Doubtful about the treatment plan proposed by Professor Liu, Yu Minglang left his home to have lunch with Xiao Qian.
They had lunch at a self-service hot pot restaurant opposite the school. The owner of the restaurant was Yu Minglangâs childhood friend, Hai Zhao.
Hai Zhao originally had an appliance store in Qiang City, but the profit margin from appliances had become very low in recent years and the inventory was overwhelming. Yu Minglang suggested he try the catering business instead.
As long as the service and quality were good, catering would always have customers. Hai Zhao originally intended to open the restaurant in Qiang City, but the competition there was harsh due to two local catering bosses.
So Yu Minglang advised him to develop in Lin City, not only to avoid the competition in Qiang City but also for another heartfelt reason.
âHow do you like this place, bro?â Hai Zhao asked, draping his arm around Yu Minglangâs shoulder as the three of them sat together in a private room.
Enjoying hot pot in an air-conditioned room during the hot weather was definitely a pleasure.
âItâs full of decay and tastelessness, just like something you would come up with,â Yu Minglang said while serving Xiao Qian meatballs, not missing the chance to tease his friend.
âThatâs a bit too much, isnât it? I did this just to accommodate you two. Xiao Qian, you donât know, after choosing the locationâ¦â
âEat!â Yu Minglang quickly stuffed a meatball into Hai Zhaoâs mouth. Hai Zhao instinctively bit down, only to be burned by the burst of hot filling from the meatball.
âDamn!â
Yu Minglang set up his friend well, Hai Zhao thought, cursing inwardly as the heat scalded his tongue.
âYou chose the location?â Xiao Qian asked Yu Minglang, who just smiled without saying anything.
The location was excellent, close to University Town and not far from the Development Zone, ensuring a steady stream of customers.
But the primary reason was that Yu Minglangâs picky-eater sister, Xiao Mei, would never have to worry about finding a place to eat.
Xiao Qian might not admit it, but she was very picky about food and couldnât stand the canteen food. Over the last couple of years, Mother Yu had been bringing Panpan and his sister over to celebrate holidays and feed Xiao Qian, keeping her from starving.
According to Second Brother, Panpan might transfer to this city after securing the scholarship. Mother Yu wouldnât be able to visit every week, and who would feed his adorable little sister?
With Hai Zhaoâs restaurant nearby, his chef could prepare special nutritious meals for Xiao Mei. Although there were other restaurants around, not all of them were trustworthy; some even used gutter oil!
He would be more at ease with his childhood friendâs restaurant.
Xiao Qian understood Yu Minglangâs thoughtfulness.
He had considered everything she hadnât even thought about.
Hai Zhao saw the two exchanging a loving gaze and couldnât help but say,n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âYou two are really something else, using my place to scald my tongue and then flaunting your love in front of a single guy like me. Tell me when youâre getting married, so I can prepare some money for you. Youâve been together for so many years, itâs about time, isnât it?â
He already knew Yu Minglangâs purpose of the visit and even helped him pick out an engagement ring over the phone.
Xiao Qian tensed up unconsciously at the mention of marriage.
âNo rush, sheâs still a baby,â Yu Minglang said, pretending not to notice Xiao Qianâs unease as he casually fed her.
Xiao Qian was surprised by his reaction and stared at him. Yu Minglang blew on the meatball before putting it in her mouth.
âBe good, baby. Big brother loves you. Thereâs no hurry!â
On the surface, he seemed to be telling her not to rush with her meal, but it also seemed like he meant there was no rush to get married. Xiao Qian felt her heart settled; she was relieved and simultaneously regretful.
What a strange feeling.Yu Minglang looked at her, her eyes a little lost, and couldnât help but admire Professor Liuâs judgment.
Pre-marriage phobia sounds like a fear of marriage, but in fact, fear and anticipation coexist.
She doesnât reject him as a person and looks forward to living together with him, but she is a bit resistant to the idea of a future married life. This kind of contradictory and complicated emotion is fully demonstrated in her.
If Xiao Qian were to counsel others with pre-marriage phobia, she could identify whether someone had the condition within a few minutes. As Professor Liu said, itâs just a very small issue, not even considered a mental illness.
However, when it comes to herself, she canât feel it.
Her somewhat confused eyes met Yu Minglangâs. Didnât he want to get married before? Why is he suddenly not in a hurry? Yu Minglang looked at her soothingly, his eyes gentle.
âA good meal isnât afraid of being late; Iâm willing to wait no matter how long it takes. If youâre not ready now, then weâll wait until you are.â
âXiao Qiang, Iâ¦â Xiao Qianâs cheek was inflated by the meatball, making her look especially adorable. She looked at Yu Minglang with gratitude. Yu Minglang reached out to poke the bulge on her cheek.
âDonât worry, eat more. No one can force you to do what you donât want to do in the future. Donât feel burdened, as long as youâre happy, Iâm happy. Come on, eat some more~â
âWhat the hell, is it necessary to eat meatballs? The philosophy even came out of this meal. I need to talk to the chef and ask him to use gutter oil and not wash his hands when you guys come in the future. Itâs too stimulatingâ¦â
Hai Zhao, not understanding what Yu Minglang and Xiao Qian were talking about, felt that his heart was very congested.
âYoungest, when is your sister coming back?â Hai Zhao, who was stimulated by Xiao Qian and Yu Minglangâs interaction, decided to change the topic and move it in the direction he liked.
âNext week, she will go back to my fatherâs house. She had a message for me to pass on to you.â
Hai Zhao immediately decided to return to Qiang City earlier to prepare for Xiao Xiâs return. He had to have her favorite food ready and also give her the bags and watches he bought from abroad at the same time~
âWhat did she ask you to pass on?â
Yu Minglang pointed to the empty plate in front of Xiao Qian, looking rogue.
âYou really donât look like a businessman! Your judgment is too poor! Didnât you see that my sisterâs plate is out of cilantro? How can you eat hotpot without cilantro?â
âIâm sorry, come on, hereâs the cilantro~â Hai Zhao stood up and handed the cilantro plate over enthusiastically. In order to get a snippet of news about Xiao Xi, he was really going all out.
âWine, fill it up!â
Yu Minglangâs current smug look fully illustrated what is called a villainâs success. But who can blame Hai Zhao for having a request?
As the wine was filled and the attitude was in place, Yu Minglang picked up a toothpick and said leisurely.
âShe asked me to tell you that sheâs coming back next week to go on a blind date. She wants you to help her by-â
Clatter! Hai Zhaoâs cup shattered on the ground.
Sheâs going on a blind date, and she still wants him to help! The broken glass was all over the ground, but what was even more broken was his heart, reduced to dust.
Seeing Hai Zhao being hit so hard, Yu Minglang didnât keep him in suspense any longer.
âShe said she wants you to go there and save her, pretending to be her boyfriend.â
âDamn it! Can you not play me like that!?â Hai Zhao finally felt relieved, taking a long breath. That scared the hell out of him!
âHai Zhao, isnât it a bit inappropriate?â Xiao Qian saw that Yu Minglang was having so much fun and joined in the banter.
âHow am I not appropriate? Is there anyone more suitable than me?â Hai Zhao couldnât accept this.
Not to mention pretending to be a boyfriend, even if the word âpretendingâ was removed, Hai Zhao thought he could do it!