Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Fu Yongâs smile grew even wider, and looked a little strange to Hua Tang. âA-are you alright?â
âIâm fine.â Fu Yong returned to his usual chilly countenance and coughed twice expressionlessly. âSince we didnât make dinner, letâs eat out tonight! â
Hua Tang widened her eyes at him. Did he know that she got paid today? Why else would he go out to eat?
Before she could reject this suggestion, she was already out the door with Mu Chi.
Along the way, she didnât say a word. All she could think about was, âWhat can I get with my paltry salary?â
She stole a glance at Mu Chi. Although his family used to be very rich, that was all in the past; not long after Mu Chi was born, his family declined.
He had lived in a poor small village his entire life, so he was probably unfamiliar with fine dining restaurants in Jiangcheng City, right? According to his level of consumption, a roadside stall should satisfy him. Moreover, many roadside stalls offer unlimited staple food.
Having come to this conclusion, Hua Tang was relieved.
Since they married, she had been living frugally, buying cheap groceries and making simple food. However, couples need romance and thrills to keep their relationship passionate; being romantic from time to time would help.
âSo today, Iâll be extravagant for once and eat at a roadside stallâ¦â
However, Hua Tang was thinking too much.
She looked up and saw the most luxurious establishment in Jiangcheng City, the Rose Grand Hotel.
âLetâs have dinner here!â Mu Chiâs words were light and casual as if he was saying, âLetâs make do and choose this one.â
âWhat did you say?â Hua Tang nearly couldnât control the volume of her voice.
âI said, letâs eat here.â Fu Yong chuckled. âThis hotel looks good. Thereâs even a light at the door.â
Hua Tang subconsciously clutched her wallet. This was the most expensive hotel in Jiangcheng City. Her salary was probably not even enough to cover a dish!
Fu Yong simply pulled her towards the doorway.
The attendants on both sides of the entrance bowed respectfully. âWelcome.â
âWait a minute!â Hua Tang grabbed his arm.
âWhatâs wrong?â Fu Yong raised his eyebrows.
âWeâ¦â ââdonât have enough money,â was what she wanted to say. âCommoners like us canât afford the food here.â
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.
She looked at Fu Yongâs expectant eyes and thought about how he had given her all those precious family heirlooms. He had already treated her as one of his own. How could she be stingy to her husband?
Hua Tang made her decision and said, with a miserable smile, âLetâs⦠head inside.â
âReally?â Fu Yong was surprised by this answer.
âOf course.â Hua Tang had already adjusted her emotions and cuddled up against him. âItâs rare for us to eat out, so letâs have a good meal. Besides, itâs just one meal; I can afford it!â
Fu Yong was slightly touched.
He had chosen this place on purpose. He knew that Hua Tang did not have a high-paying job, and he assumed that she would use all kinds of reasons to reject him, placating him with lip service. She might even go back to buying cheap vegetables for tonightâs dinner.
He just wanted to tease and force her to admit she was a substitute; she was not Hua Ning.
But at this moment, Fu Yong felt that he had gone overboard. He did not expect Hua Tang to be so sincere.
âLetâs go eat somewhereâ¦â Before he could finish his sentence, Hua Tang pulled him into the hotel. They found a seat by the window where they could enjoy the night scene and sat down.
Hua Tang ordered two dishes. They werenât very expensive, but it was the best she could do. She specifically asked the waiter to order a small portionâenough for Mu Chi alone. She was fine so long as Mu Chi was satisfied.
âWhy arenât you eating?â Fu Yong looked into her eyes.
âIâm not hungry.â Hua Tang avoided his gaze. âI donât have much of an appetite.â
âI remember you complaining about me not making dinner just now.â Fu Yong exposed her without hesitation.
Hua Tang felt awkward at being caught.
Fu Yong put down his chopsticks. His deep eyes seemed to pierce through her. âWeâve been married for a while now. Donât you have anything to say to me? â
Hua Tangâs expression changed. âDid he find out? Did someone say something to him?â
All men have their pride; they would prefer to marry a fair, rich, and beautiful woman instead of a disgraceful little weed like her.
Under the table, Hua Tangâs hands rubbed together uneasily. She told herself that she couldnât admit the truth over and over again.
After all, Mu Chi had gone to prison for being violent. If he was angered, the consequences would be unimaginable.
âWhat do you want to talk about?â
Hua Tang racked her brains to change the topic. âBy the way, I didnât make any sales this month; I havenât issued any bills. I have to work harder next month so I will be working till late. Will you be fine looking after yourself?â