The dishes were well-prepared, but Dong Yingxue didn't eat much. However, with over a dozen dishes on the table, it was challenging to finish them all. It wasn't that she ate little, but rather that there were too many varieties. A few bites of each dish were enough to satisfy her. However, there was no shortage of alcohol. It was the first time Li Zhi understood the meaning of moderation.
The Feitian Maotai, at 53 degrees, was evenly divided between Dong Yingxue and Li Zhi, with each receiving half a catty. This was followed by half a catty of "Tiger Whip Wine."
"This is the two-year Tiger Whip Wine." "Why does it taste the same as Maotai?" Dong Yingxue asked.
Li Zhi chuckled and replied, "Aren't all wines the same in taste?" He had never tried it before, so he didn't know.
Dong Yingxue rolled her eyes and said, "If all wines taste the same, then why does the old wine from Haicheng sell for a dozen yuan a bottle, while Maotai can sell for over a thousand?"
The biggest difference is the price!
Of course, the taste and mouthfeel are also different. You get what you pay for.
"Wasteful!" Dong Yingxue looked at the table full of food and muttered. She was full and didn't want to drink any more alcohol, even though she had consumed quite a bit without feeling much intoxication.
On the other hand, Li Zhi, sitting next to her, was feeling a bit fuzzy from the seven or eight liang of potent white wine he had consumed, which was quite a lot for him.
"You can hold your liquor!" With a flushed face, Li Zhi moved his chair closer to Dong Yingxue. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he asked bluntly, "Yingxue, what do you think of me?"
It's not that Li Zhi was particularly bold, but as they say, alcohol emboldens the timid. Even the most timid person, after drinking enough, dares to say that they fear nothing. "It's like saying, 'I'm not afraid of the heavens, I'm not afraid of the earth, I dare to challenge anyone.'"
A hint of amusement flashed in Dong Yingxue's eyes. This was exactly the effect she wanted. Only when a person's true nature is revealed can one truly understand them.
"Not bad!"
Receiving a very candid evaluation, Li Zhi laughed and patted her shoulder, saying, "Actually, Zhuge Meili insisted on introducing you to me as a girlfriend, but I wasn't very willing."
"Why?" Is it because I don't meet your standards, or is it because Mr. Li has high standards and doesn't find me attractive? Dong Yingxue asked curiously as she toyed with the cup on the table.
"It's neither." First, it's because we're not familiar with each other. Secondly, it's because of your profession, which makes me a bit apprehensive. Third, it's because of my character. I can't be considered a good man. I enjoy dating casually, so I prefer not to rush into a relationship and risk hurting someone. "I've told her all of this," Li Zhi said with a wry smile, shaking his head. Wasn't Dong Yingxue beautiful? Absolutely. Clothes make the man, and she had certainly made an impression on Li Zhi today.
"Oh!" Dong Yingxue didn't say anything in response. She wanted to hear more from Li Zhi.
Li Zhi looked at Dong Yingxue earnestly and said, "But now, I'm interested in you." When I saw you today, you know, you made my heart race. I've only felt this way once before, when I was in fourth grade and saw my English teacher. She wasn't a great beauty, but her maturity and charm left a strong impression on me.
"Ha ha!" Dong Yingxue couldn't help but laugh. She looked up at him and said, "Were you quite precocious, falling for your teacher in fourth grade?"
"Heh heh, I was just a kid and didn't know any better!" Li Zhi chuckled. With a fiery gaze, he said, "Today, seeing you for the second time, I felt that same strong feeling." I think I've fallen deeply for you and can't seem to escape. Let's give it a try.
As he spoke, he leaned closer to her.
Dong Yingxue raised her hand, gently pushed him away from her chest, and said with a smile, "You reek of alcohol." Don't get too close to me. I'm not used to it. You've probably used sweet talk to deceive girls before, but I'm a police officer. I advise you to put that act away. "It won't work on me."
Li Zhi stared at her and defended himself, "I swear, everything I've said is true." "It's not just sweet talk!"
Dong Yingxue smiled and shook her head, saying, "I can tell if it's sweet talk or not." "Now, tell me, do you really want to be friends with me?"
"I really do!"
"Alright, change your playboy ways, cut off all those messy relationships, and be faithful." I want my man to be mine alone. If you can't be faithful, then we can't be together. It's the most basic requirement for a woman. "If you can't fulfill that, there's no sense of security for me, and we can't be together," Dong Yingxue said with a hint of a smile.
Li Zhi touched his nose and remained silent.
"I can give you some time." Everyone has their own story and emotions. "When you're ready, come and pursue me," Dong Yingxue continued.
Li Zhi wanted to tell her that he didn't want to pursue her, that it was Zhuge Meili who insisted on introducing her to him, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. In the morning, he would have said it without hesitation, but now, he couldn't.
He had really found the right woman. What she said wasn't deceiving, and she wasn't necessarily the sexiest, most beautiful, or most elegant woman he had ever met, but she had given him a feeling of excitement and the taste of first love.
He couldn't explain why hormones could be secreted in any woman, but the feelings they produced were different.
Why is first love so unforgettable? It's not the first love itself, but the feeling it brings. Even more unforgettable is the foolish, unrequited love of that time.
Liking someone without expecting anything in return, without holding hands, just a glance from afar, could bring unparalleled joy.
The purest form of affection.
"Do you know why my cousin, Zhuge Meili, insisted on introducing you to me as her boyfriend?" Dong Yingxue said with a smile.
Li Zhi shook his head and muttered, "I'm actually quite curious myself." He didn't think there was anything special about himself.
Dong Yingxue calmly explained, "She has the compound surname Zhuge, and she is the 182nd generation descendant of Zhuge Kongming." She has also inherited the unique knowledge of the Zhuge family, which has been passed down for over two thousand years. She can see things that ordinary people can't. She said that there is a trace of purple energy on you. If she were to possess that purple energy, she could achieve great success in her career, reaching heights that others could only dream of. It's because of the purple energy around you that she insisted on you being with me. Do you understand now?
Li Zhi was stunned for a moment before looking at her with curiosity and asking, "If that's the case, why did you tell me all this?"
"I don't believe what she said, and I don't want to take something that belongs to you," Dong Yingxue said calmly with a smile.
"If you don't want it, why did you agree to go out with me?" It would have been better if you had just refused to see me. "If you don't like it, it's better not to meet at all," Li Zhi asked with a wry smile. If she didn't like it, it would be better not to meet at all.
Dong Yingxue smiled and said, "My grandfather said that I could give you a try." If it feels right, my family won't object to us being together. Although the Dong family in Haicheng is not a prominent family, it still holds some power. Marriages like ours are often not entirely within our control. In any case, I have to get married. "If I can find someone I like and am satisfied with, isn't that better?"
Li Zhi playfully moved closer and asked in a low voice, "Are you satisfied with me?"
"Not repulsive," Dong Yingxue replied with three words.
"Heh heh, not repulsive." Does that mean there's a possibility of developing feelings? Li Zhi asked.
With a smile, Dong Yingxue said, "It depends on your performance." "If you can satisfy me, not only can you be my boyfriend, but you can also marry me!"
"What if I can't satisfy you?" Li Zhi asked.
Dong Yingxue looked at him with a smile and said, "Then go wherever you feel comfortable."
Li Zhi shrugged and said with a wry smile, "It seems like it's going to be quite difficult!"
"It's not so bad." "I'm not a very demanding person," Dong Yingxue said.
"Yingxue!"
"Yes?"
"Um, about the Tiger Whip Wine at noon, did you feel anything?" Li Zhi asked with a mischievous smile, deliberately changing the subject. Love and marriage were fine, but he didn't want to bring up marriage so soon. They were both still young, and there was no need to rush into the "grave."
"I didn't feel anything." "Did you?" Dong Yingxue asked calmly.
"I did." "I felt it quite strongly," Li Zhi said with fiery eyes.
Dong Yingxue smiled and said, "Do you need my help to sober up?" "I'm quite good at that."
"No need!" "I can hold it in," Li Zhi said with a dry laugh as he removed his hand from her shoulder. It wasn't the right time, and he would be at a disadvantage if he pushed too hard.
"Shall we sit on the sofa?" Dong Yingxue suggested. There was a rest area nearby, and the private room was cleaned every day, so it was very clean.
Li Zhi shook his head and said, "Take me to the factory for a tour." Although she wasn't afraid of Li Zhi, she didn't want to stay here for too long. The things she had just said had made it clear to him. It was up to him to decide what to do.
Before she could accept him, nothing could happen between them. At least, that's what Dong Yingxue thought.
It was their first date, and Li Zhi didn't want to be too forward. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future. There was no need to rush into things.
But the Tiger Whip Wine he had been drinking for the past twenty years had truly started to affect him.
As they left, the group of waitresses in the cafeteria couldn't help but smirk when they saw Li Zhi, especially the one in charge of leading and serving the dishes. She was the worst, knowing that there were only two people and still bringing the Tiger Whip Wine to the table.
As they left, Li Zhi glared at her from behind Dong Yingxue's back. He would settle the score with her later.
"Is this the Ice Soul NN7 produced by your factory?" Dong Yingxue asked, looking at a row of small SUVs with curiosity.
Li Zhi nodded and said, "Yes, it looks pretty good, doesn't it?"
"It's quite handsome!"
The Ice Soul Automobile Factory had already produced dozens of Ice Soul NN7s in the past few days, but they hadn't been released to the market yet. This required Huang Zhongtao and the sales department to come up with a specific plan. Li Zhi didn't get involved in the management. He was the boss, responsible for spending money, not for doing the work.
"Let's test its performance!" Li Zhi gestured with a smile.
Dong Yingxue didn't object and sat in the car, which had the keys and could be started. Even though she and Li Zhi had both been drinking, they were just driving around the factory, not on the road, so they wouldn't be stopped by the police.
"You have started the car and are about to enter driving mode." Please fasten your seatbelt for a safer driving experience. "I am 'Ice Soul' and will assist you in driving," a voice emanated from the car, causing Dong Yingxue to pause. Did this Ice Soul NN7 have artificial intelligence?