Chapter 111 - 49: Restaurant Proposal, Marking the Spot
It was only then that Jiang Li remembered it was New Year’s Day. No wonder there was such a festive atmosphere in the air, and no wonder Shen Yanzhi wanted to go out to eat.
Their first New Year’s Day as a married couple was certainly worth celebrating.
’She just didn’t know if Shen Yanzhi was doing this to celebrate New Year’s Day, or simply to eat the local cuisine.’
Resting her chin on her hand, she turned to gaze intently at Shen Yanzhi as he drove. "So, is this to celebrate our first New Year’s Day together?"
’Zhong Mufeng had said that couples should be direct with each other. Trying to guess what the other was thinking was just exhausting.’
Shen Yanzhi raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. "What else did you think?"
’He had specifically done his research to give Jiang Li a perfect experience.’
’They say men don’t understand romance, but it all depends on the person.’
’When you meet someone you love to your very bones, you wish you could pluck the stars from the sky for her, all just to see her smile.’
Jiang Li’s lips curled into a smile. "I’m surprised. You’re actually quite the romantic."
Shen Yanzhi let out a soft chuckle. "Then I guess my recent studies have paid off."
As they spoke, the car pulled to a smooth stop.
Shen Yanzhi turned off the engine, got out, and walked around the front of the car to open the passenger door. "Out you get, Princess."
Jiang Li placed her hand in his, exasperated but amused. "You’re really laying it on thick, aren’t you?"
"I’m just showing you the respect you deserve."
Jiang Li was wearing a backless red dress and two-inch heels. Her long hair was tied up casually, creating an artfully disheveled look.
Shen Yanzhi fought the urge, and then fought it again, but ultimately managed to restrain himself from draping his coat over Jiang Li.
’No matter how much he didn’t want anyone else to see Jiang Li’s exposed back, all he could do was try his best to control the impulse.’
Upon arriving at the restaurant, they confirmed their reservation at the front desk, and a server was immediately assigned to show them to their table.
Shen Yanzhi had booked a table by the window so they could see the fireworks later.
After they were seated, Jiang Li immediately offered her opinion. "You know, the atmosphere in here is actually really nice."
At her words, Shen Yanzhi raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly and smiled without saying anything.
’Of course it was. He’d spent two whole nights reading reviews before finally settling on this place.’
’If even this didn’t satisfy Jiang Li, then all his research would have been for nothing.’
Once they were settled, a server poured them water and handed them menus to order.
Shen Yanzhi deferred to Jiang Li. "See if there’s anything you’d like."
Jiang Li didn’t stand on ceremony. She took the menu, scanned it over, and then began to order.
After they finished ordering, a violinist approached their table. He used sign language to ask if they would like him to play for them.
Shen Yanzhi glanced at the violinist, then turned to Jiang Li. "Want to hear a few pieces?"
’The restaurant was already playing soft music, but it felt wrong to refuse someone with a disability who was working hard to support himself.’
Fearing the man might be deaf, Jiang Li even held up her hand and made a sign for the number ten.
’It wasn’t just Shen Yanzhi; she also had a soft spot for people like this who worked hard to make their own way.’
’She felt this way especially when compared to those beggars who were perfectly able-bodied but pretended to be disabled, exploiting people’s compassion.’
Seeing her gesture, the man first bowed to them, then settled the violin on his shoulder and began to play.
Jiang Li gave the man a thumbs-up. "He’s really got skills."
Shen Yanzhi chimed in, "Yes, he’s good."
Perhaps because it was a trendy restaurant, and on top of that, it was the New Year holiday, the place was packed with diners and extraordinarily lively.
Jiang Li immediately sent a message to the Dream Maker group chat: "Let’s establish a foundation to support people with disabilities. Whether they’re students or working adults, as long as they are trying to be self-sufficient, we’ll provide a monthly stipend of 3,000 yuan."
’3,000 yuan might not seem like much,’ she thought, ’but for ten people, that’s 30,000. For a hundred, it’s 300,000.’
’Across all of Hua Country, there were probably tens of millions of people with disabilities.’
’Even if only half of them qualified, that was still several million people.’
’At 3,000 yuan per person, it would add up to a considerable expense.’
Figuring there was a time difference and she wouldn’t get a reply so quickly, Jiang Li was about to put her phone down when it rang. It was a call from Liu Qian.
"Ms. Jiang, about the foundation for people with disabilities you just mentioned in the group—should it be affiliated with our company, or run separately?"
Just then, a server brought over some snacks and fruit. Jiang Li’s eyes lit up. "You handle it as you see fit," she said into the phone.
"Okay. Besides being self-sufficient, are there any other requirements?"
"None."
’The reason she wanted to start the foundation was to offer them some financial support, but she certainly didn’t want to encourage any unhealthy trends.’