Chapter 12: Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Roses Turned into a Fire Extinguisher

In the restaurant, their exclusive table by the river had been carefully prepared, set aside especially for them. Shi Runrun sat on one side, sipping lemon water, while the man picked up the menu to study. Curious about the prices, Shi Runrun also requested a menu from the waiter. One glance was all it took—she nearly sprayed out the water she hadn’t yet swallowed!

What an astronomical place!

A plain bowl of congee cost several hundred yuan! She examined it closely—it was just pure congee, accompanied by four small side dishes, yet it was priced at five hundred. It was daylight robbery!

Shi Runrun promptly set the menu down and motioned to the man opposite her, lowering her voice. “Hey, Xiao Xuezheng, I think… maybe we should eat somewhere else…”

He asked, “Why?”

Shi Runrun fell silent.

He looked at her flushed face and smiled. “I told you, Grandpa already arranged everything. You don’t have to pay.”

Even so, the thought still pained her.

Soon, the dishes arrived. Five delicate, light courses and a soup, all fresh in appearance and flavor. Shi Runrun had been craving something spicy lately, but she didn’t dare. Carrying a child, the doctor had advised her last time not to eat anything too strong.

Still…

She picked up her chopsticks and sampled a dish, sneaking glances at the man across from her as she chewed. He had ordered with her health and preferences in mind… so attentive and considerate… Shi Runrun felt a gentle warmth blossom within her.

“Why are you sneaking looks at me? Finally realizing your husband is handsome?”

Caught in the act. Shi Runrun immediately lowered her head, burying herself in the food. Handsome men—how annoying. Food was far more comforting.

She really was hungry, so she couldn’t help but eat quickly. Xiao Xuezheng took out his phone and snapped a photo of her eating, then sent it to Grandpa. He had no choice—Grandpa had specifically instructed him to do so, lest the old man think he was being careless.

But…

Looking at the photo of her eating, eyes nearly crossing in concentration, he couldn’t help but laugh. “You really look ridiculous when you eat!”

Shi Runrun heard his teasing and lifted her head, swallowing her food with a soft snort. “You’re not exactly elegant when you eat either…”

In truth, he was much more refined than her.

But it wasn’t her fault. The difference in their family backgrounds was immense.

He was lofty and privileged, born to comfort, while she was as humble as a blade of grass. That they’d come together at all was already an extraordinary thing. Xiao Xuezheng’s gaze lingered on her lips, glistening with soup, and he swallowed, his legs unconsciously crossing beneath the table.

A physical reaction.

Did this silly girl have any idea how tempting her dewy lips looked right now… making him want to kiss her fiercely.

Shi Runrun didn’t notice the shift in his gaze. When he suddenly grew quiet, she didn’t ask, simply continued savoring the food.

At the Xiao family’s old residence, the two elders looked at the photo their grandson had sent. Grandpa Xiao chuckled, “Ah, our granddaughter-in-law loves to eat—looks like our great-grandson will be a plump, healthy boy!”

Grandma Xiao giggled, taking up the thread. “Of course! I personally made chicken soup today and had Mrs. Lin send it over. Our granddaughter-in-law finished it all! Whatever she eats will go straight to nourishing our precious great-grandchild.”

“Xuezheng has finally done something right! Hahaha!”

After dinner, he took her straight out of the restaurant. No one stopped them or asked for payment, and only then did Shi Runrun realize what he meant by “Grandpa has everything arranged.” The power and influence of the wealthy was truly formidable!

Then, he pulled her back into the car and drove to the most bustling part of the capital. Only when they parked did Shi Runrun discover where he’d brought her—a cinema!

A cinema! Xiao Xuezheng had brought her to the movies!

It sounded ridiculous, but she’d only been to the cinema once, back when the university organized a trip in her freshman year. In the countryside with her adoptive parents, watching television was a luxury, let alone movies. Even then, her adoptive mother would complain about the electricity bill and scold her.

Later, after the Shi family adopted her back, they were afraid people would ask about her background if she went out, so she was rarely allowed outside, much less to a cinema.

So she was deeply shocked that he’d brought her here tonight.

But just before they entered, he suddenly stopped her as she got out from the passenger seat.

“Wait.”

Shi Runrun paused, puzzled. “What is it…? Weren’t you taking me to a movie?”

“There’s something for you. Go to the trunk and bring it out.”

She couldn’t help but ask, “What is it, making it so mysterious?”

“Stop asking, just go get it.”

She eyed his deep, handsome face and walked toward the trunk, muttering under her breath, “How can someone be so fierce when giving a gift…”

But suddenly, a thought struck her—could it be he’d prepared a surprise for her? Roses, a diamond ring, or perhaps a pretty dress?

A flutter of nerves rose in her. She’d never received a gift from anyone, let alone from him…

Nervous, yet a little excited…

Shi Runrun reached the trunk and opened it—but in the next second, she was petrified.

By the car, seeing how she was dawdling, Xiao Xuezheng frowned. Was this little fool stunned by the enormous bouquet of 999 dewy roses Grandpa had arranged in his trunk? Still not coming over!

But the next moment, as he turned to smile, he saw Shi Runrun struggling over with two giant car fire extinguishers, stumbling as she lugged them toward him.

He was instantly petrified.

He scowled and barked, “Why did you take out the fire extinguishers?!”

Feeling wronged, Shi Runrun looked at him, then at her small hands dirtied by the fire extinguishers, wiped the sweat from her brow, and snapped, “Didn’t you tell me to get it? There’s nothing in your trunk except these—what else did you expect me to bring?”

He was speechless.

Striding over, he peered into the trunk.

Sure enough, the anticipated bouquet of 999 dewy roses was nowhere to be seen—the trunk was empty.

A dark cloud hung over Xiao Xuezheng’s head.

Grandpa…

Meanwhile, back at the Xiao family’s old residence.

Grandpa Xiao was saying delightedly, “Wife, I prepared those roses for Xuezheng’s car myself this morning—picked fresh with dew! Our granddaughter-in-law will be overjoyed when she sees them!”

Unaware, of course, that he’d loaded them into the wrong car…

And had thoroughly sabotaged his grandson!