Gu Yanqing considered himself someone who couldn’t appreciate beauty, seeing even the most beautiful women as just noses and eyes.

But today, Qiao Wanqing clearly amazed him.

When they first met, Qiao Wanqing was even more beautifully dressed, exuding a stunning charm.

Yet back then, to Gu Yanqing, she was just like anyone else.

Now, the same person, but at a different time, with a completely different mindset.

Perhaps it was because Gu Yanqing had seen Qiao Wanqing without makeup so many times?

Qiao Wanqing’s natural beauty was still striking, but with a bit of makeup, it was like adding the finishing touch, making her even more attractive.

As she was holding her son, who was pulling her hair and even trying to eat it, Qiao Wanqing was engaged in a struggle and didn’t notice Gu Yanqing’s expression.

“Look, who’s here, Koukou.”

Helpless, Qiao Wanqing had Koukou look at Gu Yanqing to divert his attention.

Otherwise, her hair would be covered in a little someone’s saliva soon.

Koukou turned to look at Gu Yanqing, then let go of Qiao Wanqing’s hair and reached out to be held.

Gu Yanqing picked him up, kissed his cheek, and said, “My little darling has grown a bit. I heard you’re starting to call Mommy now?”

“Ma—ma.”

Koukou mimicked the pronunciation with a stretched tone, clearly uncomfortable with the sound.

After calling out once in the afternoon, no matter how Qiao Wanqing tried to coax him, he refused to speak again.

Now, he probably only said it reluctantly to save face in front of Gu Yanqing.

Gu Yanqing hugged him tightly. “My baby is so smart.”

Qiao Wanqing tidied her hair, which Koukou had messed up, picked up her small bag and a gift box, and asked Gu Yanqing, “Shall we go now?”

“Let’s go.”

Qiao Wanqing took out the room key card, closed the door, and watched Koukou happily touch Gu Yanqing’s face with his hands, wanting to grab his nose.

She asked, “Is it really okay to bring Koukou along? Wouldn’t it be impolite?”

“It’s okay. He’s just a child. However,” Gu Yanqing glanced at her and said, “you might have to play along as Mrs. Qiao.”

“Hmm?”

“My friend is a bit eccentric. If I introduce you as my friend, he might not be willing to share his experiences with you. So, you’ll have to pretend to be my wife.”

“Don’t lie to me. Your friend doesn’t know if you’re married?” Qiao Wanqing asked.

“Do all your friends know if you’re married?” Gu Yanqing countered.

She couldn’t argue with that.

Gu Yanqing smiled faintly where she couldn’t see, “Remember to act intimate.”

“I’ll try my best.”

They arrived at the place quickly.

This vegetarian restaurant was clearly different from what Qiao Wanqing was used to—it was more like a private kitchen, with a stylish decoration that hinted at its upscale status, resembling a high-end dining establishment.

Considering Gu Yanqing’s social circle, which likely consisted of upper-class individuals, it made sense that the restaurant he chose wouldn’t be an ordinary place like she was accustomed to.

They arrived around mealtime, and there were quite a few guests coming and going from their home, indicating good business.

Qiao Wanqing rubbed her hands excitedly.

It seemed like a big deal.

“Link arms with me,” Gu Yanqing whispered softly.

“… Must we go through this procedure?” Qiao Wanqing hesitated for a moment before extending her hand and linking arms with Gu Yanqing’s free arm.

Apart from the occasional contact with him and his child, this was the closest she had been to Gu Yanqing.

She could even catch a faint scent of perfume on him—a brand she recognized, light and pleasant.

—He actually wears cologne under that reserved demeanor.

Even though she didn’t feel anything for Gu Yanqing, linking arms with him like this unexpectedly sent a warm sensation through her, causing her heart to tremble and goosebumps to rise all over her body.

This was her first time being so intimate with a non-relative male in public.

“Welcome,” the waitress greeted them politely at the door.

Calling her a waitress didn’t quite fit; she was more like a hostess, dressed in a slightly traditional qipao style that added a classical beauty to the dimly lit ambiance of the restaurant.

The beautiful hostess seemed to just blend into the background for Gu Yanqing, who said, “My surname is Gu, and I have an appointment with your boss.”

“Ah, Mr. Gu,” the waitress’s polite smile brightened even more.

She gestured, “Please come inside.”

Guided by the waitress, the two walked towards a private room, catching the eyes of several diners along the way, who couldn’t help but sneak glances at this handsome couple.

“Are you nervous?” Gu Yanqing felt Qiao Wanqing tighten her grip on his arm and asked.

“I just feel very out of place.” Even though she knew people were looking at them because of their good looks and that they stood out together, this was Qiao Wanqing’s first time holding hands with a man in public, and she felt awkward with all the attention.

Gu Yanqing understood, “Shy, huh?”

“How could I be!” Qiao Wanqing retorted, not really convincing anyone.

Gu Yanqing didn’t push further.

To Qiao Wanqing’s surprise, the owners of the restaurant turned out to be a couple who looked around sixty years old.

Qiao Wanqing couldn’t help but doubt Gu Yanqing’s nocturnal habits.

Were these really the kind of people who kept such late hours?

“Mr. Luo, Mrs. Luo,” Gu Yanqing greeted them, “This is my wife, Qiao Wanqing, and this is our son, nicknamed Koukou.”

Qiao Wanqing greeted them, “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Luo.”

“Hello, hello,” Mrs. Luo smiled warmly. “Young Gu is quite talented; he’s found himself a beautiful wife and a handsome child.”

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

The waitress brought the menu and placed it in front of Gu Yanqing.

Mrs. Luo said, “All our dishes are listed here. Young Gu and… let’s call you Wanqing, feel free to choose anything you like or find interesting. If you’re interested in the cooking process, you can also visit the kitchen.”

Qiao Wanqing wasn’t particularly interested in the cooking process itself.

She appreciated good food, but she knew she couldn’t just pick up the skills by watching.

If they had secret recipes, she wouldn’t feel comfortable trying to learn them.

Gu Yanqing pushed the menu towards Qiao Wanqing. “Take a look.”

“Then I won’t hold back,” Qiao Wanqing replied.

She opened the menu to find categories like dim sum, main courses, signature dishes, and classic dishes.

Aimed at high-end customers, each dish looked exquisite in the pictures, emphasizing health and natural ingredients.

The presentation was so appetizing that it made her mouth water.

But… the prices were quite high, with vegetables priced higher than meat in some cases.

Out of politeness, Qiao Wanqing didn’t scrutinize too much.

She ordered two dishes first.

Mrs. Luo, seeing her courtesy, suggested a few of their signature dishes.

“Is Young Gu planning to venture into the restaurant business?” Mr. Luo asked Gu Yanqing as they waited for their food.

“It’s my wife actually,” Gu Yanqing replied. “She wants to open a vegetarian restaurant, but not in this city.”

“That’s a good idea. We don’t have extensive experience in the restaurant business ourselves, but if Wanqing has any questions, feel free to ask. We’ll do our best to answer,” Mr. Luo offered graciously.

Qiao Wanqing glanced at Gu Yanqing and saw him nodding with a smile, as if encouraging her to ask anything she wanted.

So she didn’t hesitate.

Probably because the owners were present, the dishes arrived quickly and looked almost identical to their pictures.

“Come, let’s eat and talk,” Mrs. Luo invited everyone.

There was a reason why private kitchen dishes were expensive.

Qiao Wanqing had eaten at vegetarian restaurants in her previous world, but they were buffet-style, vastly different from this high-end experience.

Her family’s food was delicious, so she knew what good vegetarian cuisine tasted like.

Despite these dishes being ordinary, they matched the quality of her family’s cooking.

She could imagine what flavors her family’s recipes could produce in the hands of these chefs.

“Delicious,” Qiao Wanqing sincerely praised.

Mrs. Luo beamed with pleasure. “As long as it suits your taste.”

The kitchen even considerately prepared a bowl of vegetable puree for Koukou, and he ate it eagerly.

Gu Yanqing had gotten adept at holding Koukou while feeding him and eating himself.

There was a high chair nearby for children, but Koukou couldn’t sit for long periods yet, so Gu Yanqing continued to hold him, allowing Qiao Wanqing to engage in conversation comfortably.

Although the private kitchen was different from their usual restaurants, the operational differences weren’t significant. Qiao Wanqing benefited a lot from the experience.

Just as she was chatting happily with Mrs. Luo, a pair of chopsticks dipped into her bowl and picked up a piece of food.

Qiao Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then saw Gu Yanqing withdraw the chopsticks casually.

If holding arms was intimate, this was flirting—equivalent to… well, an indirect kiss.

Then Qiao Wanqing saw Mr. Luo also serving Mrs. Luo a dish with his chopsticks.

Cough, cough.

Mrs. Luo chuckled, “Let’s eat, let’s eat, before the dishes get cold.”

Qiao Wanqing hesitated but slowly ate the food that Gu Yanqing had picked for her. A faint blush crept onto her face.