"A ray of setting sun shone on the water's surface, half the river shimmering and half turning red. How beautiful this sunset was, bringing such tranquility," she couldn't help but speak up, the speck of lingering glow reflected in her eyes becoming dazzlingly bright.
Following her gaze, Huo Shao Ting looked over. His mind was completely occupied by work. As Huo Shao Jie would say, he was a man without any interest in life.
Previously, he didn't have this state of mind or time to appreciate such things. Hearing Rong Dai say this now, his eyes also passed through the transparent glass and fell on the setting sun, seeming to gain some understanding of the feeling she spoke of.
"If you like it, we can go see it together next time."
His gaze moved to her cheek. Her skin was so fine it was unbelievable, any ray of light that landed on it seemed to bring out layers of illusory radiance.
Perhaps because he had never devoted his attention fully to a woman before, now that his thoughts were on Rong Dai, he noticed many differences.
"That would be lovely. Most people like sunrises, but I prefer sunsets, watching the sun slowly sinking in the west, the feeling is indescribable."
In her previous life, she had lived within those four walls for thirty years, and what she enjoyed most was standing atop the high pavilion watching the sun dip below the horizon.
Huo Shao Ting listened very attentively, because he wanted to understand her better, know more and more about her.
"Let's eat, I'm...a bit hungry," Rong Dai suddenly realized she had waxed sentimental for too long, and quickly changed the topic.
Huo Shao Ting didn't poke holes in her motives, just called the waiter over to order.
"The steak here is quite good, would you like some wine?" Huo Shao Ting asked her.
Looking at the elaborate placement of knives and forks before her, Rong Dai only then realized...she didn't know how to use any of these.
She also hadn't learned etiquette in this area. She knew that in this modern world, cultures from many countries intersected, not closed off like in her previous life.
These items clearly weren't Chinese, and her scalp prickled with unease, conflicted and a bit embarrassed.
Raising her head to look at Huo Shao Ting, she secretly gritted her teeth and decided to be forthright, "I...have never had Western food."
After all, it was up to her now what the original owner An Feiya's life had been like.
Although Huo Shao Ting's expression didn't show any surprise, inwardly he was taken aback.
Because he had already sent people to investigate An Feiya's identity, but the results were still pending confirmation. What could be confirmed was that An Feiya had returned to China from abroad and settled down.
How could someone raised overseas since childhood possibly not know Western cuisine? How could her daughter not understand Western dining etiquette?
The strange feeling and doubts buried in his heart churned up again, but Huo Shao Ting still didn't voice them.
If these were secrets she was unwilling to open up to him about, even if he asked, she might not tell him. It could even make their relationship, which had barely changed for the better, become rigid.
"It's alright, I can teach you," he said very gently.
Rong Dai nodded. She didn't feel ashamed at all. Compared to embarrassing herself in public in the future, she'd rather be humiliated in front of Huo Shao Ting.
Plus she needed to learn these things. She believed in Huo Shao Ting's upbringing and manners.
Throughout the meal, Huo Shao Ting was very attentive to her needs, and taught her carefully and in detail. He also explained some cultural background about dining to her, which she listened to earnestly.
"Shao Jie and the others always say you're stiff, with nothing but work on your mind. Looks like they understand too little about you."
After drinking a bit of wine, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shone like little stars in the light. She looked at him with slight admiration and said this.
A man of his excellence was a fatal allure in and of itself. Although she didn't know how big the Huo family business was, she knew the capabilities one needed to have power.
The more she got close to this man, the more she found it hard to restrain the joy in her heart over his outstanding character and qualities.
"Mrs. Huo, you have time to get to know me slowly. The one who needs to spend a lifetime with me is you, as long as you understand."
Seeing her pampered yet dignified and elegant appearance, Huo Shao Ting's heart softened like it was infused with honey. He spoke without any reservations.
Rong Dai's complexion burned. The bit of wine hadn't made her lose her clarity.
She hoped so much that his words were truly meant for her, but she knew clearly they were meant for someone else.
This kind of pain, no one else could empathize with.
She could only smile lightly and nod, "I will."
Huo Shao Ting's gaze didn't leave her for a second. He glanced at his watch, there was still ample time.
"Would you like to watch a movie?"
Wasn't watching a movie said to be essential for couples' dates, to improve feelings? He could learn these things too.
Rong Dai had experienced this world only through the phone, and was also extremely eager to get to know it. She nodded.
Huo Shao Ting's arrangements were swift. He carried her downstairs again into the car and drove straight to the cinema.
To create an "everyday life" atmosphere, Huo Shao Ting didn't rent out the entire cinema. The two chose the furthest corner couple seats.
Rong Dai looked around the theater full of curiosity, all of this was very novel to her.
"This is Coke, if you don't like the taste, we can still go buy something else now."
Huo Shao Ting could see the excitement and curiosity in her eyes very clearly. Towards his wife's "strange" behavior, the mysteries in his heart grew even more.
Even if it was madness, it hadn't reached the extent of imprisoning mother and daughter.
She was a modern person, An Feiya's job was good, she didn't come from an impoverished rural area, so how could she still act so excited?
Her behavior gave Huo Shao Ting the illusion that she was like she wasn't even a modern person.
He knew thinking this was preposterous, but other than these little details, he couldn't find any evidence to prove Rong Dai wasn't modern.
"It's fine, I'll just drink this. You're the grand CEO of the Huo Group, if you go out like this, we won't be able to watch this movie."
Rong Dai held him back and murmured, she understood very clearly how busy Huo Shao Ting was. Since he had made time today, she would treat it as giving him a vacation, and also an opportunity for herself to gain knowledge.
Plus she had witnessed the terrifying speed of information here. If they made the hot search again, the things that had finally just died down might get brought up for another round.
As she spoke, to prove she "wasn't picky", she took a sip of the Coke. The bizarre sensation hitting her mouth nearly made her spit it out.
What was this taste? Both stimulating and pungent.
But she didn't dare spit it out, forcibly swallowing it down. She instantly let out a burp, her whole face red, and could only find an excuse for herself, "I...drank too fast."
Huo Shao Ting could see her minute expressions very clearly, though he badly wanted to ask, he still held back, only saying gently, "Drink slower."
Rong Dai obediently nodded. The movie started playing, the lights in the theater dimmed, and her gaze focused completely on the screen, while Huo Shao Ting's thoughts were on her.
