Xu Wennuan did not know what was wrong with herself, but her heart gradually began to ache. She stared at Lu Bancheng and, after saying her goodbyes, she turned and prepared to leave, but she suddenly called out, “Lu Bancheng.”
Lu Bancheng abruptly stopped in his tracks. He thought that he was hallucinating and, for some time, he stood in silence with his back faced toward Xu Wennuan before he eventually turned his head to take a look. He realized that she was still rooted to the same spot, and a look of surprise flashed across Lu Bancheng’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I…” Xu Wennuan had reflexively called out his name without having any idea of what she would say, so she was stuck after the word “I” and awkwardness crept up her entire body. She racked her brains for something to say, and the more anxious she became, the slower her brain could think. Finally, in a moment of panic, she casually said, “Let me treat you to a meal.”
Lu Bancheng’s body trembled violently, and he thought he was hallucinating. He seemed to be frozen still in a picture as he stared at Xu Wennuan without responding.
After the words came out of Xu Wennuan’s mouth, she realized what she had done. They certainly were not close, particularly given how heartless and cold they’d been toward each other in the past. It was strange for her to invite him out for a meal so abruptly.
Xu Wennuan’s hands balled up tightly into fists, and her mind was whirling. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the letter that she had given to him earlier sticking out of his pocket. It prompted her to say, “Back in Lijiang, you certainly helped me out, so it’s only right for me to treat you to a meal as a thanks.”
When Lu Bancheng heard her explanation, he finally was convinced that what he’d heard was not his imagination and that she was in fact asking him out for dinner. An indescribable sense of joy that he had never experienced before filled his chest, and emotions rippled in his eyes as he gazed at Xu Wennuan. He could clearly feel that his heart was alive and beating furiously at that moment.
When Xu Wennuan saw that Lu Bancheng was not replying, she thought that he was unwilling, making her feel awkward, so she added, “I know that you don’t have time now. If you’re not free—”
After much effort, Lu Bancheng finally managed to steady the roiling emotions within his body and opened his mouth forcefully to interrupt Xu Wennuan. In a calm, steady voice, he asked, “Where are we going to eat?”
Upon hearing him agree, Xu Wennuan quickly changed what she had been saying. “I know of a new hotpot place that’s not far from here. It’s pretty good, and now that it’s winter it’ll be extra good. What do you think?”
Lu Bancheng nodded his head lightly without any objection and then pointed at his car and indicated for Xu Wennuan to get in.
……
Xu Wennuan took Lu Bancheng to a Sichuan-style hotpot restaurant, where they ordered mildly spicy food that was spicier than typical hotpot fare. From the moment their dinner arrived, Xu Wennuan ate nonstop, as she always enjoyed spicy food, but halfway through her meal, Lu Bancheng, who was seated across from her, paused for a moment and then suddenly beckoned a waiter over. After he stared at the menu for a moment, he pointed at one corner and said, “Let me add on a bowl of egg soup.”
Xu Wennuan thought that Lu Bancheng had ordered the soup for himself. She didn’t think too much of it and continued adding vegetables into the hotpot.
Shortly after the hotpot was boiling, the egg soup was served. Just when Xu Wennuan was about to scoop up the vegetables, Lu Bancheng reached out his hand and stopped her.
