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Deep within an old alleyway, nestled in a small courtyard, stood Master Chen's private kitchen.
The five or six wooden tables, each accompanied by a dozen or so dining chairs, were well-worn. Their dark, lacquered surfaces gleamed from diligent cleaning, while the chairs, though sturdy, wobbled slightly when sat upon, making diners worry they might collapse at any moment.
The open-air courtyard, naturally lacking air conditioning, relied on electric fans placed in the corners. These whirring appliances oscillated back and forth, sending gusts of cool air to dispel the summer heat.
Compared to formal restaurants, the ambiance here was undoubtedly rough. Yet the stream of customers didn't come for the atmosphere; they came for the taste.
Lu Chen hadn't visited this place in ages, but nothing had changed.
He had brought Chen Fei'er with him.
Master Chen's private kitchen was always bustling, and reservations were not accepted. To secure a table in the courtyard, one had to arrive either early or late.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er arrived just after 7 p.m., past the peak dining hours, and were immediately seated at an empty table.
They ordered braised lion's head, three-set duck, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, braised shredded tofu, and two baskets of crab roe buns, authentic Huaiyang cuisine, Lu Chen's favorite dishes from his past, and Master Chen's signature creations.
The braised lion's head, which had been simmering in a clay pot for hours, arrived first. Each pot contained a single, massive meatball, glistening with rich, dark sauce and steaming hot, its fragrant aroma utterly irresistible.
Lu Chen used chopsticks and a spoon to serve Chen Fei'er a small portion. After a few cautious bites, her face lit up with delight. "This is delicious!"
Lu Chen smiled. "I'm glad you like it. I was worried you might not be used to this kind of food."
Chen Fei'er had just returned to Capital City today, and after being apart for a while, they had arranged to have dinner together.
For some reason, Lu Chen had suddenly remembered Master Chen's private kitchen and decided to bring Chen Fei'er to this old haunt between the third and fourth ring roads for a satisfying meal.
While a bottle of red wine costing tens of thousands of yuan or a steak priced at several thousand yuan could certainly provide gustatory pleasure, a few yuan for beer and a few dozen yuan for braised lion's head were equally satisfying, perhaps even more so.
"How could I not?" Chen Fei'er shook her head. "I definitely love something this delicious. Besides, the most important thing about a meal isn't what you're eating, but who you're eating with."
Her smile was radiant, her eyes gentle as water, utterly captivating.
Lu Chen hadn't even had any wine, yet he already felt a little intoxicated.
Though it was the same dish, it tasted completely different, far more delicious.
"I used to live in a basement nearby, with Li Feiyu as my neighbor," Lu Chen told Chen Fei'er, reminiscing about the past. "When we got paid, we'd rush here for a treat. I always loved Master Chen's braised lion's head meatballs. I've been craving them all day."
Chen Fei'er listened quietly, taking a few bites of food and then serving Lu Chen more.
The dinner was warm and intimate.
As they finished eating and Lu Chen prepared to pay, a group of hesitant young women approached.
One of them stammered, "E-excuse me... are you Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er?"
Whether from excitement or nervousness, her face flushed crimson.
Several female students were also dining nearby when they spotted Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er sitting a short distance away. Initially hesitant to intrude, they finally mustered the courage to approach.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er exchanged amused glances.
Both had arrived wearing sunglasses, which they naturally removed while eating. Being recognized was inevitable.
Lu Chen smiled. "Yes, hello."
"Hello! Hello!"
Encouraged by the friendly response, the girls grew even more excited. "Could we... could we take a photo with you? I'm a huge fan!"
Lu Chen nodded. "Of course."
He had grown accustomed to encountering fans. As long as the timing was right, he always tried to accommodate requests for photos and autographs.
"Yay!"
The young girl immediately leaped to Lu Chen's side, wrapped her arm around his, and flashed a victory sign at her friends, her smile as radiant as a spring blossom.
Her companions had already whipped out their phones, snapping rapid-fire photos.
One by one, they took turns posing with Lu Chen, and of course, they didn't forget to get some shots with Chen Fei'er as well, all of which were promptly uploaded to their social media feeds.
Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er patiently posed for selfies with the fans, showing a consistent approach to their supporters. Unlike some celebrities who adopt a detached, aloof attitude, they always treated their fans with warmth and respect.
This genuine connection fostered a particularly strong sense of unity among their true fans.
After the photos were taken, Lu Chen quickly pulled Chen Fei'er away, as other guests in the courtyard had begun to gather and watch.
If more passersby were drawn to the commotion, escaping would become even more difficult.
A'Xuan's car was waiting at the alley entrance. Lu Chen asked her to drive him and Chen Fei'er to Houhai.
"I'm so full from dinner!" Chen Fei'er complained happily as they strolled hand-in-hand along the lakeside. "I've probably gained over a pound!"
Lu Chen chuckled. "You barely weigh anything anyway. A pound won't make a difference."
Chen Fei'er was meticulous about maintaining her figure, exercising daily, and practicing yoga to maintain a perfect, standard weight.
"So," Chen Fei'er asked, "do you prefer me chubby or skinny?"
Lu Chen said, "I like you. I don't care about your weight."
Chen Fei'er laughed. "Sweet talker! You're just trying to flatter me."
Despite her words, her smile remained sweet.
Tired from walking, they sat down on a bench by the road, gazing at the distant lights and shimmering waves. Chen Fei'er wrapped her arms around Lu Chen's waist, leaning half her body against him.
She hummed softly:
"...
The most romantic thing I can imagine
Is growing old with you.
Collecting every precious moment of laughter along the way,
To reminisce about later while sitting in rocking chairs.
The most romantic thing I can imagine
Is growing old with you.
Even when we're too old to go anywhere,
You'll still cherish me like a treasure in your palm!"
The song she was singing, "The Most Romantic Thing," was the second OST Lu Chen had written for Full House. Together with his other OST, "Only For You," they currently rank 3rd and 7th on the Original Sound charts.
This exquisite and tender love song, warm and romantic, perfectly captured a young woman's vision of happiness through its melody and lyrics, quickly becoming a hit after its debut in the TV drama.
The official version released by Full House's official Weibo account had already surpassed ten million downloads!
But to Lu Chen's ears, neither the TV drama version nor the official release could compare to the heartfelt tenderness of Fei'er's soft humming in this moment.
Holding his beloved in his arms, he felt as if he possessed the entire world.
(End of Chapter)