"What did you make to eat?"
Shen Dang ca downstairs and walked toward Qiao Xi.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her head.
Sunlight draped over them, casting a halo and adding a touch of mystery.
Qiao Xi turned to look up at him and smiled, "Just noodles, but there’s a surprise in the bowl for you."
"A surprise?"
Shen Dang raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"What kind of surprise?"
"See for yourself."
Qiao Xi slipped out of his embrace like an eel and removed his arms from her waist.
Shen Dang watched her with a half-smile.
As Qiao Xi backed away, she said, "Go ahead and eat, don’t wait for . I’ll co down after washing up."
He was going to wait, of course.
Shen Dang didn’t touch his chopsticks, lounging lazily on the dining chair.
He stared at the unremarkable noodles in the bowl, unable to spot any surprise.
When Qiao Xi ca downstairs, she had changed into a floral dress.
As she moved, her skirt fluttered, revealing glimpses of her fair legs, exuding an indescribable innocence.
Shen Dang put his phone aside, propped his chin, and watched her approach. "You’re dressed beautifully today."
Her slightly curly hair was now braided in a plait that fell in front of her chest, looking cute amidst her cool deanor.
Qiao Xi paused and let out a small click of her tongue, "What do you an by suddenly complinting ?"
She pulled out a dining chair and sat opposite Shen Dang.
It was just a simple outfit after all.
Even at ho, it was better not to be too sloppy; having her hair tied up was much more convenient.
Shen Dang’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, he smiled, "Do I need a reason to complint you? I’m not really complinting, I’m just stating facts."
Good grief, speaking such sweet nothings.
Qiao Xi deliberately kept a straight face and said emotionlessly, "Stop talking, eat up. I’m starving."
Shen Dang finally picked up his chopsticks, and it was only near the end of his al that he noticed a golden fried egg lying at the bottom of the bowl.
He picked up the egg, "Is this the surprise you were talking about?"
"Yep!"
Qiao Xi nodded, beaming slightly, "I didn’t make one for myself, just fried one for you. Glad it turned out alright."
"This is for you."
Qiao Xi quickly covered the bowl, shaking her head resolutely, "I don’t want it, don’t give it to . I didn’t make it because I didn’t want to eat it."
"Alright then."
"Just try the taste, see if it’s good enough."
Shen Dang finished the egg and gave Qiao Xi a thumbs up.
"Teacher Qiao’s cooking skills have improved."
"Really?" Qiao Xi, slightly elated by the praise, still maintained a casual deanor, "It seems I do have a talent for cooking."
"Uh-huh."
Shen Dang held back his laughter as he responded.
He wouldn’t ntion that the egg was a bit salty.
He wouldn’t criticize her but would only praise her.
That way, her confidence wouldn’t falter.
Not bad, there was still room for improvent.
...
"Where are we going?"
Qiao Xi sat in the car next to Shen Dang, who was driving without a chauffeur or assistant, unsure of their destination.
Qiao Xi had planned to rest at ho for a few days to rejuvenate before starting a new project, but Shen Dang had pulled her out with him.
He said there was a place he wanted to take her, but kept it secret, all mysterious.
Shen Dang glanced at her, "You’ll see when we get there."
That phrase again.
Qiao Xi rested her cheek on her hand, her eyelashes fluttering, and half-smiled, "Can’t you tell now instead of waiting?"
"If I tell you, you might not know it."
"Then say it first, how do you know I won’t know without telling ?"
"What if you really don’t know?"
"Just say it first and then we can talk."
They began bickering playfully.
"Alright."
Shen Dang laughed softly, giving in.
"I ntioned before that I wanted to take you sowhere, do you rember?"
Before?
That did sound vaguely familiar.
But how long ago was that?
If it weren’t for her good mory, Qiao Xi would have forgotten.
Qiao Xi nodded, "Hmm."
She recalled that she had work commitnts then, so she had declined Shen Dang, and he hadn’t brought it up again.
Seeing she rembered, a clear smile flashed in Shen Dang’s eyes, "Yes, it’s that place."
Qiao Xi, "..."
So, what place was that exactly?
A saying rang through her mind; it was like hearing a riddle.
The car eventually veered into a less-traveled area.
Qiao Xi gazed out at unfamiliar scenery, "Are we there yet?"
"Almost."
After a long while, the car finally stopped.
"We’re here."
Qiao Xi looked outside, only seeing a European-style building with ’Dream Park’ inscribed in grand, majestic letters at the top.
"What is this place?"
"Co on, let’s go in and see."
Shen Dang led Qiao Xi by the hand into the building.
Upon entering, Qiao Xi’s gaze was imdiately captured by a huge flowerbed.
The garden was brimming with various flowers, a perfect photo spot.
Most girls would probably love this kind of place.
Qiao Xi was slightly dazed, looking at the relaxed man beside her, "I had no idea Hai City had a place like this."
"It’s not open to the public yet."
Qiao Xi pondered his words, "Don’t tell this place is one of your investnts."
"You really did forget."
Shen Dang chuckled aningfully.
Qiao Xi made a motion as if to hit him, "Stop beating around the bush!"
She raised her hand but only gently pinched his arm, not exerting much force.
"That plot of land from the bidding over two years ago," Shen Dang pinched her cheek, his teeth slightly clenched, "Rember now?"
Qiao Xi’s expression shifted from blank to lucid.
She rembered!
Back then, Qiao Zhenbin was also interested in this piece of land for real estate investnt, but it was acquired by IDC Capital.
And now it had transford into this place?
Qiao Xi was truly astonished.
In just over two years, the changes here were drastic.
Shen Dang explained that Dream Park combined vacation travel and amusent facilities, offering nurous places to eat, drink, and have fun.
It wasn’t open to the public yet, but Shen Dang let his team and friends, as well as local businessn from Hai City who had connections with him, bring their families here for trial visits before its official launch, without letting the news get out.
Qiao Xi’s expression was intricate, so Shen Dang had wanted to bring her here much earlier?
She hadn’t expected Shen Dang to develop such a project with this plot of land.
Seeing her stupefied look, Shen Dang couldn’t help but laugh, "After it opens, we can co here for a vacation."
Qiao Xi imdiately asked, "When will it open?"
Her eyes sparkled under the sunlight, radiant and captivating.
Qiao Xi was eager to visit this place.
It looked fun, and the scenic beauty would surely attract tourists from all over.
It had to be said, Shen Dang truly had a knack for business.
Shen Dang smiled faintly, "It will fully open to the public by National Day."
National Day!
That was peak travel season!
By then, she should also be able to take a few days off.
Wrapped in a joyful tone, Qiao Xi said, "Then let’s co together when it opens."
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