020 She is considerate

After meeting Zhang Ziwen yesterday, Tang Shu seemed much more familiar with him today. She confidently linked arms with him, appearing natural and at ease.

Zhang Ziwen, on the other hand, felt slightly awkward, once again aware of the familiar, firm fullness against his arm, yet he was reluctant to pull away.

"Alright, little girl, where shall we go for dinner?" he asked.

Tang Shu pouted, "Brother Wen, didn't I tell you yesterday not to call me little girl?"

"Hehe, yes, yes, I forgot. My apologies," Zhang Ziwen chuckled. "How about I call you Little Shu from now on, okay?"

"Alright, just call me Little Shu," Tang Shu replied with a sweet smile. "Brother Wen, dinner is on me tonight. What would you like to eat?"

"Hehe, you're so generous. I want some fresh seafood," Zhang Ziwen teased.

"Sure, let's go to Golden Harbor then. They make it really well," Tang Shu agreed without hesitation.

"Little Shu," Zhang Ziwen corrected himself just in time to avoid her playful glare, shaking his head with a smile. "I was just teasing you. You really thought I wanted seafood?"

"Why not? As long as Brother Wen likes it, we can eat anything," Tang Shu said earnestly, her clear, beautiful eyes looking at him sincerely.

"Hehe, let's forget it. How about we go for a hot pot instead? It's affordable and delicious, with a particularly fresh broth," Zhang Ziwen suggested, swallowing a bit of saliva at the thought. "It's been a while since I've had it, and I really miss the taste," he added, making an exaggerated drooling expression.

Tang Shu couldn't help but laugh at his exaggerated act. "Brother Wen, you are such a glutton. Let's go then, don't let our glutton go hungry," she said, playfully.

She laughed so heartily that she leaned more heavily on Zhang Ziwen's arm, her whole body relying on his strong arm for support.

This left Zhang Ziwen feeling overwhelmed. The enchanting fragrance emanating from Tang Shu, her youthful, beautiful face, and the softness pressing against his arm made his heart race.

"Xiaoshan Hot Pot" was bustling with business, just as Zhang Ziwen had said. The downstairs dining hall was packed, and even the second floor had limited seating.

Seated opposite each other, Zhang Ziwen, now in his element, ordered a chicken broth hot pot paired with five types of wild mushrooms: red milk cap, trumpet mushrooms, hedgehog mushrooms, bailing mushrooms, and chicken leg mushrooms. He asked for a beer for himself and inquired what Tang Shu would like to drink. She also asked for a beer.

Intrigued, Zhang Ziwen looked at Tang Shu, finding her quite amusing.

Seeing her cheeks flush, Tang Shu pouted playfully, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Can you handle it? This is beer," Zhang Ziwen teased.

"Of course, I can drink. Don't underestimate me," Tang Shu replied, wrinkling her cute nose.

"Good, then you must drink a few more with Brother Wen," Zhang Ziwen laughed, not entirely convinced. Her delicate appearance didn't match that of a heavy drinker.

"Sure, I'll match you drink for drink, even if it's spirits," Tang Shu said, confidently.

"Don't brag. Don't get drunk and pass out, or I won't take care of you," Zhang Ziwen joked.

"Hmph, you don't believe me. You're underestimating me," Tang Shu pouted.

"Hehe, alright, I believe you. Here, let me fill your glass. Let's have a toast," Zhang Ziwen said, filling her glass with beer and raising his own with a mischievous smile. "To the first drink, Brother Wen toasts you. You must finish it."

"Who's afraid?" Tang Shu clinked her glass with his and downed it in one go. Wiping the beer foam from her lips, she looked at Zhang Ziwen triumphantly, "Your turn."

"Impressive, Little Shu. Didn't expect that. Alright, Brother Wen will finish his too," Zhang Ziwen said, downing his beer in one gulp.

"Here, let me fill that up," Tang Shu poured beer for Zhang Ziwen generously, and without hesitation, she poured a glass for herself as well. With a coquettish voice, she asked, "Brother Wen, why haven't you finished this glass?"

"Well, you've really got me here. Alright, I'll admit you can handle it. Let's order some food, though. Don't just focus on drinking," Zhang Ziwen felt uneasy about drinking with a young girl.

"Alright then, Brother Wen, just let me know if you want to toast with me. Little Shu will drink with you," Tang Shu smiled sweetly at him, obediently picking up a piece of chicken from the hot pot and placing it in Zhang Ziwen's bowl.

Zhang Ziwen chuckled and said, "You should eat too. Brother Wen is a grown man, no need for you to take care of me."

"I just wanted to feed you," Tang Shu said, her cheeks slightly blushing as she quickly picked up some food with her chopsticks from the pot, using it as a cover for her embarrassment. Zhang Ziwen, however, was too engrossed in eating the chicken Tang Shu had picked for him to notice her shy expression.

Perhaps because both of them were in good spirits, the meal was thoroughly enjoyable. They finished all the dishes and even drank half of the soup from the pot. The soup was indeed delicious, leaving Tang Shu unable to stop praising it, as if she had never tasted such delicacy in her life.

They each drank a bottle of beer, and Zhang Ziwen, being considerate, drank half of Tang Shu's bottle as well. However, this made Tang Shu pout and complain, feeling underestimated by Zhang Ziwen.

It wasn't Zhang Ziwen's style to let a young girl treat him, but Tang Shu couldn't argue with him. She simply said that next time she would treat him. Zhang Ziwen smiled and agreed, finding Tang Shu more and more interesting, appreciating her character.

Just as they left the restaurant, Fat Dahai called. His voice was too loud on the phone, making Zhang Ziwen's head spin as he struggled to understand. "Hello" came out of his mouth several times before he finally understood that Dahai and another friend were waiting for him at the bar.

Zhang Ziwen looked at Tang Shu, who was standing quietly on the side, feeling a bit awkward. He didn't know how to tell her, but he couldn't just leave her here.

"Brother Wen, is your friend looking for you?" Tang Shu seemed to sense his dilemma.

"One of my buddies called, inviting me over. What do you think?" Zhang Ziwen hesitated, facing the beautiful Tang Shu.

Tang Shu smiled sweetly and said, "It's okay, go hang out with your friends. I'll take a taxi home."

"Are you sure you want to go home alone? How about I take you back first?" Tang Shu's understanding made Zhang Ziwen feel a bit guilty.

"It's okay, it's not late yet. I'll go home by myself. Goodbye, Brother Wen," Tang Shu waved at him. As she turned around, a hint of reluctance flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Seeing Tang Shu's delicate figure walking away, Zhang Ziwen felt a lump in his throat and couldn't help but call out, "Little Shu."

Hearing her name, Tang Shu's body trembled slightly as she turned back. "Brother Wen, did you call me?"

"Um, do you have any other plans for tonight?"

"No, I'm just going straight home."

"I mean, do you have anything else to do? I was thinking of inviting you to come with me to the bar," Zhang Ziwen struggled with his words.

"Is it convenient for me to go?" Tang Shu's eyes sparkled with joy.

Zhang Ziwen nodded and said, "It's all my buddies there, so it's not inconvenient at all, mainly depending on you."

"If it's convenient, then I'll go with Brother Wen," Tang Shu said a bit shyly, her voice like a mosquito's buzz, but fortunately Zhang Ziwen had good hearing and heard her agreement.

Lindai Road, the most famous bar street in Zhonghai City, stretched across three districts. As they descended from the elevated road, the taxi fare jumped to over 50 yuan, which startled Zhang Ziwen. Normally, he spent money freely without much concern, but seeing the meter jump so high made him feel a bit sore.

Lindai Road was lined with bars of different styles, each one adjacent to the other. The neon lights outside the bars twinkled with magnificent colors, enticing you to step in and explore.