Chapter 129: Jiang Li Returns to the Capital
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
At this moment, Zhou Chao was holding a bouquet of flowers, anxiously pacing back and forth at the airport exit. Time was ticking away.
Zhou Chao glanced at the time; it was already 7:40 in the evening. The plane should have landed by now. He gazed at the exit, but there was still no sign of anyone emerging. A slight furrow appeared on Zhou Chao’s forehead, but he quickly relaxed as he saw some people coming out of the exit.
Zhou Chao positioned himself at the railing’s edge, his gaze unwaveringly locked onto the arrival gate, eagerly seeking the enchanting silhouette he had been yearning for.
A figure in white emerged from the airport exit, dragging a large suitcase that seemed a bit cumbersome. She looked around as soon as she exited until she spotted the familiar figure in the crowd. She then walked briskly toward him, pulling her luggage.
Seeing this, Zhou Chao hurried over. He saw Jiang Li struggling with her suitcase as she approached him. She dropped the suitcase and practically threw herself into Zhou Chao’s arms. Startled, Zhou Chao quickly opened his arms to catch Jiang Li.
A magical scene unfolded at the airport exit. Jiang Li’s legs were wrapped around Zhou Chao’s waist, and he held her in one arm while carrying a bouquet of flowers in the other. Many onlookers couldn’t help but envy the couple.
“Alright, come down now. Look, everyone around is taking out their phones to capture this!” Zhou Chao patted Jiang Li’s delicate back, and upon hearing this, Jiang Li looked around and quickly disengaged from Zhou Chao’s embrace. Her cheeks turned crimson in an instant.
“Hmph, it’s all your fault. You made me embarrass myself like this.” Jiang Li playfully punched Zhou Chao’s chest. Seeing this, Zhou Chao embraced her once more. Their eyes met, and it seemed like Jiang Li was expecting something.
“Ahem, you two have had your fun, right? It’s time to tone it down in public,” a voice interrupted the two infatuated souls. Jiang Li quickly separated from Zhou Chao, and they both turned to look at the speaker.
“Brother, how did you come here?” It was Jiang Yu, leaning against the railing, holding Jiang Li’s suitcase, and looking mischievously at the two of them.
“If 1 hadn’t come, 1 was afraid my dear little sister would be abducted by someone!” Zhou Chao, standing nearby, also felt a bit embarrassed and coughed lightly to ease his own awkwardness.
“Brother, let me introduce you!” Jiang Li said, pulling Zhou Chao over.
“No need for introductions. Zhou Chao, why are you so quiet at a time like this?” Jiang Li’s brother waved his hand to interrupt Jiang Li and turned to look at Zhou Chao.
“Brother Yu!” Jiang Li watched the two men with curiosity. How did her brother know Zhou Chao?
“I won’t disturb your lovey-dovey moment any longer. Jiang Li, remember to come home early tonight!” Hearing this, Jiang Li blushed once again. She glanced at Zhou Chao, who was wearing a smile and lightly kicked him.
“Got it, Brother. I’ll come back early!” Jiang Yu also didn’t want to continue watching their public display of affection, so he grabbed Jiang Li’s suitcase and walked away.
Zhou Chao watched as Jiang Yu walked further away before turning his attention back. Only now did he remember the bouquet of flowers he had bought, and he immediately handed them to Jiang Li.
“Do you like them?” Jiang Li happily accepted the bouquet from Zhou Chao, but then she wrinkled her nose slightly.
“Hmph, you big rascal. You better confess how you met my brother!”
“How 1 met your brother is a long story.”
“Then make it short!” Zhou Chao smiled at her and held Jiang Li’s hand as they walked out of the airport.
“I met him through Xiao Yang, the brother of Xiao Feng. A while ago, I came to Jingdu for some business with Xiao Yang, and he introduced me to your brother over dinner. That’s how we met!”
“But how did my brother find out about us?” Jiang Li asked hesitantly.
“It’s all because of Xiao Yang’s loose lips. When he introduced me to your brother, he spilled the beans right away. You can’t imagine how anxious 1 felt at that moment. 1 was practically curling my toes!” Zhou Chao tightened his hold on Jiang Li’s hand.
“Hmph, you better not do such things behind my back next time!
By the way, Brother Chao, my grandfather’s birthday is coming up in a few days. Would you like to come…?” Jiang Li’s voice trailed off, and she lowered her head shyly.
Zhou Chao patted Jiang Li’s head and said with a smile, “1 already knew about it, and I’ve prepared a gift!”
Jiang Li lifted her head in surprise, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“When did you find out? 1 never told you!”
“Hehe, Fourth Brother called me last month and spilled the beans.”
“Hmph, you naughty rascal, always teasing me.” Jiang Li pounced on Zhou Chao playfully, as if she was about to bite him. But Zhou Chao, with a casual wave, simply embraced her.
The parking lot was nearly deserted at this moment. Jiang Li gazed affectionately at Zhou Chao as their eyes met. Zhou Chao lowered his head and captured Jiang Li’s cherry lips. His hands, which had been holding her, tightened their grip.
“Mmm, you naughty rascal, I almost couldn’t breathe!” The two kissed for a while, and when they finally separated, Jiang Li was out of breath. She pushed Zhou Chao away gently.
“Hehe, let’s go. I’ll take you to dinner first!” With that, Zhou Chao led Jiang Li to the Phantom. She took the passenger seat, and Zhou Chao drove out of the airport.
Zhou Chao drove with Jiang Li to the restaurant he had previously booked. The restaurant was located in the Chaoyang District on Xidawang Road, which he had found online. It was a charming private dining place with excellent reviews.
It took about an hour to drive from the airport to Chaoyang. As they neared the restaurant, Jiang Li’s stomach unexpectedly growled.
Zhou Chao, who was behind the wheel, couldn’t contain his laughter when he heard Jiang Li’s stomach growling from hunger.
“All, no laughing allowed!” Jiang Li pouted and looked at Zhou Chao, her small hand unknowingly reaching his waist.
“Be good, we’re almost there!” Zhou Chao gently held Jiang Li’s outstretched hand and gave it a little squeeze before she withdrew it.
“Hmph, all you do is tease me!” Jiang Li crossed her arms in front of her chest, unintentionally emphasizing her ample bosom, which caught Zhou Chao’s attention, though he quickly averted his gaze, hoping not to get caught.
“You pervert!” Jiang Li muttered under her breath and turned her head to look out of the window, but her hands remained crossed, providing Zhou Chao with quite the view.
Through the reflection in the glass, Jiang Li could see Zhou Chao’s expression clearly, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“We’ve arrived, my little princess!” Jiang Li looked at the ambient lights of the private restaurant outside with extra charm.
Exiting the car, Zhou Chao held Jiang Li’s hand as they entered.
“Hello, welcome. Do you have a reservation, sir?” A waiter approached them at the entrance.
“Yes, under the name Zhou.” The waiter quickly confirmed Zhou Chao’s reservation and led them upstairs.
Once on the second floor, Zhou Chao and Jiang Li felt a different atmosphere. There weren’t many people, so Zhou Chao chose a table by the window.
“Take a look at what you’d like to eat!” Zhou Chao handed the menu to Jiang Li, who casually took it and started flipping through the pages.
“Pastry shrimp, tuna with cherry tomatoes, foie gras in flower cup, Jiang Xue spare ribs… Chao, would you like to order something else?” Zhou Chao shook his head, and the waiter promptly took their order.
Zhou Chao watched Jiang Li quietly, and for a moment, he was left in awe.
Jiang Li blushed as she was being observed. “Brother Chao-”
At Jiang Li’s words, Zhou Chao felt a surge of excitement, like an electric shock running through his body. He promptly moved to sit next to Jiang Li.
“Call me again,” Zhou Chao whispered softly in her ear.
“Brother Chao-” Jiang Li’s voice made Zhou Chao feel ticklish, but he managed to restrain himself.
“How many days until your grandfather’s birthday?” Zhou Chao knew it was in January but hadn’t asked for the exact date.
“Um… it’s on the 18th. Don’t forget, okay?” Jiang Li looked at Zhou Chao with anticipation.
Zhou Chao playfully scratched Jiang Li’s nose with his hand. “1 won’t forget, silly.”
As they chatted, the waiter approached with the dishes. Both Zhou Chao and Jiang Li paused their conversation.
“Dig in!” Jiang Li’s mouth watered as she gazed at the sumptuous dishes spread across the table. Zhou Chao let out a chuckle.
“Yes!” They both picked up their chopsticks and started eating. Perhaps because they were both quite hungry, they ate quickly. What surprised Zhou Chao was how well Jiang Li could eat. It was different from their previous meals together. In no time, they had finished everything.
Jiang Li, now full, patted her stomach with satisfaction. However, when she looked up, she saw Zhou Chao gazing at her, and she suddenly felt like she had lost her ladylike demeanor.
“We can go once we are done eating!” Zhou Chao didn’t comment on Jiang Li’s amusing expression but rather took the initiative.
“Let’s go then. It’s getting late,” Zhou Chao checked the time, and it was indeed almost 10 o’clock. They both got up and headed downstairs.
After settling the bill, Zhou Chao held Jiang Li’s hand and walked out. As soon as they stepped out of the restaurant, the cold wind hit them, and Jiang Li shivered. Zhou Chao immediately pulled her into his arms and headed towards the parking area.
“I’ll drive you home,” Zhou Chao said as he looked at Jiang Li, who was sitting in the passenger seat. He gently brushed her hair back and whispered in her ear.
“Okay.” Jiang Li’s heart raced from Zhou Chao’s actions. Her hands unconsciously gripped her clothes’ edge. Zhou Chao responded by planting a kiss on her forehead before starting the car towards Jiang Li’s home.
Jiang Li also lived in a large compound, not far from where they had their dinner. It took them about 30 minutes to reach the entrance of the compound. Zhou Chao parked the car on the side of the road, as they needed to show their access permits to enter.
“Jiang Li.”
“Yes? What’s wrong?” Jiang Li, in her own world, hadn’t realized they had already arrived at the compound. She looked up and saw her home.
“Brother Chao- 1 guess I’ll go in now,” Jiang Li said as she prepared to open the car door.
“Ahem, you’re leaving just like that?” Zhou Chao looked at Jiang Li earnestly.
“Hmph, you bad boy, always trying to take advantage of me!” Although Jiang Li complained, she moved closer to Zhou Chao. She couldn’t resist his charm, and as he kissed her, she pushed him away.
“I’m going in now; it’s late.” Jiang Li quickly opened the car door and dashed towards the compound. Zhou Chao, smelling the lingering fragrance, smiled and then started the car towards his own destination..”