Once they got into the car, warm air instantly wrapped around Tang Zhen, and she finally felt some heat return to her body.
Ren Yanjing didn’t start driving right away. He tilted his head and glanced at her, his gaze sweeping over her bare, smooth legs. “Why are you dressed so lightly?”
Tang Zhen blinked. Her eyes were glossy and bright, framed by long, thick lashes. When she blinked, it was like a tiny brush gently sweeping across Ren Yanjing’s heart.
“Because today is our first date,” she said sweetly. “I wanted to dress beautifully so you’d remember me forever.”
Ren Yanjing paused for a few seconds. “You already look very nice. Next time, wear a bit more—or wait for me inside a shop.”
Somewhat surprised, Tang Zhen told 000, “The male lead is actually this considerate?”
【Yeah. He is a rich second-generation heir, after all. He was raised well—he’s naturally considerate toward women.】
Oh. So it was just manners and upbringing.
Still… knowing that a male lead like this was destined to belong to the female lead made her feel oddly uncomfortable. He was already thoughtful as he was. After dating the female supporting character, he’d only become more perfect—every girl’s dream boyfriend.
She was basically the one planting the tree, but the person enjoying the shade wouldn’t be her—it would be the next one.
Thankfully, once she completed her missions, she’d be able to switch identities and start over. Before transmigrating into the book, she had drowned while saving a child who’d fallen into the water. Being able to live again was already a huge win.
After buckling his seatbelt, Ren Yanjing quickly started the car. A faint scent lingered inside—subtle, not overpowering, but refined. Tang Zhen had never smelled anything quite like it elsewhere.
She had to admit, Ren Yanjing had excellent taste.
Resting her hand near the seatbelt, she asked, “Where are we going now?”
“Dinner first,” Ren Yanjing replied, glancing at her briefly.
There was no music playing in the car—she wasn’t sure if he’d forgotten or simply didn’t like it. Only the sound of their breathing filled the space.
Tang Zhen hadn’t known the male lead for long, and they weren’t particularly close yet. When there was nothing to say, the silence felt awkward—at least to her.
Luckily, they reached the restaurant quickly.
It was a quiet, private dining place with excellent discretion. The decor was elegant and traditional. The moment she stepped inside, it felt like entering a completely different, tranquil world.
There was the gentle sound of flowing water, a faint trace of incense in the air, and servers moved about quietly. Tang Zhen even spotted a recently popular male celebrity dining with a female companion. The woman beside him looked gentle and refined—definitely not someone from the entertainment industry.
She must’ve stared a bit too long. Her gaze lingered on the celebrity, and Ren Yanjing suddenly reached out, lightly tugging her wrist and pulling her a step closer to him.
“Watch where you’re going,” he reminded her.
He only held her for a second before letting go. Tang Zhen withdrew her gaze and looked down at her wrist.
The warmth from his hand seemed to linger.
She couldn’t help complaining to 000, “I was walking just fine. Why did he suddenly grab me?”
【…Who knows. You can’t predict the thoughts of a romance newbie.】
“That male celebrity is pretty handsome.”
【Not as handsome as the male lead.】
That was true. The male lead was basically at the top of the looks hierarchy.
After ordering, while waiting for the dishes to arrive, Tang Zhen received Mission Two.
Mission Two: During the meal, have three intimate interactions with the male lead.
“Three times is way too much, isn’t it?” Tang Zhen protested.
【Not much at all! Our little Zhenzhen can totally handle it with ease.】
【Zhenzhen, you can do it! Love you~ You’re the best~~~】
This system really knew how to sweet-talk people. After a barrage of sugary encouragement, Tang Zhen’s dissatisfaction quickly melted away.
Even though there were only two of them, Ren Yanjing had ordered eight dishes in total—half chosen by Tang Zhen, half by him.
Tang Zhen loved spicy food.
Ren Yanjing preferred light flavors.
The thought that everything she was doing now was just to turn the male lead into a perfect boyfriend—only to hand him over to the female lead later—sparked a mischievous impulse in her.
The first dish served was braised beef brisket with tendon, loaded with chili peppers. It had nothing to do with “light” flavors—heavy oil, heavy salt. Ren Yanjing definitely wouldn’t like it, but Tang Zhen loved it.
Using a clean pair of chopsticks, she picked up a piece of tendon, stretched her arm toward him, and opened her mouth slightly. “Ah—open up.”
Ren Yanjing looked at the delicate hand in front of him. Her skin was pale—almost translucent. Her nails were neatly polished, nail beds soft pink. It was a very pretty hand.
“I don’t eat spicy food,” he said calmly.
Tang Zhen didn’t get discouraged. She blinked at him. “But I like spicy food. Don’t you want to try what I like?”
“You’re my boyfriend, you know.”
“It’s only our third day together. You won’t even cooperate with such a small request?”
“I’ll really be sad.”
She was exceptionally good at acting cute. Her eyes were moist and deer-like, shimmering with light—and reflected in them was Ren Yanjing himself.
“If it were something you liked but I didn’t, I’d still be willing to try it.”
“Just try it. Please?”
As if worn down by her chatter, Ren Yanjing reached out to take the chopsticks—but Tang Zhen refused. She swiftly pulled them back.
“Nope. You open your mouth. I’ll feed you…”
Ren Yanjing: “……”
He had never been fed like this before. If it were anyone else, he would’ve coldly refused without hesitation.
But the person in front of him was his girlfriend.
A girlfriend was… different, after all.
They stayed locked in that stalemate for three full minutes. In the end, he finally opened his mouth and ate it.
After chewing a couple of times, it wasn’t as spicy as he’d imagined.
Tang Zhen smiled like a little hamster that had stolen a bite of its favorite treat—so cute it made Ren Yanjing look at her twice.
She checked Mission Two. Sure enough, the progress indicator read: (1/3).
Two more to go.
The second dish was spicy braised chicken gizzards with soybeans. Tang Zhen placed both hands on the table, slightly opened her mouth, and assumed a clear waiting-to-be-fed posture.
Ren Yanjing didn’t move.
She whined, “Hurry up. I want chicken gizzards.” Her watery eyes looked straight at him—open, sincere, impossible to ignore.
Ren Yanjing picked up a piece and fed it to her.
As expected, once the first cooperation happened, the rest wasn’t difficult.
Mission Two advanced to (2/3).
But the final interaction left Tang Zhen a little troubled.
The male lead was destined to belong to the female lead. Kissing was out of the question. At most, maybe a cheek kiss—or holding hands or a brief hug. But right now, there was a whole table between them. Holding hands or hugging didn’t feel appropriate.
As the meal neared its end, Tang Zhen came up with an idea.
She crooked her finger at Ren Yanjing.
He was eating fish ball soup and looked up when he noticed her. “What is it?”
“Can you hand me your hand for a moment?”
Ren Yanjing didn’t know what she was up to, but since they were already dating, he figured he should cooperate. Otherwise, what was the point of being in a relationship?
He extended his free left hand.
Tang Zhen grabbed it—and with her other hand, pressed the shutter button.
Click.
A new photo appeared on her phone.