Chapter 39: Where's The Last Gift?

The Red House.

The two sat facing each other and Su Pingnan smiled, “After wandering the world for years, this is the first time I’ve properly eaten European cuisine like this.”

Li Luoran smiled mischievously, “My family is ordinary, so it’s my first time too. What should we do?”

Su Pingnan’s gaze was earnest and warm, “There’s a first time for everything, so it’s not a bad thing. The world is wonderful—shall we explore it together?”

Li Luoran lowered her head, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, “This is only our second meeting.”

Su Pingnan looked at the black-and-white-uniformed waiter, his expression natural, “I’m pursuing a girl, but I don’t know French cuisine. Today we’ll follow what you suggest—make it exquisite.”

The waiter had worked in restaurants for years, but this was his first time meeting such a customer. He looked up and studied the young man before him. Su Pingnan’s face was calm, radiating confidence. He felt no shame at not knowing and was completely at ease.

“Very well, sir. I’ll arrange things for you. Would you like me to introduce some items to you?”

The waiter quickly took Su Pingnan through a list of recommended items.

“Okay.” Su Pingnan nodded, before looking seriously at the blushing Li Luoran.

“Some people know each other for a lifetime yet remain guarded. Some people meet once and it’s for life. Why should we bother playing childish games?”

Su Pingnan spoke sincerely, looking at Li Luoran as he continued, “I have a strong gangster streak—it’s in my bones and can’t be changed. Love isn’t like doing business, where we just need to get the work done. So, often I’m confused inside and very dumb when it comes to romance.”

Li Luoran’s eyes flickered, then she looked straight into Su Pingnan“s eyes and said, “I’m just an ordinary girl from an ordinary family—will you regret it?”

Su Pingnan declared emphatically, “I have drifted along my whole life, slowly gaining a foothold amid storms and bloodshed. If you ask what made me happiest, it’s meeting you.”

Li Luoran’s face flushed. In a very low voice she said: “Don’t your gifts come in a set of eight pieces? What about the last one? I’ll accept it.”

Su Pingnan was overjoyed. The final piece of the Harry Winston “Forever” series would become the classic HW engagement ring for many years to come. Since Li Luoran said she’d agreed to accept it, if he still didn’t understand what that meant he must be a fool.

The senior waiter watching this was suddenly inspired. He waved to the band, and a melodious romantic tune began to play.

Looking at the ring glittering on her middle finger, Su Pingnan brimmed with boldness. Like the saying goes, the country is like a painting, a beauty like jade—one should truly pursue a life without regrets.

……

The senior waiter provided exceptional service: appetizers, soups, hot dishes and desserts arrived in order. He also softly introduced and explained some things, whetting the pair’s appetites and making them feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

Although Li Luoran had agreed, she still felt shy under Su Pingnan’s fervent gaze.

“I’m so clueless I don’t even know how to eat French food. Please don’t laugh at me.”

Su Pingnan smiled, “The world changes too fast and there are so many things we don’t know. Knowing how to eat this won’t make someone extraordinary, so I’m glad to have met you now—we’ll adapt to this world together.”

The whole dinner was incredibly warm. Gazing at the beauty before him, Su Pingnan couldn’t help drinking a few more glasses and felt slightly tipsy. In high spirits he said to Li Luoran, “I don’t like the kind of love that’s content with empty stomachs. I’ll give you a life beyond your imagination. Within three years I’ll make sure you get to boldly enter foreign lands.”

Watching the spirited Su Pingnan, her attentive nature let Li Luoran see the weariness in the young man“s eyes. Touched by his words, her gaze toward Su Pingnan grew even gentler.

After dinner Su Pingnan thoughtfully walked her back to the dormitory, and only at parting did he hug Li Luoran tightly.

Li Luoran felt the first hug from a man in her life. She blushed and ran into the dormitory.

She tiptoed as she quietly opened the door and saw over a dozen sparkling eyes wide awake, staring at her with envious glances.

“Oh no, where”s your modesty?“ Shan Qingqing immediately spotted the ring on Li Luoran’s middle finger.

Dong Xuan hit the point, “A good kid raised for twenty years can’t hold up against a bad boy—she’s been taken in after just meeting him twice. If the boys at school find out, will they faint from crying?”

Only Du Dandan hugged the shy Li Luoran affectionately and cheered loudly, “My good sister! Once I return to Wucheng I’ll go wherever I want—those bad rascals wouldn’t dare to provoke me, wahahaha!”

The remaining roommates showed various expressions. They hadn’t yet been beaten down by society and reality and didn’t know how far their friend might leave them behind in the days to come. They only felt Li Luoran shouldn’t find someone like this, but should, like them, find a boy who studied well and could stay by her side.

Shan Qingqing suddenly slapped Li Luoran’s butt hard, her face full of envy, “After going through so many cabbages, you’ve finally found a pig.”

“Make him treat us to a big meal!” Zhao Xia, unsure whether to be regretful or happy, shouted to add to the excitement.

Li Luoran, gentle-faced, pushed the meddling Shan Qingqing off her and said, “He’s very busy. I’ll treat you all instead.”

The girls all hissed in disapproval and began to denounce this girl who now valued romance over friendship.