Shen Su drove all the way today. Shen Su didn't drive long distances often. When he went out of the city or to farther suburbs, he would let the driver handle it.
Traveling was tiring. If they went out again at night, they would return after midnight, which was too much of a hassle.
Upon hearing this, Shen Su suddenly laughed. He propped one arm against the wall of the corridor, blocking Feng Feng's path, and looked at her with a smile, "Are you worried about me?"
Feng Feng said, "You were my driver for a day, it's only right."
Shen Su said, "If President Feng feels bad about it, you can treat me to a cup of coffee later."
Feng Feng understood Shen Su's intention; he still planned to go out. "Alright, see you later."
They each returned to their rooms to drop off their luggage. After a short rest, they set off for the port together. Shen Su had already booked a table by phone on his way from Los Angeles. The restaurant had reserved a second-floor terrace seat for them, offering a view of the Christmas illuminated boats at sea.
The area around the port was very lively. Sitting on the second floor of the restaurant, they could still hear the laughter and joy from outside.
It happened to be Christmas Eve. When the meal was served, the restaurant also sent an apple-shaped chocolate cake. The spray-painted exterior was exceptionally delicate, looking like a work of art at first glance.
While eating dinner, Feng Feng happened to see a family exchanging Christmas gifts inside on the second floor. It then occurred to her that she had forgotten to prepare a gift for Shen Su – or rather, she had been so annoyed by him that she had overlooked it.
She had originally planned to buy it along with Li Yue's birthday gift. Coincidentally, she found out that day that he was looking for Zhang Shuang, so she hadn't bought it out of spite. However, judging by Shen Su's demeanor, he probably hadn't had time to prepare anything either.
With that thought, Feng Feng felt much more balanced. At her age, she didn't have as much of a need for rituals. Receiving a gift on a holiday was a pleasant surprise, and not receiving one wouldn't make her feel down.
Overall, Feng Feng quite enjoyed the atmosphere of the meal. They had agreed not to mention other people during their trip, so Feng Feng didn't bring up their past issues.
Shen Su was very familiar with the Bay Area. He spoke eloquently during dinner, listing famous restaurants and bars there as if reciting a familiar tune. Feng Feng's curiosity was piqued by Shen Su's knowledge. "Have you lived in the Bay Area before?"
The smile on Shen Su's face suddenly froze, as if he had been asked a topic that was difficult to answer.
Feng Feng took a sip of red wine. "If it's inconvenient to say, you don't have to answer. It's your privacy."
"It's not that it's inconvenient to say," Shen Su continued, "It's just that I feel you might not want to hear it if I did, and it might spoil the mood."
Feng Feng's mind worked quickly. Hearing those keywords, she made a guess: "Did your ex-girlfriend live here?"
Shen Su: "..."
Feng Feng knew very little about Shen Su's romantic life, only that he had dated many people. However, she had only met Qin Siruan and Ji Tong in person. "Did she study or work here?"
Feng Feng asked casually, then immediately felt it was inappropriate and added, "If it's inconvenient, you don't have to answer."
Shen Su shook his head. "There's nothing inconvenient about it, it's just that when we're on a date, talking about my ex... it's not appropriate."
Feng Feng was suddenly amused and retorted, "You know it's not appropriate?"
Shen Su then realized he had trapped himself – whenever they were alone together, he would bring up Li Yue every single time.
Shen Su coughed to ease his awkwardness. "She came to the Bay Area for a six-month business trip. I also had business here at the time, so I came over frequently."
Feng Feng nodded. This answered her previous question. With her questions answered, she didn't ask any more and turned her attention to the apple cake.
Knowing it was an American dessert, she could guess how sweet it would be even without tasting it. She definitely couldn't finish it by herself.
Feng Feng pushed the plate to the center of the table and gestured with her chin towards Shen Su. "Let's eat it together."
The cake was indeed very sweet. Although Feng Feng had prepared herself, she still felt a momentary blackness when she tasted it. This fist-sized cake must have had at least half a pound of sugar in it.
After taking one bite, Feng Feng put down her fork. Seeing this, Shen Su asked, "Why aren't you eating anymore?"
Feng Feng shook her head, her features contorted in a rare grimace. "It's too sweet."
Shen Su cut a piece from where Feng Feng had eaten and tasted it. "I don't think it's that bad."
Feng Feng said, "That's perfect then, you finish it."
After Shen Su finished the cake, Feng Feng walked out of the restaurant with him and joined the crowd watching the light show.
Feng Feng rarely joined such festivities on holidays. She had never participated in the New Year's Eve events in Nanjiang. This was her first time attending such an event since starting her career.
Fireworks suddenly lit up the sea opposite them. Feng Feng's gaze was drawn to them, and she stopped to watch the brilliant fireworks bloom in the sky. The screams of children could be heard, and she could also hear people taking the opportunity to say "I love you."
Feng Feng subconsciously glanced at Shen Su beside her out of the corner of her eye. He was looking at the sky, as if he hadn't heard the commotion around them. Feng Feng then turned her attention back.
For the next ten minutes or so, neither Feng Feng nor Shen Su spoke to each other. Feng Feng focused on watching the fireworks, her thoughts drifting far away, until Shen Su suddenly moved closer to her and embraced her with his arms, bringing her back to her senses.
Feng Feng looked down and saw that Shen Su had already brushed her hair aside.
"You..." Feng Feng had only uttered one word when she felt a coolness on her neck. Looking closely, she realized a necklace had appeared around her neck.
Shen Su had put it on her himself.
By this time, the necklace was already on. Shen Su was adjusting her hair, his fingers brushing against her collarbone. After admiring it carefully, he said to her, "Merry Christmas Eve, President Feng."
Feng Feng looked down. The necklace was from Cartier's Love collection, with two diamond-encrusted rings intertwined, a relatively simple design that suited Feng Feng's usual style of dress.
Feng Feng looked up at Shen Su. "When did you prepare it?"
Shen Su asked in return, "Do you like it?"
Feng Feng nodded. "I like it very much. Thank you."
Shen Su smiled and said, "I thought your next sentence would be to ask me how much it cost and then transfer the money to me."
Feng Feng was amused by Shen Su's resentful remark. "That won't happen."
After Feng Feng finished laughing, her gaze unexpectedly met Shen Su's again. The smile in his eyes had gradually disappeared, replaced by a surging desire, as if he couldn't wait to devour her.
His hands were still on her collarbone, and the other rested on her waist, bringing them infinitely close.
Feng Feng raised her hand and touched his Adam's apple, her fingertips tracing the protruding outline.
Shen Su's breathing deepened slightly, and his five fingers caressed her neck.
He moved his lips, and before he could speak, his lips were suddenly covered by Feng Feng's.
A fire ignited within Shen Su, rushing straight to his brain, and his movements became considerably more unrestrained.
As their tongues intertwined, another burst of fireworks bloomed overhead.