After everyone had taken their seats, Wu Huilan, concerned that Qiao Le might feel uneasy, gently said, “Lele, our family doesn’t have many rules. Just treat this as your own home and eat as much as you like.”
“Okay, thank you, Auntie,” Qiao Le replied, picking up his bowl of soup and taking a sip.
Having heard that Qiao Le enjoyed Cantonese cuisine, the kitchen had prepared a traditional Cantonese slow-cooked soup.
The premium red mushrooms were rich and fragrant, paired with tender old chicken that had been simmered over low heat for hours, resulting in a broth that was both flavorful and light.
It was delicious!
Qiao Le couldn’t help but take another sip.
This soup was far better than any he had tasted before, easily surpassing the offerings at the “Cantonese Delight Soup” shop near his neighborhood.
“Don’t just drink the soup,” the old man said with a smile.
“Have some dishes too. Look how thin you are. Young people need to put on some meat.”
The concern from the elder made Qiao Le blush slightly.
He put down his soup bowl and said, “I’m not that thin. I do exercise.”
Shen Hechuan, hearing this, glanced briefly at Qiao Le’s waist.
He could attest that Qiao Le was indeed too thin.
He really should eat more.
Shen Hechuan used the serving chopsticks to place a piece of steamed red grouper on Qiao Le’s plate.
“Try this.”
Seeing this, Wu Huilan also chimed in, “Yes, yes, eat more. This fish is very well-prepared.”
Qiao Le obediently ate the fish.
The flesh was tender and flavorful, without any hint of fishiness.
His eyes lit up.
“It’s delicious!”
Seeing that he liked it, Wu Huilan was pleased and casually asked, “Lele, how old are you this year?”
“I’m nineteen,” Qiao Le replied.
Nineteen?
That was three years younger than Cheng Jiarong!
Wu Huilan glanced at Shen Hechuan, who was calmly peeling a crab as if he hadn’t been the one who once said Cheng Jiarong was too young.
However, even though nineteen was young, according to the new marriage law, it was old enough to get married.
Wu Huilan felt reassured, but the old man added, “That’s quite a bit younger than Hechuan. Is there no generation gap?”
“…” Shen Hechuan’s hands paused momentarily as he peeled the crab.
“Not at all,” Qiao Le said.
“We get along very well.”
Shen Hechuan resumed peeling the crab smoothly.
Hearing that there was no generation gap, the elders were satisfied.
The biggest worry for couples, especially those like Shen Hechuan and Qiao Le with a thirteen-year age difference, was a lack of common topics.
Shen Hechuan placed the peeled crab meat in front of Qiao Le.
“Try this.”
Usually, it was Qiao Le who helped his younger brother peel shells.
This was the first time someone had peeled a crab for him, and the crab legs were perfectly intact.
He was first surprised, then felt a bit embarrassed.
After all, they were in front of Shen Hechuan’s parents.
Even if it was just an act, it didn’t seem appropriate for Shen Hechuan to serve him like this.
“I can do it myself,” he said, nudging Shen Hechuan’s leg under the table with his knee.
Before Shen Hechuan could respond, Wu Huilan said, “It’s fine. Let him peel it. This crab is tricky to handle. You might hurt your hands. I never peel them myself.”
Shen Zhenghe, sitting beside her, nodded and placed the peeled crab meat in front of her.
Ah, so it was a family tradition.
Qiao Le understood and reciprocated by picking up a piece of braised pork trotter for Shen Hechuan.
Shen Hechuan picked it up and ate it.
The elders observed their interaction and exchanged glances, each seeing the amusement in the other’s eyes.
The meal was very harmonious.
Although Qiao Le was young, he was an excellent conversationalist, occasionally telling a joke or two that had everyone laughing, providing plenty of emotional value.
As expected, the elders eventually asked how the two of them had met.
Qiao Le followed the script he had agreed upon with Shen Hechuan, saying that he had worked part-time at a café during the summer vacation and had coincidentally met Shen Hechuan there.
Over time, the two had become familiar with each other.
The café he mentioned was Xier, conveniently located near Shen Hechuan’s company, so no one suspected anything.
When Wu Huilan heard that he had worked part-time during the summer, she said sympathetically, “Next time you want to earn some money, just go to our family’s company. Standing all day at a café is too tiring.”
“Yes, let Hechuan arrange it for you,” someone else chimed in.
Qiao Le didn’t know which company Shen Hechuan worked for or what he did, but to keep up the act, he nodded and thanked the elders for their kindness.
When the conversation turned to work, it naturally led to academics.
Wu Huilan asked Qiao Le where he was studying and what his major was.
Qiao Le answered without hesitation, “Yunjing University, Aerospace Engineering.”
He wasn’t lying.
Before taking a leave of absence, he had indeed been a student in the Aerospace Engineering program at Yunjing University.
Unfortunately, he had only attended classes for less than a month.
“Yunjing University is excellent!” The old man was even more impressed.
Yunjing University was one of the top institutions in the country, and countless people dreamed of getting in.
A good-looking kid is always likable, but a good-looking kid who also excels academically is even more so.
“Speaking of which, Hechuan also graduated from Yunjing University,” Shen Zhenghe said with a smile.
“You’re alumni. That’s quite a coincidence.”
Shen Hechuan also went to Yunjing University?
Qiao Le didn’t know that, but he quickly adapted and continued, “Yes, that’s how we gradually got to know each other.”
Then he turned to Shen Hechuan and added, “Right, senior?”
The term “senior” was more intimate than “Shen Hechuan” or “Mr. Shen,” effortlessly bringing the two closer.
He was quite quick on his feet.
Shen Hechuan pressed his lips together and nodded, “Mm.”
After learning about Qiao Le’s major, the elders began discussing his career prospects.
Finally, the old man declared that after graduation, Qiao Le could work if he wanted to, but if he didn’t, that was fine too-the family didn’t need his salary.
It’s nice to have elders who care so much, Qiao Le thought to himself.
He almost nodded in agreement but decided to eat some chili to wake himself up.
The lazy Susan on the table was electric.
Qiao Le reached out with his chopsticks to grab the two-colored spicy fish head that had just rotated in front of him.
But before he could touch it, the turntable suddenly sped up, moving the fish head away from him.
“?” Qiao Le turned to look at Shen Hechuan, who was manually controlling the turntable.
The culprit pressed down on the turntable to stop it, leaving a plate of plain-cut chicken in front of Qiao Le.
“Eat less chili. You’ve already had quite a bit,” he said.
Qiao Le protested, “But I can handle spicy food-“
“Not too much right now,” Shen Hechuan said with a firmer tone.
“Be good.”
After catching the hint, Qiao Le fell silent. “…”
Shen Zhenghe, unaware of the context, asked, “What’s wrong? Is it too spicy?”
“His throat isn’t in great shape today,” Shen Hechuan made up an excuse.
“The doctor said to avoid sour and spicy foods.”
Qiao Le: “…”
Avoiding sour and spicy foods-that was indeed one of the precautions listed on the ointment Shen Hechuan had bought for him.
It wasn’t exactly a doctor’s order, but close enough.
It’s just that the Shen family’s chef was too good, and he couldn’t resist.
“You know, Lele’s voice does sound a bit hoarse,” Wu Huilan remarked.
“Do you have a cold?”
Qiao Le: “…Just a little.”
It wasn’t a cold; according to Fang Jiaxu, it was probably from the night he slept with Shen Hechuan.
Honestly, it was quite embarrassing.
Qiao Le obediently ate the boiled chicken.
After dinner, an old friend of Shen’s grandfather called to ask if he wanted to come over for a game of chess, mentioning that two new skilled players had joined the chess club.
Chess was the grandfather’s usual pastime, and he would often go over to play a few rounds with friends whenever new players showed up.
But today was Qiao Le’s first visit, which was more important than chess, so he cheerfully declined, “No, no, I have something at home… What is it? Something good!”
After Shen’s grandfather hung up, Qiao Le carefully asked what kind of chess he liked to play.
“Chinese chess,” Shen’s grandfather replied.
“Why, does Lele play too?”
Qiao Le shyly said, “A little. If you don’t mind, I could play a couple of games with you?”
Shen’s grandfather was pleasantly surprised and immediately interested, “Sure.”
While Qiao Le played chess with Shen’s grandfather, Shen Hechuan stayed by their side.
Shen’s grandfather was one of the best among his chess friends, but he didn’t expect Qiao Le to be quite skilled as well, holding his own in the game.
Saying he only knew a little was truly modest.
The more he watched Qiao Le, the more he liked him, and he even suggested taking Qiao Le to play chess with his friends next time.
Qiao Le had learned chess from the elderly neighbors since he was young and even won second place in the city’s youth chess tournament in high school.
When Shen’s grandfather mentioned taking him to play chess, it felt like scheduling their next meeting.
Qiao Le reached back and scratched Shen Hechuan’s back.
The thin summer clothes made Shen Hechuan tingle from Qiao Le’s fingertips.
Shen Hechuan also heard his grandfather’s words and understood Qiao Le’s implication.
He reached back and grabbed Qiao Le’s hand, holding it behind his back without diverting the conversation.
“??” Qiao Le looked at him.
Shen Hechuan’s palm was dry and warm.
Qiao Le tried to pull his hand back but couldn’t.
Qiao Le continued to look at him: “??”
Shen Hechuan remained unmoved.
Across from them, Shen’s grandfather was fully focused on the chess game and didn’t notice their actions, but Wu Huilan and Shen Zhenghe behind them saw everything clearly.
The couple exchanged a glance: It’s settled!
Before coming, Qiao Le had told Shen Hechuan he couldn’t stay too long, as he had a younger brother to take care of at home.
By nine o’clock, Shen Hechuan used Qiao Le’s early class the next day as an excuse to take him home.
Before leaving, Wu Huilan handed Qiao Le a prepared gift.
Qiao Le instinctively took a step back, “Auntie, I can’t accept this.”
“You must,” Wu Huilan stepped forward and stuffed the bag into Qiao Le’s hands, patting them gently.
“We were supposed to each prepare a gift for you, but we didn’t want to burden you. This is just a small token of our affection as elders.”
Her gaze was soft, her tone gentle, easily disarming anyone.
Qiao Le hadn’t seen his mother in years.
When Qiao Man was less than two years old, she said she was going to Shenzhen to work with friends and never returned, even after his father’s accident.
His phone still had a contact saved as “Mom,” but the number had long been disconnected.
Faced with Wu Huilan’s gentleness, Qiao Le’s most vulnerable spot was struck without any defense, filling his heart with both gratitude and a tinge of bitterness.
His eyes couldn’t help but grow warm with tears.
“But-“
“Be good,” Wu Huilan interrupted him sternly, then softened her voice, “You’re a good child. Don’t waste my efforts. Take it, alright?”
That phrase, “Be good,” was so reminiscent of how Qiao Le’s mother used to scold him in his memories.
Even the coaxing “alright” that followed was almost identical, making it hard for him to hold back the flood of tears.
Holding the bag that felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, he looked helplessly at Shen Hechuan: “I—”
Shen Hechuan didn’t understand why Qiao Le had such a wounded look in his eyes, nor did he have time to figure out what had hurt him.
All he knew was that those eyes, which had always been filled with laughter and vitality, shouldn’t look like this.
He should be happy, optimistic and always radiant.
The moment their eyes met, Shen Hechuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he felt an overwhelming urge to pull Qiao Le into his arms.
Suddenly, he realized something—
Shen Hechuan, you’re done for.