Chapter 107: Chapter 107

In this era, parks charge an entrance fee, which isn’t cheap—thirty cents per ticket.

Meng Cheng’an paid for the tickets.

Since it was early, and the sky was overcast and cold, there weren’t many people inside. It was very quiet, perfect for a date.

As they walked, Meng Cheng’an reached over and held Tian Xiang’s hand.

However, Tian Xiang was wearing gloves, so there was a layer between them and he couldn’t feel much.

Meng Cheng’an thought for a moment, put Tian Xiang’s hand in his coat pocket, and asked her, "Is it warm?"

"Huh?" Tian Xiang felt it, "Pretty warm."

Meng Cheng’an’s dark gray coat looked quite high-end, well-tailored, and very warm.

Meng Cheng’an: "Can you take off the gloves now?"

So that’s what he meant.

It was indirect, yet very enticing.

Tian Xiang took off the gloves.

Now Meng Cheng’an was satisfied, and the moment he held her hand again, he let out a long sigh and smiled.

Didn’t they just hold hands two days ago?

Before, she thought this guy was introverted and hard to read, with layers of thoughts impossible to decipher.

Now being together with him, she realized how innocent he really was—a stark contrast to the big villain he appeared to be, as if he was a different person.

They walked slowly, hand in hand, first strolling through a flowerless garden, then a small grove, and finally heading to the lakeside.

Meng Cheng’an asked her if she wanted to go boating.

Tian Xiang thought for a moment and declined. She couldn’t swim and was a bit afraid of water. In such cold weather, falling in or getting wet would be terrible.

They just walked around the lake.

By now, it was mid-morning, and more people gradually appeared around them. Like them, most were couples on a date.

But others were more reserved and didn’t hold hands.

Gradually, Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an felt a bit embarrassed too and let go of each other’s hands.

They walked side by side, and Tian Xiang asked if any news had come from his grandfather, since the New Year was approaching.

Meng Cheng’an: "A few days ago, we received a telegram from him."

Tian Xiang: "There’s news! How is he?"

Meng Cheng’an smiled, "Just a few words; he eats well, sleeps well, and the scenery is beautiful."

"Ah? Isn’t there more about his situation?"

Meng Cheng’an laughed, "That’s enough."

He understood the old man’s message, meant to tell him everything was smooth sailing.

What’s enough about that?

Eating well and sleeping well obviously means being confined—nothing else to do but eat and sleep!

Forget it, talking more about it only makes one worry.

They walked around the lake three times, and Meng Cheng’an asked, "Shall we watch a movie after lunch?"

They had been dating for so long but hadn’t watched a movie yet.

Thinking of Hu Honglian being home alone, Tian Xiang said, "Next week. I have to keep my mom company this afternoon."

Meng Cheng’an was quite happy, indicating they could spend time together next week, and with work, they could see each other every day.

They were about to finish one more lap and head out for lunch when, unexpectedly, they ran into Lu Weihua.

Lu Weihua wasn’t alone; there was a girl with him.

Obviously, he was there for a date or a matchmaking event.

Tian Chuying had come out, so surely Lu Weihua did too. Besides, it was rumored that the incident hadn’t affected his job; he only had to write a self-criticism and got a factory notice.

Tian Xiang was dissatisfied with this punishment, as she felt Lu Weihua indeed had thoughts at the time. But since Tian Chuying never revealed the truth, and there was no evidence from the police, they had no choice but to pass such judgment.

Seeing Lu Weihua, Tian Xiang frowned, and her face dropped, her good mood disappearing by more than half.

Meng Cheng’an still smiled, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes; in fact, it seemed danger was brewing.

They both stopped walking.

Not far away, Lu Weihua was stunned as he saw them too. Subsequently, avoiding eye contact, he pulled the girl beside him, saying, "Let’s go stroll over there."

The girl obviously wasn’t aware of his affairs and didn’t know Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an. She complained, "Didn’t we just come from there?"

Lu Weihua: "Right, I remembered I left something on the bicycle. Let’s go to the entrance first..."

As they talked, they moved towards the main gate, and soon disappeared.

Tian Xiang sighed, "I wonder whose girl she is." Dating is one thing, but if she marries Lu Weihua, her life after marriage certainly won’t be pleasant, given his character.

Meng Cheng’an didn’t like discussing irrelevant people and matters, so he suggested, "Shall we walk around a bit more and then have lunch?"

They stayed there for another half hour or so, then rode their bicycles to Bridgehead Restaurant.

By coincidence, Lu Weihua and the girl were also inside, arriving before them and having already seated themselves.

Meng Cheng’an asked Tian Xiang, "Shall we go to Hongjiang Restaurant instead?"—it wasn’t far from there.

Hongjiang Restaurant was more expensive than this place.

Tian Xiang: "Why bother running around? Let’s just stay here."

Pretend they don’t exist; there’s no need to trouble ourselves.

They ordered one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and an egg soup.

Meng Cheng’an paid and gave the tickets, then took Tian Xiang to the other side of the hall, ensuring she sat with her back to Lu Weihua.

For nothing else but to make sure she enjoyed her meal.

Tian Xiang only glanced when they entered and didn’t pay attention afterward, instead chatting with Meng Cheng’an.

Although she was dissatisfied with Lu Weihua’s light punishment, considering more angles, she let it go.

After all, Tian Chuying took it for him.

Moreover, if she started complaining or expressing her dissatisfaction, would Meng Cheng’an cause some trouble? She truly feared that.

Though she spoke to Meng Cheng’an willingly and liked him.

Honestly, though, the guy was a ticking time bomb. She had to tread carefully because if he exploded, it would be a huge problem.

Very soon, the dishes arrived. They ordered flatbread again, which Tian Xiang really liked, so she ate earnestly.

Meng Cheng’an occasionally helped her serve soup or pick dishes, eating with elegance while occasionally glancing towards Lu Weihua’s side.

Clearly, he was vigilant and warning that person. He didn’t want that person’s gaze falling on them, not even for a glance.

Meng Cheng’an was too overbearing.

Initially, Lu Weihua was embarrassed by the last incident and didn’t dare look at them, fearing humiliation.

But gradually, he could’t help himself.

Recently, Lu Weihua had been on several matchmaking dates. His family wanted him to settle down and avoid causing more trouble, hoping he would marry soon.

Lu’s mother knew her son’s nature; she didn’t care about any conditions except that the girls be good-looking.

But none before satisfied Lu Weihua’s standards for figure and appearance.

Today’s girl was introduced by relatives, from a town outside the city, already the prettiest among those he had met.

Upon meeting her, Lu Weihua felt alright, and that’s why he invited her to the park.

But now, seeing Tian Xiang and surreptitiously comparing, he realized the girl beside him was far behind in comparison.