The girl wore a light gray hoodie and black casual pants, her hair tied up in a messy bun. Her delicate face was bright and captivating. Despite the ordinary attire, she radiated beauty and vitality.
"Yuan Yuan, thank you for your trouble." He Mingrun took the lunchbox from her hands, his voice pleasant and deep.
His eyes were filled with her.
Seeing his gentle smile, Meng Yuan knew without guessing that he was very happy at that moment.
"Young Master He, you are too polite. My mother loves dumplings, and we always have them in the freezer. She also prepared Szechuan chicken and chicken soup for you." Meng Yuan smiled, truly happy.
She knew in her heart that she was falling deeper and deeper.
Yet, she couldn't refuse He Mingrun. The night before, her dreams were filled with his melancholic appearance, and even in her dreams, she felt such heartache for him.
After waking up, she had been distracted.
"I've troubled Auntie!" Although he didn't know what she had told her family, it certainly wasn't about their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.
He no longer dared to try and get closer to her, fearing she would avoid him, making it difficult to even see her again.
Meng Yuan pointed towards the park. "Let's go in and eat. It's the Mid-Autumn Festival tonight, and there aren't many people in the park. We should be able to find a seat."
"Alright!" He Mingrun slowed his pace, walking alongside her into the park.
The park was not crowded. The community had made grand arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival, hanging red lanterns on both sides of the pathways, which twinkled beautifully.
There was a festive atmosphere. The evening air was cool, but He Mingrun's heart felt warm.
They sat down at a stone table. Meng Yuan opened the food container and handed him chopsticks.
"Eat up," she said.
He Mingrun took the chopsticks with a smile, looking at the dumplings and Szechuan chicken, his appetite whetted.
The Szechuan chicken was fragrant, and he was very hungry.
He Mingrun picked out a piece of chicken breast and offered it to Meng Yuan.
Meng Yuan found the gesture a bit too intimate and ambiguous, but seeing He Mingrun's expectant gaze, she couldn't bear to refuse. She smiled and shook her head. "I've already eaten."
"Have one more bite, keep me company," He Mingrun moved the chicken closer.
Meng Yuan's face instantly flushed. She suddenly recalled a saying: the best kind of love is one that settles into a habit; even without passion and fervor, just having that person in front of you brings a sense of peace.
With He Mingrun beside her, her heart felt at ease, somehow different.
She lowered her head slightly and took the chicken, the spicy and savory flavors blooming in her mouth.
Her mother's cooking was as good as ever.
Meng Yuan watched He Mingrun reach for a dumpling with his chopsticks, her face growing redder. This felt like a unique kind of kiss. "I'm sorry, I only took out one pair of chopsticks, and I've already used them. Perhaps you could wait a moment? I can go home and get another pair."
He Mingrun's hand, which was about to pick up a dumpling, paused. He looked at her flushed cheeks, his dark eyes, filled with doting affection, crinkling with a smile.
Meng Yuan was momentarily lost in his gaze.
Then, as the breeze blew past, she heard He Mingrun's doting words: "Silly girl, there's no need."
Looking down, she saw He Mingrun eating dumplings.
The dumplings were delicious, and he couldn't stop eating. After ten, he glanced at the Szechuan chicken and picked up a piece. "It's so fragrant! Auntie's cooking is truly excellent!"
His words were enough to alleviate all of Meng Yuan's awkwardness. "I'm glad you like it. My mother is a teacher, and during holidays, her favorite pastime is exploring new recipes."
"Auntie must be a very gentle person." Women who cook well are usually very patient, especially those who cook delicious food.
"Mm!" Meng Yuan had to admit this. Her family wasn't wealthy, but they lived comfortably in Modu, and the family was very happy.
He Mingrun continued eating. Twenty dumplings and a portion of Szechuan chicken made it the happiest meal he had eaten in years.
He yearned for this kind of ordinary happiness, this simple life.
He Mingrun put down his chopsticks, looking as though he hadn't had enough, savoring the lingering taste.
"I'm very full," He Mingrun said, setting down his chopsticks and looking at Meng Yuan.
Meng Yuan had been watching him eat. He ate elegantly, chewing slowly and deliberately, embodying the perfect dining etiquette of a wealthy family, making it a pleasure to watch.
"That is my mother's honor," she said with a smile.
He Mingrun also smiled, then paused before asking, "Yuan Yuan, when are you returning?"
"Tomorrow." She had other matters to attend to and couldn't delay.
He Mingrun thought for a moment and then tentatively asked, "Can we go back together tomorrow morning? I'll pick you up in the morning; I'll wait for you at the same spot."
She had returned to clear her mind and also missed her parents. However, on the same day, she had also encountered He Mingrun. Since she couldn't avoid him, she decided to face him bravely. Hesitation was not her way.
"Okay!" She nodded.
After they made plans, He Mingrun took her back to his car and handed her several gift boxes, smiling. "Mid-Autumn Festival gifts!"
Meng Yuan was taken aback and smiled. "Why are you being so polite?"
He Mingrun, afraid of burdening her, explained, "It's the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I didn't want to come empty-handed. I promise I won't be so formal with you in the future."
His words made it difficult for Meng Yuan not to accept.
"Thank you!" Meng Yuan took them, looking at his dazzling presence. "Then you should also get back and rest early."
"Mm! I'll book the tickets. The flight is at nine o'clock." It felt good to have her on the plane; he wouldn't feel lonely. He Mingrun could hear the joyful sound in his heart.
Meng Yuan knew this young master wasn't short of money, so she didn't say anything else.
However, when she entered the luxurious first-class cabin the next day, she realized this young master was not just wealthy; he was exceptionally extravagant.
Adjacent seats, massage chairs, everything was available. The sheer luxury made Meng Yuan gasp.
"Yuan Yuan, what would you like for breakfast?" He Mingrun asked solicitously after they were seated.
Meng Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I'll have some noodles."
He Mingrun signaled a flight attendant and ordered two portions of pasta.
Meng Yuan didn't say much. He Mingrun was mature and steady in his affairs and always had his own considerations.
He Mingrun had a lot of work, with endless files even on the plane. Seeing him work, Meng Yuan didn't disturb him and instead lay down to sleep.
She had been suffering from insomnia these past few days, and she quickly drifted into dreamland.
Hearing her steady breathing, He Mingrun finally put down his documents. His calm gaze instantly became intense as he looked at her delicate, smiling face. She had a different kind of charm when she was asleep.
"Yuan Yuan, I wish you could like me, love me. As long as you take that first step, I will take the remaining ninety-nine," he murmured to himself, his voice echoing softly, but it was heard by Meng Yuan, who had just woken up.
Meng Yuan had never dreamed of hearing such words.
Her heart began to pound wildly; it was the sound of her heart being moved.
She only needed to bravely take the first step to have a perfect man like He Mingrun. She kept asking herself, could she really do it?