling annoyed, Lu Heng picked up the teapot, rinsed a cup for Jiang Mian, and poured her some tea.
The fragrance of jasmine tea drifted gently into her nose.
Jiang Mian politely thanked him, held the cup, and took a sip of the hot tea.
Then Lu Heng started cooking the lamb in the copper pot.
With his chopsticks, he lightly held a thin slice of meat, swished it a few times in the boiling broth, and once it was cooked, placed it onto the white porcelain plate in front of Jiang Mian.
“Eat it while it’s hot.”