noffsinger Chapter 224 A Delicate Dinner
Chapter 224 A Delicate Dinner
Evening, Riverside Restaurant
The breeze along the riverbank carried a hint of coolness, and as dusk fell, the city was illuminated with dazzling lights.
The restaurant Lin Chuyue chose was built right by the river, offering a superb view. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the river, reflecting the shimmering city skyline. She arrived a little early, and the waiter had already led her to her seat. She ordered two glasses of red wine and waited quietly for Li Zhanchuan.
About ten minutes later, Li Zhanchuan appeared at the restaurant entrance.
He wore a dark suit, which accentuated his tall and slender figure and sharp features. He exuded an air of nobility, attracting the attention of many wherever he went.
Lin Chuyue watched him walk over, a slight smile playing on her lips. After he sat down, she slowly said, "I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
Li Zhanchuan raised an eyebrow, picked up the glass of red wine in front of him and swirled it gently, his tone indifferent: "Since you made the appointment, I naturally won't be late."
Lin Chuyue chuckled, raised her wine glass, and gently clinked it against his: "Looks like I have quite a lot of influence."
Li Zhanchuan didn't reply, but just looked at her quietly, his deep eyes hiding some kind of elusive emotion.
The food was served, and the atmosphere became subtle.
The atmosphere between the two wasn't awkward; in fact, it carried a natural understanding. Lin Chuyue ordered mostly light and delicate dishes, and Li Zhanchuan didn't nitpick, simply taking a few bites while his gaze occasionally fell on her.
"What brings you to dinner today?" he suddenly asked, his tone inquisitive.
Lin Chuyue put down her knife and fork, leaned back in her chair, and looked at him calmly: "Can't I just want to have a meal with you?"
Li Zhanchuan did not answer immediately, but remained silent for a moment before whispering, "Of course."
Lin Chuyue smiled slightly, seemingly quite satisfied with his reaction. She gently swirled her wine glass, her eyes sparkling, and said leisurely, "Actually, it's nothing special. It's just that I feel like it's been a long time since we've had a meal alone together."
Li Zhanchuan paused slightly, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation deepened.
The alcohol eased the atmosphere slightly. Lin Chuyue rested her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on the river outside the window, and said softly, "Zhanchuan, don't you think that sometimes life is truly wondrous?"
Li Zhanchuan looked at her, his voice low and deep: "What do you mean?"
Lin Chuyue lowered her eyelashes, her fingertips slowly sliding along the rim of the wine glass, as if she were considering her words. After a few seconds, she spoke softly, "Some people once thought they would stay by your side for life, but as time went by, things changed... like Gu Yanchuan and me."
Her voice was soft, revealing little emotion, but Li Zhanchuan's brows furrowed slightly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table as he asked in a low voice, "Do you still have feelings for him?"
Lin Chuyue paused for a moment, then chuckled: "What do you think?"
Li Zhanchuan didn't speak, but just looked at her intently.
Lin Chuyue withdrew her gaze, her tone tinged with emotion: "Actually, it's not that I'm nostalgic, it's just that some things didn't turn out the way I imagined."
She paused, then smiled and looked at Li Zhanchuan: "But speaking of which, you are quite sensitive."
Li Zhanchuan's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was indifferent: "You have indeed mentioned him quite a few times."
Lin Chuyue smiled gently, picked up her wine glass, took a sip, and looked at him. Suddenly, she said in a light tone, "What if it were you? Is there anyone you thought would always be by your side, but later lost?"
Li Zhanchuan paused slightly, looking at her with a dark expression. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Yes."
Lin Chuyue was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to be so frank.
She blinked, a hint of amusement in her voice: "A woman?"
Li Zhanchuan's gaze deepened, and his tone was low: "I suppose so."
Lin Chuyue looked at him with interest, her voice slightly drawn out: "Oh? Is she still with you now?"
Li Zhanchuan lowered his head and took a sip of wine, his expression unchanged. After a few seconds, he slowly uttered two words: "Still here."
Lin Chuyue was stunned for a moment, then met his gaze, and her heart skipped a beat for no reason.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened, her smile paused slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and said in a teasing tone, "Oh, I see."
Li Zhanchuan didn't speak, he just looked at her, his eyes filled with unfathomable emotions.
As we left the restaurant, the night was deep.
After the meal, Li Zhanchuan drove Lin Chuyue home. The car was quiet, with only the city's neon lights reflected on the windows, showing their silent profiles.
Lin Chuyue looked out the window and suddenly said, "Zhanchuan, I've noticed that the way you look at me lately is different from before."
Li Zhanchuan's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, but his tone remained calm: "What's different?"
Lin Chuyue tilted her head, carefully examining his profile, and slowly said, "You seem... a little more serious?"
Li Zhanchuan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he waited until the red light came on and the car stopped before turning to look at her, his eyes deep and unfathomable: "How do you want me to see you?"
Lin Chuyue was speechless for a moment; she hadn't expected him to ask her such a blunt question.
She pursed her lips, about to speak, when a horn honked behind the car, and the light turned green.
Li Zhanchuan looked away and continued driving, saying in a calm tone, "No matter what, my gaze will not change."
Lin Chuyue frowned slightly, a complex emotion welling up in her heart.
At that moment, she suddenly realized that their relationship seemed to be undergoing some kind of change.
(To be continued)