Since the restaurant was a public place, Hermione didn't rest for too long.
When the waiter brought the dessert quietly for the second time, she had already sat up and leaned her head against Vincent's shoulder.
The dessert meticulously prepared by the Hell's Chef is Pavlova Cake, made primarily with raspberry curd and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
At the bottom is a thick layer of white cream, in the middle is deep red raspberry curd, and above that, the strawberry base is wrapped in solidified chocolate. The surface is also evenly sprinkled with chocolate and rose petal shavings.
Hermione straightened up, gazing longingly at the delicate, romantic, and incredibly creative dessert in front of her.
She held the spoon still, as if she was reluctant to part with it.
Vincent scooped up a strawberry and said, "Come on, open your mouth."
He spread his other hand on the bottom of the spoon and held the strawberry toward Hermione's mouth.
She found it too sweet after just one bite.
"You should try some too." She scooped up a strawberry with her spoon and held it to Vincent's lips.
It's not just sweet, it's incredibly sweet!
Hermione picked up a napkin and gently wiped the cream that had accidentally gotten on the corner of his mouth.
Looking at her incredibly serious and focused face, Vincent suddenly realized that the dessert he had just swallowed wasn't actually that sweet.
"What's wrong?" Hermione put down her napkin, blushing slightly as he stared at her.
Vincent leaned closer to her. "I think you're sweeter than dessert."
Hermione, blushing shyly, scooped up another strawberry. "Really? Then you'll have to eat more."
Although the dessert was small, it took the two of them a full half hour to finish it.
It is 9:40 PM now.
The other table of guests on the second floor of the restaurant had already finished their meal and left, otherwise Hermione wouldn't have dared to feed Vincent the entire dessert.
"Let's go back."
"Um."
While swiping the card on the first floor, Chef Gordon had just finished working in the kitchen.
He stepped forward and greeted them, "You two, were you satisfied with dinner tonight?"
Vincent looked at Hermione, who smiled sweetly at him and said, "This must be the most unforgettable dinner of my life."
Compared to the taste of the food, it was clearly the people who were more unforgettable for her.
Gordon clutched his chest, somewhat sadly. "Oh no—it seems my cooking skills still need improvement."
Hermione knew he was joking.
Perhaps because she was in a good mood, and had drunk some red wine, she surprisingly made a joke:
"Chef Ramsey, I think your sense of humor is stronger than your culinary skills, don't you think?"
Gordon couldn't help but nod. "Beautiful lady, that's always been my opinion."
He turned to Vincent and winked suggestively. "Mr. Wayne, I won't disturb you any longer. Have a pleasant evening."
Hermione loosened her grip on Vincent's arm slightly, her neck turning rosy.
Gordon gave an apologetic smile, as if he had realized something.
He thought Vincent was the kind of womanizer who drove a sports car to a restaurant to have dinner with a beautiful lady and was so generous with his money.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, it seems my eyesight is in much greater need of improvement."
Vincent nodded to him, indicating that he didn't need to worry about his slip of the tongue. "Chef Ramsey, I hope to taste your cooking again next time."
We'll take our leave now. Have a pleasant evening.
"Thank you." Gordon watched the two leave the restaurant.
So young yet so worldly-wise, this innocent young nobleman once again shattered his preconceived notions.
"What an impressive pair of customers..."
Hermione became even more nervous after getting into the car.
What do couples usually do after a romantic candlelight dinner?
Hold hands, take a walk, and chat?
Please, they're not children anymore.
But isn't this progress a bit too fast...?
Vincent noticed her nervousness and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"!!!" Hermione instinctively became alert.
His laughter grew louder. "What on earth are you thinking about now?"
"I... I..."
Vincent stopped laughing, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, and looked at her with a playful expression. "I know even if you don't say it."
He gripped the steering wheel with one hand and slowly reached out the other towards her.
Just as she closed her eyes in nervousness, he gently flicked her forehead with his finger.
"Stop overthinking. Manchester is quite far from London. I need to focus on driving."
Hermione covered her forehead pitifully, "It's not my fault, it's all Chef Ramsey..."
Vincent feigned anger, "Exactly, you have absolutely no sense of propriety. Do I look like one of those vulgar guys who drive sports cars around picking up girls?"
Hermione was amused by him and giggled.
Actually, Gordon wasn't entirely wrong; the blame Vincent for behaving too much like a playboy.
She could picture him pulling out his credit card the moment he entered the restaurant, then asking the manager and chef to prepare a special candlelight dinner for him.
Vincent raised his voice slightly, "Do I look like it? No, I don't."
Hermione clutched her stomach, struggling to suppress a laugh. "Well, if you combed your hair, you'd look even more like Malfoy."
A blond, foul-mouthed young master who lacks self-awareness?
Disgusting, so disgusting.
Vincent slowed down and pretended to vomit. "Slicked-back hair too often will cause your hairline to recede. I will never wear this hairstyle in my life."
Hermione couldn't help but burst into laughter.
The nearly one-hour drive was filled with laughter and joy.
Vincent parked the car outside Granger family and kindly unbuckled Hermione's seatbelt.
"We've arrived."
"Mmm." She watched him reluctantly as he got out of the car and opened the door for her.
"What's wrong?"
Hermione shook her head and placed her small hand on Vincent's outstretched hand.
She was very happy with their first date, and wished they could have spent more time together.
Vincent returned to the car, holding the tulips from that morning. "Let's go inside quickly. Uncle Chris and Aunt Jane must be starting to worry."
Hermione hugged it tightly. "Okay."
She took a few steps toward her door, then suddenly turned around and jogged back.
Blushing, she tiptoed and gently kissed Vincent on the cheek. "Thank you, I love everything you prepared for me today."
After saying that, she ran into the house without looking back.
Vincent, still stunned, hadn't recovered from the soft touch on his face.
Hermione is so bold! She actually dared to do this on her own doorstep...
Caught completely off guard, he smiled slightly and looked up at the dark second floor of Granger family.
He waited until one of the lights came on before getting into the car.
Hermione, who was hiding by the window, kept gently fanning her burning face with her small hand until the car drove away.