"Like me what?" Alexander looked at Evie and asked.
"The boss is really handsome, and he works with so much energy!" Evie said with fake enthusiasm.
"When did you learn to talk like that?"
"Haha, I didn't say anything wrong!" Evie replied with a grin.
"So you don't think so?" Alexander pressed.
"Of course I do. I feel exactly the same way!" Evie shook her head quickly.
Alexander stared at her for a long moment. Finally, he gave in and walked into the restaurant with her.
The owner was incredibly welcoming. As soon as they reached the door, he greeted them and offered cigarettes.
Alexander declined.
"Sir, do you have any private rooms left?" Evie asked.
"Yes, we do. How many in your party? A small room or a large one?" the owner asked.
"A small one!"
"A large one!"
Evie and Alexander answered at the same time.
Evie froze for a second. She turned to look at Alexander. "There are only two of us. Why do you need a large room?"
"Is there a problem?" Alexander looked down at her.
"No problem at all!" Evie muttered under her breath.
"Well, we have a large room with a great view. It's very quiet. How about I take you upstairs to see it?" the owner suggested.
"Sure!" Evie answered immediately.
Then she remembered Alexander hadn't said anything yet.
She turned to look at him.
Alexander didn't say a word. He just nodded slightly.
They followed the owner upstairs to the private room.
The room was separate, not divided by a partition. The decor inside was elegant and tasteful.
Alexander seemed fine with it. He took Evie's hand and led her to the dining table.
The owner pulled out the menu from the cabinet and started recommending some of the restaurant's signature dishes.
Evie ordered two dishes based on Alexander's preferences.
Alexander also ordered two dishes. Then he asked the owner if they had any desserts.
The owner said they had ice cream and cake.
Alexander looked at Evie. "What do you want?"
"I don't know. Can I still eat after the main course?" Evie asked hesitantly.
"Take your time. Just order one. Please," Alexander said. He closed the menu and handed it back to the owner.
"Of course!" the owner said with a smile.
He poured tea for them and told them to sit tight. The food would be ready soon.
"Sir, please make sure it's delicious!" Evie couldn't help adding.
She thought to herself, I recommended your place so strongly. Don't let me down!
"Absolutely, absolutely!" the owner replied with a grin.
Then he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Evie picked up her tea and took a sip. "The tea here is really good. I heard the owner uses spring water to brew it!"
Alexander didn't say anything. He just picked up his cup and took a sip.
"Actually, if you're not too picky, you can find a lot of great food!" Evie said with a smile.
"You're calling me picky?"
"No, I mean... Actually, I don't mean anything!" Evie didn't know how to explain, so she just gave up.
"From now on, I'll follow my wife's lead," Alexander said slowly.
"Huh?"
"Wherever you say is good, I'll go with you. Is my wife satisfied with that?"
Evie couldn't help laughing. "I didn't say anything."
"My wife called me a picky person. I have to eliminate that negative impression from her mind," Alexander said seriously.
Evie laughed even harder. "Don't talk like that. It makes me feel like we're in some period drama!"
"Where do you want to go?"
"Forget it. There's no good food in ancient times. Modern times are much better!" Evie shook her head after thinking about it.
Alexander smiled. He poured half a cup of tea for Evie. "Don't drink too much. You won't be able to eat your meal."
"Okay," Evie nodded obediently.
As promised, the restaurant served quickly. First, they brought two appetizers. Then came the main dishes and rice.
"Do you have any alcohol here?" Alexander asked the waiter.
"Yes, we have beer, liquor, and red wine."
"Give me a bottle of Moutai," Alexander ordered.
"That's a bit strong. How about Luzhou Laojiao instead?" the waiter suggested.
"Is that okay?" Alexander looked at Evie.
"Huh? You're asking me? I don't drink... Oh, just a small bottle then," Evie answered.
They ended up ordering a small bottle of liquor.
The soup and the liquor arrived together.
While helping Alexander with his soup, Evie said, "You're driving. You can't drink."
"I'm not drinking. You are," Alexander replied shamelessly.
"What?" Evie stared at him in shock. She thought she had misheard.
He ordered that bottle of liquor just for her?
"Since we're celebrating, you should have a little," Alexander said with a perfectly reasonable tone.
"What's the point of drinking alone?" Evie blurted out.
"If you don't mind, I'll drink with you," Alexander said with a smile.
"I'll drink it myself," Evie shook her head directly.
Alexander was driving. Drinking and driving was too dangerous.
Evie decided to eat more so she wouldn't get drunk easily.
She also thought Alexander was acting a bit strange today. She'd better go along with him.
Otherwise, if he suddenly changed his mind—oh, wrong, if he suddenly turned into a beast—that seemed wrong too!
She should say, if he suddenly got unhappy and took it out on her, she'd be finished.
Halfway through the meal, Alexander poured a small glass of liquor for Evie and himself. Then he raised his glass. "Evie, we've been married for six months. Thank you for taking care of me all this time."
Evie felt a jolt in her heart. Why did that opening sound so terrifying?
She felt like the next sentence would be—
I think we're not right for each other. Let's get a divorce!
Evie stared at Alexander blankly.
"What's wrong?" Alexander smiled at her.
"Are you going to ask for something special?" Evie asked cautiously.
"What kind of request?" Alexander asked.
"That sentence you just said... isn't that a prelude? Isn't there a subtext?"
Alexander looked at her, half amused, half exasperated. "Evie, I really want to know what's going on in that head of yours."
"Of course it's a brain! Ugh, that's disgusting!" Evie said, then shuddered.
"It's not a prelude. It's not a subtext. It's from the heart," Alexander continued.
"I also want to thank you for taking care of me! I'm really happy being with you. Truly!" Evie picked up her glass, clinked it with Alexander's, and said sincerely.
She had a good life before. Simple and happy.
"Baby, can you not say that sentence with that expression?" Alexander said helplessly.
"What expression?" Evie blinked, confused.
"Like you're looking death in the face," Alexander replied.
Evie froze for a moment. The next second, she choked on her own saliva.