Usually, it was always Xia Fu who got taken out to eat by him. The girl’s financial situation was limited, so even if she tried to treat him, it’d be with small snacks from around campus. This was the first time she’d ever invited him to a private restaurant.

“The restaurant where we first met?”

Fang Jingcheng softly repeated Xia Fu’s request, smiling as his eyes curved with amusement. He was still sitting with his legs curled up, his cheek resting on his knees as he tilted his head, watching her. There seemed to be a different taste hidden in this unusual invitation.

“Can I consider this a date?”

The young man asked, his handsome face showing a mischievous yet sweet expression. Even if there was no such intention in her heart, anyone would want to go along with him just to keep that smile there.

Such a sweet-talking rascal.

The straightforward question made Xia Fu sigh inwardly, reminded once again of the kind of formidable hunter she was dealing with. Even though he’d just been feeling down about his family, when it came to relationships, Fang Jingcheng was as composed as ever.

His ability to switch emotions so quickly made her wonder if he actually cared as much as he appeared to. Perhaps the vulnerabilities he showed were deliberate, and what she was about to do might end up costing her dearly.

But at this point, she didn’t want to keep dancing around with him.

The girl pursed her lips and reluctantly answered, “You could think of it that way, I suppose,” sounding more than a little helpless.

Having been ignored just moments before, now that he was indulged, Fang Jingcheng happily remarked, “It’s exciting. I’ll make a call and see if they can clear a table tonight.” He got up, returning to his usual relaxed manner.

Walking this road for the first time, she remembered it being a dark night, and now they were back in the dimming light of early evening. Xia Fu turned her face to look carefully at the scenery outside, wanting to memorize this path she had chosen herself.

The restaurant looked exactly as it had—tucked behind wrought-iron fences, nestled among blooming flowers. Lush roses spilled down from the brick-red eaves, their pink petals scattered over the dark brick ground by the breeze. When the waiter lifted the dense curtain of pearl beads, the thickly carpeted hallway led her into another vibrant, lively world.

But this time, she looked different, and her mood was far less nervous than before.

Her delicate lady’s heels stepped silently onto the carpet, their polished, lacquered surfaces reflecting the classical oil paintings on the walls and her composed expression.

Xia Fu could still remember her first time here, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, feeling like a mouse sneaking into the kitchen—nervous, worried she’d be chased out, yet equally desperate to calm the hunger in her stomach.

Now, it was different.

The fine clothes felt like a sturdy armor wrapped around her dignity, allowing her to walk tall and blend into this little world of luxury.

She had always used phrases like “everyone is born equal” to motivate herself, but in the end, that statement wasn’t as helpful as a set of expensive clothing.

It was like this here, and it had been the same when she went to the GJ Center to try on clothes.

Xia Fu quietly observed the changes in her state of mind, feeling like she wasn’t much different from the sales associates in the clothing store.

In the end, she was still without money, so she inwardly admired the power of wealth, unknowingly dividing people into different classes. And now, despite the contract ending, here she was, still thick-skinned enough to ask Fang Jingcheng to accompany her to a place like this…

“I picked a few dishes I like. How about you? Anything you want to add?”

Fang Jingcheng, clearly a regular here, quickly chose some seasonal specialties before looking up to get Xia Fu’s input.

As she looked at his handsome face, Xia Fu’s heart grew heavier and heavier. She was trying her best to stay calm, but now that the moment was here, she couldn’t help feeling timid.

She lowered her gaze, sliding her fingers down the menu, stopping finally at a glimmering glass.

“This is enough. I’ll just eat whatever you ordered. But maybe let’s get something to drink… could we order a bottle of osmanthus wine?”

Some things are just easier with a bit of liquid courage.

Fang Jingcheng raised his eyebrows, genuinely surprised. “I don’t mind, but are you sure? You don’t look like someone who drinks.”

Xia Fu shook her head, explaining, “I don’t usually, just a bit during New Year celebrations. But today feels worth celebrating, and I want to relax a bit.”

Fang Jingcheng called the server for a sample. He held the wine bottle, eyeing the alcohol content on the back, watching the clear liquid shimmer under the lights as it reflected in his gaze. Despite his laid-back look, Xia Fu knew he didn’t often smoke or drink. Yet, when she wanted to try, he put up a front, asking in a low voice:

“It’s a floral fruit wine, but the alcohol content isn’t low. Are you sure you want this?”

She looked at him unwaveringly, insisting, “Yes. Is that a problem? Or is there something else you’d prefer?”

He let out a small laugh, sounding helpless. “No problem. Just as long as you’re only tasting it. You couldn’t possibly finish the bottle yourself; I’ll just share it with you.”

They finally got into their preferred restaurant, but Xia Fu’s mind wasn’t on the food, so naturally, she couldn’t taste it either. She sipped the golden osmanthus wine from a crystal-etched glass, feeling alternating waves of cold and warmth—the wine was chilled, her face was flushed, and Fang Jingcheng’s gaze was hot, almost making her melt.

He was clearly in a good mood tonight, chatting non-stop, bringing up the restaurant, summer activities, and gossip about the judges, all with a playful tone. At some point, Xia Fu started feeling weary of the aimless talk, dropping her gaze and no longer responding.

Though he hadn’t officially stepped into his family’s business, Fang Jingcheng’s background meant he’d grown up around social events. Casually fiddling with his wine glass, he downed the ten-year-aged wine like it was a floral drink, and even half a bottle didn’t change his expression.

“Your face is so red. Are you drunk? Want to go outside for a walk?”

His gaze was filled with a boyish sincerity that made Xia Fu’s heart skip a beat, though it also annoyed her, feeling like he was playing dumb.

She set her glass aside, reaching up to brush her hair back from her face, her tone becoming softer with the tipsiness.

“Yes, can you take me out for a bit of fresh air? There’s a little garden in the back.”

“Here, take my arm.”

Fang Jingcheng stood up, offering his arm to help steady her.

“There’s a garden in the back? Looks like you really like this place; guess I picked the right spot.”

“Yes, I really do like it here.” This was Xia Fu’s first time in such a high-end place, and everything she saw fascinated her, imprinting it in her heart.

There was an old gramophone in one corner, a tiny needle pressed to the record, playing soft classical music. In another corner, a calendar poster from the last century displayed an alluring woman in a vibrant cheongsam.

Xia Fu and Fang Jingcheng strolled along slowly. Maybe she really was a bit drunk, because she looked up to see a few women in cheongsams, arm in arm, laughing as they walked down the corridor.

“They’re so beautiful. Are they here to shoot a movie?”

Fang Jingcheng reached out to stop one of the women passing by, grinning as he asked.

“I’ll find out… there’s a dance hall upstairs at the old restaurant, people come to dance there every night. Interested? S City has some great old tailors; I could take you to pick out some xiangyun silk, get you a cheongsam that’ll suit you perfectly.”

She said, “I don’t know how to dance,” and he replied, “I don’t either. I can learn and teach you.” It seemed that any casual question was met with his patient answer.

His easy-going nature made Xia Fu turn her head, studying him more closely.

The hotel’s back exit led to a quiet garden, with sounds of laughter, music, and the stomping of dancers gradually fading into the distance. Under the dark velvet sky, only the soft singing of crickets hidden in the grass remained.

Feeling bolder than usual thanks to the alcohol, Xia Fu, tiring of the walk, tugged on Fang Jingcheng’s arm. “I don’t want to mess up my dress,” she said, directing him to find somewhere to sit.

She stood there, arms folded, watching coldly as he bent down to clean the garden’s rattan swing with a damp cloth. Once she sat down, she leaned close to his ear and murmured, “I’m tired. Can I lean on you?”

“Come here.”

The outdoor summer night was humid and stuffy. Fang Jingcheng draped his expensive but stiff blazer over the armrest, reaching out his arm toward her.

“You’re so warm.”

She was like a soft vine, resting on his shoulder, breathing in the warmth from his neck, sliding down his solid arm before lazily lying across his lap, faintly complaining to him.

He took a deep breath, seeming both amused and at a loss with her.

“Feeling better now?”

Fang Jingcheng lifted his hand, slowly removing his watch, his rings, and other accessories, gently swaying the swing with one hand, using his broad palm to fan the air beside Xia Fu’s face.

“Yes… you’re so good to me.”

A slightly tipsy Xia Fu gave him a silly smile, her radiant expression wiping away any last trace of his composure. Her cheeks were flushed a soft pink, like a ripe peach, and just a light squeeze would bring out its sweet juice.

“How good am I?”

Fang Jingcheng ran his hand through her hair, tucking the damp strands behind her ear. He brushed his knuckles along her cheek, his fingertips tracing her brow and eyes in a playful tease, making her itch with the urge to laugh.

He was so good to her, so responsive to her every need; yet there was also a mischievous side, waiting for her to come to him, admitting he was lovable, someone she needed.

Whether lonely or naïve, vulnerable or harsh, he seemed like a child who hadn’t quite grown up.

Beyond his good looks and enviable family background, she didn’t want to know anything more about him. Chasing more money was much less terrifying than wanting to kiss someone.

“How good? I want to kiss you… I really like you.”

Xia Fu inwardly mocked herself, tugging on Fang Jingcheng’s collar as he leaned down towards her.

It was her first time being so close to a guy, and with that touch of hidden resentment, she only gave him a light peck on the lips before turning away.

But Fang Jingcheng had waited far too long, and this bit of closeness wasn’t enough.

“Where do you think you’re going? You touched me so many times while I was asleep… this kiss is hardly enough.”

The young man smiled, supporting Xia Fu’s back as he softly brushed his tongue along the corner of her mouth, slowly wetting the seam of her lips.

Swayed by his kiss, Xia Fu felt like she was floating on the ocean, rising and falling with the waves. She looked up and saw, besides Fang Jingcheng’s beautiful face, the cool, bright moon above them.

As if trying to reach that moon, she wrapped her arms tighter around Fang Jingcheng’s neck.