Just My Luck to Meet You

Part4 B

Wang Meng is with Gu Lin because she's looking for a stable relationship, and she's finally at an age where her parents can understand why she wants to get settled. It makes sense that when she would meet someone like Gu Lin, who is suitable, good-looking, and also liked by her family.

"She was confused, rebellious, and lost in her youth, and then time just flew by."

Now she can understand why her parents wanted her to settle down. So when she saw Gu Lin, a guy who is suitable, good-looking, and also liked by her parents, she thought, "He's the one."

The reason she's with Gu Lin is mostly because he's attractive; another big reason is that although they've only been together for two or three months, even if they dated for another two or three years, she wouldn't want to marry him.

Gu Lin knows that she hasn't fully recovered from her sprained foot, so he takes care of her by picking her up after work and going home together.

Although they've only known each other for a few days, they suddenly became close, almost like life partners, and might even become a support for each other as a couple.

When Wang Meng gets off work, she sees Gu Lin coming to pick her up outside the building. He opens the car door for her, and she feels a strange sense of happiness from the bottom of her feet to her heart.

When they sit in the car, Gu Lin gently examines her ankle, asking, "Does it hurt here?" His fingers lightly touch her skin and ask, "How does this feel?" Suddenly, she feels an electric current running from her ankle to her knee, making her entire leg numb and lose all sensation.

After he checks, he says, "It's getting better."

Wang Meng looks at him again and adds, "It's really much better."

His dry and warm hands move away slowly, and she sits back in her seat, still dazed. She wonders if she should ask him if she could pinch his muscles or if that would be too much. She thinks about how ridiculous that would sound, changes her mind, and decides to phrase it differently, saying, "Actually, I'm not your patient anymore."

He smiles slightly. "What else can I do besides giving you medical treatment? Do you want a hug, a kiss, or..."

Wang Meng blushes and feels embarrassed but also happy inside. She didn't expect him to respond like this, thinking he was serious.

"You don't have to give me a massage," she says, feeling awkward. "I was just joking."

"Why are you shy?" he asks. "We're boyfriend and girlfriend now."

She feels both happy and disappointed. She likes that he seems sincere yet finds it annoying that he is too careful and won't take risks easily.

As they drive, Wang Meng asks Gu Lin what he wants to eat.

"Let's have hot pot," she suggests, thinking about how hot the weather has been recently. A nice sweaty meal would be great.

"Which kind?" he asks. "Nine-grid, simmer pot, or mutton hot pot?"

"Just nine-grid!" Wang Meng exclaims, already drooling at the thought.

"But you need to eat light while recovering," he says. "A spicy diet isn't good for your health."

Wang Meng feels absurdly annoyed. "Even if I sprained my foot, I still crave hot pot," she insists. She reaches over to grab his arm to tease him, but quickly pulls back when she realizes he's driving and can't react quickly. "I just want nine-grid hot pot!"

Gu Lin frowns and sighs, seemingly conflicted about something. Finally, he relaxes and says, "Alright, let's go to Haidilao."

Wang Meng is puzzled. Why did he suggest Haidilao instead of the spicy hot pot places she likes? It turns out he ordered a lattice grid just for her, knowing she doesn't like the taste of bone broth soup.

However, Gu Lin doesn't eat spicy food himself. After getting the lattice grid order, he tells the waiter to bring a bowl of bone broth for Wang Meng to warm up before she digs in.

Before dinner starts, she pretends to be reserved but secretly craves more. When the hot pot becomes too hot to handle, she asks Gu Lin if she can have some raw juice.

"Don't drink alcohol; you're still recovering," he warns, disapprovingly. "Are you thirsty now?"

"A little," she admits.

He scoops up a bowl of bone broth for her and tells her to sip slowly. Wang Meng nods obediently and drinks slowly. After a few sips, she feels the spice and can no longer resist the temptation of the hot pot.

"This tastes bland compared to bone broth," she complains. "Can I have some raw juice?"

Gu Lin frowns again. "You're a patient; you shouldn't drink alcohol or eat spicy food."

"I know," she admits, "but I can't wait any longer."

Gu Lin laughs and adds a bottle of iced Zao Cuo beer. "That's all you get," he says.

Wang Meng is thrilled by his unexpected generosity but feels embarrassed. She leans forward to whisper in his ear, "Do you think I'm easy?"

"Why do you say that?" he asks. "I just felt bad for you when you reached for my sleeve."

She remembers how she pulled his arm earlier and felt embarrassed. Was he hinting that she was too easy? She quickly changes the subject. "What were you doing when I reached for your sleeve?"

He glances down at his phone. "An intern doctor had questions, so I answered them."

"Oh," Wang Meng says, relieved but still feeling foolish. She decides to keep quiet and play with her phone.

They finish their meal and Gu Lin asks what she wants to do next.

"Maybe a movie?" he suggests. "There's a new superhero film out."

"Sounds good," Wang Meng says eagerly. "Is it exciting?"

"Yes, according to colleagues," Gu Lin replies. They head to the cinema hand-in-hand.

At the movies, they find themselves alone in the back row. The air feels charged between them. Wang Meng struggles to stay awake through the previews and eventually falls asleep halfway through the movie.

When she wakes up, she finds herself resting on Gu Lin's shoulder. She straightens up quickly, feeling guilty.

"Did I scare you?" Gu Lin asks, concerned.

"No," Wang Meng lies, embarrassed. "Just a bit of a headache."

They leave the theater quietly, with Gu Lin holding her hand tightly.