Evening.
A little past seven.
It was not dark yet, but the sun was already setting.
Dong Xuebin drove his little two-door Xiali, which squeaked to a stop outside a small restaurant in the eastern part of the city. After getting out, he looked around as he waited for someone.
"Xuebin."
"Eh, Teacher Jiang, you're here?"
"Hm? Why did you change cars?"
"I was listening to you—keeping a low profile."
"Hehe, that's more like it. Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just got here too. I only just got out of the car."
"Come on, let's go inside. I'm getting a little hungry."
"I said I'd pick you up, but you wouldn't let me. And this restaurant is a little... How about Wangfu Restaurant? Qianmen Restaurant would work too. Neither is far."
"Those places are too expensive. Your teacher has a discount card here, so it's more affordable."
"Oh, come on, I'm not short a few hundred yuan. Look at you, always being so polite with me."
"Hehe, then after dinner, take your teacher downstairs to my home. I won't be polite with you about that."
"Of course. It'll be dark soon, and I wouldn't feel at ease letting you go back alone."
The two chatted and laughed as they entered the restaurant. They did not get a private room, since Teacher Jiang refused; private rooms had a minimum charge, and she was very thrifty. She pulled Dong Xuebin over to a seat by the window, called over a server, and casually ordered a few home-style dishes.
Dong Xuebin had no choice but to listen to his teacher.
Once the dishes arrived, the two began eating across from each other.
Jiang Min wore a light-colored long dress today, covering almost all of her legs. The only things visible were