“Don’t we… want to think about how we’re going to spend it?” Chu Yi tried to speak calmly. Hearing this, Qiao Anchen finally shifted his attention from the book in his hands to her face.

“Qixi?” he pondered, “Valentine’s Day?”

“I’ll have to see if I need to work overtime that day, but it seems like there aren’t any particularly difficult tasks lately. How about we go out for dinner?” he suggested tentatively.

Chu Yi: “………” As expected, she shouldn’t have held any expectations.

“Fine then,” she replied reluctantly, losing interest in continuing the conversation. She turned away, pulling the blanket up tightly around herself.

The ritualistic aspect of traditional Chinese festivals was quite strong. On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the shops on the street were decorated in pink. Many stores had special promotions, offering discounts or free gifts for couples.

Countless vendors were selling roses on the street.

Chu Yi went outside to collect a package that Cheng Li had sent. The delivery person, presumably a novice and unfamiliar with the area, ended up having her come outside to retrieve it.

The box was exquisitely packaged in layers. Chu Yi, curious, used a knife to open it and found inside… a pair of purple lace, transparent, panties…?

She stared at the tiny piece of fabric in her hand, feeling like her world had shattered.

It seemed Cheng Li received a notification that the package had been delivered, and called her immediately. Chu Yi took a deep breath and answered.

“Hello, darling, did you receive it? Here’s some Qixi Festival love from mom!!!” Cheng Li’s cheerful laughter painted a vivid picture of her current exuberance.

Chu Yi covered her face.

“Cheng Li, please, be serious!”

“Hahahahaha, looking forward to your romantic evening tonight! Mua~”

“………”

As Qiao Anchen’s work hours approached, Chu Yi had already changed into her outfit. She asked if he needed a reservation.

Qiao Anchen replied after a moment, saying it was fine to just go, and he would come to pick her up.

When Chu Yi received the call from Qiao Anchen saying she could leave, she checked herself in the mirror again. She was wearing a black dress, her long hair cascading down her snow-white shoulders, with the ends curled, looking both beautiful and slightly sexy.

She remembered the “special” underwear she was wearing today and felt her face uncontrollably redden.

Chu Yi habitually pressed her lips together and, recalling something, took out a lipstick and touched up her color in the mirror.

The striking red, paired with her black hair and dress, seemed to make her look more mature, adding a special allure.

When Qiao Anchen saw Chu Yi, he was momentarily stunned, but quickly returned to his usual self and opened the car door for her.

Chu Yi was also wearing high heels today, which seemed to match better with Qiao Anchen. Usually, she only reached his shoulder, always feeling like a little girl.

Throughout the drive, neither of them spoke much. Qiao Anchen was always quiet, and Chu Yi, having dressed up with effort, was somewhat reserved.

She glanced at Qiao Anchen.

They had uniforms but usually wore their own clothes. Qiao Anchen almost always wore a suit with a shirt, and would only add a tie for important meetings.

Today, probably due to work, Qiao Anchen was in a black suit, a light blue shirt, and a dark blue tie with a subtle pattern.

His striking face was further accentuated by his severe and composed expression, rarely showing any emotion, especially focused while driving.

Chu Yi stared at him, her eyes showing a hint of infatuation, forgetting to look away.

A car overtook them and honked twice, startling Chu Yi. She came back to her senses, touched her nose, and felt embarrassed.

The restaurant seemed to be nearby. It didn’t take long to get there. Qiao Anchen went to park, and Chu Yi looked around.

It seemed to be a commercial area with many shops and a variety of cuisines. Her eyes swept over the signs, which were all very diverse.

There were places like “Signature Crawfish,” “Old Chongqing Hotpot,” “Homemade Hunan Cuisine,” and countless others.

Some places even had tables set up outside, where people were drinking and chatting, filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.

Chu Yi couldn’t help but mutter to herself.

It seemed… she hadn’t seen any restaurant with a nice ambiance, suitable for a date…

Qiao Anchen soon came back after parking. He had taken off his tie and unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt, revealing his defined collarbone, holding his suit jacket in his hand.

He looked strikingly handsome, almost out of place in the surroundings, with every step and movement exuding elegance.

For a few seconds, Chu Yi forgot what she had been thinking.

“Where are we going for dinner?” When Qiao Anchen approached her, Chu Yi found her voice again. Qiao Anchen slightly turned his face and gestured for her to follow him.

“Right here, it’s very close.”

Chu Yi followed him, taking a few steps and watching as Qiao Anchen walked through a set of double glass doors. The old walls were adorned with red festive couplets, and above was a large green sign.

— “Homemade Hunan Cuisine.”