After the business van smoothly parked in the spot, Ned spoke again, his voice unusually talkative today. He held Sophie's hand tenderly and said, "People always say that only a 'well-matched' love can last long and be truly beautiful. Let me tell you what real equality in love means."
"It's not about having the same status or the same wealth to be considered 'well-matched.' It's when, despite all our external differences, both of us give absolutely everything we have—pouring in all our effort, going to any lengths, pushing ourselves to the absolute limit. Even if we fail, we can still hold our heads high. That's what true equality is."
His words struck Sophie's heart like waves, leaving her deeply moved. She stared at him for a long moment, then bit her lip and said, "Alright, I will! That's fair!"
He pressed his lips together in a faint smile. "Then let's get out of the car. We're at the restaurant."
What came into view was a very high-end molecular gastronomy restaurant.
