Chapter 16: Got it, Little… Uncle
At this moment, Jiang Xiaoci could only go along with his suggestion and replied, “Okay.”
Although she originally felt that it was getting late and that she should head home—after all, it was their first date, and it didn’t seem proper to stay out too long—once the words left her mouth, it was too late to take them back.
Lu Zhoushan brought Jiang Xiaoci to a nearby state-owned restaurant.
The place was bustling with people, lively and full of energy.
They found a quiet corner and sat down, ordering a plate of braised pork and a few side dishes.
Before long, the food arrived.
The braised pork in the aluminum lunchbox glistened with a red sheen and smelled incredibly fragrant.
Lu Zhoushan picked up a piece of pork with his chopsticks, carefully removing the fatty part with the tip, and then placed the remaining lean meat into Jiang Xiaoci’s bowl.
He moved so naturally that, when he saw her surprised look, he even said, “Girl, you’re too skinny. Eat more meat.”
Perhaps because of the accidental hug earlier, the physical contact had shortened the emotional distance between them.
Jiang Xiaoci thought to herself: You look even skinnier than I am.
Then she realized—he called her girl again.
That voice, laced with a smile and a tone full of affection, was like a feather, gently tickling her heart.
She couldn’t quite describe how she felt, but she could sense his indulgence and fondness for her. A mischievous impulse stirred within her, and emboldened by it, she blinked playfully at him.
Lively and spirited, she teased, “Got it, Little… Uncle.”
Lu Zhoushan: “……”
Jiang Xiaoci just looked at him, smiling slyly.
He fixed his gaze on her mischievous expression, his eyes darkening slightly as he said in a hoarse, teasing voice, “Wrong generation. How about trying Brother Lu instead?”
Jiang Xiaoci: “……”
The rest of the meal passed with Jiang Xiaoci blushing deeply, keeping her head low and eating quietly.
The man sitting across from her ate with refined elegance. After finishing, he looked at her with interest and joked, “Kept your head down the whole time—aren’t you tired?”
Jiang Xiaoci glared at him in frustration.
Whether annoyed or pleased, her expressions were equally charming. Looking at her, Lu Zhoushan actually found her adorable.
After the meal, Jiang Xiaoci wanted to go home, but Lu Zhoushan seemed a little reluctant to part ways. Instinctively, he made up an excuse to keep her a bit longer: “No rush. We just ate—let’s walk it off. Oh, do you know how to dance?”
Maybe it was because she hadn’t had a chance to relax in a long time, and life had been a bit tense lately. Hearing his suggestion, Jiang Xiaoci’s eyes lit up.
“I’ve danced before.”
Standing beside her, Lu Zhoushan slightly turned to the side, gesturing, “Let’s go, then. I noticed a dance hall nearby when we came over. Let’s check it out.”
Lu Zhoushan wasn’t entirely sure if it was still open, but Jiang Xiaoci knew this dance hall.
It was a proper, respectable place, usually not too crowded but pleasantly quiet.
Back when she was a student, she occasionally went there with her female classmates.
However, she hesitated a little now.
Looking at Lu Zhoushan with concern, she asked, “You… aren’t tired? Maybe we should head back and rest early. We can always come another day. I’m free whenever.”
He knew she wasn’t working now and had plenty of free time.
She was tactful with her words—considerate of a man’s pride—so she didn’t ask directly whether his health could handle it. While dates were important, after all, they had a long road ahead of them.
How could Lu Zhoushan not be moved by her thoughtfulness?
Staring into her eyes, he suddenly leaned in. She instinctively stepped back, only to be pulled toward him.
In an instant, her face turned bright red. She wanted to resist but remembered they were on a date—perhaps she shouldn’t reject him.
Just as things grew awkward, he leaned closer to her ear and chuckled softly, whispering:
“My health isn’t as bad as you think.”
Lu Zhoushan released her, stepped back, and, with gentlemanly grace, extended his hand in invitation.
“My girl, may I have the honor of this dance?”
He said it with a smile in his voice, warm and indulgent.
Jiang Xiaoci finally regained her composure. Shy but pretending to be calm, she placed her hand in his.
The warmth of his hand made her lashes tremble slightly as she instinctively lowered her gaze to hide her nervousness.
But clearly, she wasn’t the only one flustered.
Lu Zhoushan looked into her eyes with an intensity unlike his usual cold demeanor.
Gone was the slightest trace of frailty—what stood before her was a man overwhelmed by deep, repressed emotions for the woman he desired.
They quickly stepped onto the dance floor, gliding gracefully to the music. Their movements were fluid and elegant, as though they had become one with the rhythm.
Only then did they realize—they both knew how to waltz.
In this era, very few people knew how to dance the waltz.
As they spun, her hair brushed lightly against Lu Zhoushan’s cheek, its subtle fragrance sending a tremor through his heart.
He instinctively tightened his grip on her hand, and the warmth of his palm made Jiang Xiaoci’s heart race uncontrollably.
Their eyes met—and it felt as if time stood still.
There was a trace of panic in Jiang Xiaoci’s gaze, but Lu Zhoushan smiled gently, his look calming her.
The surroundings seemed to blur into nothingness as she followed his lead—spinning, dancing—until the music finally came to a close.
That night, they both thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
It was quite late by the time Lu Zhoushan walked her home.
Though the spring night was still chilly, her heart was as warm as a sunny March afternoon.
Looking at the tall, slender, handsome man beside her, she softly said, “You should head home and rest too. I’m going in now.”
He nodded naturally, raising his hand to straighten her scarf and gently reminded her, “Sleep early.”
“Mhm.”
Jiang Xiaoci felt a little embarrassed by his constant care.
In both her lives, it was the first time someone besides her parents had looked after her like this.
She had to admit—it felt… pretty nice.
Just as she turned to enter the courtyard gate, she suddenly remembered something and looked back.
There he stood, tall and still, quietly watching her go inside.
She gave him a radiant smile, like a blossom blooming in the silent night, instantly lighting up his eyes.
“You sleep early too. Good night!” she said cheerfully, waving before hurrying through the gate.
He stood there stunned, watching her turn and skip inside like a happy little bunny.
Only after she disappeared did he break into a soft smile and turn to leave.
That smile lingered on his lips for a long time.
Still as a maiden, lively as a rabbit—she really was just like that.