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Chapter 23: After Dinner
As Liu Man and Coco walked towards backstage, many of the restaurant workers attempted to take pictures, but were sadly blocked by the restaurant’s manager.
Coco really wanted to chat more with her, but she had to perform soon again onstage. Coco quickly handed Liu Man her business card, “Here’s my phone number and WeChat ID, I really want to know you better. Do remember to friend me!”
“Alright, I’ll add you for sure,” This was the second business card Liu Man had received that day.
She then returned to the changing room and changed into her regular clothes. She saw Yu Zhan just as she opened the door. The man was holding her jacket and her backpack, and was looking at Liu Man’s eyes with eyes filled with joy, “I thought you’d feel cold, so I came.”
As he spoke, he unfolded the jacket, “You should put it on, now.”
Liu Man’s face reddened. Like a puppet, she let Yu Zhan put the jacket on her. She reached out an arm to put into a sleeve, then reached out the other to put into the other sleeve. Yu Zhan helped her zip up her jacket, button up, and straighten her lapels. His expression was calm throughout the entire process, and his manners were on point. Not a single sinister thought could be seen.
Because they were right by the doorway, near the corridors, Liu Man could feel the stares from all around her. She lowered her head even more, and Yu Zhan jokingly said, “Where did the courage you showed onstage go?”
“This isn’t the same, it’s inappropriate for a man and a woman to be so close to each other,” Liu Man murmured in a silent voice that only Yu Zhan could hear.
TL’s Note: I just want to remind you guys that Liu Man came from Ancient China. And let me tell you, Ancient China was strict as flip about women – Dora
“Then shouldn’t you stick a note on your face saying ‘I’m very timid to any male beings. Please, do not come close’.”
TL’s Note: Yes, this Chinese question doesn’t have a question mark in the end, for that’s just how people do it. The reason why we don’t have a question mark is because Yu Zhang is describing what should be on the “note” instead of a question.
It was incredibly obvious that the man was embarrassing her. Liu Man raised her head to glare at him. Her beautiful eyes were round and big, like a raging cat. Yu Zhan had a sudden urge to comfort this cat. But unfortunately, it wasn’t the time yet.
In the eyes of a passerby’s, the couple was flirting with each other. The man was gentle and smiling, the girl was coyly looking back. They were the perfect fit for each other.
“Her boyfriend is so hot, gosh!” A female staff mumbled in a low voice.
“I feel like we’re being fed with dog food, but it’s worth it.”
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TL’s Note: Being fed with dog food is what the Chinese usually say when a couple openly flirts or shows their affection for each other, and the audience members feel embarrassed and jealous at the same time.
“Well, I’m willing to eat this dog food.”
“Yeah, they look so good with each other, a handsome guy with a beautiful girl.”
…
“It’s getting late, I’ll give you a ride,” Yu Zhan offered.
Liu Man was getting exhausted, so she accepted his offer.
The restaurant manager, who was very good at socializing with customers, handed Liu Man a business card along with two discount coupons, “This is my business card and two ninety-percent off coupons. You and your boyfriend are very much welcome to come back to my restaurant. Just call me anytime, and you will receive the best seats.”
Liu Man remained speechless for a moment. She wanted to clarify that Yu Zhan wasn’t her boyfriend, but she also felt as if there was no need to explain with these people. She took over the business card and the coupons before she thanked the manager.
Yu Zhan was very satisfied with her reactions.
He told Liu Man, “It’s very cold outside. Wait for me at the front of this restaurant, I’ll drive the car over to you.”
Liu Man nodded her head.
The waitresses were only brave enough to step up after Yu Zhan left. They asked Liu Man with a tone that had a mixture of prudence and excitement, “Are you a superstar or an actor?”
There was a huge chance to bump into actors here at the capital city, especially those female actors who were on the 18th line in the entertainment circle. They could be seen anywhere. ShiGuang music-themed restaurant had also invited quite a few for activities and events, but not one of them had the elegant aura that Liu Man had.
TL’s Note: It is said that there are about 18th lines, or 18th levels in the entertainment circle. The first line would be the most well-known superstars… people like tom holland and like marvel actors, while actors on the 18th line would be someone who perhaps acted in a few tv shows but aren’t well-known, and wouldn’t even be on the leaderboard.
“No, I’m just a college student.”
It was only after Liu Man clarified; did they realize the tenderness on Liu Man’s face. Her cheeks even seemed to have a little baby-fat. She looked nothing like those experienced actors.
Then… Maybe she was the young miss of some incredibly rich family?
“Stop disturbing the customer. The restaurant’s very busy right now, so get to work,” The group of staff members quickly disassembled as the restaurant manager scolded them.
The restaurant manager apologetically smiled at Liu Man, “Let me lead you,” She was treating Liu Man with the most meticulous services, as if she was one of their Golden VIP customers.
As the duo walked out, Yu Zhan’s car stopped right in front of them.
The restaurant manager watched, surprisingly, as Yu Zhan himself got off and opened the door for Liu Man. His eyes were affectionate, and his actions were so soft and discreet, as if scared that she would bump into the corners.
The restaurant manager was extremely smart and was great at inferring. Yu Zhan had visited their restaurant quite a few times already. Although she didn’t know who he really was, she could tell Yu Zhan was always wearing the simplest clothing from the most luxurious brands. She knew that this type of person must be special and unlike others. This was why she told the waitresses to serve him carefully every time, and now, their hard work had finally paid back. He was sure the performance Coco had with this girl tonight would become a great for their restaurant.
On the car, Liu Man couldn’t resist but yawn.
“Are you feeling tired?” Yu Zhan asked as he turned his head to look at her.
“Mm, but it felt quite interesting,” Liu Man’s tone was a mixture of disappointment and excitement, “I’ve never stood in front of such a large amount of people.”
“Were you feeling nervous?”
“At the beginning, I was a bit. However, when I saw how confident Coco was when she sang her song in front of everyone, I suddenly felt as if there was nothing to fear too.”
Yu Zhan laughed, “It was lucky that Coco was there to make you braver.”
Liu Man frowned when she heard the meaning behind his words, “Can you not mock me?”
“I can’t.”
Liu Man didn’t want to talk to him.
Yu Zhan stopped joking around and said seriously, “Do you know my first impression when I saw you in that Hanfu?”
Liu Man didn’t make a single sound, but her expression told him, “What impression?”
“You looked exactly like how I have always imagined a princess.”
Liu Man was stupefied, “What princess?”
“A princess from the ancient times. I don’t care about what dynasty it was, what name the princess had, or what kind of Hanfu it was. I know nothing about these things. Perhaps it was because I watched historical shows and read novels when I was a kid, the princess characters in them left me with such an impression. It was just a feeling. I feel like what you looked like back there, is exactly what I think a princess from Ancient China would look like. Wearing a dress that was flowing in the wind, looking elegant and pretty.”
Yu Zhan was only truthfully speaking his thoughts, but he hadn’t known that he had guessed the truth.
Liu Man could only smile. She didn’t say anything else.
It was already ten o’clock when Liu Man got back home. Zhang Pei had just taken a shower and was surprised when she saw her daughter return, “I thought you would be staying at school tonight. Well, now that you’re back, I have to talk to you about something.”
She sat down on the couch with a serious expression and gestured for Liu Man to come to her.
“The day after tomorrow, we will be meeting the Wang family again. I hope we will be able to sign the negotiation contract before the year ends. We won’t be able to pay them the money, no matter what price they come up with. I am planning to mortgage this house to the bank and get a loan, so we can pay the Wang family the money. We will bail your father out, and come up with a plan for whatever we have to do later. Do you agree?”
Liu Man nodded, “There’s no problem with me.”
Zhang Pei, however, gazed at her, “If we can’t pay the loan back to the bank, we won’t be able to live in this house anymore. We might be moving to a smaller house or even rent a house. Will you be able to accept that?”
“Of course. I will be fine with renting a house. It’s the same wherever we live,” Of course. She used to be living in the cold palace. What would she be afraid of?
“Okay then. I just hope you won’t blame your father and I.”
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Credits: Sydney, Dora, Kathrien
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