Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 648 Inviting Li Jingyi

The following afternoon, sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting clear shadows on the wooden floor.

After finishing her daily tasks, Chen Xi let out a soft breath, as if trying to completely shut out the disturbances of another world, leaving only the tranquility before her.

He walked to the window, paused briefly, and deliberately toned down his psionic acumen and former governorship, displaying a gentle and calm demeanor, like carefully sheathing a sharp blade.

Then, he picked up his phone and dialed Li Jingyi's number.

The phone was answered after only a few rings.

Li Jingyi's clear, slightly surprised voice came from the other end of the line. The background was quiet, with the faint sound of soft music: "Hello? Chen Xi? It's rare for you to call me at this hour?"

Her tone rose slightly, revealing a hint of barely perceptible pleasure.

"Jingyi, it's me." Chen Xi's voice came through the receiver, gentle and calm, her pace slowed, sounding concerned and natural. "Did I disturb you? I heard that a new Huaiyang cuisine restaurant called 'Yechun Xiaozhu' opened in the city center. The chef was hired from an old restaurant in Yangzhou, and his skills are very authentic."

The dishes are light and emphasize the original flavor, which seems quite suitable for your current health regimen.

He paused, a hint of amusement in his voice, "So, Dr. Li, are you free to grace us with your presence tonight? Give me a chance to show you some hospitality."

“Huaiyang cuisine? I love it!” Li Jingyi’s voice became noticeably brighter, as if it were tinged with sunshine. “Braised crab meat lion’s head, braised dried bean curd strips, Wensi tofu soup… just hearing the names makes my mouth water.”

"I happen to be free today. I finished my rehabilitation this afternoon, so I'm just relaxing." She chuckled softly. "What time? Where?"

Chen Xi gave the time and detailed address, then considerately added, "It's not hard to find, but parking might be inconvenient. How about I arrive a little earlier, or... pick you up directly?"

“No need for you to go out of your way,” Li Jingyi replied readily. “I can just take a taxi there myself, it’s very convenient. So…see you tonight?”

"Okay, see you tonight." Chen Xi ended the call, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the phone screen.

He invited her to dinner primarily to observe her recovery closely, but he knew in his heart that there was also a vague but real expectation mixed in with the treatment and gratitude.

In the evening, "Yechun Xiaozhu" sits quietly on a quiet street shaded by plane trees in the city center, with white walls and black tiles, and an unassuming facade.

Chen Xi arrived early and chose a small private room by the window.

Outside the window is a small Chinese courtyard, with swaying bamboo shadows and swimming fish in the pond.

When the waiter led Li Jingyi in, he was gazing absently at the last rays of the sunset outside the window.

Today she wore a light mauve knit sweater with beige trousers, her long hair loosely tied up, revealing her clean neck and beautiful collarbone.

With light makeup on her face, her complexion was noticeably rosier than when she was discharged from the hospital. Only a faint trace of fatigue remained under her eyes, which made her look even more gentle.

"Have you been waiting long?" she greeted with a smile, her voice as clear as ever.

"Just arrived." Chen Xi stood up and naturally pulled out a chair for her. "Was the journey smooth?"

"It went very smoothly; the taxi drove right to the door." Li Jingyi sat down and looked around the elegant surroundings with great interest. "This place is really comfortable; it's so quiet that it feels like a place to drink tea and listen to music, not a place to eat."

Dinner unfolded in a harmonious and relaxing atmosphere. The dishes were served one by one, each exquisite and delicious: the clear crab meat lion's head soup was clear and tender, fresh but not greasy; the braised shredded tofu was finely cut, tender and flavorful; and the stir-fried river shrimp were crystal clear, smooth and bouncy.

The two chatted about their recent situations. Li Jingyi talked about the interesting things she encountered at the new clinic and the small progress she made in rehabilitation. Her tone was light and positive.

Chen Xi listened quietly most of the time, occasionally responding with a few words, his gaze always gently fixed on her, adding soup and serving her food from time to time, considerate and natural.

Before we knew it, the topic had shifted to the focus that had been frequently appearing on the streets and in the news recently—the upcoming grand military parade.

The television on the wall of the private room was silently playing news footage, showing a rehearsal clip of neat formations and armored vehicles. The scene was magnificent, and even when it was silent, it was still incredibly impressive.

“They’ve been showing these every day lately,” Li Jingyi said, gently stirring the fish soup in her bowl. Her gaze was drawn to the screen, and her eyes revealed pure admiration. “They’re truly exhilarating. The beauty of that power and order is so breathtaking; you can feel it even through the screen.”

She sighed softly, her tone carrying the slight regret common to ordinary people, "But for such a national event, we can probably only watch the live broadcast. At most, we can get up early and squeeze into the crowd on Chang'an Avenue to catch a glimpse from afar."

Chen Xi put down her chopsticks, picked up a warm, damp towel, and wiped the corners of her mouth with unhurried movements.

He looked at Li Jingyi with a calm and gentle gaze, as if he were just mentioning it casually: "It's quite a coincidence." His tone was natural, without any hint of boasting. "Because of some previous work-related interactions, I got to know people in the relevant departments."

They managed to arrange a few extra invitations for the viewing platform, and luckily, I got two.

He paused briefly, his gaze earnestly landing on Li Jingyi's wide, surprised eyes, and extended an invitation: "How about it, Dr. Li? Would you be interested in coming with me to experience it in person?"
Viewing it from inside Tiananmen Square is a completely different experience than watching it on television or from a distance outside.

Li Jingyi was stunned for a moment, and almost subconsciously confirmed: "The viewing platform? The viewing platform below Tiananmen Gate?"

After receiving Chen Xi's reaffirming smile and nod, her face instantly lit up with a bright light. She unconsciously covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes sparkling, and her voice, lowered with excitement but filled with joy, cried out, "Really? Oh my god! This is so rare! I... I definitely want to go! A hundred times, a thousand times willing!"

Her reaction was pure and passionate, as if she had suddenly received a long-awaited gift, and that undisguised joy deeply touched Chen Xi.

His smile deepened, and a genuine sense of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

The slight apprehension I had before vanished instantly in the face of her radiant smile.

Making her this happy makes it all worthwhile.

“Okay, it’s settled then.” Chen Xi nodded with a smile, her tone calm and reliable, and confirmed the special invitation. “I will tell you the specific time, meeting place and dress code as soon as I receive the detailed admission instructions and identification.”

Security checks there are very strict, and the procedures are complicated, so we need to leave well in advance.

"Yes! I will definitely prepare in advance and will not cause you any trouble!" Li Jingyi nodded repeatedly, her smile lingering for a long time, her fingertips curling slightly with excitement.

In her gaze toward Chen Xi, besides the joy, there was also a deeper curiosity and appreciation.

This calm, gentle, and considerate man always seems to possess an unfathomable depth and energy beneath his surface, bringing unexpected surprises time and time again.

This upcoming trip to witness the military parade, which transcends the ordinary, will undoubtedly add a rich and touching new dimension to the quietly growing, unspoken affection between them.

(End of this chapter)