After making sure Jiang Li had dressed properly and no wind could get in, he took her hand and led her in.
It was a little after seven in the evening, the liveliest time at the fair.
December was the month of Christmas. The stalls at the fair were already filled with the festive atmosphere. There were elk ornaments and hats as decorations, and many small green Christmas trees could also be seen.
People strolled in groups. Some were laughing and joking, while others were singing out loud. It was a joyous scene.
As if on cue, Christmas music drifted in from somewhere, adding an even stronger festive atmosphere to the night.
Xiao Yanzhi took her for a stroll. The deep - red hem of his clothes glowed like a fiery red floating light under the lamps, soft and warm.
There was an old lady in traditional clothes brewing mulled wine at the fair. Jiang Li stood there watching for a while. As soon as it was ready, Xiao Yanzhi bought her a cup so that she could hold it to warm her hands.
The mulled wine was steaming hot, and the sweet - and - sour steam rose from the cup.
Jiang Li pouted. "But then we can't hold hands."
After whispering this, she quickly came up with a solution.
She looped her left hand through Xiao Yanzhi's elbow and leaned against him like a shy little bird. "This is much better."
Xiao Yanzhi stifled a laugh. "Try it."
Jiang Li held the cup and waited until the mulled wine was no longer too hot. Then she took a small sip. The taste seemed strange to her. "It's a very special taste."
"Not good?"
"No, I like it very much." Jiang Li took another small sip. "It seems that there's cinnamon and oranges. There should also be hawthorns and other fruits... Sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable about this."
Seeing that the old lady was looking at her, she smiled and said to her in English, "It's delicious. Your cooking skills are wonderful."
The old lady was a local and didn't know much English. There was a look of confusion in her eyes. Xiao Yanzhi immediately translated her compliment into French. The old lady instantly understood and replied with a string of French words.
Jiang Li couldn't understand and leaned over to whisper, "What did she say?"
Xiao Yanzhi let out a soft laugh. "She said you look more intoxicating than the wine."
This was the truth.
Whether it was because of the cold weather or the mulled wine, her fair face had a faint blush, and her eyes were a bit hazy.
"Did Mr. Xiao study in France before?"
"I stayed there for a while."
Jiang Li looked at him and covered her lips with a smile. "You don't seem like it."
"Why not?"
Jiang Li stood on tiptoe and leaned close to his ear, whispering in a breathy voice, "Because the French are very romantic."
She only said half of it, but Xiao Yanzhi guessed the second half.
The French are very romantic, but he is an unromantic block of wood.
"You're always so cold."
Leaning in his arms, she was a bit tipsy.
Hearing her evaluation of him, he was momentarily speechless. He pulled her into his embrace. "I'm cold?"
"Of course."
Xiao Yanzhi lowered his eyes and asked her in a half - smiling voice, "Didn't you say last time that I was so hot you couldn't stand it..."
Jiang Li's pupils suddenly widened. Half of her drunkenness disappeared. She stammered, "… What are you talking about? I don't understand!"
Now she was blushing shyly.
"Do you want to try?" Jiang Li raised her face and held the cup up to his mouth with both hands.
Xiao Yanzhi was much taller than her. He bent down slightly, indicating for her to feed him.
Jiang Li carefully held the cup and tilted it bit by bit, afraid that it would spill. She smiled only after seeing him take a sip. "How is it? Isn't it very... mm..."
Before she could finish her sentence, her words were sealed in a kiss that tasted of mulled wine.
There were colorful decorative lights hanging everywhere. Under the colorful lights, they kissed.
This made Jiang Li think of Monet's paintings.
Hazy and dreamy.
In this country, it was quite common for lovers to kiss. No one bothered them. Even if people saw them, they would give them a blessing smile.
After the kiss ended, Jiang Li's cheeks were burning red, and she was completely dizzy.
"It's really delicious."
He didn't seem to be talking about the mulled wine.
Her lips were bright red, sweet when kissed, and her whole body smelled nice.
It was addictive to the point of madness.
"Hello?"
Suddenly, two young French girls came over and greeted them actively. It seemed that they had been observing them for a long time. "Are you the actress from today's premiere?"
They spoke in English out of consideration for Jiang Li.
Jiang Li never expected to be recognized here. She blushed but still remained calm. "Hello. What a coincidence to meet you."
"I know him!" One of the girls exclaimed in surprise. "He's the gentleman who asked questions today. Are you two a secret couple?"
Jiang Li adjusted quickly and soon became as calm as usual. She playfully replied, "Shh, it's a secret."
The two girls immediately understood. They nodded and smiled at her, promising to keep it a secret. They also expressed their desire to take a photo with her.
After taking separate photos with them, Xiao Yanzhi looked at Jiang Li with deep, faintly smiling eyes. "Beautiful big star, you're so charming wherever you go."
She could hear the teasing in his words. She pretended to sigh helplessly. "Yes, being a star is so hard. I can't even have a proper relationship. I always have to worry about being photographed."
Xiao Yanzhi laughed, knowing that she was acting like a little girl. "Then what kind of relationship do you want?"
Since he asked, Jiang Li answered seriously. "I want to hold hands openly, hug normally, kiss without any concerns, go on dates whenever I want, and travel together whenever I want. Most importantly, I want to receive everyone's blessings."
She had finally fallen in love and really didn't want to hear any unpleasant words.
"Am I being too greedy?" Jiang Li laughed. "I want it all. Anyone would say I'm being contradictory."
"Who dares to say that about you?" Xiao Yanzhi had just been immersed in her vision of a future relationship. Hearing this suddenly, his voice immediately turned cold.
Jiang Li said, "I'm a star making money in the entertainment industry, and I'm in a relationship with my former sponsor."
"What's the problem?" Xiao Yanzhi raised his eyebrows.
"The problem is huge." Jiang Li was in a good mood and said the heavy truth in a light - hearted tone. "By then, I won't even need to turn on my phone. I can guess what they'll write about me with my eyes closed."
She could imagine all the vulgar words, the overly explicit descriptions, and the maliciously teasing insults.
Xiao Yanzhi gradually realized the seriousness of her words and asked, "Do you care about these things?"
Jiang Li paused and honestly replied with an "um". "If I were a disreputable woman, I might not care. But I'm not, so I can't accept the slander from others."
"I can't accept the slander against me, my relationship, or my partner."