Chapter 57: A "Commoner" Date (Part 1)

Zhao Chen's punitive and possessive, nearly suffocating kiss acted like the most tyrannical seal, temporarily and forcibly suppressing the rising doubts, icy anger, and sharp fear churning in Yu Ling's heart.

Like a small boat forcibly dragged into a sheltered harbor amidst raging waves, her body was completely drained of strength, leaving her to passively drown in his scorching breath and unquestionable control, allowing her chaotic state of mind to settle into an exhausted chaos amid oxygen-deprived dizziness.

Over the next few days, Zhao Chen's "clingy" strategy reached an unprecedented level. He remained almost inseparable, compressing Yu Ling's living space down to a narrow radius centered around him.

The morning greeting kiss carried an irresistible lingering sweetness; the evening pickups and drop-offs defied wind and rain, often finding him waiting downstairs a full hour early. During the post-dinner hours, he was no longer satisfied with merely sitting side by side on the sofa, instead wrapping Yu Ling entirely within his embrace, resting his chin on the crown of her head like a dragon guarding a precious treasure, even holding her hand together to turn the pages of her book.

Yu Ling felt as though she were wrapped in an impenetrable layer of warm syrup. His gentleness was meticulous, his thoughtfulness ubiquitous, and the deep, melting affection and attachment in the depths of his eyes felt too genuine to cause anything other than a trembling heart.

That glaring photograph by the lakeside in Stanford, along with Gu Qianqian's spoiled "Chen-ge," seemed genuinely swept away to the dusty corners of memory by this overwhelming daily pampering, veiled in a hazy fog.

She began to cooperate with his "captivity," and even when he occasionally displayed a sense of "grievance" at being interrupted in their private world by work messages, she would proactively lean over to kiss the corner of his lips in appeasement. The false sense of security brought by that lease agreement seemed to grow solid once again under Zhao Chen's meticulous reinforcement.

However, only Yu Ling knew that the reef of "doubt" deep within her heart had never vanished. It rested at the bottom of the warm syrup, cold and hard.

Late at night, when Zhao Chen fell into a deep sleep beside her with steady breathing, she would open her eyes and gaze at his blurred, handsome silhouette in the dark. Gu Qianqian's bright smile and affectionate inscription from that photograph would then quietly resurface, carrying a silent mockery. Like a prisoner skilled in acting, she enjoyed the magnificence of the gilded cage and the pampering of her captor, while ceaselessly yearning to catch a glimpse of the reality outside.

On Saturday evening, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the city a warm amber-red. Instead of booking a high-end restaurant as usual, Zhao Chen changed into a more down-to-earth outfit—faded light-blue jeans, a plain pure-cotton gray hooded sweatshirt, and clean white sneakers. He looked as fresh as a newly graduated college student, with his intangible aura of oppression deliberately and cleanly restrained.

"Lingling," he said, walking up to Yu Ling as she changed her shoes, an eager, youthful, and excited smile on his face. "I'm taking you to a great place today! Let's experience the joy of the common folk!" He winked, his eyes sparkling and tinged with mystery.

"A great place?" Yu Ling looked at him dubiously, eyeing his attire and the rare, almost child-like anticipation on his face. "Where are we going?"

"It's a secret!" Zhao Chen smiled, keeping her in suspense as he naturally took the bag from her hands. "I guarantee it will blow your mind and make you forget to leave!" He took her hand and stepped out the door with a brisk pace.

Instead of heading toward the familiar bustling commercial districts or private clubs, the car navigated a series of turns before entering a street located in the old district, brimming with the lively atmosphere of everyday human life.

The further they drove, the narrower the road became, flanked by rows of aging residential buildings draped in neon signs. The air began to fill with a complex and alluring blend of food aromas—the charred scent of barbecue, the intense richness of deep-fried food, the sweet stickiness of roasted chestnuts, and the pungent fragrance of chili and stir-fried spices.

Eventually, the car managed to find a parking space near the entrance of a massive, brightly lit open-air plaza.

"We're here!" Zhao Chen parked the car, a hint of small triumph in his tone as he unbuckled Yu Ling's seatbelt. "Welcome to the West City Starlight Night Market! Haicheng's most renowned 'midnight cafeteria'!"

Pulled out of the car by him, Yu Ling was instantly overwhelmed by the sight before her!

The massive plaza was illuminated as brightly as day by countless glowing incandescent bulbs and colorful fairy lights! The air was filled with bustling crowds and rubbing shoulders! Stalls stretching endlessly into the distance resembled a winding dragon, steaming and wreathed in smoke!

Squid sizzled and popped on iron griddles, oil splashing everywhere; massive woks of fried skewers churned golden waves; mountains of spicy crawfish piled up, their bright red hue tempting the appetite; the "unique fragrance" of stinky tofu aggressively permeated the air; alongside candied hawthorns, roasted cold noodles, iron-griddle tofu, stir-fried rice noodles, and freshly squeezed juices... Delicacies from all corners of the country converged here, forming a sensory flood of immense impact!

The clamorous cries of vendors, the laughter of diners, the clatter of pots and pans, the playful shrieks of children... Various sounds blended together to create a deafening background noise full of vitality! The air was saturated with a distinct, potent scent mixed with grease, spices, sweat, and the warmth of human life, rushing forth in a way that felt both real and passionate!

"So... so many people?!" Yu Ling's mouth opened slightly in shock at this wild, vital scene she had never experienced before, and she instinctively gripped Zhao Chen's hand tighter. This was worlds apart from the exquisite, quiet, and distant world she usually inhabited!

"Scared?" Zhao Chen looked down at her, his amber eyes reflecting the dazzling lights of the night market with playful amusement. He tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her closer to his side. "Don't be scared, stay close to me! Let me introduce you to the true warmth of human life!" His voice carried a strange excitement and confidence, as if he had returned to his own home turf.

Pulling Yu Ling along like a nimble fish, he expertly merged into the surging crowd. His tall frame shielded her from the squeeze, and his arm naturally encircled her shoulders, forming a small, safe protective circle.

"Come on, try this! A Haicheng specialty!" Zhao Chen pulled her to a halt in front of a long queue at a grilled squid stall. The vendor was a shirtless brawny man with a towel draped around his neck, expertly flipping large skewers of squid tentacles on a sizzling griddle, brushing them with a secret sauce, and sprinkling them with cumin and chili powder. The aggressive aroma plunged straight into people's noses!

"Boss, two large skewers! Extra spicy!" Zhao Chen's voice was loud and tinged with worldly familiarity, completely shedding his usual reserve. His movements in scanning the QR code to pay were smooth and natural.

Before long, two skewers of squid tentacles, charred to perfection and coated in an alluring sauce, were handed over. Zhao Chen took them and thrust one into Yu Ling's hand: "Careful, it's hot! Eat it while it's hot, or it'll taste fishy once it cools!"

Yu Ling looked at the massive, oily, intensely fragrant "street food" in her hand, then glanced around at the diners devouring their food with sauce all over their mouths and zero regard for image, feeling a bit hesitant. But encouraged by the expectancy in Zhao Chen's eyes, she mustered her courage and took a careful bite.

Scorching! Chewy! The savory saltiness of the sauce, the sweet freshness of the squid, the kick of the chili, and the pungency of the cumin exploded in her mouth all at once! A primitive and direct gustatory pleasure instantly conquered her. Delicious! Truly delicious! Completely different from the delicate food devoid of the "breath of the wok" that she usually ate!

"How is it?" Zhao Chen took a large bite himself, his cheeks bulging as he asked indistinctly, his shining eyes fixed on her.

"Mmm! Delicious!" Yu Ling gasped from the heat, her eyes lighting up as she nodded vigorously, a genuine and surprised smile blooming on her face.

Seeing her expression lit up by the food, the amusement in Zhao Chen's eyes deepened with pure satisfaction. He reached out and, with extreme naturalness, used the pad of his thumb to wipe a speck of sauce from the corner of her lips, his gesture intimate and effortless. "Let's go! Next stop!"