Luring Her to Take the Bait - Chapter 18.3

Pei Wenjin folded a small dog out of a napkin. Fu Su was looking out the floor-to-ceiling window at a white swan when, upon lowering her head, a small white silk dog appeared by her hand, complete with carefully drawn eyes.

“How is it? It’s cute, right, Susu~”

Pei Wenjin sat opposite her, cradling her face in her hands and smiling. “I folded it especially for you. You’ll take it home, right?”

The waiter timely placed a second napkin by Pei Wenjin’s placemat. He didn’t stop her unreasonable request to take the napkin home; instead, he prepared many more, even colorful ones, with the exclusive logo printed in the bottom right corner.

Fu Su lowered her eyelashes and touched the dog’s ears.

The sommelier opened a bottle of champagne to pair with the appetizer, and the chef introduced the seasonal menu in detail. He had a good grasp of Pei Wenjin’s preferences and didn’t need to ask; the salmon tartare would be paired with lime.

But sometimes he would ask with a smile: “Will the charcoal-grilled lobster be paired with lime-coconut sauce again this time?”

Pei Wenjin’s hobbies were distinct, yet often fluctuated. She didn’t care if others learned of her preferences and would deliberately cause trouble because she herself was also fickle.

It wasn’t Fu Su’s first time here, but previously it had always been for meeting clients or maintaining partnerships. Compared to herself, she was more concerned with the client’s evaluation of the dinner, whether they were satisfied, and if the cooperation could proceed smoothly.

But they were never on the same level.

Fu Su had to admit, the dinner today felt very comfortable.

The chef didn’t know her tastes, but he was observant.

After only asking more questions at the beginning, he figured out her preferences.

Likes it light, mild flavor, less oil, vegetarian.

Fu Su, for once, drank a little bit of wine.

She thought that today she could relax a bit.

After all, it was their one-week anniversary.

A light-bodied Burgundy Pinot Noir had a light and delicate mouthfeel, yet it rippled with a complex aftertaste on the tongue.

For Fu Su, who hadn’t touched alcohol for a long time, it wasn’t intimidating.

Her fingers lightly rubbed her temples. She squinted her eyes, remembering some past events.

When she was just a rookie lawyer, in order to get a case, she had to attend drinking sessions and was forced to drink until she was dead drunk, yet she had to try to stay rational and sober. Only when she returned to her small rented room would she lie on the cold bathroom floor and vomit until her mouth was full of sourness.

By the time she became famous in the circle and had a stable client base, she refused to drink and hadn’t touched a drop in her daily life.

Had Pei Wenjin ever had such an experience?

Fearing that she would pass out on the side of the road and not know the next morning if her clothes were still on her or if her pants had been taken off.

Fu Su lazily lifted her eyelids and looked at the little princess sitting opposite her, who had a sweet smile and sparkling eyes as she asked for another serving of strawberry cake.

She definitely hadn’t, right?

Pei Wenjin noticed her gaze and looked up, meeting Fu Su’s eyes. Those deep, dark eyes seemed to be covered with a thin layer of mist, like winter in Berlin.

She seemed to be a bit sad.

But in the blink of an eye, it vanished instantly.

Fu Su took a small beige velvet box from her bag and gently pushed it across the table.

When the chef and other waiters saw this scene, they smiled knowingly and left, closing the door behind them.

Fu Su’s tone was slow, as if every word had to roll around her tongue before being spoken. It was very brief.

“The rings are done.”

Even the way she lifted her eyelids was slow, her squinting posture both cold and charming.

Because she felt a little comfortable now—a long-awaited relaxation that made her a bit lazy.

But Pei Wenjin only took one look at the velvet box before standing up and opening her arms to hug her, rubbing against her hot ear.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Su asked, closing her eyes and smiling languidly.

“It’s nothing.”

Pei Wenjin hugged her and shook her head, “Let’s go.”

“Let’s go for a stroll in the park.”

The two of them sat in the back seat as Uncle Lu drove them to a street park. Pei Wenjin was on her phone the whole way. Only when the car stopped by the road and they got out did Fu Su find Pei Wenjin getting onto a small pink electric scooter, turning her head to call her.

“Susu, come on quickly. We’ll ride the scooter for the rest of the way.”

Pei Wenjin wore that plaid shirt, which was open, and she was smiling radiantly.

Fu Su walked over and first asked: “Whose is it?”

“Mine.” Pei Wenjin looked up at her and said obediently: “I just had Ye Bao buy it; I suddenly wanted to ride.”

Fu Su suddenly gave a smile and commented: “So willful.”

Pei Wenjin tilted her lip, “Is it not allowed?”

“It is.” Fu Su sat on the back seat. Pei Wenjin took her hand and wrapped it around her waist, then turned her head and lowered her gaze.

“There’s something even more willful—I want you to hold onto me and not let go until we get off.”

Fu Su knitted her brows, raised her other hand, and loosely circled her, answering in a low voice: “Okay.”

Tonight’s wind was refreshing and comfortable, lightly brushing against their cheeks. Fu Su squinted again and breathed softly, as if wanting to sigh herself into this moment, so that her thoughts would no longer bother the future.

The night life in the capital was rich and colorful. At after nine in the evening, there were still aunties dancing square dances, children running around on balance scooters, and a string of snack stalls set out with tables and chairs—the atmosphere of mundane life was thick.

After stopping the scooter, Pei Wenjin put her long legs on the ground, “Susu, let’s take a walk before going home.”

“Mhm.”

The grass looked like it had just been watered; it was damp and gave off the scent of earth.

Pei Wenjin pulled Fu Su along and slowly walked to a small stall, “Boss, two skewers of grilled squid—make them a bit crispy, and no spice.”

After speaking, she looked at Fu Su and wiggled her eyebrows, “One skewer each?”

Fu Su looked at her silently for a few seconds and shook her head.

Pei Wenjin said again: “Boss, add spice.”

Pei Wenjin gathered her skirt and squatted on the edge of a flower bed to finish the two skewers of grilled squid. After chewing them, the first thing she did was ask Fu Su: “Tell me, how did they catch squid in ancient times? Would they grill them and eat them?”

Fu Su frowned, pondered for a bit, and spoke: “By hand, fish spears, or nets.”

“They probably wouldn’t grill them; it’s hard to preserve them under those conditions. They would eat them fresh after catching, or dry and salt them.”

“Ohh~~” Pei Wenjin opened her mouth wide with starry eyes.

Fu Su couldn’t stand seeing her mouth covered in oil and handed her a wet wipe: “Wipe your mouth.”

Pei Wenjin wiped casually and pulled her to the next stall.

“Susu, this beef rice noodle stall is especially delicious. The owner is from Wucheng—it’s very authentic! You must try it!”

Fu Su wanted to refuse, but since Pei Wenjin was looking at her with watery eyes, Fu Su still took a bite from the paper box.

“Mhm, not bad.”

“How about buying another portion?”

“No.” Fu Su refused mercilessly.

Pei Wenjin pouted, “Fine.”

She shoveled a large spoonful of chili into it.

“Did you not eat enough tonight?” Fu Su asked.

“I’m full.” Pei Wenjin blinked, sitting on a low stool. She suddenly looked up at the sky and finally said:

“I want to eat mooncakes.”

“…”

When the two of them came out of Lawson, Pei Wenjin was happily biting into a mint chocolate ice-skin mooncake. Fu Su was carrying a serving of oden in her hand while also leading the person who wasn’t looking where they were going while eating.

“Susu, did you eat enough tonight?” Pei Wenjin tickled her palm.

“I’m full.” Without looking back, Fu Su pulled her toward the electric scooter by the road.

However, Pei Wenjin let go of her hand and suddenly ran toward a certain spot, squatted down, and then shouted: “Susu, come look quickly!”

Fu Su looked at her empty hand and let out a soft sigh.

The two of them squatted under a large tree. Pei Wenjin pointed for her, “Look, there are mushrooms here.”

“What species is this? Is it poisonous? It’s white and plump, with the middle of the cap turning yellow.”

Fu Su said calmly: “Leucocoprinus birnbaumii, it’s poisonous.”

“Mhm.” Pei Wenjin nodded with feigned profundity, then her next words were:

“Mushroom, mushroom, hurry up and go to the forest; you can’t stay in the city! You’re poisonous, and you’ll be dug up!”

“…Ha.” Fu Su stood up, her hand pressed to her lips, unable to help but laugh.

How could she be so cute?

Pei Wenjin looked up at her, crinkled her eyes, and stood up to take her arm.

“Are you a bit happier now?”

Fu Su shook her head, “I wasn’t unhappy.”

“Oh.” Pei Wenjin reached for the bag in her hand, took a skewer of cartilage balls from the paper box, and looked at her with bright eyes, “Then are you even more happy now?”

“Here, you eat the first one.”

The cartilage ball was held to Fu Su’s mouth. Fu Su’s thick eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her mouth to take a bite.

“There’s no white radish tonight.” Pei Wenjin muttered to herself as she bit into the second ball. She liked to push it to the left side of her mouth, making her cheek bulge, then she squinted her eyes and said indistinctly: “So delicious.”

Fu Su always thought she was amazing.

She could eat French cuisine worth tens of thousands, and also eat a few dollars worth of street food.

She could wear haute couture clothes, and also wear simple cotton camisoles.

She should have an arrogant and willful personality, yet she was delicate, sensitive, straightforward, and cute.

After throwing the empty oden box into the trash can, Pei Wenjin hopped and skipped to stand in front of Fu Su, opening her white palms.

Fu Su sat sideways on the back seat, looked at her, and handed her a wet wipe.

“No, I’ve already wiped my hands.”

She hooked Fu Su’s ring finger, gave it a shake, and smiled vividly.

Fu Su then placed the beige velvet box in her palm, “This.”

“Right! You’re so smart!”

She thought Pei Wenjin would like to put on the rings in a romantic setting, so she chose to take them out at the French restaurant.

Quiet environment, comfortable and pleasant, with strings playing.

But now her makeup was a bit patchy, she wore a casual plaid shirt, and there were fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

The street lights weren’t very bright, they had a newly bought electric scooter, and they were standing on the street.

They had a aimless stroll; a one-week marriage had somehow felt like an old and long-lasting one.

Plain and peaceful.

It was in this setting that Pei Wenjin picked up that fancy vivid green-blue diamond ring, took Fu Su’s left hand, and slowly pushed it to the base of her ring finger.

The diamond had a floating design on a plain band. The ring was made of iron meteorite with Widmanstätten patterns, creating a beautiful contrast.

“It suits you—it’s beautiful!”

Pei Wenjin smiled, picked up the one that belonged to her, and handed it to Fu Su, “Susu, put it on me.”

Fu Su lowered her eyes, looking at her pinkish-white fingertips—they were moist. Her manicure had been removed two days ago, so there was only a thin layer of top coat now.

Moving her finger, she slightly supported Pei Wenjin’s ring finger; her bent knuckles were beautiful. The ring caught slightly at the second joint; Fu Su rotated it slowly, her low voice sounding like a lullaby.

“Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t.” Pei Wenjin licked her lips, her gaze fixed on the red mole under Fu Su’s right eye.

The ring slid down smoothly, circling the base of the finger and taking on the temperature of Fu Su’s fingertips.

“It’s done.”

The moment Fu Su let go of her hand, Pei Wenjin grabbed her left hand, her fingers sliding between Fu Su’s. As their fingers interlaced, Pei Wenjin discovered that her own palms weren’t the only ones sweating.

Fu Su’s were too.

At night, after Pei Wenjin finished her shower and walked out of the bedroom, she found Fu Su had fallen asleep leaning on the sofa, still holding a book in her hand.

Pei Wenjin slowed her steps and her breathing, walking over soundlessly like a cat. She squatted beside her and looked up intently at Fu Su.

White pajamas, slender wrists, dark hair covering half of her face—so well-behaved.

Pressing down her pounding heart, Pei Wenjin pursed her lips and slowly stood up. She propped one hand beside Fu Su’s head, leaned down, and brushed away the hair covering half of her face.

The cold face, when asleep, seemed to have retracted its aloofness, appearing peaceful, pale, and charming.

She slowly approached, brushing aside the thick dark hair, and gently kissed the mole under her eye.

The thrill of a secret kiss was a hundred times stronger than doing it openly.

Pei Wenjin’s face burned. She glanced at the soft labial tubercle on Fu Su’s lips, then turned and ran back to her room.

Within half a minute, she came back out carrying her rainbow quilt and draped it over Fu Su. As if not daring to look any longer, she hurriedly ran back to her room and closed the door.

In the midst of that soft “thud,” the person leaning on the sofa slowly opened her eyes. Her expression was clear and calm, yet a peach-colored flush instantly surged from her neck to her face.