Chapter 128: Dinner Date
As Li Chen arrived home, he was greeted by Sun Lixia and Li Yanyan, both waiting with an air of concern. Li Yanyan wasted no time, immediately requesting his presence. "You’re finally here. Sit, we need to talk," she urged.
Li Chen, greeting Yanyan with a familiar "Hey, Aunt Yanyan," settled into a seat, ready to listen. Sun Lixia joined in, expressing their shared worry about his safety. Yanyan, after acknowledging their concerns, laid out a detailed plan designed to ensure Li Chen’s security. His response was swift, "If it puts your minds at ease, we can follow this plan."
Sun Lixia, though still fretful, acknowledged, "I’m worried about you." Li Chen reassured her, "I understand, Mom, but if the plan is ready, we can act on it tomorrow." Yanyan then diverted the conversation, mentioning an engagement invitation for the following day.
Confusion lingered briefly as Li Chen hesitated, uncertain of the event Yanyan referred to. Sensing his puzzlement, Sun Lixia proposed attending the Gu family engagement, brushing aside concerns of not having invitations. "Who says we don’t have invites? It’ll be fun," she asserted with confidence. Li Chen, yielding to his mother’s enthusiasm, agreed with a smile, "If you insist, we can go."
Li Chen stood up, signaling his departure. "Well, I’ll leave you two to it. I’m going to eat out," he declared.
"Hey, who are you going with?" Sun Lixia questioned.
"With Zhang Mei," Li Chen casually replied.
"Hmm, I see," Sun Lixia mused. Li Yanyan, keen on unraveling the unspoken, shot a questioning look at Sun Lixia.
"I’ll explain later," Sun Lixia assured her.
"I just hope this boy can make us grandparents soon," Li Yanyan remarked.
"You guys are thinking too much. Anyway, let me shower and change," Li Chen chuckled, dismissing the speculation.
Sun Lixia, with a hint of mischief, added, "I’ll prepare a tuxedo for tomorrow for you."
"No need, but if it makes you happy, that’s okay," Li Chen replied.
"You have to be presentable; you have a sugar mama, remember," Sun Lixia playfully teased. Li Chen laughed, the sound echoing through the house as he made his way upstairs.
Li Chen swiftly finished his shower and descended the stairs, awaiting Zhang Mei. He was dressed in black pants and a white shirt, the top button left undone, revealing a glimpse of his chest. Li Yanyan commented, "Yep, you took the Li genes." Sun Lixia, intrigued, queried, "Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?"
"You know why you fell for my brother; he was a looker," Li Yanyan teased.
Sun Lixia, with a chuckle, admitted, "I can’t argue with that." Li Chen, with affection, interjected, "You’re also beautiful, Mom." Sun Lixia turned to Li Yanyan triumphantly, "You heard that? My son knows I’m beautiful." Laughter filled the room as they settled in, waiting for Zhang Mei.
As they engaged in conversation, the rhythmic click of heels approached, drawing their collective attention. Zhang Mei, appearing from the direction of her mother’s room, was a vision of beauty. She wore a simple yet captivating white dress that accentuated her features, causing Li Chen to be momentarily captivated. Zhang Mei blushed, apologizing, "Sorry, I’m late. I had to check on Mom before leaving." Sun Lixia reassured her, "You didn’t have to; there’s a nurse, and I’m here."
Li Yanyan, ever the inquisitive one, chimed in, "Who is this beautiful young lady?" Sun Lixia swiftly introduced, "Zhang Mei, this is Li Yanyan, Li Chen’s aunt." Li Yanyan suggested, "You can call me Aunt Yanyan, like Li Chen does." Zhang Mei graciously responded, "Nice meeting you, Aunt Yanyan." Li Chen’s prolonged stare prompted a nudge from Sun Lixia, who prodded, "Are you going to say something?"
Li Chen, regaining his composure, stammered, "You... you look different." Zhang Mei, slightly unsure, questioned, "Is it bad?" Li Chen, dispelling any ambiguity, hurriedly expressed, "No, no, no! You are beautiful." Zhang Mei blushed even more, responding with a heartfelt, "Thank you."
Zhang Mei suggested, "We can go if you’re ready." Li Chen, slightly flustered, managed, "Yes, we can go." However, before they departed, Li Yanyan intervened, "Get a driver." Li Chen assured her, "It’s okay, Aunt. I’ll drive." Li Yanyan, with a teasing tone, remarked, "Oh yes, we wouldn’t want the driver interrupting your night. Just be careful, okay?"
Li Chen promised, "Don’t worry." Sun Lixia, concerned as always, reminded him, "Call if there’s something amiss." Li Chen, trying to alleviate their concerns, assured her, "Mom..." Sun Lixia relented, "Okay, okay, fine. Enjoy your night." With that, they set off for the night.
Li Chen, embracing his gentlemanly demeanor, opened the car door for Zhang Mei before taking his seat on the driver’s side. The drive to the restaurant was serene, accompanied by a comfortable silence. Li Chen couldn’t help but steal glances at Zhang Mei, who kept her focus on the road, attempting to conceal her blush. The unspoken connection between them added a subtle harmony to the journey, setting the stage for the evening ahead.
The car arrived at their destination, and Zhang Mei had chosen the same cafe where they had shared coffee during their second meeting. Her preference for simplicity resonated with Li Chen, who appreciated uncomplicated things. As they placed their orders, their conversation revolved around the ordinary aspects of life. Zhang Mei inquired about Li Yanyan, and Li Chen openly shared his thoughts.
In the midst of the simple yet meaningful dialogue, Zhang Mei’s heart thumped loudly in her chest. It dawned on her that what she felt was more than friendship, but uncertainty lingered about Li Chen’s feelings. On Li Chen’s side, conflicting emotions arose. While Zhang Mei saw him as a friend, his heart yearned for something more. The image of Zhang Mei’s smiling face during their conversation lingered in Li Chen’s mind. The dinner unfolded swiftly, and though Li Chen sensed a distant gaze upon him, he chose to ignore it, immersing himself in the joy of the moment.
The night concluded with unspoken questions, leaving both uncertain about the path ahead. Little did they know, a shift had occurred, altering the dynamics of their relationship in ways yet to be discovered.
