Tang Li stood up: "So what about you? Did you come to invite me for supper, or specifically to tell me that Guan Xiao isn’t a suitable candidate?"
"Of course I came to invite you for supper!" Fu Si fished out his motorcycle keys while defending himself: "Am I not concerned about you? That’s why I took the opportunity to warn you, something I don’t do for just anybody."
Once Fu Si was reassured Tang Li wasn’t charmed by the surname Guan, the weight lifted from his heart. Being considerate of Tang Li’s feelings, he didn’t show his joy. He straddled the motorcycle, turned his head, and said, "To be honest, that Guan really doesn’t deserve you."
"I am not a Heavenly Immortal. How does he not deserve me?" Thinking of how Guan Xiao had taken care of her since she entered the industry, Tang Li interrupted Fu Si: "He is a TV King, if we’re really talking about it, it’s me who is not equal to him. There are so many prettier actresses than me; he might not even give me a second glance."
Fu Si frowned, visibly dissatisfied: "Do you have to put yourself down like that?"
"That’s better than you putting someone else down with your words."
Tang Li put on her helmet: "Besides, what I said is the truth."
Her words effectively shut the big kid up.
Fu Si took Tang Li to a seafood restaurant that was similar to a Jiangnan garden in the East Suburb of the Capital. They parked the motorcycle outside the villa, and upon reaching the main entrance, Fu Si presented a membership card to the security guard who, after verification, allowed them in.
"This card belongs to my dad." Fu Si showed the card to Tang Li, speaking with the air of the wealthy: "I nagged him for a long time before he agreed to lend it to me for two days. But if you like it here, we can come again another day."
Entering the villa, they were led along by a dedicated waiter.
Even though it was late at night, Tang Li looked around and saw cobblestone paths flanked by rows of lanterns emitting a gentle yellow glow, stone arch bridges, and willow-like trees, the entire setting exuded an abundance of lush greenery, elegance, and tranquility, showcasing the charm of Jiangnan.
Fu Si remarked, "Lots of rich people, as well as officials, like to come here."
Tang Li followed him into the Huizhou-style building beside the pond, with its white walls and gray tiles, which made her think of Guangyuan Temple. Although it wasn’t as rundown, it had a similar quality to Guangyuan Temple, being removed from the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, sufficient to soothe one’s impatient heart.
"Walk faster." Fu Si urged from the side.
As he spoke, he grabbed Tang Li’s right hand: "If you dawdle any longer, it’ll be dawn soon."
Tang Li instinctively tried to withdraw her hand.
But Fu Si didn’t let go: "It’s a bit dark up ahead, let me lead you."
"..." Looking at the anxious and shy expression on Fu Si’s face, Tang Li thought of the "landlord’s dim-witted son." Although in her past life she only lived until 26, she had already come to see Fu Si as someone younger, like an aunt viewing her nephew.
Tang Li wasn’t emotionally dense. She had, more or less, noticed that Fu Si harbored a certain sentiment for her—a sentiment that was akin to liking but not entirely.
"Your palm is so smooth, why is that?"
Arriving at the door of the private room, Fu Si suddenly asked.
Tang Li didn’t hide it from him: "I grabbed a snake in the resting room earlier."
"Speaking of which, I haven’t washed my hands yet." Before Tang Li could finish, Fu Si had already let go of her hand. He feigned composure as he pursed his lips, and then said, "I’ll go to the restroom."
After saying that, he dashed off like a bolt of lightning.
Tang Li turned to the waiter: "Isn’t there a restroom in the private room?"
"There should be." The waiter sounded uncertain.
Tang Li glanced at her right hand, then gave a witty smile to the waiter: "Then I’ll go in and wash my hands first."
About 15 minutes later, Fu Si returned leisurely.
Upon entering the private room, he hesitated before deciding to pull out the chair next to Tang Li, and then mentioned, "My uncles are playing cards in the next room."