Chapter 597 First Love
The restaurant that Nan Chen mentioned was still operating. It was an old estate with calligraphy on its walls, denoting the beauty of blooming flowers and nature. The restaurant was once a cultured person’s home. It was quite a waste to transform the property into a restaurant.
“Once upon a time, a scholar lived here with his wife. After she passed away, he fell into depression and died not long after. Since there were rumors about the house being haunted, no one dared to live in it. In the end, someone bought it at a low price and changed it into a restaurant.
The only odd thing is they always use candles because they never install electric lights at the restaurant.” Nan Chen introduced the place to Ning Ran. It instantly piqued her. “Does it work? Do they have customers when people know it is haunted?”
“Yes, they have. People who are not superstitious come to visit and, in turn, they realize the food is actually good. As the word goes around, their business gets better every day.”
“You know what? It’s actually a normal thing for people to die in their houses. We shouldn’t be afraid of it. Let’s go in,” Ning Ran said. They entered the wide stone-paved courtyard, which looked ancient. “This way, please.”
The waiters and waitresses were wearing traditional costumes. Ning Ran instantly felt like she was filming on a set. They were led to a table by the window after climbing a wooden staircase to the second floor.
The weather was still freezing in Flower City, but Lightspring had already gotten warmer. It didn’t feel chilly even at night.
“You are not from around here, are you? We don’t have a heater here. If you’re cold, we can light up a fire for you,” the waiter said.
“Are you cold?” Nan Chen asked Ning Ran.
“A little.”
“Can we have the fire, please?” Nan Chen asked politely.
The waiter brought a small furnace and placed it next to Ning Ran’s feet. Soon enough, the whole place was a lot warmer.
Ning Ran liked the dining environment, which she hadn’t tried before.
“How do you know such an amazing place?” she asked.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
Her face was beautiful beyond comparison under the candlelight. Nan Chen couldn’t take his eyes off her when she was smiling.
“I’m glad you like it here. Let’s order food.”
“I don’t know what is nice. You should order since you’ve been here before. You can decide for me.”
Nan Chen picked up the menu and wrote numbers on a piece of paper.
“Do you need to write what you want yourself?”
“Yes, I have to copy the numbers according to the dishes I want. Then, the waiter will send my order to the kitchen. We don’t have to rush anything here. We can just take our time to decide,” he replied.
Ning Ran glanced at the piece of paper. Nan Chen’s handwriting was swift yet immaculate.
It was beyond her expectations that a businessman like him had excellent penmanship.
“Your handwriting looks nice. Have you had any practice when you were younger?” Ning Ran asked.
“Do you know what Dabao does every time he visits Commoner Residence?”
Ning Ran took a moment to remember. “His great-grandfather will ask him to practice handwriting in the study room.”
“That’s right. I was once in Dabao’s position, and it’s all thanks to Grandpa that I have nice handwriting.”
“That’s nice. I bet you were doted on, like how Dabao is right now when you were young.”
“Grandpa and Grandma love me very much,” Nan Chen replied.
However, he left his parents out. Ning Ran couldn’t help but wonder if Nan Chen wasn’t close with his parents since he was young.
She couldn’t remember much, although he had told her about it before. However, she didn’t ask because she was afraid that he would get unhappy.
The dishes were served on delicate plates, while the wine was in two antique jars.
As Nan Chen handed the smaller jar to Ning Ran and kept the larger one for himself, she asked, “Won’t we get drunk if we drink the whole jar?”
“This is kiwi wine. Don’t worry, you won’t get drunk. The alcohol level is quite low.” Nan Chen poured a cup of wine as he said. The wine was a pretty shade of pale green.
After a sip, Ning Ran decided it tasted sweet and refreshing.
“How is it?” Nan Chen asked.
“I don’t know much about wine, but it tastes nice.”
He raised his cup to Ning Ran. “Happy new year.”
“Isn’t it too late for you to say that? The new year is already over,” she grumbled jokingly.
“Every day can be as festive as the new year holidays if you want,” Nan Chen replied.
Ning Ran smiled, her eyes glinting in the night. “That makes sense. Happy birthday to you then. Every day can be your birthday if you’re happy.”
His mouth curved upwards, nearly forming a smile.
She couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you know how to smile properly?”
Nan Chen’s awkward smile immediately disappeared. “I’m not smiling like an idiot.”
Speechless, Ning Ran sighed. “Not every smile is idiotic. You smile when you’re happy and cry when you’re sad. It’s what normal people do.”
Nan Chen paused in taking the dishes. “Are you saying that I’m not normal?”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m simply curious about what it takes to make you laugh.”
Nan Chen remained silent.
Both the dishes and the wine tasted great.
Ning Ran’s face started to flush as she drank the tasty wine faster.
“I just realized something. Is it a coincidence that everyone dining here is in pairs?” she asked.
“No,” Nan Chen replied.
“All the customers here are couples?”
“Not necessarily, but each table is for a man and a woman. One big and small jar of wine for each table.”
Ning Ran blinked. “Oh, I understand now.”
“What do you mean?”
“You were here with another woman a few years ago. That’s why you’re familiar with this place.” She pointed at Nan Chen with her chopsticks.
Nan Chen wasn’t happy. “Don’t point at me with your chopsticks. It’s rude.”
Realizing that she was being impolite, Ning Ran put down her chopsticks.
“I’m right, aren’t I? You were here with another woman.”
Was it Luo Fei?
It could be possible since Luo Fei was rumored to be Nan Chen’s girlfriend.
Upset, Ning Ran gulped down some wine.
Nan Chen noticed the shift in her mood. “What are you thinking about? Why are you unhappy?”
“Did you come here with Luo Fei?” she blurted.
“No.”
“Really? Wasn’t she your girlfriend?”
“When I say no, it means no.”
Ning Ran believed him because she knew he wouldn’t lie about things that he had done.
To him, there was no need to lie and hide the truth.
“Then who did you come here with? Is she pretty?”
Nan Chen didn’t reply. He looked reluctant to continue the conversation.
However, Ning Ran couldn’t hold back her curiosity about the lady who was lucky enough to get Nan Chen to travel with her.
“Is it your first love? Someone you had a secret crush on?” she asked.
“You’re unbelievable.” Nan Chen rolled his eyes and continued eating.
