Chapitre 95: Chapter 95 Wishful Thinking
By the time Zhao Yanan got home, it was already 11 PM.
After a short rest, she sent a WeChat message to Chu Yuxuan: "Midnight snack?"
Chu Yuxuan replied, "I'm at your doorstep."
Zhao Yanan took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and headed out.
That second-generation rich kid stood upright at the door, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Zhao Yanan was stunned and looked at him in confusion.
"The first date needs to be ceremonial," he said.
Looking at his roguish face, Zhao Yanan couldn't help but curl her lips in resignation. "If you want to eat, let's go. If you want a date, find your good friends."
Chu Yuxuan shrugged casually. "All my good friends have been sued by you and are busy selling off their possessions to pay up. They have no time to keep me company."
Zhao Yanan smirked with a hint of mockery. "Feeling sorry for them?"
Chu Yuxuan: "Jealous?"
It was as if everything had returned to their first encounter.
But it was a new beginning after all. Zhao Yanan was no longer as furious as before when she heard those words. She just rolled her eyes and calmly asked, "So, are we going to eat or not?"
"Sure, sure," Chu Yuxuan laughed. "But I already bought these flowers. You can't just make me throw them away, right? They cost a few hundred, and I can't bear to waste them."
Bear to waste? You, a man who throws money around like paper in bars, can't bear to waste a few hundred bucks?
Zhao Yanan pressed her lips together, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she finally chose to compromise. She took the flowers and placed them inside her home.
When she stepped out again, Chu Yuxuan had already called the elevator, acting like a "distinguished butler" as he gentlemanly gestured for her to enter, smiling, "It's my pleasure to serve you."
Zhao Yanan, with a cool expression, walked into the elevator and said irritably, "Chu Yuxuan, stop being so flashy."
"Alright, as you wish," Chu Yuxuan replied as he stepped into the elevator and pressed the close button. Then he extended his hand, "So, you received the flowers. Shouldn't you thank me?"
Zhao Yanan looked at his outstretched hand, muttered a soft "thanks," and gave it a light shake.
Chu Yuxuan smiled faintly, paused for a moment, then asked, "So, what do you want to eat?"
Zhao Yanan blinked and pondered, "Skewers? Crawfish? Whatever, it's late. Let's just hit the nearby night market and grab some street food. No need to fuss."
This rich girl, who had grown up in luxury, didn't find eating street food beneath her. Chu Yuxuan didn't think it was strange or pretentious either.
In fact, it's just that TV shows often portray the wealthy unrealistically, depicting them as condescending toward the poor. They deliberately paint a picture of wealthy young ladies or gentlemen indulging in street food as if it's a noble virtue. It's quite shallow.
"Is your throat still sore?" Chu Yuxuan asked.
Zhao Yanan nodded, "A little."
Chu Yuxuan: "And you still want skewers and crawfish? Keep dreaming."
Zhao Yanan: …
Is he out of his mind?
About half an hour later, they arrived at Chen Qiang's food stall.
Since Chen Qiang's death, the stall had been run by Chen Ting and Chen Hong, though they'd hired a new chef who couldn't replicate Chen Qiang's flavors. Many of the regular customers had stopped coming.
It was around 11:30, prime time for the food stall, yet only two tables were occupied.
When she saw Chu Yuxuan, Chen Ting quickly came out to greet him with a bright smile. "Brother Chu, you're here! … Is this your wife? Hello, sister-in-law!"
Chu Yuxuan smiled and turned to Zhao Yanan.
Although this ice-cold beauty didn't like being associated with Chu Yuxuan in such a way, she was a woman of decorum and understood the importance of saving face for him in public. She responded with a polite smile, "Hello."
Chen Ting led them into the food stall. "Brother Chu, same as always—lamb bones?"
Chu Yuxuan nodded, "A small portion, make it spicy… and a clear broth lamb stew, light on the seasoning."
Chen Ting acknowledged the order and quickly went into the kitchen. A moment later, Chen Hong, who was helping in the kitchen, came out, cautiously watching Chu Yuxuan from a few tables away.
Without showing any emotion, Chu Yuxuan took out a cigarette and said to Zhao Yanan, "I'm going out for a smoke."
As soon as he stepped out of the stall, Chen Hong followed him.
With long hair cascading down her shoulders and a graceful figure, this beautiful woman immediately caught the attention of passersby. If they knew the truth about her… ahem, what would they think?
"Chu Yuxuan…" Chen Hong ignored the stares of the passersby and approached him, speaking softly. "I heard from Chen Ting that you gave her a lot of money to take Grandpa to the hospital… Thank you! Really, thank you!"
Chu Yuxuan took a deep drag from his cigarette, his tone cold. "I did it for Chen Qiang."
Chen Hong lowered her head, remained silent for a moment, and then repeated, "Thank you!"
"How's the old man's condition?" Chu Yuxuan asked.
Chen Hong: "It's still worsening, and money won't fix it…"
Chu Yuxuan gave a wicked smile. "You know what I mean, right?"
Chen Hong hesitated, furrowing her brow before nodding firmly, "I understand…"
"Good," Chu Yuxuan flicked his cigarette ash. "The way you are now, you can't face Chen Ting. So, it's better to end things yourself. I'll make sure it's dignified. If you can't do it, I'll help you out."
"No need to trouble you, I'll take care of it myself," Chen Hong said, thanking him again before heading back to the stall.
Chu Yuxuan calmly finished his cigarette before returning inside.
Not long after, Chen Ting brought out their dishes. Zhao Yanan, who loved spicy food, looked at the clear broth lamb stew in front of her, then at the spicy lamb bones Chu Yuxuan had ordered for himself. She couldn't help but frown.
"Go ahead, eat. Be careful, it's hot," Chu Yuxuan said with a smile as he started eating.
Zhao Yanan shot him a glare and began sipping the broth, occasionally glancing at the dog man enjoying his meal. The more she watched, the more she felt the clear broth lamb stew was unappetizing. But with her cold still lingering, she knew better. She couldn't afford to act out and had to acknowledge that the scoundrel had her best interests at heart. After all, it wouldn't do to bite the hand that feeds you.
After eating about half, the ice-cold beauty wiped her mouth and said, "I'm done."
Chu Yuxuan glanced at her and said, "Have some more soup to warm up. You'll feel better tomorrow."
Zhao Yanan pursed her lips, "No more, let's go home. I have to get up early tomorrow."
Chu Yuxuan put down the bone he was holding and, while wiping his hands, said, "Alright… Yanan, I noticed you didn't enjoy the meal. How about we have another dinner sometime? You pick the day, and we'll go for hot pot. The really spicy kind."
Zhao Yanan: …
Chu Yuxuan grinned, "There's always another time, another day. Let's go home."
Despite Chen Ting's repeated objections, Chu Yuxuan didn't get a chance to pay. After a few pleasantries, the couple got in the car and drove off.
However, it wasn't long before Chu Yuxuan felt something was off—two cars seemed to be following them.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone