The streets were quite busy that evening, with Meng Yao and Song Jiaping strolling through the night market hand in hand.
Meng Yao had no idea there was such a pedestrian night market in the bustling downtown area. Small stalls lined both sides, displaying a dazzling array of trinkets.
She couldn't help but stop at each stall, finding herself captivated by some of the small decorations and accessories.
Seeing her delight, Song Jiaping bought them all for her.
At a stall selling small accessories, Meng Yao spotted a zircon ring with pink petals and tried it on her finger.
Song Jiaping took the ring from her hand and placed it back, saying, "We won't buy rings here. We'll go to a department store, and I'll let you pick out the most expensive and largest diamond ring."
Meng Yao picked up the pink ring again and put it on, saying, "But I just like this one. Buy it for me."
"Don't be silly. This ring is too cheap, it's not suitable to give to you," Song Jiaping still disagreed.
The stall owner quickly chimed in, "Handsome sir, your girlfriend has excellent taste. This ring is not cheap; it's the most expensive one I have. The setting is pure silver, and the pink stone on top is natural crystal. It's three hundred yuan."
Meng Yao smiled and winked at Song Jiaping, saying, "Hurry up and pay. Didn't you hear the boss say it's the most expensive?"
Song Jiaping smiled helplessly and bought the ring, thinking that he could always buy a diamond ring when they officially married Meng Yao.
Seeing that Meng Yao still wanted to browse, he held her back and asked, "Aren't you hungry? Have you decided what you want to eat?"
"I'm fine. I think you're the one who's hungry," Meng Yao said after a moment's thought, "I'd like some sake. How about Japanese cuisine?"
"Then let's go for Japanese food." Song Jiaping led her to a Japanese restaurant not too far from the night market.
After they sat down at the restaurant and the sake was poured, Meng Yao was still admiring the ring on her finger, feeling it looked better and better.
"You like this ring so much, but the material isn't very good." Song Jiaping hadn't expected her to like such ordinary jewelry so much.
Meng Yao looked at him and said, "You don't understand. None of my expensive jewelry is as good as this ring that I picked myself, and it's even more special because you gave it to me. I never bought jewelry for myself before; those expensive pieces were all custom-made by my mother according to her taste..."
She noticed Song Jiaping's expression change slightly and quickly stopped talking.
Seeing that she had stopped, as if worried he might be angry, Song Jiaping quickly said, "I know, that's why I feel this ring is too cheap for you. But I'm glad you like it."
At this moment, Meng Yao saw that their ordered dishes had arrived and raised her glass, saying, "Come, let's have a drink."
Song Jiaping clinked glasses with her, and after drinking, they began to eat.
Meng Yao suddenly asked, "You seem very familiar with this area. Have you often brought girls here to shop before?"
Song Jiaping smiled and said, "Not really. Don't you remember I used to live nearby? When I had nothing to do, I would wander around by myself, so I naturally became familiar with this area."
"That's more like it," Meng Yao continued eating her sushi.
Song Jiaping picked up a shrimp and placed it on her plate, saying, "When did you learn to read my expressions? Is there something you're hiding from me?"
Meng Yao's smile froze. She knew she should tell him about meeting her elder sister and father, but she was afraid he would mind.
"What's wrong with you?" Song Jiaping noticed her unusual expression. "Whatever happens, we should face it together."
Meng Yao felt she needed to learn to face everything with him, after all, they had decided to give their lives to each other.
"When you weren't at the hotel during the day, my sister came to see me, and she took me to the prison to see my father."
"Are they against you being with me?" Song Jiaping asked.
"My father didn't object, but my sister is a bit disapproving," Meng Yao said. "Actually, she's just worried about me; she doesn't mean any harm..."
"I know what she's worried about." Song Jiaping knew Meng Qi was a more rational person.
Meng Qi would unhesitatingly choose reason over emotion in matters of the heart, unlike Meng Yao, who was more sentimental.
He had also asked himself the very questions Meng Qi was worried about many times.
Could he truly forget the hatred between the Huangfu Sisong couple and his family? Would he not think of it every time he faced Meng Yao?
The truth was, he probably couldn't do it for a while, but one thing was certain: his love for Meng Yao had far surpassed the hatred in his heart.
Although he couldn't forgive the Huangfu Sisong couple, he wouldn't let his love for Meng Yao be tainted by them. He just wanted to live their lives well.
"Do you really know?" Meng Yao asked.
Song Jiaping put down his chopsticks and held her hand, saying, "Meng Qi is worried that I still resent your parents, and perhaps one day I'll resent you too."
Meng Yao nodded and said, "Yes. But I think my sister's worries are a bit excessive. You won't hate me, will you?"
Song Jiaping gently whispered, "Yao, I truly love you and want to be with you for the rest of my life. Hatred is no longer important to me; I just hope to make every day you spend with me happy."
Meng Yao's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head, saying, "I know. But you still can't forgive my parents, can you?"
"Yes. I can't forgive them, but I have learned to let go because of you," Song Jiaping said. "But in the future, feel free to talk about your family. I won't get angry just because you mention them. If you miss your family in the future and want to see them, you can visit them anytime. I won't stop you or quarrel with you over these matters."
Meng Yao looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes, "Really? You won't be angry with me."
Song Jiaping pinched her nose and chuckled, "You silly girl, you're so hesitant to speak because you're afraid I'll be angry. Don't do that anymore. Tell me anything that happens, and we'll solve any problems together."
Meng Yao sniffled and said, "I know. Try this fish slice too; it tastes really good."
As she said this, she picked up a slice of fish and fed it to him, then smiled again.
His words had moved her deeply, strengthening her resolve.
After dinner, they left the restaurant and walked hand in hand.
Meng Yao remarked, "This is the first time we've gone shopping and eaten out like a normal couple."
Song Jiaping nodded, feeling a sense of indebtedness towards her.
In the past, because of the hatred he harbored, he had always rejected her and never treated her as he should have treated a lover.
"From now on, we'll go out shopping and eating every day. We'll do all the things couples should do and make up for our lost romance."
"Okay, then you'll accompany me out to eat and shop every day," Meng Yao said, smiling.
Song Jiaping asked her, "How about we go watch a movie?"
Meng Yao smiled and nodded, letting go of his hand. She took out her phone and said, "I'll look up movies and showtimes online."
"Okay, you choose," Song Jiaping said. As he watched her concentrating on selecting movie times, he glanced around and saw someone selling various balloons across the street.