Chapter 295: Chapter 295: Good Days

Jiang Moli had drunk orange soda at dinner, so her words carried a sweet, citrusy fragrance, but Lu Cheng still caught the faint scent of alcohol.

He leaned closer to Jiang Moli’s lips and sniffed. "You’ve been drinking."

It was posed as a question, but his tone was quite certain.

Jiang Moli squinted one eye and made a "little bit" gesture with her fingers. "Mmm, just a tiny bit."

Her adorable expression nearly melted Lu Cheng’s heart. He stroked her forehead dotingly. "You didn’t drink too much, did you? Are you dizzy?"

"Don’t worry, I’m not drunk."

She knew her limits when eating out, unlike at home where she could be more unrestrained. She had stopped drinking as soon as she felt tipsy.

When they got home, Ma Hongmei took the braised snacks Jiang Moli had brought back, arranged them on a plate, and set them on the table as a late-night snack for Lu Cheng and his father.

Since it was a rare day off from work, Lu Deyao poured himself half a small glass of liquor.

Lu Cheng was recovering from his injury and couldn’t drink, so he toasted with water instead.

Jiang Moli also sat at the table, slowly sipping a cup of honey pomelo tea.

Lu Cheng ate a piece of the braised beef. The meat was firm and springy, savory with a hint of sweetness, filling his mouth with a rich, spiced aroma.

’The meat my wife buys is always the best!’

Lu Deyao also thought it was quite good and called for An Hui and Ma Hongmei to come have some.

After trying a piece, An Hui and Ma Hongmei both nodded in agreement.

"It’s very good. The braised flavor is authentic."

Jiang Moli watched her family with a grin and said, "It was free, so of course it has to be delicious!"

Everyone stopped their chopsticks and looked at her.

"What do you mean? You didn’t buy these braised snacks?"

Jiang Moli propped her chin on her hand. "An older gentleman from out of town treated me."

"An older gentleman from out of town? Do you know him?"

"I don’t know him."

"If you don’t know him, why would he treat you to food?"

Jiang Moli shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he’s just naturally generous and has money to burn. Mom, Dad, take your time eating. I’m going to go wash up."

The moment he heard that another man had bought the snacks, Lu Cheng suddenly felt the meat wasn’t so tasty anymore.

The instant Jiang Moli left, he put down his chopsticks and followed her back to their room.

"How old was that ’older gentleman’?"

Sensing the jealousy in his tone, Jiang Moli was secretly amused. "Older than you, and not as handsome."

Lu Cheng was instantly placated. He couldn’t suppress the grin spreading across his face.

...

The next day, Jiang Moli and Lu Cheng woke up early and left in Lu Deyao’s jeep.

Since Lu Cheng had been injured in the line of duty, he had submitted a vehicle request to the military district in advance, so he didn’t have to worry about being accused of using a government vehicle for personal reasons.

They arrived at the government family housing compound, picked up Yang Lijiong, and then headed for the airport.

Yang Lijiong was returning to the Capital for the Spring Festival, and Jiang Moli was seeing her off.

After seeing Yang Lijiong off, the two found a breakfast stall to eat, then went to visit one of Lu Cheng’s old comrades.

Around lunchtime, the two of them went to Nantang Restaurant.

Jiang Moli, the "matchmaker," had played a crucial role in Wen Jingerui and Qian Ling getting together.

The couple had been wanting to treat Jiang Moli to a meal, but unfortunately, Lu Cheng got injured, and Jiang Moli had to rush to West City to take care of him. She had only recently returned to Rongcheng.

When they arrived at Nantang Restaurant, Wen Jingerui and Qian Ling were already there.

Jiang Moli said with a cheerful smile, "We’re not late, are we?"

Qian Ling quickly replied, "Not at all, not at all. We were just early."

Jiang Moli introduced Lu Cheng and Wen Jingerui to each other.

The two men shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

As a fellow man, Wen Jingerui had to admit that Lu Cheng was truly exceptional, not just in his appearance but also in his natural aura of a superior. He was a man among men. No wonder the proud Meng Wei had pursued him for twenty years.

...

Because the Spring Festival was approaching, the restaurant was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a very festive atmosphere.

"I haven’t eaten at this restaurant in a long time. I wonder if they have any new dishes."

Jiang Moli propped her chin on her hand, observing the restaurant’s decor as she commented casually.

Nantang Restaurant was a Cantonese restaurant. It was also the place where she and Qian Ling had tagged along to freeload a meal during Wen Jingerui and Meng Wei’s first blind date.

Qian Ling happily filled her in. "They added roast goose and salt-baked chicken last month. For dim sum, they have shrimp dumplings and golden sponge cake."

The fact that she could list the new dishes in such detail clearly meant she had eaten here before.

Qian Ling was a frugal person, so it was unlikely she would suggest eating out. Wen Jingerui had most likely been the one to bring her.

This also indirectly showed that Wen Jingerui was a man willing to spend on his partner and treat her well.

"Then let’s get one of each of those four, plus a soup and a vegetable dish. That should be about right."

Wen Jingerui naturally had no objections. He called the waiter over to place the order and added two braised squabs.

Braised squab was Qian Ling’s favorite dish.

Jiang Moli held her teacup, raising an eyebrow at Qian Ling’s blissful expression. "I’m going to the restroom. Want to come?"

"Sure."

After the two women got up and left, Wen Jingerui took the initiative to speak to Lu Cheng. "Camp Commander Lu, I heard you were injured a while back. Are you feeling better?"

Lu Cheng nodded. "Thank you for asking. The injury is recovering well. I’m a year older than you, so if you don’t mind being informal, you can call me Third Brother Lu."

Wen Jingerui readily agreed. "Third Brother Lu, if your wound gives you any trouble, feel free to come find me anytime..."

As the two were chatting, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind them, "Third Brother."

Lu Cheng turned his head and was somewhat surprised to see Meng Wei.

Meng Wei looked at Lu Cheng, then at Wen Jingerui, and a million thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

"Third Brother, what are you two..."

Lu Cheng gave a faint nod, his gaze falling on He Ming, who was beside Meng Wei. "Boss He, we meet again."

"Hello, Mr. Lu. Is this your friend? Hello, my surname is He."

As a businessman, networking was an instinct ingrained in He Ming’s very being.

Seeing He Ming extend a hand toward Wen Jingerui, Meng Wei’s heart leaped into her throat.

Wen Jingerui sized up He Ming.

He recognized him at first glance as the man who had sent Meng Wei flowers on the day of the Winter Solstice.

After a moment, he extended his own hand to shake He Ming’s. "Hello, I’m Wen Jingerui."

Seeing that Wen Jingerui didn’t expose their past, Meng Wei couldn’t help but breathe a secret sigh of relief.

At the same time, she also noticed that aside from a single glance when she first walked in, Wen Jingerui hadn’t looked at her again. He didn’t even give her a sidelong glance.

’He must still resent me, right?’

’But people strive for better things, just as water flows downward. What’s wrong with choosing a better option for myself?’

...

In the restroom, Jiang Moli noticed the sparkling pearl earrings on Qian Ling’s earlobes.

"Those earrings are pretty. Are they new?"

Qian Ling touched an earring, a shy sweetness filling her round face. "Jingrui gave them to me. He said they were a New Year’s gift."

Jiang Moli wasn’t surprised at all. "He bought the scarf, too, didn’t he?"

A brand-new-looking plaid cashmere scarf had been draped over the back of Qian Ling’s chair.

Qian Ling nodded. "Right after we got together, he bought me this new scarf. I just haven’t been able to bring myself to wear it."

Jiang Moli was a bit curious. "He buys you this and that, and he takes you out to restaurants from time to time. Is his salary enough to cover all that?"

"After he returned to the city, he joined a scientific research project, so he gets a monthly subsidy. Sometimes he consults at other hospitals or gives lectures at the university, all of which bring in extra income."

’Damn, are doctors really this loaded?’

Jiang Moli patted Qian Ling’s shoulder, gratified. "Looks like you’re living the good life now, too."

Qian Ling felt a little embarrassed. "Moli, I really have to thank you. If it weren’t for your encouragement, I never would have had the courage to actively pursue my own happiness."

Jiang Moli patted her soft, squishy cheek. "The best way to thank me is to be outrageously happy with your Doctor Wen, hmm?"

Qian Ling nodded emphatically. "Okay!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.