Director Wen Zhong'en had been a director for many years, and his secretary always handled dining arrangements.
When asked out of the blue where to eat, no name came to his mind.
Not expecting anything from him, Yu Xiuxiu personally drove the father and daughter to a private kitchen.
Their team would always come here for a small gathering after closing a major deal.
The food was good, and the prices were reasonable, so Yu Xiuxiu wanted to bring her daughter to try it.
To see if she liked it.
The restaurant wasn't large, occupying three storefronts with a small courtyard in front, purely for decoration and aesthetics.
But the decor had character, resembling a small restaurant from the Republic of China era, exuding a sense of timelessness.
Wen Tingxue quite liked this style, and her expectations for the dishes subconsciously rose.
Stepping over the threshold, the interior revealed a two-story duplex with a wooden staircase connecting the floors. The counter was located at the entrance.
Behind a wooden table bearing the marks of time stood a spirited elderly man, appearing to be in his late fifties or early sixties, with graying hair but an unbent back.
Yu Xiuxiu took off her bag and greeted him familiarly.
"Elder Yu, are you available today?"
Elder Yu smiled and nodded.
"It's better to arrive early than to arrive late. The guests who booked for yesterday couldn't make it today, and all the ingredients are prepared. Please place your order."
He shifted slightly, revealing the menu behind him.
Rectangular wooden plaques were hung in sequence, bearing dish names. The calligraphy was beautiful, as if hand-carved.
Wen Tingxue's eyes widened in amazement. Those characters, with their sharp, flowing strokes, were exquisite.
While she was gazing at the characters, Elder Yu was looking down at her.
When she sensed his gaze and looked up, Elder Yu didn't avert his eyes. Instead, he smiled kindly.
"You must be Tingxue, dear? A Li has told me about you."
A Li?
Yu Wenli?
Elder Yu...
Wen Tingxue was surprised, her almond eyes widening slightly as she inquired, "Are you his... grandfather?"
Wen Zhong'en was also somewhat taken aback.
Elder Yu smiled and nodded. "Yes. Yesterday, Jin Yan was discussing with me that she wanted to bring your family over for a meal on the weekend so I could meet Wen, dear."
Wen Jinyan, Yu Wen's wife and Yu Wenli's mother.
Yu Xiuxiu had only recently learned by chance that the owner of this establishment was her best friend's father-in-law.
"Yan Yan really likes Yi Yi. Yi Yi, come, call him Grandpa."
Yu Xiuxiu patted her daughter's head and said with a smile.
Wen Tingxue obediently said, "Hello, Grandpa."
The smile in Elder Yu's eyes deepened.
"Hello, Yi Yi. For our first meeting, Grandpa has nothing much to give you, but I'll offer you two dishes."
Saying this, he picked up a brush from the side and dipped it in ink.
The counter wasn't very high, a bit taller than Wen Tingxue's waist.
So, as Elder Yu wrote, she could see the entire process.
On a suitably cut piece of Xuan paper, he wrote sequentially: Lotus Blossom Crisps, Longjing Shrimp, West Lake Vinegar Fish.
More captivating than the dish names were the characters themselves.
Wen Tingxue had never seen such beautiful calligraphy; it was like a template for others to emulate, each stroke full of vigor.
Yu Xiuxiu said apologetically, "Elder Yu, this isn't appropriate. Please charge it to our account."
Wen Tingxue snapped back to attention, also feeling the dishes were too many.
"Grandpa, you promised two dishes, why did you..."
"Is my face not worth three dishes?"
Yu Wenli's playful voice came from behind.
Wen Tingxue turned to see the young man standing at the backlit staircase, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, exuding an innate nobility.
Despite having parted ways not long ago, she was still happy to see him again.
Her eyes sparkled as she asked, "What are you doing here?"
Yu Wenli's lips curved into a smile, and he casually put his phone into his pocket, walking over leisurely.
"Eating."
The hand in his pocket had its sleeves slightly rolled up, giving him a roguish air.
When he reached Wen Tingxue's side, he ruffled her hair with that hand, his tone somewhat doting.
"The little girl likes sweets. Add another dish of Osmanthus Chestnut Cake."
Elder Yu smiled and nodded. "Charge it to your account."
Yu Wenli's lips curved, his voice trailing off lazily. "Alright."
-
There were five private rooms on the second floor.
Yu Wenli and his family hadn't arrived much earlier, so the two families decided to dine in one room.
During the meal, Wen Tingxue's situation was inevitably discussed. Wen Jinyan was heartbroken and held Wen Tingxue, calling her her precious darling.
This made Wen Tingxue blush furiously, like a cooked shrimp.
However, Yu Xiuxiu couldn't help but add a reminder.
"If you encounter such a situation again in the future, you must tell your father and me. No matter the circumstances, your father and I will stand by you. Even if you are in the wrong, your parents will handle it for you.
"You're still young; you can't always bear everything on your own, nor can you suppress your emotions within yourself. It's dangerous, and it makes your parents seem useless."
Yu Xiuxiu touched her daughter's slightly flushed cheek, guilt welling in her eyes, and tears began to form.
"If only I hadn't entrusted you to your grandmother..."
"Mom."
Wen Tingxue gently took Yu Xiuxiu's hand, her gaze sincere as she said,
"Don't be sad, you and Dad. I've never blamed you, truly, never..."
When she was little, she dared not blame them.
Because her grandmother used to say, "Your parents only left you with me because they disliked you."
So she only wished to be good, even better, so that her parents would like her.
Later, she overheard her aunt chatting with someone and realized her parents were away for extended periods to create a better life for her.
During those years, the expenses for her grandmother and uncle's families were all covered by her parents.
This was because she was raised by both families.
Therefore, she didn't blame them for not being there as she grew up.
Hearing his daughter's words, Wen Zhong'en, a man over six feet tall, had his eyes instantly welling up.
He affectionately stroked his daughter's head with his large hand, his voice slightly hoarse.
"After dinner, Dad will take you to buy a phone. If anyone dares to bully you again, call me. I absolutely will not let them off."
Wen Tingxue's heart felt warm, and she sweetly nodded, "Okay."
Yu Xiuxiu wiped away her tears and said, "You don't understand phones, so it'll be useless for you to go. Why don't you let Wenli accompany her to pick one? You're both young and understand these things better."
Wen Zhong'en felt a pang of jealousy. Was he, as a father, inferior to some young man?
Before he could retort, he saw his wife's suggestive glance.
Three seconds later, he understood and changed his tune, "I think so too."
Saying this, he took out a card from his wallet and handed it to Yu Wenli.
"The password is Yi Yi's birthday."
Yu Wenli took it and asked casually, "What month and day?"
Yu Xiuxiu looked at him deeply. "September twenty-eighth."
Wen Tingli raised an eyebrow; that was still some time away.
-
The dishes were served, six in total, each one a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
Especially the West Lake Vinegar Fish, which made Wen Tingxue's eyes shine with delight.
The Longjing Shrimp and Dongpo Pork were also exceptional. Even Wen Tingxue, who wasn't particularly fond of meat, ate several pieces.
The last to be served were the desserts and soup.
However, Wen Tingxue was already full.
Still, the presentation of the Lotus Blossom Crisps was incredibly tempting, resembling real lotus flowers.
Layer upon layer unfurled, tinged with pink, making it hard to resist.
So Wen Tingxue took a small bite.
Then she ate the entire thing.
Plus a piece of Osmanthus Chestnut Cake.
If her stomach hadn't been completely full, she would have eaten two more pieces.
The taste was truly, truly, truly amazing!
Yu Wenli smiled and wiped away the crumbs from her lips.
Then he ordered a cup of Longjing tea for her and instructed someone to pack the pastries and put them in her family's car.
While the two sets of parents were busy talking, Yu Wenli took the little glutton outside to enjoy the scenery and digest their meal.
At the end of the second floor was a small balcony.
It was very small, enough for only two people to stand.
Flowers were planted there, all sunflowers, facing the sun.
Wen Tingxue held her teacup and took sips by the flowers.
The sunlight cascaded down, making her whole being seem serene.
Yu Wenli was reluctant to break this beautiful moment.
But some things, if not asked now, would be difficult to find an opening later.
"Yi Yi."
Yu Wenli stood with one hand in his pocket, leaning against the vermilion doorframe.
His white shirt had turned pale in the light, making him look even more distinguished.
"Mm?"
Wen Tingxue turned her head, her gaze falling upon his eyelashes, which were gilded with gold, long and curled.
They drooped, concealing all emotions in his eyes.
Wen Tingxue suddenly became nervous.
As expected, the next second, he asked in a calm tone,
"If I hadn't come to find you at the office today, would you have just let it go?"