“Really?” Li Xueqing was overjoyed. Her initial awful feelings were replaced by delightful ones. “It’s wonderful! Mom, I love you!”
Fang Zhili smiled. “Your Uncle Mu is making arrangements now. Once everything is settled, I’ll let you know again. Alright, that’s all for now. Come home earlier tonight for dinner.”
“Mm!” Li Xueqing was almost squealing. “I’ll get preparing then, Muah!”
This was the first time—in both lifetimes—that they were announcing their relationship so openly.
When she got into Mu Donglin’s car, Li Beinian asked, “You were the one who sent the flowers?”
Mu Donglin turned to look at her. “Did you like it?”
It was obvious he was behind this now.
For some reason, Li Beinian felt a little disappointed.
She nodded and turned away quickly.
Mu Donglin narrowed his eyes. “Who did you wish it was from?”
Li Beinian turned to look at him and gave a wry smile. “What a waste of your money and others’ efforts.”
Mu Donglin tossed the feeling aside and asked, “What do you want to eat?”
“I’m deciding?”
“It’s all up to you.”
“I want something spicy.” Li Beinian smiled and said, “Since I’m the one deciding, then let’s have steamboat.”
Mu Donglin couldn’t handle spice.
Not even a little bit.
Upon hearing Li Beinian’s decision, Mu Donglin’s expression stiffened.
Li Beinian was oddly excited, but she quickly turned away, pretending not to see his look.
When they arrived, Li Beinian decisively ordered an ultra-spicy steamboat.
Right after placing the order, she saw that Mu Donglin appeared rather ashen.
She seemed to have come to a realization. “Oh right, I didn’t ask if you could take spice. You should be…” She paused there as she looked at him with wide innocent eyes, “… alright with it?”
Mu Donglin pursed his lips as he looked at her expression.
He held his teacup up and said, “I’m not too good at handling the spice. But it’s alright, as long as you like it.”
“Oh… then let’s change the order. We’ll call the attendant over and order a different soup base?”
“It’s alright.” Mu Donglin looked at her. “Whatever you like can’t be too bad.”
But when the food arrived, Mu Donglin realized he had shot himself in the foot.
He had only taken two mouthfuls and was already having trouble dealing with it.
Even after finishing the whole pot of tea, his face was still red from the spice.
Li Beinian pretended not to take note as she continued having her fun eating.
Mu Donglin had already put his chopsticks down.
Li Beinian looked shocked. “Hey, why aren’t you eating? The beef is really good, eat more!”
Mu Donglin was speechless.
He looked at the beef that was dyed a chili red and couldn’t bring himself to pick it up. “I’m full.”
“Oh… that’s too bad. I’m not full yet, wait for me.”
Li Beinian took her time to eat and had Mu Donglin wait for a good half hour.
Mu Donglin drank water the whole time, but the spice was unbearable.
Eventually, he got up and said, “I’ll go to the washroom.”
“Mm, sure.”
Li Beinian smiled, extremely happy with what she had done.
–
–
–
Side scene:
They “coincidentally” bumped into each other again at work, and Mu Xichen treated her to lunch in the name of her superior.
Li Beinian got into the car and went straight to the steamboat restaurant, ordering an ultra-spicy steamboat base.
Li Beinian was having a good time with her food.
After that, she realized that Mu Xichen’s lips were swelling from the spice. “You can’t handle spice?”
Mu Xichen looked up at her and said slowly, “It’s alright.”
Li Beinian was in disbelief. “Then why did you eat so much?”
“You cooked it, it’s pretty nice.”
Li Beinian was speechless.