Chapter 5: The Gaze in the Steakhouse

Seeing me eat, Weiwei smiled slightly, picked up her handbag, and was about to go settle the bill

The marbling on the steak had ceased to sizzle, so I set down the napkin and took a bite of the apple from the bowl

Hearing that Weiwei's voice was already filled with emotion, I hurriedly said a few words to please her, but I still stole a glance at the waiter from earlier.

During the New Year celebrations, there were only the waiter who took our order and the cashier at the bar in the restaurant. With so many diners, it was surprising that they did not appear busy at all

Vivi pouted and furrowed her brows, turning her head to the side to look outside: "Look, look, what is there to see"

Weiwei has been my girlfriend for many years, and I cannot clearly articulate where this feeling comes from

We found a seat by the window and I handed the menu to Weiwei, asking her to order something to eat

At this moment, there are quite a few diners in the restaurant, and they seem to be chatting and laughing. However, I always feel out of place, as if I cannot fully integrate into this environment

A dream requires years, even decades of refinement to be realized, yet the expression on Weiwei's face just now, resembling that of a deity, does not seem to agree with this notion

After she finished speaking, I saw Weiwei take a card out of her wallet. The movement was too quick for me to see what kind of card it was. She walked over to the counter and elegantly swiped it, then put the card away.

After parking the car properly and walking to the entrance of the steakhouse, I realized that the sign was particularly large. How did I not notice it when I drove past earlier

"How can you be so sure?" Out of curiosity, I couldn't help but let that slip from my lips

Weiwei appeared indifferent: "It doesn't matter who comes; as long as I am here, that's enough."

On the contrary, my words left Weiwei momentarily stunned, and she immediately put on a sulky expression: "I am your girlfriend, after all. I am going to marry you in the future. Are you saying that once you have money, you won't want me anymore?!"

Having eaten the apple salad, I was just thinking about how to explain it, and now I can finally breathe a sigh of relief

But as I looked at Weiwei's face, I was stunned; I had never seen such a certain expression on anyone else's face. I did not understand why my grand dream could receive such affirmation from her.

However, today everything feels as if it has been arranged. While having lunch at home on hetushu.com, I was wondering why there were no firecracker sounds during the New Year celebrations, and the next moment, the sound of firecrackers appeared.

It is still Weiwei who understands me, knowing that I like to eat apples, and she specifically helped me select some crisp ones

No, no, I have never thought that way

I know Vivi too well; she is reminding me that no woman would be indifferent if her boyfriend appeared distracted while they were out together

I watched the server's departing figure, feeling puzzled in my heart. This server is too strange, how could it be...

"Just these, go ahead and do it." The attitude of the waiter made me somewhat displeased, and my tone became three points harsher.

"Hey, are you going to come out to eat with me or just look around aimlessly?" Weiwei nudged my arm

Indeed, I am a person with dreams, and I aspire to achieve great things. Only in this way can I justify my life to my parents and to myself, and also honor my beloved Weiwei, who has been with me since my days of poverty.

The waiter appeared somewhat awkward upon hearing my words, glancing at Vivi beside her, seemingly hesitating whether to communicate with her, as if I were unable to make a decision about my order.

The waiter merely responded with an acknowledgment, his face still devoid of any expression, and efficiently drizzled black pepper over our dish

However, Weiwei happily pulled my arm and walked inside. The moment I stepped into the restaurant and looked at the surrounding decor, I immediately formed an impression of this steakhouse.

I looked at the familiar surroundings, and it seemed that Vivi and I had been here a few times. Perhaps the hangover was clouding my mind.

"You will definitely achieve your dreams." Weiwei smiled confidently with her lips pressed together

Just as I was about to ask if there were any self-service fruits, Weiwei stood up and said, "I will go get some fruits for you"

Is it that you find others beautiful

In this moment, I have a feeling of being completely understood

At this moment, I feel a chill running down my spine; it is not just one person watching me from behind, but all the diners and staff in the restaurant have put down what they were doing and are staring at me

Upon hearing my words, the waiter nodded and left with the menu without saying a word

"These are all the fruits you love to eat." With a thud, Weiwei placed the bowl heavily in front of me

Weiwei brought a piece of apple salad to my lips and said, "Alright, I misunderstood you just now; I am not angry."

Yet I looked around, and although there was a somewhat familiar feeling, there was always something amiss.

While eating and chatting, Weiwei and I discussed many matters regarding the future

I always feel as if I have experienced these things before, as if I am on the verge of grasping the thread that explains this feeling, yet this thread is elusive and cannot be caught no matter how hard I try

The waitress no longer wore her signature smile, and as I was pondering this, she opened the lid.

Just now, I was thinking about the self-service fruit, and Weiwei stood up to get the fruit for me

Is all of this just a coincidence

When I came to my senses, Weiwei was ordering something, and the waiter was smiling in his signature manner, accompanying Weiwei as they looked at the menu together

Many people usually seek a partner who can understand and know them, and I hope for the same. However, just now, Weiwei's actions somehow made me feel a bit scared

Let me handle it. After all these years, I still am not accustomed to letting Weiwei spend money

I smiled awkwardly and said to the waiter at the restaurant: "One sirloin, one Australian, well done."

The sizzling steak, with oil splattering continuously, was fortunately pointed out by Weiwei

The waiter standing at the door mechanically opened the door and greeted us with a good evening

When Weiwei linked her arm with mine and was about to walk out of the store, although I could not see behind me, there is always a certain special intuition in people, akin to a sixth sense, that sends chills down one's spine

Ah? I just heard her speaking to me; I did not know what she said

Weiwei's voice interrupted my thoughts, and it was only then that I noticed the waiter had already brought the steak. I hurriedly followed Weiwei's example and used the napkin to cover myself.

What are you questioning me about

I suddenly feel like an outsider, even beginning to reject myself in response to my surroundings, and this feeling is becoming increasingly clear.

When I looked at Weiwei, she unexpectedly shot me a glare, still somewhat angry, and then said to the waiter: "Please drizzle some black pepper on it, and over there as well"

In fact, I do not really know what I am questioning; I just feel that she trusts me too much. At that moment, I did not know what to say to comfort her, and my words can indeed be easily misunderstood.