Chapter 381 : Youth, How Wonderful!
“Hello, ladies. Our restaurant is running a special promotion for Qixi Festival today. If you’re dining as a couple, you’ll receive a 30% discount and qualify for a couple-exclusive lucky draw~”
A cheerful waitress announced as she approached their table, just after the last dish had been served.
Hearing this, Xu Qing’s face turned bright red. She was about to explain that she and Ling Ning were not a couple when Ling Ning’s next move left her completely stunned.
“Really?! That’s great!” Ling Ning feigned a look of surprise. “What sharp eyes you have, Miss Waitress. Xiao Qing Qing and I are a couple~”
Ling Ning smiled warmly as she walked over to sit beside Xu Qing, wrapping an arm around her. She rested her head lightly against Xu Qing’s shoulder, perfectly imitating the demeanor of a doting partner.
Nearby, a man dining alone nearly spat out his food. He had been contemplating whether today might be his lucky day after noticing the two beautiful women at the next table. He’d even been building up the courage to approach them. But this?! Why did they have to be a couple? Was fate pushing him toward men instead?!
“I thought so~” The waitress smiled knowingly. From the moment these two beauties had entered the restaurant, she had been observing them. Her years of experience told her that their relationship was definitely not just platonic, and this confirmed it.
The waitress seemed strangely thrilled. Two high-value beauties in a relationship together was just as captivating as two handsome men being together—it was aesthetically pleasing in every way.
“Since you’re a couple, please perform a small intimate gesture. It’s not that I doubt your relationship, but this is part of the store policy,” the waitress explained with an apologetic smile.
An intimate gesture, huh...” Ling Ning pondered for a moment, then straightened up and planted a soft kiss on Xu Qing’s cheek. “Will this do, Miss Waitress?”
“Well, the official policy requires something more intimate, but we’ll let it slide this time. Thank you for participating,” the waitress said, handing Ling Ning a small ticket. “This is your number for the lucky draw. Keep an eye on the big screen later—if your number appears, you win a prize!”
With that, the waitress turned and left.
Watching the waitress’s retreating figure, Ling Ning chuckled to herself. Why do I feel like her cheerful demeanor was just a little too excited? Could she have made up that ‘intimate gesture’ requirement on the spot?
The waitress rounded the corner and was met by another staff member who said exasperatedly, “Manager, could you stop donning a staff uniform and messing with customers like this?”
“Ehehe~ Busted again? Xiao Xi, your observational skills are improving!”
“Please don’t talk to me in such a flirtatious tone. Also, I’m straight, so stop trying to bend me!”
“Nonsense. Just the other day, I saw you shopping with Xiao Yuye.”
“T-That was just two friends hanging out!”
Blushing furiously, the staff member dubbed Xiao Xi fled, leaving the “manager” smiling wistfully at her departure.
“Youth, how wonderful…”
The manager murmured, watching her colleague leave.
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“Xiao Qing Qing, are you okay?”
As Ling Ning picked up her chopsticks to eat, she noticed Xu Qing still sitting frozen in place, her expression dazed. Ling Ning called her name several times before she finally snapped out of it.
“N-No, I’m fine.” Xu Qing blinked, her gaze drifting back to Ling Ning’s lips. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the soft touch she had just felt against her skin.
Ling Ning had actually kissed her. Though it was just on her cheek, it was still enough to make her heart race. She was seriously considering not washing her face for a few days.
“Um... Ling Ning, can I ask why you did that just now?” Xu Qing asked hesitantly.
“Oh, that~” Ling Ning smiled mischievously. “It’s because couples get a 30% discount, of course! That saves quite a bit, and we get to enter the lucky draw too. Why not? Unless... Xiao Qing Qing hates me?”
Ling Ning pouted slightly, putting on a mock expression of hurt.
Ling Ning had noticed as soon as they entered the restaurant that it was a rather upscale place. Just from the decor and ambiance, she could tell the prices wouldn’t be cheap. While she could easily afford it, she knew it might be a considerable expense for Xu Qing.
She had considered offering to treat Xu Qing, but knowing Xu Qing’s personality, she would likely refuse. Hence, the discount and lucky draw were the perfect solution to save a bit and make the meal less burdensome for her friend.
“No, no, not at all! I could never hate you,” Xu Qing said hurriedly, shaking her head vigorously.
Ling Ning’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Just kidding. There’s no way Xiao Qing Qing would hate me~ In fact, I bet you like me more than you even realize~”
Xu Qing’s heart skipped a beat at Ling Ning’s words, and she quickly avoided her gaze. “L-Let’s eat. The food’s getting cold.”
“Mm.”
As the two began eating, the restaurant’s lucky draw event commenced.
The prizes varied in value, with the smallest being a special Qixi-themed juice served in a large glass with two straws. Ironically, this prize was won by two burly men who didn’t hesitate to drink it together, looking convincingly like a couple. Then again, only couples could participate in the event, right?
As the prizes dwindled and their number hadn’t been called, Ling Ning began to wonder if her usual luck had run out. Normally, she’d expect to win by now.
Just as she was starting to feel doubtful, Xu Qing suddenly stood up and pointed at the screen, her voice filled with excitement. “Ling Ning, we won!”
Ling Ning turned to look at the screen and confirmed it—they had indeed won. Their prize was a one-year 50% discount card for the restaurant. However, the card came with a catch: it could only be used if both of them dined there together.
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Author’s Note:
Salted fish spent all morning writing this and is now dreaming of a Qixi dinner.