Nighttime in New York City was always lively. This residential area lay near the outskirts of the city, and just to the east was a wide road. By six or seven o'clock, the streets were filled with cars and people—street vendors, pedestrians, and groups of young people discussing where to grab dinner.
What was he doing? In a meeting? Or relaxing? Had he eaten yet?
Anna sat by the window, clutching a mineral testing report, but her thoughts were already far away. She remembered the last time she had dinner with Daniel, her fingers unconsciously sliding across her phone screen. Sometimes, actions are guided by the subconscious. By the time she dialed the number, she realized—was this too bold of her?
But the call had already gone through.
After two rings, the call connected, and that familiar deep, magnetic voice came through, "Hello?"
Anna's heartbeat quickened, and everything around her seemed to quiet down, as if the noise of the city had vanished. She covered the phone, nervous and unsure of what to say.
Daniel glanced at the screen, confirming the call was still connected, then spoke calmly, "You gonna say something, or should I hang up?"
Just then, his secretary knocked and entered the room. Daniel casually placed the phone aside, signed a few documents, and walked to the window, continuing the call.
"If you don't speak soon, I'll hang up," he said flatly.
That jolted Anna back to reality, and she quickly blurted out, "Don't hang up! Have you eaten yet?"
Daniel seemed to chuckle, "So, you called just to ask if I've had dinner?"
His voice, deep and magnetic, came through the phone, slightly raspy, with a certain captivating charm.
Anna's face flushed, and her voice unconsciously softened, "I told you last time I'd treat you to dinner."
Daniel's lips curled into a faint smile, his tone slow and deliberate, "Well, I've had a lot of offers for dinner lately."
Anna froze, unsure of how to respond, her face growing hotter than she could handle.
"I'm just messing with you," he laughed softly. "No, I haven't eaten."
Anna was surprised. "It's so late, and you still haven't eaten?" Her voice held a hint of concern. When she called, she hadn't expected that he truly hadn't eaten yet.
"Had a meeting this afternoon," he explained simply, not offering further details.
Anna knew he wasn't one for long explanations, so she didn't press. She quickly gave him an address and hung up.
After setting her phone down, Anna stood still for a moment before rushing into her bedroom to find something to wear. She stood in front of the mirror, images of her serious work in the mineral lab flashing in her mind, contrasting sharply with her current nervous state. Normally, she dressed casually, but today she felt the need to make more of an effort.
Just as she was struggling to pick an outfit, her roommate Yang knocked and walked in, smiling mischievously, "Where are you off to?"
Anna, holding a dress awkwardly, said, "Uh… meeting a friend."
"A guy?" Yang teased with a smirk.
"Don't ask, just help me pick something to wear," Anna quickly deflected, nervously asking for her help.
Yang glanced at the dress and casually pulled out a denim jacket and a little black dress. "Wear this. You can't go wrong with it," she said with a raised eyebrow.
Anna looked at herself in the mirror, hesitating. "Isn't this too casual?"
Yang shrugged. "Depends. What kind of guy is he?"
"Uh… late twenties? Maybe thirty?" Anna scratched her head. Although Daniel seemed mature and composed, she wasn't entirely sure about his age.
"Then don't overthink it," Yang said, glancing at her outfit. "Let's keep it cool. Casual, but classy."
Anna looked at herself in the mirror, nodded hesitantly, and hurried out the door. She hailed a cab and headed straight for a popular restaurant near the East Side of New York.
The restaurant was located in a bustling shopping district, with neon lights flashing and street performers playing guitar on the sidewalk. Anna stood at the corner, glancing around nervously. She had tied her hair into a simple ponytail, paired with the denim jacket and black dress, giving her a fresh yet slightly shy appearance.
Daniel had just stepped out of his car when he spotted her from a distance.
He stood by the car, quietly watching her scan the crowd, oblivious to his presence.
"This girl..." he thought to himself with amusement, as he started walking towards her.
"Waitin' long?" His deep, warm voice came from behind her.
Anna turned around abruptly, her eyes lighting up when she saw Daniel. "No, I just got here," she smiled, her eyes sparkling like stars.
Daniel paused for a moment, his gaze shifting slightly. He had always felt that Anna's eyes held a pure sense of trust and anticipation that left him feeling a bit uncertain.
"You said you'd treat me to dinner," he reminded her with a faint smile.
"Yes! Let me treat you," Anna nodded, leading him into a nearby American-style diner.
Though the diner wasn't fancy, it was known for its great food. The waiter soon brought out a classic burger with fries and a Caesar salad.
Daniel looked at the simple meal in front of him, momentarily taken aback, before the corners of his lips curved into a smile, and he couldn't help but laugh.
Anna blushed and quickly explained, "Don't worry, there's more coming… this is just the start!"
"It's fine," Daniel smiled gently. "I'm not that hungry anyway."
They began eating their meal, and though the food was simple, the atmosphere was light and relaxed. Anna gradually loosened up and began talking more. She shared stories about her recent work in the lab, how they tested the purity of minerals and used crystal structures under microscopes to determine the quality of stones. To outsiders, it might have sounded technical and dry, but she spoke with such enthusiasm that her eyes gleamed with passion for her work.
"How old are you, anyway?" she suddenly asked, curious.
Daniel poured her a cup of tea and smiled. "Why don't you guess?"
"Twenty-seven… twenty-eight?" she ventured.
He chuckled, "Thanks for the compliment."
Anna pouted slightly, feeling like he was always hard to figure out. But she didn't push for more—they weren't that close yet.
Halfway through the meal, a well-dressed woman walked into the diner. She immediately recognized Daniel and, with surprise, walked over. "Daniel, I can't believe it's you! What are you doing here?"
She glanced around at the modest surroundings, clearly puzzled by the simple diner, and then her eyes landed on Anna, her polite smile holding a hint of curiosity.
Anna felt the woman's gaze and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
But Daniel remained unfazed, exchanging a few brief pleasantries with the woman before returning to his meal, as though the interruption hadn't occurred.
Anna felt a slight pang in her chest as she glanced sideways at Daniel. He was always so composed, so self-assured, as if nothing in this world could truly stir his emotions.
After finishing their meal, Anna and Daniel strolled along the street. Suddenly, Daniel asked, "Do you have a nickname?"
Anna was taken aback and felt a little embarrassed. "I do… but you have to promise not to laugh."
Daniel lowered his eyes slightly, his voice soft and reassuring, "I won't laugh."
She hesitated for a moment before quietly saying, "My nickname is 'Baby.'"
Daniel couldn't hold back and let out a small chuckle.
"You laughed!" Anna protested, her cheeks flushing red.
Daniel waved his hand, trying to suppress his smile, and said seriously, "Alright, no more laughing."
But the way he spoke to her, as if soothing a child, made Anna feel a bit awkward and self-conscious.
"I'm almost twenty," she muttered softly, as if to emphasize that she was grown up.
Daniel looked at her, feeling a bit helpless. She was still so young, and the distance between their worlds felt immense.