"But I also don’t regret my decision back then. I believe if I had to do it all over again, I would make the same choice."
Munni stopped in her tracks and turned her head to look at Yuan Chengmo. When their eyes met, a gentle arc drew across her delicate features.
"Senior, Yisen is too exceptional, so exceptional that even after our divorce, I can’t blame him."
Xu Yisen had been indifferent to her efforts and oblivious to her profound love, yet even so, she could not find fault with Xu Yisen.
Because it was she who insisted on marrying Xu Yisen against her father’s objections, thinking naively that she could win his heart after marriage. However, reality had taught her a harsh lesson.
To her, that failed marriage in the past was a lesson. Although it didn’t yield happiness, it did provide her with experiences that led to personal growth.
Yuan Chengmo reached out and pulled Munni into his arms, giving her a very warm hug.
"Silly girl, living happily is what matters most. Since the past is gone, just let it go and live beautifully from now on."
Munni leaned against Yuan Chengmo’s chest, her lips curving into a light smile, "Yeah, don’t I have you looking out for me in the future, Senior?"
Yuan Chengmo released Munni and, like a good buddy, wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they continued walking toward the restaurant.
He mumbled to himself, "Tsk tsk, I knew from the start you were sincere in flattering me."
"Senior, are you sure it was me flattering you back then, and not you pestering me shamelessly?"
Yuan Chengmo laughed cheekily, "I don’t quite remember, you know."
When they reached the entrance of the restaurant, Yuan Chengmo finally withdrew his arm from Munni’s shoulder. He glanced at the sign above the entrance, carved with the word ’Zong’, and chuckled lightly, "It seems that all these years, it’s not just your taste in music that’s unchanged, but this restaurant too."
"Cut the chatter," Munni rolled her eyes, taking the lead to step inside.
Just as Yuan Chengmo said, even though it had been many years since she last visited, the interior still looked very much like it did years ago.
They were seated at the bar, behind which was an open kitchen where chefs were busy making sushi or cooking ramen.
Munni and Yuan Chengmo took the menus handed to them by the waiter and first ordered some sake before burying their heads in the menu.
After the waiter left, Munni heard Yuan Chengmo beside her say with a hint of teasing, "The waiter has gotten prettier."
Munni rolled her eyes again, not responding, then heard Yuan Chengmo continue, "But still falls short compared to my junior."
"Thank you for your compliment."
Seeing her expression as if wanting to hide from embarrassment, Yuan Chengmo’s lips curled up in pleasant amusement.
The waiter returned with the sake, helped them place their food order, and left once more.
Yuan Chengmo picked up the porcelain pot on the table and poured some sake into both their cups, "In this cold weather, sake warms the heart the best."
Munni couldn’t help but laugh, picking up her cup and downing the sake in one gulp. The warm liquid slid down her throat into her belly, driving away the cold inside.
She was about to praise the sake when from the corner of her eye she caught a familiar figure hurrying toward the private room door and respectfully knocking on it.
This Japanese restaurant had a very small area, with a bar and an open kitchen in the main hall, and some tables set up not far behind the bar.
The restaurant had only two private rooms in total, both located half a meter away from the end of the bar, and the restroom was across from them.
"What are you looking at?"