Liu Wei led us straight to the fourth floor, which was essentially the luxury area. Here, there were individual private rooms, and the prices were significantly higher than in the first-floor hall.
"Wow, Old Liu, you're really going all out," I couldn't help but sigh.
"Of course, it's the first time I'm treating my brother's wife to a meal. How could I be stingy?" Liu Wei seized the opportunity to show off his generosity.
I exchanged a helpless look with my wife, who smiled faintly, clearly much more relaxed.
Liu Wei led us directly to the innermost private room, named "Fading Spring," which was quite poetic.
"I specifically queued up to book this place a few days ago. I really like the name of this room, and most importantly, it's quiet here," Liu Wei said as he pushed open the door.
The room wasn't actually very large, but the decor was distinctive—antique and traditional Chinese style, which was exactly my taste.
"Xiaomo, the honored guests are here. Come and greet them," Liu Wei called out loudly as soon as he entered.
A quiet woman was sitting by the antique dining table. Hearing this, she stood up. This was Liu Wei's wife, Tian Xiaomo.
Both my wife and I had met her before, but we weren't close—just acquaintances, much like Liu Wei and my wife.
Come to think of it, it had been almost a year since I last saw Tian Xiaomo. Seeing her today, I felt she had become even more feminine than before.
Whether it was due to her makeup and styling or something else, she seemed much more beautiful than I remembered. If Tian Xiaoman's looks could only be considered above average before, now she could definitely rank among the beauties.
It was clear that Tian Xiaomo had also dressed up carefully today. Her shoulder-length hair was curled into waves at the ends. She wore a coffee-colored fitted t-shirt, a sleeveless black vest, black leather leggings, and black leather boots. Her already fiery figure looked particularly stylish.
I couldn't help but swallow hard. This outfit was too cool, giving off a queen-like aura. Paired with the confident temperament she had honed over years as a teacher, it was especially eye-catching.
Tian Xiaomo smiled and nodded at my wife and me. "Old Liu and I have been eagerly waiting for you two. Finally, you're here. Please, have a seat."
I heard Tian Xiaoman was a music teacher, and her voice was magnetic. Listening to her speak felt like a gentle spring breeze, and for a moment, I was captivated. I suddenly felt that today wasn't such a bad deal after all.
For a moment, my mind began to wander, but my wife discreetly pinched my hand, bringing me back to reality.
I smiled awkwardly and hurriedly said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Sister-in-law."
My embarrassment made Tian Xiaoman purse her lips and chuckle. She waved her hand and said, "We just arrived too. Please, sit down. Make yourselves at home." Then, turning to Liu Wei, she added, "Old Liu, call the waiter to serve the dishes."
"Right away," Liu Wei replied and went to summon the waiter. From the look in Liu Wei's eyes, I could feel his deep affection for Tian Xiaoman.
My wife and I sat side by side across from Tian Xiaomo. Before Liu Wei returned, to avoid an awkward silence, I spoke up. "It's been a year since we last met, Sister-in-law. You've become even more beautiful and look younger than ever."
Tian Xiaoman blushed slightly at my compliment and laughed. "It's not that I've become more beautiful; it's that your words have become sweeter. Besides, I'm getting old now. What beauty is there? Nannan is the truly beautiful one. Every time I see her, she takes my breath away."
"Not at all, Sister-in-law. You're not old at all. You're at your most beautiful right now," my wife replied with a smile.
Just then, Liu Wei returned and sat next to Tian Xiaoman, asking with a smile, "What are you talking about that's so amusing?"
"Just praising Sister-in-law for her beauty," I said.
Liu Wei perked up at this, wrapping an arm around Tian Xiaoman and boasting, "Well, look whose wife she is. How could she not be beautiful?"
Tian Xiaomo rolled her eyes at Liu Wei and brushed his arm away.
Liu Wei widened his eyes and said, "After all these years of marriage, you're still shy? Ah, I get it. It must be because you saw Brother Liao and realized he's younger than me, so you're starting to dislike me, right?"
Tian Xiaomo smiled without saying a word, then subtly shifted her body. Liu Wei yelped in pain, quickly bending over and rubbing some part of himself.
He muttered under his breath, "Such a heavy hand. Are you trying to murder your own husband?"
My wife and I burst out laughing. I glanced at my wife and could clearly sense that her nervousness had dissipated significantly.
After this little commotion, the atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed.
Just then, the waiters began serving the dishes one after another, along with a bottle of red wine. Although I didn't know much about wine, judging by the packaging, it definitely wasn't cheap.
"It looks like the iron rooster is really splurging today," I joked with a smile.
Without hesitation, Liu Wei opened the red wine and poured it for us, saying, "As long as you and your wife are happy, not just a meal—even if you wanted the stars in the sky, I'd find a way to get them for you."
As he spoke, he poured each of us a glass of wine, then picked up his own glass and said loudly, "Come on, let's have a toast."
My wife hesitated and said, "Brother Liu, I'm not very good at drinking."
"It's fine, Sister-in-law. Just do as you please. A small sip is enough. Whatever makes you happy," Liu Wei said with a smile.
My wife nodded. We each picked up our glasses, clinked them together, and Liu Wei and I downed ours in one go. My wife took a small sip and set her glass down, while Tian Xiaomo drank half her glass in one go.
"Sister-in-law, you can really hold your liquor," I praised sincerely.
"Actually, I couldn't drink before either. I slowly learned by following this rascal, Old Liu. Sister-in-law, women really should have some tolerance for alcohol. Otherwise, it's easy to fall into men's traps," Tian Xiaomo said with a laugh.
"Sister-in-law makes a good point. I'll slowly work on my alcohol tolerance too. How about starting now? Come on, Sister-in-law, let me toast you," my wife said, having let her guard down and actively offering a toast.
"If Sister-in-law is toasting me, I must drink," Tian Xiaoman said, picking up her glass and clinking it with my wife's. She tilted her head back and finished the remaining wine in one go. My wife took a big gulp, swallowing it with a frown. I quickly advised, "Nannan, don't force yourself."
"Don't worry, dear. I'm fine," my wife replied softly.
"Sister-in-law, don't listen to your sister-in-law's nonsense. Drink as much as you like. Just be happy, but don't get drunk," Liu Wei also chimed in to advise.
My wife smiled and nodded in response.
"Come on, let's eat. Let's try this feast that cost me a month's salary and see what it tastes like," Liu Wei urged, taking the lead and starting to eat.
"Right, let's eat our fill. If we don't finish it, the iron rooster will be heartbroken," I joked with a laugh and also began to eat.
For a while, everyone chatted and laughed, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
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