Not too far from Rosewood Hotel, an orange Audi r8 cruise through the streets of Imperial. Inside the car, Xu Long sat like a cool boss, who had nothing to worry about. However, deep inside, he was sweating like crazy out of nervousness.
Every few seconds, he would steal a glance at the passenger seat. Compare to other days, that seat was not empty and lonely. Instead, Zhao Ya'Er, who is way out of his league, is calmly sitting there and they were going to have lunch together.
Despite his nervousness and the happy feeling inside him, he had been driving around Imperial for who knows how long. He wasn't purposely doing this it was because he doesn't know where to take her for a nice lunch.
At first, he thought about Elegancy. However, he had to stop himself because the restaurant is run by the Zhao family.
He awkwardly clears his throat to get rid of the silence in the car and focus his eyes on the road ahead.
"Miss Zhao, is there anything, in particular, you want to eat?"
Hearing his voice, Zhao Ya'Er glance at him then thinks to herself. She had been nervous when she sat but telling herself that Xu Long is only a friend, she was able to relax.
She glance out the window and seeing a building they had passed twice, she couldn't help but smile a soft chuckle.
"Hot pot. It's a little cold today, so hot pot sounds nice."
Her words fell and she looks at Xu Long. She will think of them having lunch together as friends since she doesn't want Lin Hui to think wrong of her if he were to find out.
"Also, you don't have to be so polite to me."
Making up her mind to be friends with the assistant, she chuckles softly in remembrance of when he chased after to tell her his name.
"You can call me Zhao Ya'Er."
As she looks away to the front, she did not see Xu Long's cheeks flush a shade of pink. He had been polite towards her because he was raised to be courteous towards women.
However, being given this chance to call her by name, he was beyond happy and quietly mouth her name to himself.
He grins from ear to ear, but remembering what she wants to eat, he lightly presses on the gas pedal and increases the speed.
"I know the perfect place for hot pot."
Within a few minutes into the drive, Xu Long's orange car soon slows to a spot in front of a very simple looking restaurant. Compare to the other surrounding restaurants that were grand and luxurious, this one looked old-fashion and out of place.
It was the same restaurant Lu Tian conduct his businesses and the place Xu Long met Kira for a meeting.
Zhao Ya'Er turned her head to look at the building they had stopped in front of. Her eyes blinked with an unexplainable expression and she looks back at Xu Long.
"This place…"
Not thinking much of her words, Xu Long smiles and reaches for the driver's side door. As he pushes it open and steps out, he answers her.
"The best hot pot place in Imperial."
He closes the door and walks around the car to the passenger door. When he opened the door and saw a better view of her expression, it was then that realization hit him in the face.
How could he forget?
Their social background is far different from one another. She is from a prominent family while he comes from a normal family.
What if she thought he was going to bring her to a fancy restaurant? What if she finds this place too poor for her liking? What if she already has a bad impression of him?
Millions of 'what if' circulated inside Xu Long's head as he stood holding the car door open.
Zhao Ya'Er glance at him and seeing his expression, she knew exactly what was going on in his mind. She chuckles softly and steps out of the car.
Lightly shaking her head, she ignores him and walks towards the restaurant. As she passed him, she didn't forget to lightly tap the side of his arm.
"Are we going inside or are you planning to stand there all day?"
Xu Long follows her figure. Seeing her smiling face, he blinks his eyes in confusion.
"Y-You're okay with eating here?"
He swallows a hard gulp before continuing his words.
"I'm sorry for taking you here. You said you wanted to eat hot pot, so this is the only place I could think of that serves the best hot pot."
Without closing the door, he looks at her with a bitter smile he was able to force out.
"If you don't want to eat here, we can go somewhere else."
Zhao Ya'Er stares quietly at him. She knew the meaning behind his words but throwing a surprise at him, she turns away from him and continues towards the restaurant entrance.
"Here is fine. Besides, if I don't try the hot pot here, how will I know that it is the best in Imperial."
She may have been born into a prominent family, but that does not mean like to be surrounded by wealth. Her parents raised her to see life from different views and never judge anything or anyone without getting to know it.
Stopping in front of the restaurant door, she opens it but pauses when she notices that Xu Long was still by the car. She turns around to look at him and furrow her brows.
"Are you coming, or will I be eating by myself?"
Xu Long stares at her and he felt his heartbeat at a slow steady pace to a hectic pace. This was the first time they hung out like this, but it was enough to make him understand the term, 'love at first sight'.
However, thinking about the things Zhao Ya'Er had to experience because of Wei Hongyi, he clenches his fists tightly to suppress his anger.
He inhales a deep breath and closes the door before walking towards Zhao Ya'Er. Holding the door in place for her, he smiles.
"After you."
Zhao Ya'Er enters the restaurant without another word. However, she didn't know that Xu Long was swearing a promise inside.
If he ever sees Wei Hongyi near Zhao Ya'Er again, he's going to teach the bastard a lesson. Make him (Wei Hongyi) know his place for daring to lay a figure on a woman as precious as Zhao Ya'Er.
Upon their entrance, the elderly man, who is always seated behind the counter, lowers the newspaper to see who had walked in.
When he saw Zhao Ya'Er, the straight thin line of his face twitch. It curls up into a wide and pleasant smile.
"Good afternoon young lady. Are you here alone?"
Zhao Ya'Er smiles with the old man. She parts her lips to answer, but before she could make a sound, Xu Long answers from behind.
"Ya, old man, who said she is alone? Can't you see that I am here too?"
The elderly man glances at Xu Long and he rolled his eyes with arrogant scoff.
"Oh, it's only you."
He grabs two menus from the side and slides over the counter to Xu Long then raise the newspaper to cover his face.
"Sit anywhere you want."
Xu Long rolled his eyes back at the elderly man. He didn't care about politeness because he has long gotten used to the elderly man's attitude.
He looks at Zhao Ya'Er and smiles at her as he gestures with his hand to the dining area.
"Don't mind is rudeness. He acts like that because of his old age but once you get to know him, he a sweet old man."
Zhao Ya'Er was struck speechless by their conversation. She doesn't know what to say but nods her head and walks in the direction Xu Long had directed.
As Xu Long takes one step to follow behind, he pauses and darts his head to look at the elderly man. Seeing how the newspaper was blocking them, he stuck his tongue out like a child then goes on with his way.
The elderly man waited for a few seconds then lowers the newspaper. Only enough so that his eyes were in view. He glances in the direction of the two young individuals and an unnoticeable smile curls on his face.
"Well, there is the answer to our doubts about his preference."
His words fell enough for him to hear only. However, as he spoke the last word, the smile on his face disappears and he raises the newspaper again.
"Seems like Spring is starting to fall upon our young, Xu Long."
He murmurs like he was reading the newspaper then casually taps the bell nearby before calling out to the kitchen.
"Two customers."
