"Th-thank you!"
The waitress was so excited she thanked him and even bowed slightly, giving Shen Lang a look that showed she understood what he meant.
She knew the money was hush money from Shen Lang, not just a tip like in Western culture.
With 500 yuan in hand, the waitress left beaming.
"Why did you give her so much?" Su Lexuan complained. "A small tip like the Westerners would've been fine. You don't need to spend so much money."
"No worries, I'm happy."
Shen Lang felt relieved as he held Su Lexuan's hand tenderly, gently stroking it.
"I'm just happy to be with you. Plus, it's my first time in a fancy Western restaurant like this."
"Hey, people are watching."
Su Lexuan glanced around at the other diners, feeling shy.
But she didn't pull her soft, white hand away, letting Shen Lang continue to hold it.
Su Lexuan was cheerful and outgoing, but she was still a bit of a shy girl and wasn't used to being lovey-dovey with Shen Lang in public.
"What do they care?"
Shen Lang didn't care at all. "I'm holding my girlfriend's hand; it's not a crime."
"Ugh, you're such a sweet-talker. I really doubt you were ever a homebody."
Su Lexuan felt sweet inside. She loved hearing Shen Lang's cheesy but charming words.
"I was! Before I was with you, I stayed home every day, either lying in bed or playing video games. My WeChat steps never even hit double digits."
Shen Lang corrected her seriously. "My mom always scolded me, saying even a five-step snake wouldn't bite me because I never moved!"
"Guhuhuhuhu!"
Su Lexuan couldn't hold back her unique laugh, which echoed in the quiet, romantic restaurant, catching the attention of other diners.
Even the foreign couple next to them glanced over curiously.
"Sorry, sorry..."
Su Lexuan apologized softly, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
"Is it that funny?"
Shen Lang couldn't help but laugh. "What's with that laugh? Are you reciting a poem or something?"
"Ugh, it's all your fault."
Su Lexuan rolled her eyes at Shen Lang.
"Baby, how about I come over there?"
Su Lexuan was sitting on the sofa by the window, while Shen Lang was on the chair by the aisle. "It's boring to chat across the table, and the food's not here yet."
"No way. If you come over, you'll just get handsy."
Su Lexuan refused firmly. Being all lovey-dovey in a romantic place like this was her limit.
"Eat your bread. All you think about is that stuff. Such a perv."
Su Lexuan giggled as she shoved some bread into Shen Lang's mouth. "Are all guys like you, always thinking with their lower half?"
"You girls wouldn't understand."
Shen Lang chewed on the buttery bread, proudly replying, "Thinking with the lower half means we guys have great instincts."
"Ugh, you're so annoying!"
It took Su Lexuan a moment to get it, and she almost burst out laughing again. She grabbed another piece of bread and shoved it into Shen Lang's mouth.
"Why do I have a boyfriend like you?"
With Shen Lang's endless chatter, their meal was not only romantic but also fun and lighthearted.
Su Lexuan felt this was the perfect end to her first Valentine's Day.
That's the power of emotional value.
From the moment Shen Lang met Su Lexuan, he'd been using emotional value to deepen their relationship.
Guys without money or looks need to learn how to offer emotional value to the girls they like in daily interactions.
Simply put, it's about talking about her interests and using those to charm her.
It's like rich guys using money to chase girls; as long as you make the girl feel good, you can get anything.
In short, when talking to girls, if you can make them excited, steer the conversation, and create a romantic atmosphere, getting together is no problem.
Remember, don't just grovel to the girl you like.
Though it's a form of emotional value, girls don't like guys who are too eager to please. Of course, they won't reject it either.
A harsh reality: no one minds having more admirers, regardless of gender.
After they were done eating and drinking, Shen Lang called the waitress for the bill.
"I'll get it."
When the waitress came with the bill and card machine, Su Lexuan signaled her and proudly told Shen Lang.
"I told my parents I'd be out with you today, and my mom gave me a bunch of money, so I wouldn't always make you pay."
"Thumbs up to your parents."
Shen Lang didn't insist on paying. Su Lexuan's family was well-off, and it wasn't necessary to argue over such a small amount, which would just seem overly macho.
"He's not that handsome, right? Is he worth it?"
The waitress was convinced. Two pretty girls were so willing to pay for him.
This isn't just a player; this guy's a real charmer.
After the waitress left, Su Lexuan got up and said, "Wait a sec, I need to go to the bathroom."
Shen Lang instinctively said, "Turn left outside, there's a hotpot place, and the bathroom's at the end."
"Okay."
Su Lexuan replied but then felt something was off. She asked curiously, "Huh? How do you know that? Didn't you say it's your first time here?"
"Silly, didn't you see the signs when we were in the elevator?"
Shen Lang quickly answered, even calling her silly.
Actually, he hadn't seen any signs.
If Su Lexuan paid a bit more attention, she'd realize it was a lie.
But she wouldn't care about such a small thing.
Unless Shen Lang had slipped up before, Su Lexuan would 100% trust her boyfriend.
As she stepped out of the sofa, she playfully pinched Shen Lang's ear and scolded, "Don't call me silly."
Walking out of the restaurant, Su Lexuan made a cute face at Shen Lang before cheerfully heading to the bathroom, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Shen Lang watched her graceful figure disappear, taking a calm sip of his lemon water.
"Heh, piece of cake."