Driving through the streets of Imperial, Yue Ling's white BMW x5m arrives at the restaurant Madam Lu had made reservations. A wave of relief washes over Yue Ling as she parks the car.
Throughout the entire car ride, Zhao Ya'Er turned into a chatterbox. More than she usually was.
It wasn't that she (Yue Ling) was bothered by this, but because she was put in an awkward position.
Zhao Ya'Er went into full details of her dates with Xu Long. From how they met outside their place to how they take the elevator down to the car. She even mentioned how he helps inside the car then the place they went to. Let's not forget about what they ate and talked about too.
What surprised Yue Ling the most was how these two people had already gone on five dates in the week of knowing each other.
Of course, this is a good thing. It means their relationship is progressing well and Zhao Ya'Er can finally move on from Wei Hongyi.
Not prying too much into her thoughts, she shuts the engine off to the car and steps out.
Looking at the restaurant, she was slightly surprised. She thought they would be having lunch at Elegancy since the restaurant was owned by Madam Lu but being taken care of by the Zhao family.
However, the restaurant in front of her had a modern look. It's exterior was painted dark-colored with tinted windows all around.
"Oh my God!"
Just as she closed the door to the car, she heard Zhao Ya'Er suddenly exclaim. She looks at the woman with short hair and sees that she (Zhao Ya'Er) was already walking around the car to her.
Zhao Ya'Er meets Yue Ling near the rear of the car and shook the retired model by the arm. Her other hand was also busy as it was pointing in a certain direction.
"Look, is that who I think it is?"
Yue Ling slightly crease her brows, She looks in the pointed direction and her frown deepens ever so lightly.
A white car was parked not too far from her car. She would have ignored it but when she saw it, she couldn't.
It was all too familiar to her. That is because the car is one of the many cars parked in the garage at home.
The car was none other than Lu Tian's white Ashton Martin. She knew this because she recognized the modifications on the car.
"Yue Yue, do you think my cousin is also here?"
Zhao Ya'Er asks in a whisper and interrupts any of Yue Ling's thoughts. She stares at the car then ponders with a pout.
"But why is he here? I thought my mother and aunt specifically said today was only the women going out."
Yue Ling glance at Zhao Ya'Er without a word. She had thought the same thing too, but since the car is here, she could only believe that he was here for another reason.
"He must be here for work."
Lu Tian is a businessman, and it wasn't uncommon for him to be out on his days off to meet others for work.
Thinking this, she pulls Zhao Ya'Er towards the restaurant.
"Let's go. Aunt Lu and your mother are waiting."
"Oh my God! Look, look, look! It's really my cousin."
Just as Yue Ling's last word fell, Zhao Ya'Er exclaims even louder like a fangirl.
Yue Ling's head and body sway from side to side as the woman shake her arm again. After a long minute, she sighs inside and looks at the car.
And at that moment, her heart skipped a beat.
The driver side door to the white Ashton Martin calmly pushes open and Lu Tian's tall figure steps out into view. He wore his usual dark attire, but unlike the suits she often sees him in, he was dressed more casually.
A wool coat draped over the crewneck he wore underneath and jeans.
Yue Ling took her sweet time to engrave his entire being inside her head. However, when she saw he was wearing jeans, she slightly tilts her head to the side.
Jeans?
She blinks her eyes multiple times in surprise and confusion. Throughout their relationship, she has never once seen him in jeans. She even thought that he probably doesn't own a pair since he was always in suits for work or a set of comfy loungewear.
Lost in her thoughts, she did not realize that Lu Tian was already walking towards her. Next to her, Zhao Ya'Er was grinning from ear to ear at how romantic she thought this scene was.
"Tian, over here!"
She calls out cheerfully despite he had already them. Once he was only a few steps away from them, she nudges Yue Ling gently by the arm. Her expression was as if saying, 'look, your man is here.'
"I'll see you both inside."
She teases Yue Ling and strides off in the direction of the restaurant. Her aunt had messaged her and said they would be inside.
Thinking this, she couldn't help but have a feeling that her aunt has something to do with this romantic meeting.
Yue Ling didn't respond to her friend but stares at the aloof man in front of her. He was like a dangerous, yet hunk of a demon. She was sure that if he were to smile even a little, she would surely faint.
And like he could read her mind, one corner of Lu Tian's lip arcs up into a sideways smile.
"Hello, Mrs. Lu."
Yue Ling watched him smile in slow motion. His smile was so luminescent that she could hear her heart explode as her soul left her body.
If she dies at this moment, she will have no regrets at all.
"How was your dress fitting?"
Lu Tian asks as he stops in front of his wife. However, seeing her thinking so deeply, his smile that was about to widen freezes when he notices her suddenly stumble a step back.
"Yue Ling!"
He takes one big step to close the gap between them and place a hand behind her back. He steadies her in his arm and looks down at her with slightly trembling eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well? Should we go to the hospital?"
Hearing his deep voice filled with traces of worry, Yue Ling came to her senses. She smiles faintly and held his arm to steady herself.
"I'm fine. Your smile was too bright for me."
"…"
She spoke jokingly with a small laugh. His smile was enough to make a person faint, but it wasn't the reason for her sudden stumble.
The truth was, she skipped breakfast and having to try so many dresses, she was hungry.
However, unaware of this reason, Lu Tian thought otherwise.
His posture tensed up and his mind turned blank. His wife's words should have been a compliment, but to him, it was more like a bucket of cold water had been poured on him.
If his smile was the cause of her to almost faint, maybe it was best to never smile again.
The last thing he wants is to see his wife in the hospital again. No, he will never forgive himself if she ends up in the hospital because of him.
Yue Ling saw the stiffness in his posture than his expression.
His bright smile was no longer there. It was replaced with gloominess like his entire world had been clouded with pouring rain and there was sadness in his eyes.
She sighs inside and raises a hand to his face before gently flicking his forehead.
"Why are you making that scary face? I'm really okay."
Her hand that flicked his forehead lowers a little and caresses his cheek.
She lowers her head and with blushing pink cheeks, she murmurs in a shy voice that only he could hear.
"Truthfully, I'm just hungry."
