Bai Wenxi happily looped her arm through Jiang Beihuai's and nodded repeatedly. "Sure! What would you like to eat? Let's go out for a meal."
Jiang Beihuai rushed to the door, pressed his ear against it, and listened quietly for a while. "It seems that Su Yuning isn't here."
He turned back, gently lifted Bai Wenxi back into the wheelchair, and said, "Let's sneak out. Otherwise, she'll start nagging again."
"Does your leg hurt? If it does, we won't go out."
Jiang Beihuai was still concerned about Bai Wenxi's injury. In the past, Bai Wenxi would definitely have cared about her image and wouldn't have wanted to go out with her lover looking so disheveled.
But after they had gone through life - and - death ordeals, she had become much less concerned about these external constraints.
"It's okay. I know my own body best. If it hurt, I wouldn't risk sneaking out with you."
Hearing this, Jiang Beihuai smiled and pushed the wheelchair into the corridor. After making sure there was no one around, he quickened his pace and rushed into the elevator.
Bai Wenxi looked at her plaster - cast leg and then at Jiang Beihuai's amputated arm. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she laughed. "One of us has a broken leg and the other a broken arm, yet we're so determined to go out for a treat."
Jiang Beihuai tightly grasped the wheelchair handle with one hand and steadily controlled the direction.
He could feel that Bai Wenxi had opened her heart to him, so even eating at a street stall made him happy. "Have you decided what you'd like to eat?"
Bai Wenxi rested her chin on her hand and thought for a while. She used to order in high - end restaurants. She rarely ate in ordinary restaurants, let alone the home - cooked dishes in these small shops.
Knowing that she had little experience, she sincerely asked, "Do you have any favorite food or recommended dishes? You can take me to try them."
Jiang Beihuai was born in a common family, so he was very familiar with these ordinary dishes. Bai Wenxi didn't directly point this out. Instead, she asked him in a humble way.
It was precisely this respect and good breeding that made Jiang Beihuai fall deeper in love with her.
His heart felt like it was on fire, making his limbs go weak. At this moment, Jiang Beihuai remembered the food he wanted to take her to taste. "Can you eat spicy food?"
Bai Wenxi clapped her hands. "I like it, but my family never lets me. They say it's better to have a light diet and avoid heavy - flavored food."
Jiang Beihuai sneered disdainfully. "What nonsense! Sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy all have their own meanings. You don't really stop eating spicy food just because they object, do you?"
Bai Wenxi didn't answer. She pouted and sulked, twisting her fingers.
Seeing Wenxi's aggrieved look, Jiang Beihuai knew that she really hadn't had spicy food. He thumped his chest and said boldly, "Today, I'll definitely let you eat your fill. You'll know what real spicy and delicious food is, so delicious that you'll want to swallow your tongue."
His promise was so firm that Bai Wenxi thought it would be some expensive dish. After making a few turns, Jiang Beihuai took her to an unassuming semi - basement shop.
"Let me introduce. Today's lunch is Sichuan spicy hot pot."
Jiang Beihuai lifted the curtain, took a deep breath of the aroma, and was satisfied. "This is what real life smells like."
Bai Wenxi curiously looked around. There were several tables scattered in the low - ceilinged space. Although the building was quite old, the environment was very clean.
Several pretty waitresses shuttled among the tables to keep them tidy.
Although it was truly a "small" shop, almost every table was occupied.
The continuous conversations mixed with the clattering of pots and spoons from the kitchen formed a lively symphony of worldly life.
This was the first time Bai Wenxi had eaten in such a noisy environment, but she didn't mind. Her beautiful eyes were full of interest.
Jiang Beihuai handed her the menu. He had already ordered a lot of food. Bai Wenxi just glanced at it and pushed it back.
She was a bit embarrassed. "I think you've ordered too much. Can we finish it?"
Jiang Beihuai gave her a strange look. He scalded the chopsticks and bowls before bringing them over. "You underestimate me. It won't be enough for the two of us."
"The more ingredients in the spicy hot pot, the more delicious it is when stir - fried. I've also ordered a lot of crispy intestine and beef, my favorite dishes."
Speaking of this, Jiang Beihuai's face showed genuine happiness. "I used to be poor. After I got my first - month's salary from working, I'd come here to have a feast of meat."
"Now I can order whatever I want, but I don't have that feeling anymore."
Jiang Beihuai helped her set up the chopsticks and bowls, and then took out several pieces of paper and placed them underneath. "What level of spiciness do you want?"
Bai Wenxi immediately replied, "Extra spicy!"
Jiang Beihuai gave her a thumbs - up. "Brave one! I like your attitude of being willing to try new things."
Bai Wenxi pulled him to her side and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with a napkin. "Stop being so busy. Sit down and rest. You're running around with just one hand."
Seeing Jiang Beihuai constantly swallowing his saliva, Bai Wenxi thought he was being unrefined. "I don't believe it's that delicious. Is it really necessary? I've never seen you so eager even when dining in a black - pearl restaurant."
A dimple appeared on Jiang Beihuai's face. He teased, "You're looking down on it now, but the spicy hot pot will prove you wrong later."
Bai Wenxi was about to retort, but she swallowed her words.
Because a steaming, fragrant Sichuan spicy hot pot was slowly brought to the table on a tray. Bai Wenxi didn't even need to taste it. Just the smell made her appetite soar.
"I take back what I just said." Bai Wenxi picked up her chopsticks seriously. "It must be a rare delicacy. The white sesame seeds on it are just the icing on the cake."
Bai Wenxi picked up a soup - filled beef ball with her chopsticks. As soon as she put it in her mouth, she burned her tongue and spat it out. But even this brief contact with her lips and tongue allowed her to taste the spiciness of the beef ball.
Jiang Beihuai was afraid she would be stubborn. "If you can't handle the spiciness, leave it to me. Eat more vegetables."
Bai Wenxi stubbornly shook her head. She blew on it gently and then put the beef ball back in her mouth.
"Pop!"
When she took a bite, all the soup in the beef ball burst out, forming a perfect parabola and landing in front of Jiang Beihuai.
Jiang Beihuai stared at the meat juice in front of him in shock. It took him a while to come to his senses. He quickly took out a tissue and wiped it clean.
"This, this beef ball is really delicious, but there's no need to be in such a hurry, right?"
Bai Wenxi blushed with embarrassment. She covered her mouth with both hands and tried to hold back her laughter, but she couldn't help it. Her face glowed with a shy smile.
"I didn't do it on purpose. Just pretend you didn't see it."
She tugged at Jiang Beihuai's arm and coquettishly said, "How was I supposed to know there was soup in this ball? It's so chewy and can even squirt out!"
Jiang Beihuai was speechless. "No way. Haven't you ever eaten soup - filled beef balls before?"
Bai Wenxi nodded seriously and then explained, "I've always eaten fresh beef. I've never had these processed meatballs."
"But it's really delicious. I think I'll fall in love with this food."