{Chapter: 145 Gloves from Qiu Wanxi! It's just the right fit!}
Fortunately, today, Lin Yuan arrived in a luxurious Rolls-Royce.
Shi Shengnan was in the driver's seat, while Chen Yu sat beside her as the co-pilot.
This arrangement allowed Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi to enjoy the comfortable backseat together, undisturbed by the responsibilities of navigation.
The drive to the hot pot restaurant was smooth, the city lights casting a warm glow on the streets as they passed.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Shi Shengnan knew her role well—she remained inside the car, keeping a low profile. However, Chen Yu, being a bit more naive when it came to personal boundaries, instinctively followed Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi inside.
While Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi settled at their table, enjoying the warmth of the bubbling hot pot, Chen Yu quietly took a seat in the corner. She didn't think too much about it—her main concern was ensuring their safety.
But soon, she regretted her decision.
Because when Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi ate together, they made her eat a lot of dog food. (T/N: Eat dog food. A slang that refers to the self-pity of single people, humorously dubbed 'single dogs', triggered by the public displays of affection by couples.)
When Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi ate together, their display of affection was relentless, feeding each other bite after bite.
One would offer a piece, and the other would return the favor, creating an endless loop of sweet interactions.
For an ordinary couple, this might have been tolerable. But Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi weren't just any couple—they were both stunningly attractive, almost unreal in their beauty.
A flawless young man and a delicate, enchanting girl…
Tonight, many unfortunate bystanders in the restaurant silently joined the ranks of the "FFF Group"—a community of people who humorously "despise" public displays of affection. (T/N: FFF group is an internet slang meaning couple haters.)
After their meal, the couple decided to watch a movie together—The Legend of 1900, a film that had made waves across China. (T/N: 'The Legend of 1900' otherwise known as 'The Legend of the Pianist on the Ocean', a 1998 Italian film that took China by storm in 2019.)
For Qiu Wanxi, this was an entirely new experience. She had never been to a movie theater before, and her nervousness was evident.
Sensing her unease, Lin Yuan gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly.
"Don't be afraid," he said with a small smile. "Someday, I'll take you to our family's private cinema. It's much bigger than this one. You'll get used to it in no time."
Qiu Wanxi's eyes widened slightly before she nodded. "Okay."
Their conversation caught the attention of some people nearby.
At first, a few individuals, particularly some men, exchanged glances laced with sarcasm, ready to ridicule Lin Yuan's seemingly extravagant claim.
But as soon as their eyes landed on Qiu Wanxi's face, their words died in their throats.
Her beauty was ethereal, almost dreamlike.
Likewise, when the women in the audience turned to glance at Lin Yuan, they were momentarily silenced, captivated by his striking features and refined presence.
And then, there were the people who recognized the accessories Lin Yuan wore—a Vacheron Constantin watch worth tens of millions.
One particularly self-conscious man, who had been tempted to mock Lin Yuan earlier, suddenly stood up and walked away in embarrassment.
He couldn't handle staying any longer, fearing that prolonged exposure to such wealth and status might make him feel even more insignificant.
After securing their seats, Lin Yuan called Shi Shengnan and Chen Yu to join them. The two bodyguards took their places in the row behind Lin Yuan and Qiu Wanxi, maintaining a watchful presence.
As Qiu Wanxi settled into her seat, she noticed a slight dampness. It seemed the previous occupant had accidentally spilled their drink.
Lin Yuan, ever the gentleman, wasted no time. Without hesitation, he pulled Qiu Wanxi into his embrace, letting her sit on his lap as they watched the movie together.
The warmth of her delicate body pressed against his own, making him feel incredibly comfortable.
At first, Qiu Wanxi blushed furiously.
Even though the cinema was dark and most people wouldn't notice, she was still shy about such intimate contact in a public space.
But as the movie progressed, her initial embarrassment faded. Slowly, she relaxed into Lin Yuan's arms, leaning against him, drawn in by the film's mesmerizing piano sequences.
"Does it look good?" Lin Yuan murmured near her ear.
"Yeah," Qiu Wanxi nodded softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "In the end, he still didn't get off the boat… but he played the piano so beautifully."
Lin Yuan chuckled. "I also play the piano very well. One day, I'll play for you."
Qiu Wanxi's eyes lit up. Holding Lin Yuan's hand tightly, she declared, "I believe you, Master! Your piano skills must be better than his."
Her unwavering faith in him made Lin Yuan smile. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
But suddenly, Qiu Wanxi pulled away slightly.
With an almost nervous expression, she fumbled in her pocket before taking out a small object and carefully placing it in Lin Yuan's hand.
"Young… Master… Here you go," she whispered hesitantly.
Lin Yuan looked down.
A pair of delicately knitted gloves, made of pure white soft wool, lay in his palm.
He was slightly taken aback. "Did you… knit these for me?"
Qiu Wanxi smiled and nodded.
"They're cute," Lin Yuan remarked, gently pinching her flushed cheek.
Her entire face turned an even deeper shade of red.
"I noticed the weather is getting colder, so I wanted to make sure your hands stay warm," she explained, her voice timid yet earnest. "I hope I didn't overstep…"
Lin Yuan shook his head, warmth spreading in his chest. "Of course not. I love them."
He slid his hands into the gloves, surprised at how perfectly they fit.
"Huh? How did you know my size?" He raised an eyebrow, curious.
Qiu Wanxi lowered her head slightly, her fingers fidgeting. "I… I didn't really know for sure…"
"Then how did you make them fit so perfectly?" Lin Yuan asked.
Qiu Wanxi hesitated before finally confessing, "Because… Young Master often touches my head and holds my hand. I remember the shape, the size, and even the warmth of your hands…"
Lin Yuan was stunned.
She had crafted something so precise just by relying on her memory of his touch?
Was it due to an exceptional talent? Or was it her deep, unwavering attention to every little detail about him?
He realized it was likely the latter.
The thought of Qiu Wanxi working tirelessly, night after night, carefully knitting these gloves with him in mind, moved him in a way he hadn't expected.
"Raise your head," Lin Yuan said gently.
When Qiu Wanxi obediently lifted her gaze, Lin Yuan reached out with his gloved hands, cupping her soft cheeks.
Then, he leaned in and kissed her sweet lips.
At first, his relationship with Qiu Wanxi had been driven by the desire to gain counterattack points.
He had even considered keeping his emotions at bay and only let his lust out.
But somewhere along the way, she had touched his heart.
At first, just a little.
But today, as she sat before him, offering him a simple, handmade gift filled with warmth and sincerity—he was truly moved.
Although he had kissed her many times before, Qiu Wanxi still responded with the same innocent shyness, her eyes fluttering shut, her cheeks flushed.
Lin Yuan felt his heart soften.
'What a lovely girl…' he thought. 'I've decided… I have to at least give Wanxi…'
'At least 1% of my love.'
'I didn't mean to, but my heart has already been shattered into countless pieces…'
'And each one of the pieces fell in love with a different woman… that's all…'
---
Winter was just around the corner.
The cold wind howled through the streets that night, chilling passersby.
But beneath the dark sky, two figures stood close together, holding each other in a warm embrace.
As if, in each other's arms, they had found their own personal sun.