Chapter 38: Returning Home
As night fell, Wilshire Boulevard, ablaze with lights, appeared exceptionally beautiful, with crowds of people bustling along the streets. At this time, Hollywood's nightlife was just beginning.
"Ling Xiao, we're just going out for a meal. Do we really have to come to a place like this?" Gan Jing sat in the car, looking at Ling Xiao with some unease. She had been in America for three years, and although she had visited many places, this was her first time dining at such a high-end restaurant.
"It's fine," Ling Xiao gently patted Gan Jing's right hand and whispered, "Business has been good lately, and we can afford a dinner like this. Besides, ever since that happened between us, I should really take our relationship seriously."
"Get lost! What nonsense are you talking about!" Gan Jing pinched Ling Xiao's arm hard. Bringing up that matter still made her quite embarrassed, especially since it was her first time.
Despite her outwardly cheerful and generous demeanor, Gan Jing was extremely conservative at heart. When she first came to America, although she had a boyfriend, they had never done anything beyond holding hands and kissing. If Ling Xiao hadn't rescued her from the Agony she was about to face during her most perilous time, he wouldn't have entered her heart so quickly.
In truth, Ling Xiao had taken advantage of her vulnerability. He came to Gan Jing's side when she was most unsettled, entered her heart, and refused to leave.
By today, the only thing missing between them was a formal title, but they had never discussed such a thing. In fact, it could be said that they hadn't even officially established a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. Tonight, Ling Xiao intended to resolve this issue.
"Let's go!" Ling Xiao smiled gently at Gan Jing, then opened the car door and stepped out. He tossed the keys to the restaurant''s valet, walked to the other side of the car, opened the door, and extended his hand in a gesture of assistance.
Gan Jing gently bit her lower lip, no longer hesitating, and offered her left hand to Ling Xiao. With a slight pull, she stood up from the car.
Tonight, Ling Xiao wasn't driving his own pickup truck, but a brand new Porsche. Of course, this car was rented, as one absolutely couldn't drive a pickup to such a formal dining establishment, or he would be laughed to death.
Gan Jing wore a light gold long dress tonight, which, paired with her delicate features and a string of white pearls around her neck, made her exceptionally radiant.
Mezzaluna Restaurant is one of Beverly Hills' top restaurants, frequented mostly by upper-middle-class celebrities. It's common to see stars of all sizes coming and going here, so there are often tabloid reporters outside, constantly taking photos with their cameras.
As soon as Gan Jing stepped out of the car, she was immediately spotted by several sharp-eyed reporters. After a few exclamations, there was an immediate "snap, snap, snap" of cameras.
Immediately after, other reporters also noticed the unusual activity and instinctively started taking pictures. The dazzling flashlights made Gan Jing instinctively shield her eyes.
It was then that the reporters realized the person who had arrived was neither a Hollywood star nor a socialite from Los Angeles's upper class. They quickly lost interest. A woman without news value, no matter how beautiful, wasn't worth more than a few glances.
Seeing this, Gan Jing glanced at Ling Xiao, then couldn't help but let out a giggle. This extremely beautiful smile once again prompted several photographers to pick up their cameras and start shooting, and a man in a suit and tie even began walking towards them.
Ling Xiao had no interest in dealing with someone who clearly looked like an agent. He extended his right arm and said with a smile to Gan Jing, "Let's go in!"
"Mm!" Gan Jing nodded gently, took Ling Xiao's arm, and walked into the restaurant.
"Young Miss, Young Miss, please wait a moment!" The man who looked like an agent kept shouting from behind, but he was just a few steps too slow and was blocked by the restaurant's waiter.
"That person is really interesting!" Gan Jing couldn't help but chuckle, looking back with Ling Xiao's arm in hers.
Ling Xiao gave his name to the waiter at the front desk. While the front desk was checking the reservation, he turned back to Gan Jing with a smile and said, "These street agents only care about their own interests. They see a pretty girl and say she has the potential to be a star, but then they abandon her at the slightest setback."
"No way, they're not as bad as you make them sound," Gan Jing said, following Ling Xiao behind the waiter towards their table.
"Let me put it this way," Ling Xiao said, watching the waiter pull out a chair for Gan Jing to sit down before he sat down himself, "Truly capable agents don't stand on the street looking for people. Those who appear outside are all people with little influence. Later, they either sell their clients to others or simply abandon them. Haven't we heard enough of such stories?"
Many of Ling Xiao's clients were Hollywood stars, and she had heard such stories countless times from them.
"Mm!" Gan Jing bit her lower lip, nodded gently, and reached for the menu, starting to read it. The previous matter had already been cast aside.
After ordering, Ling Xiao also requested a bottle of '98 Bordeaux Saint-Émilion red wine. While waiting for the appetizers, he said to Gan Jing, "Gan Jing, summer vacation is about to begin in a few days. Are you staying in Los Angeles this year, or do you plan to go back to the country?"
Ling Xiao had always wanted to ask this question, especially since Gan Jing had already been accepted as a doctoral student at the Art and Architecture School of California Institute of Technology's Los Angeles campus. If she was fast, she could get her doctorate in two years; if a little slower, three years wouldn't be much of a problem.
"I plan to go back this year, and then I won't go back for the next two years, focusing on completing my studies." For some reason, as Gan Jing spoke, her expression darkened slightly.
"What's wrong?" Ling Xiao reached out and gently held her right hand, asking with concern.
"I'm fine!" Gan Jing pulled her hand back, forcing a smile. At this moment, the waiter had already brought the aperitif and appetizers, so Ling Xiao didn't press further.
This was a mixed platter, with sliced ham, olives, mushrooms, artichokes, etc. It was colorful and looked very appealing, giving one a great appetite. The taste was also quite good.
The first main course was a serving of Italian pasta, with small pieces of golden potato piled on top of the long noodles. The tempting aroma wafted continuously, making one involuntarily swallow hard, their appetite greatly stimulated.
At this moment, the waiter had already poured the decanted red wine for Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao raised his glass and lightly clinked it with Gan Jing's. He took a small sip, letting the sweet and tart taste linger in his mouth, then asked, "How long do you plan to stay in the country this time? If it's too long, I'll just close the Pharmacy for now. I can't manage so many things by myself."
"Haha!" Gan Jing chuckled softly, shaking her head as she looked at Ling Xiao, saying, "Don't worry, I'll only stay in the country for a maximum of one month. It won't be too much trouble for you. And I'm not leaving right away; I won't be able to depart until late June at the earliest, and I'll be back in August."
Ling Xiao knew his little scheme had been seen through by Gan Jing. He gave an awkward smile and raised his glass again.
The second main course was a good medium-rare beef, accompanied by a vegetable side dish, and served with delicious red wine. Ling Xiao's dinner arrangement was quite good; at least Gan Jing seemed very happy.
"Oh, right. Qin Ming has already responded about the matter Officer Beckett asked for help with. Although some things were found, it ultimately led to a dead end. I really don't want to see Katherine's disappointed expression," Ling Xiao said, letting out a soft sigh.