Marriage Concerto (Small Thing Called Love) - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Don’t be all talk and no action. Kiss me if you love me

Of course, the chosen chuan chuan shop was the one Ding Meng usually frequented. It had the recipes and flavors she was familiar with.

This was the Qiao Yichen’s second time visiting this shop. The last time he was here, he came to drag her home and didn’t have the chance to look around carefully. This time, he took his time assessing his surroundings and noticed that this shop was very actually clean compared to other roadside stalls.

Ding Meng requested the same private room as last time and ordered heaps of food. The waiter brought over her order and Ding Meng immediately began to cook the food in the pot.

Qiao Yichen picked up a couple vegetable skewers from the basket to see if they had been washed properly. Ding Meng glanced over at him as she put the food in the pot and scoffed, “You didn’t mind eating from the vendor at the school entrance before, why are you pretending to care now?”

Qiao Yichen, “…”

After taking off his suit and hanging it on the chair, he rolled up his sleeves and also began to put food in the pot, “This is the last time that you’re eating chuan chuan this year.”

Ding Meng, “…”

Hey there were still two months left this year! He couldn’t possibly forbid her from eating chuan chuan for two whole months!

Although Ding Meng felt very dissatisfied inside, she didn’t express her thoughts at that moment. Besides, next time she would sneak out so quietly that he won’t even notice.

After pushing all the meat from the first round into the pot, Ding Meng used her chopsticks to pick up a soybean from a side dish, “This place also has grass jelly and mochi. Do you want some?”

Qiao Yichen replied, “Nope.”

“Eh, then later you can’t have any of mine.” After speaking, Ding Meng ran over to the door and ordered another bowl of grass jelly from the waiter.

The food in the pot came to a rolling boil and the aroma from the chuan chuan wafted throughout the room. Ding Meng eagerly picked up her chopsticks to give the food a try and impatiently picked up a skewer of beef for an inspection.

Qiao Yichen smacked her hand back, “It isn’t done cooking yet.”

Ding Meng tenaciously held onto the skewer of beef and retorted, “I like it medium, ok?”

Qiao Yichen, “…”

Ding Meng took two bites of the beef but felt that it lacked flavor so she threw a few chilis into her bowl. Across from her, Qiao Yichen watched and frowned, “Do you still want your vocal cords?”

Ding Meng pouted and used her chopsticks to fish out a couple chilis. Goudan was so annoying. Xiao Zhuo-zi was still the best chuan chuan friend.

After swallowing that piece of beef, Ding Meng finally felt a little satisfied and began reminisce with Qiao Yichen about their childhood, “Do you remember the lady at the school gate that sold spring rolls? The spring rolls that she made tasted so good. You bought them for me everyday!”

“Yep.” Qiao Yichen grinned faintly.

“Also the skewered quail eggs a stall over! That uncle’s quail eggs were amazing. One time we even ate 40 in a single sitting!”

Qiao Yichen, “I only had 10.”

Ding Meng, “…”

Somehow, he had actually remembered such a small detail so clearly. Did this mean that he had been keeping tabs on how much she owed him this entire time?

Frowning, she picked up a skewer of quail eggs from the pot and offered it to him, “Then eat until we’re even today. In the past, a braised quail egg was 10¢. Now, a skewer with three eggs actually costs $1.50. You’ve really profited.”

Qiao Yichen laughed out loud and received the skewer. While he ate the eggs, Ding Meng opportunistically picked up some more beef and put it in her own bowl. “Goudan, let’s go revisit our old school sometime. I wonder if the auntie who sold spring rolls is still there.”

Qiao Yichen replied, “Only good students like you would go revisit a school. Bad students like me don’t want to go back.”

“Ah, but we are going back to eat, not to visit old teachers. You’ve got nothing to worry about! Besides, you can be considered a successful adult now. The principal might even give you an esteemed alumnus award.”

Qiao Yichen lowered his head and laughed without responding.

Ding Meng took his lack of response as a tacit acceptance. Happily, she said, “Then it’s set! But next time you can treat me.”

Finally, Qiao Yichen couldn’t help it and laughed out loud, “It’s so rare that you treat me out to a meal, but you’re already plotting ways to earn the money back from me?”

Ding Meng, “You can’t put it like that. We are eating together to deepen our relationship as classmates.”

Qiao Yichen glanced at her, “Right now, I’d rather deepen our relationship as husband and wife.”

Ding Meng, “…”

It was fine if he didn’t want to treat her. He didn’t need to threaten her like that…

Somebody knocked twice on the door to their private room before opening it, “This is the grass jelly you guys ordered.”

Qiao Yichen’s eyes flickered at the sound of this voice, and he turned his head around to see who it was.

Standing behind him was a man of tall stature who was wearing a simple white t-shirt and jeans and was holding the grass jelly that Ding Meng had just ordered.

Sensing that Qiao Yichen was looking at him, his eyes narrowed and looked towards Qiao Yichen, “Is there a problem?”

Qiao Yichen didn’t speak so Ding Meng spoke up with emotion, “Wow! The boss is personally bringing over the grass jelly! Oh, that’s right, I haven’t thanked you for treating me to chuan chuan last time!”

“No problem.” The boss put the grass jelly down on the table before turning around and leaving the room. Ding Meng scooped up a spoonful of grass jelly and noticed that Qiao Yichen was still fixated on the door. She blinked a few times before saying, “Even though I agree that the boss is quite handsome, he should be into women.”

Qiao Yichen, “…”

“Even eating can’t silence you?” He rolled his eyes at her.

Ding Meng looked at him with amusement and said, “Clearly, it was you who was staring at him in a trance.”

“…I just felt that his voice isn’t bad.” This was probably thanks to his occupation, but he was particularly sensitive to the voices of other people. For example, when he reconnected with Ding Meng, the first thing he noticed about her was her voice.

Right after the boss’s first words had left his mouth, Qiao Yichen’s attention had been captured. With such a magnetic voice, any song sung by him would probably sound appealing.

After listening to what he said, Ding Meng voiced her agreement, “The boss’s voice is really good. Before, the other guests had said that if he were to sing for a living, not even Gu Xin would have a chance.”

“Gu Xin?” Qiao Yichen asked inquisitively. Thinking about it for a bit, he said, “Doesn’t the boss look very similar to Gu Xin?”

Ding Meng burst into laughter, “You aren’t the first person to say that, but I feel that the resemblance is just so-so…” She pictured the boss with eyeliner on and felt that he would look even sexier than Gu Xin.

Qiao Yichen looked at her for a bit and suddenly said, “You are no longer allowed to come to this place to eat chuan chuan.”

Ding Meng, “…Why not?!”

“Because I don’t like Gu Xin.”

Ding Meng, “…”

Goudan’s shamelessness reached a new record each day.

After finishing chuan chuan, Ding Meng went over to the sales counter to settle the bill. Because she had a membership card, she managed to score an 8.5% discount. Right before leaving the chuan chuan shop, she went to use the restroom. Qiao Yichen went over to the entryway to wait for her.

After coming out of the restroom, Ding Meng saw that Qiao Yichen was at the front of the restaurant playing the claw machine. Since this restaurant was really successful, customers who came late would always have to line up. The boss installed two claw machines outside to help the guests pass the time while waiting and conveniently generate some extra income.

Ding Meng had played it before as well. In the end, the machine swallowed 20 bucks from her without spitting anything out in return. Since then, the pain inflicted by her loss had taken away her desire to play this game.

When she went over to Qiao Yichen, he was concentratedly moving the stick around. She looked through the glass and pointed at a particular stuffed animal, “Goudan, I want this rabbit with the closed eyes!”

Qiao Yichen glanced over and asked, “The blue one or the pink one?”

“Pink! I’ve wanted it for quite a while, but I haven’t been able to capture it!” Recalling this fact made her feel just as depressed as before.

Qiao Yichen assessed the situation: he just bought three coins, and he had already used one. He still had two chances left.

He needed to capture that rabbit. He didn’t want to humiliate himself in front of his wife.

Ding Meng stood off to the side sharing advice, “This claw doesn’t have a strong grip so you’ll need to go in at a good angle to grab the rabbit firmly!”

“Ok.” Qiao Yichen aimed the claw right above the rabbit and then pushed against the joystick, causing the claw to descend. He carefully watched the claw’s movement. Right when he found the perfect timing, he quickly pressed down on the OK button.

The claw grabbed the rabbit and began ascending. The two of them watched anxiously. When it reached the top, the claw hit the ramp and a sound rang out. The rabbit that was originally clasped in its claws fell back down.

Ding Meng sighed with disappointment. Qiao Yichen pressed his lips together and threw in another coin, “This time I’ll definitely get it.”

Once again, he gripped the joystick, held his breath, and attentively watched the claw’s movements. When the rabbit had fallen down just now, it’s position had changed. He needed to recalculate his moves.

Last time he hadn’t accounted for the force the claw would experience when hitting the ramp. This time, he needed to find a better angle to grab onto the rabbit more tightly.

He found a tricky angle to push down on the joystick. When the claw approached the rabbit, Qiao Yichen double-checked the timing and quickly hit the OK button.

The claw managed to grab the rabbit once more, but both people continued holding their breaths. When the claw touched the ramp at the top again, the rabbit swung precariously, causing Ding Meng’s heart to palpitate with nervousness.

However, the rabbit hung on tight this time and dropped into the opening without a hitch.

Qiao Yichen picked up the rabbit from the machine and handed it over to Ding Meng, “Take it.”

Ding Meng held the plushy rabbit in her hands and squeezed it a few times. Full of happiness, she exclaimed, “Goudan, you’re the best!” She cheerfully hugged him and said, “Love you, mwah mwah!”

Qiao Yichen eyes stirred and he spoke into her ear, “Don’t be all talk and no action. Kiss me if you love me.”

Ding Meng, “…”

Suddenly, she withdrew her arms and escaped by running into the dark, “Let’s go!”

Qiao Yichen’s car was parked right along the side of the road. As he watched her back, he grinned and followed after her.

After getting home, Ding Meng took a shower as usual. The rabbit toy that Qiao Yichen had just won for her was sitting on her bed. She walked over to the rabbit and stroked its ears as if she was thinking about something.

There were noises coming from outside that were probably being made by Qiao Yichen. She put down the toy in her hands and quietly opened her door.

The noise was coming from the kitchen. She took a couple glances around the hallway before walking out.

Sure enough, Qiao Yichen was in the kitchen. She stood behind him and looked at his back for a bit. As if he had sensed another presence, Qiao Yichen turned his head around to see Ding Meng staring blankly.

“Were you trying to scare me by standing there so quietly?”

Ding Meng didn’t respond. Qiao Yichen held up the freshly peeled apple in his hand and asked, “I was planning on making apple juice. You want some?”

Ding Meng seemed lost in thought for a second. Then, she ran up and put her arms around his neck, kissing him quickly on the cheek.

Qiao Yichen blanked out and he stood frozen in his spot.

After kissing him, Ding Meng flew back into her room.

The apple that Qiao Yichen had just peeled fell to the ground and rolled up against the wall.