Chapter 231
Chapter 231
Zhong Ning nodded, “A little.”
“Then let’s take this pair,” Xie Shiqing said.
The manager enthusiastically took out the rings and offered them for the two to try on.
Xie Shiqing extended her hand, her ring finger slightly raised, indicating it should go on that one.
Her fingers were slender—anything looked good on them. When she slightly lowered her hand to show Zhong Ning, the tips of her fingers gently curled together, like drooping willow branches.
Zhong Ning said, “Looks good.”
“You look good in everything.”
The corners of Xie Shiqing’s lips curved lightly. “Then let’s take this pair. No need to wrap them.”
She swiped the card, and the certificate along with the empty boxes were placed into a bag, while the rings were worn on their hands. Zhong Ning wore hers on her right hand, Xie Shiqing on her left. When the two held hands, the couple rings touched, like the moon leaning against the stars.
“We’ll need to look for a good designer for the custom rings. I’ll find one myself,” Zhong Ning said. “No need to trouble Assistant Fang.”
Xie Shiqing replied, “She doesn’t mind the trouble.”
Zhong Ning chuckled twice. “I know, but I want to find it myself. That makes it more meaningful.”
A vague thought formed in her heart, a notion circling once in her mind.
Zhong Ning didn’t say it out loud.
When the two arrived at Haiyue Restaurant, there wasn’t a single guest there—because Xie Shiqing had booked the entire place.
Not long after they arrived, the officers came by car—not police vehicles, but their own private cars. They had changed out of their uniforms into casual clothes for going out.
Walking into the elegantly decorated restaurant, some of them appeared a little uneasy.
Xie Shiqing was an exceptional host. As long as she wished, no guest would feel out of place.
“You all came at the perfect time. I’ve only ordered the signature dishes so far. I was just wondering whether to order one of everything. As for drinks, I’m not sure if you’re allowed a bit of alcohol, but we’ve prepared freshly squeezed juice.”
She smiled brightly. “No need to feel restrained. Until midnight tonight, this entire restaurant is ours.”
The deliciousness of Haiyue Restaurant needed no affirmation. The kitchen quickly got to work, sending out dish after dish of seafood. Lobsters nearly the length of an entire arm were split down the middle, prepared in two different flavors. King crabs, larger than a human head, stretched their claws aggressively. The crab legs were separated, revealing tender white meat. The thick, flavorful seafood soup had a layer of golden, egg-yolk-like oil floating on top. Just one bite was rich with flavor, filled with clam meat.
Since the officers couldn’t drink alcohol, Xie Shiqing only opened one bottle of wine, which she shared with Zhong Ning.
The band wasn’t playing classical music tonight, but upbeat and lively pop songs.
Zhong Ning picked up a piece of shrimp and placed it on the plate in front of Xie Shiqing. “Why are you zoning out instead of eating?”
Xie Shiqing looked out at the neon night through the window, her gaze fixed on the reflection of the dazzling glass chandeliers. “Just thinking—the night is so beautiful. If only time could stop at this moment.”
No matter if the surroundings were noisy or quiet, Zhong Ning was right there beside her, gazing at her with eyes filled with love.
Even more beautiful than any dream she had ever had.
“It is beautiful, but don’t stop at this moment,” Zhong Ning met her gaze through the glass window. “Because tomorrow, even better things will be waiting for you.”
Xie Shiqing’s soft red lips curved upward. She turned her head, the tip of her brow arching slightly. “What better things? Has the delivery arrived?”
Zhong Ning was momentarily stunned. “What deliv— You...!”
A faint blush rose on her cheeks, quickly turning into a rosy flush visible to the naked eye, like a blooming haze.
“You, you, you...!”
Xie Shiqing’s eyes curved like a fox that had stolen something delicious, before switching back into an innocent look. “What about me? Ning Ning, the delivery arrived, the things we ordered came. Isn’t that a good thing?”
Zhong Ning was speechless.
The captain came over, wanting to offer a toast—or rather, a juice toast. Seeing Zhong Ning’s flushed face, she quickly said, “I’ll drink it myself, Miss Zhong doesn’t need to.”
She thought Zhong Ning’s face was red from drinking too much.
Zhong Ning was so embarrassed she couldn’t even open her mouth, mumbling something in response.
After the person walked away, Xie Shiqing calmly added, “Ning Ning, you still haven’t answered my question—was it the delivery?”
Zhong Ning squeezed out a line through gritted teeth. “You’re still talking?!”
The delivery wasn’t just any ordinary package—it was those intimate products. Back at home, in the privacy and safety of their own space, Zhong Ning had picked out several items she was interested in, seriously, and had even asked Xie Shiqing what she wanted.
But what could be said at home couldn’t just be brought up outside!
Xie Shiqing was perfectly measured and tactful—she only mentioned a “delivery.”
Only the two of them knew what kind of delivery it really was, but that didn’t stop Zhong Ning from feeling utterly mortified.
Xie Shiqing picked up an oyster and placed it on her plate, speaking with a straight face, “It’s very fresh. Ning Ning, want to try one too?”
She elongated her tone, “Eat more, it’s delicious.”
Zhong Ning: “……”
She grabbed her wine glass and took a big gulp, using the excuse of being drunk to cover up the real reason for her flushed face.
Xie Shiqing didn’t manage to stop her and could only watch as she downed half a glass of wine.
“…This wine has a strong after-effect, Ning Ning. You can’t drink that fast.”
Zhong Ning glared at her furiously. “I’m already drunk anyway. What difference does a few more sips make?”
If they kept talking, she was going to lose it.
Seeing it was enough, Xie Shiqing leaned in close and blew a breath near her ear. “I was wrong, Ning Ning. Forgive me, okay?”
“Not mad, not mad,” she paused for a moment, “Or… how about you punish me when we get home?”
Still going on!
Zhong Ning ground her teeth. “Fine, I’ll shut your mouth and see how you talk then!”
The words slipped out of her mouth without thinking. Only afterward did she realize what she had said. Her ears instantly turned scarlet. If someone lifted her clothes, they’d definitely see that she was as red all over as the boiled shrimp on the table.