msmithbooks Chapter 268 I think of happy things
Chapter 268 I think of happy things
Chapter 268 I think of happy things
Sunlight streamed in through the half-open glass window, illuminating the pristine white washbasin.
Dust particles floated in the slanted beam of light, and the gushing water from the tap released a light mist.
Yu Huan withdrew her gaze from the light and dust, the fog and water, and turned to Lin Yourong's delicate chin. She chuckled and said, "Uncle Hong left a thousand yuan at the front desk, but I still paid the bill. The receipts are all in my pocket."
Hearing his teasing nickname, Lin Youren couldn't help but chuckle.
She gently shook the water off her hands in the basin, then flicked her slender fingers, as thin as scallion roots, towards Yu Huan's eyes, saying with a hint of reproach, "Don't shout like that when we're face to face."
Yu Huan cleverly turned her head to avoid the water droplets, feeling the coolness on her neck, and replied, "My emotional intelligence isn't that low, is it?"
If we're being serious, we should actually call him Uncle Hong—
"No, not at all." Lin Yourong smiled and shook her head.
"When did you come out?" Yu Huan asked casually.
“Just now!” Lin Yourong answered without hesitation.
The paper towel box was on Yu Huan's right. He first tore off a paper towel and handed it to Lin Yourong, then wiped his hands himself.
At the same time, a bright smile appeared on his face behind his mask as he asked curiously, "What did you guys talk about while I was paying the bill? There weren't any awkward silences, were there?"
"We chatted about Teacher Li's recent situation," Lin Yourong said as she walked away from the wastebasket.
Yu Huan nodded after hearing this.
Thinking that Lin Yourong and Zhang Ye did have a lot to talk about, after all, besides their master-disciple relationship, they were also old acquaintances that Lin Yourong had known since childhood.
He crumpled the paper towel into a ball and then accurately tossed it into the trash can from five paces away.
Then, following behind Lin Yourong, he slowly walked out of the restroom.
"How much is lunch?" Lin Yourong asked softly, hearing Yu Huan's footsteps approaching.
Yu Huan laughed and said, "Round it down to six hundred and fifty."
"Oh." Lin Yourong nodded slightly.
There are private rooms and personal service, and the price is less than 200 yuan per person, which is not expensive.
They moved from the spacious hall into the long, dark corridor.
Yu Huan's gaze passed over Lin Yourong's shoulder and saw that the waitress was already waiting by the door.
Come closer.
Yu Huan nodded to the young lady, then quickened his pace and followed Lin Yourong, who had pushed open the door, into the private room.
The door behind them slowly closed automatically.
"You're back?" Zhang Ye asked with a gentle smile.
She sat upright in the chair, her chopsticks placed beside the bowl.
Yu Huan went to queue up to pay the bill, and within a short time, she had obviously finished her meal.
Yu Huan noticed that Lin Yourong simply nodded in response. He took off his mask, smiled brightly, and said, "I've been browsing around the ceramics museum all morning and haven't had a chance to go to the restroom."
The couple took their seats one after the other.
Yu Huan adjusted her seat slightly forward, then picked up her chopsticks and continued eating.
Lu Jihong picked up the porcelain bowl and tasted the old duck soup. A little oil stains inadvertently appeared on the corner of his mouth: "We've been here for three or four days, and we've only visited the Ancient Kiln Homestay Expo Area, the Fuliang Ancient County Government Office, and Hongyan Wonderland. Most of our time has been spent eating."
He paused briefly, then asked, "What do you think of the ceramics museum? Is it worth visiting?"
Yu Huan picked up a piece of fish shreds with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. She chewed slowly and replied, "The museum has a rich collection of porcelain, from the Neolithic Age to the present day. It has porcelain from all historical periods and is very interesting. It is worth a visit."
Lin Yourong sat upright in her chair and nodded gently in agreement.
"Shall we go take a look this afternoon?" Lu Jihong asked Zhang Ye, his gaze seeking his opinion.
“Okay.” Zhang Ye smiled and nodded, then said to Lin Yourong, “You just arrived last night and you’re leaving at noon today? It’s rare for us to meet, so why don’t you stay with us for a couple more days?”
“He has to go to work tomorrow, so we need to get going at noon and take the highway back to Xingcheng.” Lin Yourong’s slender fingers held a blue-and-white porcelain ladle and scooped out a full spoonful of duck meat with some goji berries from the bottom of the earthenware pot, gently placing it into Yu Huan’s bowl.
Then, she ladled herself another half bowl of soup and took a small sip.
During their conversation last night, Zhang Ye, who had already learned some of the details, didn't say much about it. Seeing this, he couldn't help but sigh and said, "You two have such a good relationship."
Lu Jihong put down his bowl and continued, "When you two hold your wedding, you must let us know. We will definitely give you a generous gift."
Yu Huan swallowed the chewed Yonghe tofu in her mouth and said with a smile, "I will definitely invite you two to share the joy then."
Zhang Ye smiled gently and said, "I will definitely attend your wedding, not just give a monetary gift."
“That’s right.” Lü Jihong nodded in agreement.
Lin Yourong smiled gently.
Seeing that Lü Jihong had finished his soup and hadn't touched his chopsticks again, Yu Huan put all the goji berries at the bottom of the bowl into his mouth. He was about 70% full by then, so he put down his chopsticks and stopped eating.
Eating too much can make you drowsy while driving.
Lin Yourong took out her phone from her pocket, turned on the screen and looked at it, then looked up and said, "Senior Sister Zhang Ye, Brother Hong, we have to set off. We still have six or seven hours of driving on the highway."
Lu Jihong glanced at his watch; it was almost 12:30. He stood up and said, "Okay, let's go downstairs first."
After a while.
A waitress led the group down the stairs.
Yu Huan pinched the mask between her fingers and gently pulled it up, listening to her fellow disciples, who were of vastly different ages, chatting behind her.
It was peak dining time, and the noise gradually increased from the second floor onwards.
Their voices were soft.
Yu Huan struggled to make out that it was mainly Zhang Ye speaking, and the content was roughly "Last time I had dinner with Lei Jia, she said she would come back for the New Year", "If I have the chance to go to Yanjing in the future, I must call her", and so on.
Lin Yourong occasionally gave brief responses.
Soon, they walked out of the stairwell, where a smiling waitress stepped aside to guide them.
As she walked, she pointed at Yu Huan with her palm and said to Lü Jihong, "Uncle, this gentleman has already paid. We will go to the front desk to refund your deposit."
Upon hearing this, Lü Jihong paused slightly, turned around in surprise to Yu Huan, and said, "Xiao Yu, no wonder you were in the restroom for so long. You went downstairs quietly to pay the bill!"
Yu Huan, who was quietly listening to their conversation, stopped and nodded with a smile: "Since we have the opportunity to have dinner with you and Sister Zhang today, it is only right that we treat you. Please don't be shy with me and Rongrong."
Lu Jihong laughed heartily and patted Yu Huan on the shoulder: "Next time you go to Yanjing, I'll treat you to a proper meal."
"It's a deal." Yu Huan grinned, revealing her neat white teeth.
Lu Jihong followed the young lady to the front desk, while Yu Huan, Lin Yourong, and Zhang Ye waited outside the door for a while.
The warm winter sun shines on people's bodies, and a cool breeze brushes against their necks, giving them a comfortable and pleasant feeling.
Yu Huan felt that she was in a very empty state.
"Senior Sister Zhang Ye, will you be returning to Xingcheng this time?" Lin Yourong asked softly.
Zhang Ye shook his head: "I need to stay in Jingdezhen for two more days, and then I have to go back to Yanjing to participate in the first rehearsal of the Spring Festival Gala."
"Oh." Lin Yourong nodded slightly.
Yu Huan, standing nearby, pondered for a moment. Zhang Ye's parents had both passed away, and she was probably like Teacher Li, having settled in Yanjing for many years and rarely returning to her hometown.
I wonder if her old house in Changsha is still standing.
He caught a glimpse of Lü Jihong striding out the door, so he took the initiative to lead the way, and the group soon arrived at the small Audi parked on the roadside not far away.
After the couple got into the car, Yu Huan first lowered the passenger window, then took off her mask and placed it in the armrest box.
Lu Jihong stood outside the car window, bent down and peered into the car: "Wow! This car is really packed full."
Zhang Ye chuckled and replied, "Xiao Rong has been in Shanghai for so long, so naturally a girl would have more luggage."
As Yu Huan fastened her seatbelt, she casually remarked, "A lot of this is Rongrong's luggage."
Lu Jihong nodded and said to Yu Huan, "Little Yu, you must come to Yanjing to play when you have the chance. Don't try to pay the bill with me again. Let me do my best to be a good host."
Yu Huan started the engine and replied with a smile, "Next time I have the chance to go to Yanjing, I will definitely visit you and Sister Zhang."
Lü Jihong readily agreed, "That would be wonderful, I'd be happy to!"
Standing beside him, Zhang Ye saw the wheels begin to turn slowly and quickly waved goodbye: "Xiao Rong, Xiao Yu, have a safe journey!"
Lin Yourong fastened her seatbelt and waved in response: "Goodbye, Senior Sister Zhang Ye, Brother Hong!"
Zhang Ye put his hand down, nodded, and said, "Keep in touch!"
"Okay," Lin Yourong nodded in agreement.
Yu Huan smiled and nodded to the two people whose relationship was unclear, then stepped on the gas and drove the Audi away from the curb.
Both of them are accomplished and famous singers. Although they are just good friends, they have never married or had children and have been together for decades.
They may say they are childless by choice, but they have never actually started a family.
They are all heterosexual and have had past romantic relationships.
For example, Zhang Ye's ex-boyfriend was a very popular male singer in the 1980s.
As the Audi gradually accelerated, Yu Huan sorted out her chaotic thoughts and let out a long breath.
Lin Yourong took off her deerstalker hat, brushed her messy hair back with her fingers, noticed that his expression was a little strange, and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Yu Huan chuckled and said half-jokingly, "These two both have faces that look like they're living in a peaceful and prosperous country. I used to only see them on the Spring Festival Gala and various other arts and entertainment stages on TV. I'm still a little nervous about dealing with them."
Hearing this, Lin Yourong pinched Yu Huan's arm: "I'm often on TV too, so you won't feel any pressure dealing with me?"
Not only was there no pressure, but there was absolutely no restraint or arbitrariness towards her; she acted recklessly and wantonly!
Upon realizing this, Lin Yourong couldn't help but let out a soft "humph".
Yu Huan also took off his hat.
With his gaze fixed on the road, he casually tossed his hat onto Lin Yourong's lap and said with a smile, "That's different. You're my wife. If I feel pressured being with you, how can we live together?"
Lin Yourong gently placed her hat on the armrest, spat, and couldn't help but speak her mind: "You're just too easygoing, that's why you're always touching me inappropriately! You have no respect for me at all!"
Yu Huan turned the steering wheel, nimbly steer the car to the right, and said with a wry smile:
"This has nothing to do with whether I respect you or not. Besides, I didn't kiss you, hug you, or do anything intimate in front of others. When we were alone, am I not allowed to act impulsively? Unless I'm a eunuch!"
Hear this.
Lin Yourong blushed and spat heavily.
He couldn't help but think to himself, "Even in front of Sister Ru, I still often put my hands on her buttocks!"
This made her feel embarrassed, but she couldn't bear to refute him.
Isn't this considered an intimate gesture?!
Lin Yourong was internally grumbling, but dared not utter a sound.
I'm afraid he'll say something in broad daylight, something even more embarrassing.
Yu Huan smiled and continued, completely unaware of what was going on, "Set up navigation and go straight to your parents' place for dinner!"
"Oh," Lin Yourong responded, extending her slender fingertips to gently slide across the center console screen.
A few moments.
"Is there enough food in the car?" Yu Huan broke the silence.
Upon hearing this question, Lin Yourong leaned down slightly and looked over the pedals that were so full that only the very front could barely accommodate a foothold.
She said softly, "There are two bottles of mineral water, a bottle of Red Bull, red ginger, and a plain bagel."
Yu Huan glanced slightly to the right at the rows of buildings lining the street and asked, "Should we buy some more snacks?"
Lin Yourong thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I've been eating too many calories these past few days, so I'd better not."
Yu Huan hesitated for a moment, then asked in a questioning tone, "How about buying some calorie-free beef jerky, seaweed, or preserved plums? Or some low-calorie fruit?"
Lin Yourong hesitated for a moment: "Hmm... if you want to eat it, then let's buy it..."
Upon hearing this, Yu Huan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Lin Yourong suddenly turned her head and looked at Yu Huan's profile as he couldn't help but laugh. She immediately pinched his arm and said, "What are you laughing at!"
"I'm thinking of something happy." Yu Huan tensed the muscles in her right arm to defend against the attack.
Seeing that she couldn't get him to move, Lin Yourong let out a soft "humph" and released her grip.
Yu Huan noticed a supermarket ahead, so he released the accelerator and pulled over to the side of the road. After gliding for a distance, he steadily pressed the brake pedal.
When he shifted into neutral and pulled the handbrake, he noticed Lin Yourong and also unbuckled his seatbelt.
He joked, "Hmph, weirdo, I'll just get off the bus and buy it, I'll be right back."
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Yourong immediately stiffened her neck and feigned anger, asking, "What did you call me?"
Yu Huan coughed, and seeing her reaction, immediately put on a serious expression: "I'll call you the cutest wife in the whole world!"
"Pah!" Lin Yourong quickly put on a mask, opened the car door, and left first.
Seeing this, Yu Huan quickly put on her gear, got out of the car, and hurriedly chased after her, half running and half walking, and took her little hand.
Lin Yourong gently pulled her hand away, but seeing that Yu Huan held on tightly, she reluctantly let him lead her, and the two walked into the mall together.
About ten minutes later.
Yu Huan walked out of the mall carrying a bag full of snacks and fruit in one hand and holding Lin Yourong's hand in the other.
Lin Yourong took his arm and teased, "Darling, this trip has cost you half a month's salary, hasn't it?"
Without hesitation, Yu Huan jokingly replied, "The world's most beautiful and wealthy woman just transferred a million to me not long ago. This little expense is nothing to me, isn't it?"
Rich women don't lack money, so they must be given adequate companionship and emotional support.
They even said they'd let him sit on the starry sky roof someday.
Just praise them and that's it.
"You know how to talk!" Lin Yourong said with a hint of pleasure in her voice.
Yu Huan chuckled.
(End of this chapter)