My Beautiful Love

After the most awkward of meals, Mu Zhichen finally had the chance to ask a question he was most curious about. "You didn't marry your Tangtang?"

Lu Meili chocked on her wine. "What are you talking about?" How did he know about Xu Tang? Her first reaction was, "Have you investigated me?"

Mu Zhichen scolded himself. Instead of eating a painfully awkward meal, he should have talked about this. "Actually, we have met before."

"We have? I don't remember." No matter how she racked her brains, she had not met him before. Was this a pick up line?

"You wouldn't remember. We were only kids." 

Lu Meili raised an eyebrow. This Mu Zhichen Zhichen didn't look young enough to have been in the same class as her. "Were we in the same school perhaps?"

"No. I was only one of the many little guests at your family's island that day; it was your fourth birthday."

Lu Meili finally smiled. "What a coincidence. But it was so long ago. To think someone would remember that." Actually, it wasn't all that strange. On her fourth birthday, Lu Aotian's friends had attended and those who had kids brought them along so they could play with her. She remembered that at the time, her only friend was Xu Tang. She had longed to play with kids her age so much that Lu Aotian made her wish come true on her fourth birthday. It was one of the best birthday presents ever.

Mu Zhichen saw that Lu Meili didn't seem to remember him. "There were so many kids in your party. You wouldn't remember all of us."

"You might only recognize the girls because you played with them for long. I remember asking to play with you. Do you know what your answer was?"

Lu Meili suddenly remembered, with a chuckle, just who Mu Zhichen was. So it was him, that outstandingly tall boy who in fact looked older and more intimidating than all the others.  "I said I don't play with old uncles… I only play with kids my own age and the only boy I can play with is Tangtang?"

It was Mu Zhichen's turn to be shocked. "You remember something that happened when you were four, and even so clearly?"

Lu Meili raised an eyebrow. "Is it… strange?"

"Not at all. I just want to ask, I was only nine at the time. How was I an old uncle?"

Lu Meili laughed at his grieved expression. "You were so tall. Wait, don't tell me you remembered me for all these years just because of that?"

In fact, she was only playing along. She knew that Mu Zhichen had deliberately changed the topic. But she didn't like leaving stones unturned. "Many people say my memory is strange. I rarely forget anything. Even if I do forget them, I will remember them as soon as someone mentions a word about them."

She chuckled. "Once, a doctor thought it was a mental disorder."

"Which doctor said it's a disorder? He must be a swindler. It's a rare gift and all my life, I haven't met anyone with such a good memory. You must have had good grades all your life, right?"

The conversation had already turned warm. "Is that not obvious?" In fact, she didn't ever have to study. As long as she read something once, she would remember it.

Her grades were so good that when she chose to go to a film school after senior high, Lu Aotian's heartbreak couldn't be described. It was such a perfect quality for being a booming businesswoman. Why did her dreams just have to be different?

"You didn't attend my birthday parties again?" Lu Meili asked, making the man look regretful.

"After being called an old uncle, do you think I wanted to ever breathe the same air as you? I hated you for half my life."

Lu Meili chuckled. Was she that rude as a child?

No wonder Lu Aotian became so strict with her at some point.

...

By the time they left the restaurant, the beautiful waitress from earlier was speechless. Were they having a couples squabble? They looked so awkward earlier and now, were conversing like they were finally getting along.

"I'll drop you home."

Lu Meili didn't reject it. Perhaps because Wan Jia had done something naughty behind her back, her chauffeur was nowhere to be seen and so was the car. His phone wouldn't get through either.

In the car, they only exchanged a few words but they were filled with warmth. Within just a few hours, their friendship seemed to have started developing.

"Thank you. I'll go home now." Lu Meili said when they arrived.

"Sure. Eer…"

"Is there something else?"

Mu Zhichen couldn't allow himself to lose such a perfect chance. "Can we go out again?"

Lu Meili thought about it a little. She had found this man a bit weird at first, it must have been because he found their meeting a coincidence, right? Besides, they had started getting along. This should be a fairly good candidate for marriage. "Sure."

"Then, can we exchange contacts? Just let me know when you are free. I don't have much to do myself."

Lu Meili took out her phone and took down his contact then gave him hers.

…

As soon as she entered the house.

"Tut. Tut. My lovely Little Li is back. How was your date?" Of course, Wan Jia would be waiting to blast her with questions.

"It was alright. We got along a little."

Wan Jia checked her all over, as though looking for something. She sighed in relief when she saw that they had not taken it too fast. "I saw that. He even dropped you off and you remained in his car for a while. Couldn't bear to part with him?"

Lu Meili slapped her forehead. "We just met, okay?"

Well, they had met once as kids. But this could technically be considered their first meeting, right?