Our Little Secret, Yeah?

Zhang Ren and Shi Lian already arrived in Molto Affamato, the driver taking them there for a faster and quick access. The moment both of them got off from the car, Zhang Ren sighed in relief, making Shi Lian look at him as she arched a brow at him.

"What's wrong? It's as if you've been holding your breath for a very long time," she said, Zhang Ren, letting out a chuckle as he scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed.

"Oh, you see, I just couldn't help but think that your driver is somehow… scary."

With that heard as they entered the restaurant, Shi Lian couldn't help but laugh out loud, Zhang Ren, laughing along with her as well.

"Oh, you're so funny! Why do you think that Mr. Chang is scary?"

"I don't know…" Zhang Ren shrugged, "Maybe because of the atmosphere that he has been emitting?"

"Geez, Zhang Ren." Shi Lian shook her head, the manager already approaching her as she said her last comment. "You're funny at times."

With the manager already approaching them, she gave them a smile and greeted them in Italian first, before speaking back in their native language.

"Buona sera! Welcome back, Miss Shi Lian."

"Ciao! We would like to have the best seat, please," Shi Lian greeted and requested, the manager nodding as she gestured for them to follow.

"Of course! Right this way."

With that, Shi Lian and Zhang Ren followed the manager, the woman leading them to a table near the restaurant window, overlooking the city.

"Wow… this place is majestic," Zhang Ren commented aloud, the manager, letting out a soft chuckle as she liked the compliment that she heard.

"Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy your stay here in Molto Affamato! Please call for any of the waiters' attention if you are now planning to tell them your order."

With that, the manager left them, Shi Lian and Zhang Ren already sitting down as they looked at the menu that was already prepared on the table.

"Hmm… since I already tried their Bolognese, maybe I should try something new," she mumbled to herself, Zhang Ren, watching her as he used the menu to hide his face.

Shi Lian had an eager, excited smile on her face. With her straight, jade black hair in a ponytail, he saw that she had a widow's peak, the cute mark making her face all the more attractive.

It made Zhang Ren smile as he continued to watch her secretly behind the menu that he was holding.

Noticing that she felt that someone was watching her, Shi Lian slowly looked up from her menu and met Zhang Ren's eyes, a soft flush of pink now creeping on her face as Zhang Ren didn't bother avoiding her gaze, now showing his smile as well.

"Wh-what's wrong?" Shi Lian asked, putting the menu down for a while as she got her compact mirror from her pocket since she was feeling conscious. "Is there chocolate on my teeth? I just ate chocolate, so…"

"No," Zhang Ren answered immediately, answering her question that made Shi Lian's heart beat faster. "You're beautiful, Shi Lian. You're exactly my type."

Shi Lian couldn't believe what she just heard! With her now blinking her eyes a lot of times in disbelief as what Zhang Ren said echoed in her mind…

"You're beautiful, Shi Lian. You're exactly my type."

"You're beautiful, Shi Lian. You're exactly my type."

"You're beautiful, Shi Lian. You're exactly my type."

She couldn't help but to just be silent and to just stare straight into his eyes, not knowing what to say as her heart kept beating like the drum—a drummer doing a solo from a metallic rock music!

"Y-you…"

Wanting to snap out of her thoughts immediately, Shi Lian forced herself to speak, but instead, she only said one word and even stammered, making Zhang Ren tease her as he reached for her cheek and pinched it.

"Don't be like this around other men. They would be so smug around you once they know that their effect on you is like this," he commented, Shi Lian, now brushing his hand off away from her face as she now composed herself.

"Don't be ridiculous!" Shi Lian retorted, rolling her eyes at him at the same time. "No one would dare to be like this around me. If anyone would, you're the first."

Hearing this, Zhang Ren couldn't help but chuckle. He grinned at Shi Lian, revealing his beautiful teeth as what he said made her heart further beat in her chest, the lady now avoiding his gaze.

"Then I'm glad. I really meant what I said, Shi Lian. You're beautiful and my type."

Shi Lian furrowed her brows, her cheeks obviously red as she mumbled to herself, enough for Zhang Ren to hear.

"Okay, I get it… now please stop it… I don't like what I'm hearing. It's as if you're doing this on purpose."

With that heard, Zhang Ren laughed out loud, already getting the attention of the waiter as one immediately approached them, Zhang Ren, pushing their topic aside.

"Yes? What are your orders for tonight's dinner?"

Zhang Ren lifted his menu and then pointed what he wanted, Shi Lian's eyes widening to hear how those Italian words came out of his mouth perfectly—as if he studied the language for a long time.

"I would like to have ravioli, please. And for drinks, I want a macchiato. Also, for Shi Lian, she would probably like a chocolate shake. For her pasta, you can give her creamy mushroom tagliatelle."

"Noted," the waiter nodded, memorizing their order. "Is there more that you want?"

"Oh!" Zhang Ren smiled at the waiter and said, "And then four pairs of Panini, please. Basil. If none, tuna. Thank you."

With that, Shi Lian then snapped out of her thoughts, furrowing her brows as Zhang Ren ordered way more than when she ate with Shu Xian and her driver, commenting on what Zhang Ren had done.

"Why did you order so much? I only have less money on me and—"

"You don't have to worry," Zhang Ren interrupted, already revealing a black card from his pocket as his expression turned smug, giving Shi Lian a wink at the same time. "I can treat you myself. Our little secret, yeah?"

***

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Hello, guys! The announcement will be put here since it's going to be a bit long and it won't fit in the author's notes.

Anyway, I would just like to say that tomorrow, I would be only updating one chapter BUT don't worry--since on the 27th, I will be uploading one at 8AM GMT+8, and then 2 at 6PM GMT+8. ^^

Also, on the 27th, the chapters will already be locked from chapters 76 onwards, so I do hope that you would not drop the book and would continue to show support since writing is one of the ways that's helping me during this pandemic~! ^^

Furthermore, on dates May 28 to 29, I will only be updating one chapter, too, since we will be having a 5 CHAPTERS MASS RELEASE on the 30th and I'm currently preparing my stockpile~! Yay! ^^

Now, I want you to answer this question: what time do you want me to release the 5 chapters on the 30th? Do you want it on midnight, or the usual 6PM GMT+8? You can leave suggestions on the comments sections and then I'll take into consideration the most voted opinion. :D

Also, on May 31, I will only publish 1 chapter. ^^ Don't worry, on June, I may go back to the usual 2 chapters updates! :D Give me time to rest since I have prepared the 5 chapters mass release... and I also have other stories that are having mass releases, so... yeah, you get the picture. I may go crazy! XD

Adding to that, remember the reward system that is going to happen June onwards! Also, we will be having a PRIV REWARD SYSTEM that will be posted on June 1, 12AM. So stay tuned if you want me to have more updates. ;)

Anyway, this is it for the announcement! Thanks so much for the support! I'm blessed to have such supportive readers~! :3