After everyone left, Chen Cheng also stood up, "You go ahead with your work, I’ll be leaving then."
He leaned his face closer.
Wen Shulin quickly pecked his cheek, "Be good, see you tonight."
Chen Cheng left the office with a smile. Wen Shulin watched his familiar silhouette, her lips naturally curving into a smile.
She walked to her desk, locked the document bag Chen Cheng gave her in the cabinet, then headed towards her office.
Luxury car, beautiful woman, classic combo.
Liu Zhiya looked at the brand new Mercedes S63L in front of her, stepped forward with her long legs, and sat in the passenger seat.
"Brother Cheng, did you change cars?"
Chen Cheng smiled, "Just picked it up."
"The car is really beautiful," Liu Zhiya said sincerely, "Brother Cheng, you really have good taste."
While starting the car, Chen Cheng said, "Originally, I had arranged to have dinner with you, but something came up last minute, so we changed to lunch."
He added, "Xiao Ya, it seems that since we’ve known each other, we’ve never had a meal alone, right?"
Happiness filled Liu Zhiya’s heart; Chen Cheng’s promise-keeping manner rippled through her.
Liu Zhiya snapped back to reality, "Ah? Right! We haven’t."
Chen Cheng glanced at her, the simple white short-sleeve shirt looked pure.
Her lower half was in a light blue denim mini-skirt with an irregular fringe design at the hem, showing off her youthful energy.
White canvas shoes with hints of light graffiti were full of artistic flair.
Her legs were long and straight, her skin fair as snow, bent towards Chen Cheng’s direction in the passenger seat.
Her lips, cherry and unadorned with rouge, wore a sweet smile, the best cool dessert at the end of summer.
"Brother Cheng, where do you plan to take me?" Liu Zhiya asked excitedly.
Chen Cheng smiled, "What would you like to eat?"
"Japanese cuisine, is that okay?" Liu Zhiya inquired.
"Sure, today we’ll do whatever you want."
Having said that, Chen Cheng drove towards the Pangu Building.
Arriving at the Kyoto Kaiseki Hanazan Japanese Restaurant, Chen Cheng and Liu Zhiya walked in hand in hand.
A waiter dressed in traditional kimono promptly greeted them.
He bowed slightly, his face carrying a professional smile, "Welcome."
Chen Cheng nodded, gestured a "2" with his hand.
"Please follow me." The waiter softly said, leading the way.
This Japanese restaurant was among the best in Beijing, not just for its ingredients and flavor, but also for the rich Japanese-style decor.
Polished wooden floors shone like mirrors, with exquisite traditional Japanese paintings hanging on the walls. Ancient paper lanterns dangled from the ceiling, casting a soft and warm light.
In one corner of the restaurant was a small artificial rock fountain, the murmuring sound of flowing water adding a serene and peaceful atmosphere to the space.
The pair sat down in a private room, both on one side.
The tatami mats were soft and comfortable, with delicate Japanese tea sets laid out on a low table.
The waiter handed them the menu, "Here is our menu, please take your time to choose."
Chen Cheng didn’t look at it, instead giving Liu Zhiya the freedom to choose.
Liu Zhiya ordered some grilled beef, sashimi, and botan shrimp, then laughed carefreely, "Brother Cheng, you’re so good to me."
Chen Cheng smiled faintly, "Treating you to Japanese cuisine and you think I’m good to you?"
Liu Zhiya shook her head, "It’s that you’ve always been good to me, taking good care of me."
"Silly girl, if I don’t treat you well, then who am I supposed to treat well?"
Liu Zhiya was delighted again, leaning on Chen Cheng’s shoulder, "Brother Cheng, meeting you really used up all the luck in my life."
"Then without luck, wouldn’t you become a jinx?" Chen Cheng said with a mischievous smile, "Then I’ll have to keep my distance."
Saying this, he even deliberately moved his body a bit.
"Brother Cheng~!" Liu Zhiya, in a hurry, grabbed Chen Cheng’s arm and shook it, "You’re always teasing me!"
Chen Cheng laughed heartily, coaxing her, "Alright, I was just joking with you."
Liu Zhiya pouted, feeling the emotions of being in love.
At this moment, the ordered Japanese dishes were served one after another, the exquisite arrangement stimulating the appetite.
Each dish was like a piece of art. The grilled beef was cut into uniform pieces, placed in a beautiful dish, adorned with green onions and golden garlic cloves.
The sashimi was sliced into thin, translucent pieces, looking like slices of jade, served with fresh wasabi and soy sauce, emanating an appetizing aroma.
The botan shrimp were large and plump, the shrimp meat tender and juicy, displayed on an ice platter surrounded by lemon slices and shiso leaves.
Liu Zhiya picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of sashimi to Chen Cheng’s mouth and complained with a pout, "Brother Cheng, try this."
Chen Cheng opened his mouth and ate it, nodding, "Tastes not bad."
Liu Zhiya’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, "Of course, how could it not be delicious when I picked it?"
"But it seems to be missing something."
"Sashimi is quite light..." Before she could finish her sentence, catching sight of the smile on Chen Cheng’s face, Liu Zhiya instantly understood.
She hurriedly picked another piece of sashimi, holding it to her mouth, and offered it up.
But Chen Cheng dodged.
"Brother Cheng~!~" Liu Zhiya stamped her foot in faux annoyance, "You did that on purpose!"
Chen Cheng said with a smile, "I just like seeing you ."
Pointing at the dish, he continued, "Just eat it yourself."
"Don’t you like Japanese cuisine?" Liu Zhiya asked.
"It’s not that I don’t like it, just feel that it’s nice once in a while, but after eating too much, I still miss the taste of our Chinese food."
"Then how about next time I cook a meal for you?"
Chen Cheng laughed in surprise, "You can cook?"
Liu Zhiya raised her chin confidently, "Of course, don’t underestimate me."
Chen Cheng watched her with interest, "Then I’m looking forward to it."
Liu Zhiya’s eyes were filled with anticipation, "Well, it’s a deal, and you’re not allowed to complain if you don’t like what I cook."