Chapter 8: A True Lovestruck Man

Liu Qingqing sent dozens of messages in one night, but Chen Yang didn't reply. I originally thought she'd given up, but the next day, as soon as I opened the door, she was blocking it.

"Senior, want to get breakfast? I know an old-brand rice noodle place that's really good."

Seeing Liu Qingqing's eager expression, Chen Yang really couldn't bear to refuse. After all, in this life and the last, the only beauty who'd fallen head over heels for him and chased him was Liu Qingqing.

They went downstairs, Liu Qingqing tried to take Chen Yang's hand, but he dodged. She then leaned her whole body against him, clutching his right arm tightly with both hands.

Feeling her warmth and fragrance, Chen Yang felt helpless. "Miss, aren't you afraid acquaintances will see and gossip?"

"It's fine, I told Grandma about your situation last night and she agreed." Liu Qingqing felt a bit pleased; her grandmother's authority in the family is supreme. As long as Grandma agrees, this marriage will face no opposition.

Chen Yang thought her grandmother was too hasty. Even though she's a people's teacher, she didn't investigate at all before entrusting her precious granddaughter's lifelong happiness to someone.

Leaving the residential compound, they walked left along the road for 500 meters and stopped at an old-brand rice noodle shop.

The shop isn't big—under ten square meters with three tables—but business is good; it's already full of customers.

The owner, a man in his sixties, was a little surprised to see Liu Qingqing holding Chen Yang's hand.

"Hey girl, dating? He's pretty handsome!"

Liu Qingqing laughed happily.

"Grandpa Zhang, give me two bowls of pork rib noodles—one without chili or scallion, the other with extra chili."

Grandpa Zhang said no problem, telling Liu Qingqing to set up a table herself at the entrance. The girl obediently replied, pulled out a small folding table from the wall corner of the shop, skillfully placed it by the roadside at the door, found two small stools, and handed one to Chen Yang.

"I wouldn't have guessed you could be diligent." Chen Yang couldn't help but remark; the Liu Qingqing before him somewhat overturned his impression.

"Of course, I'm the model of a wise wife and good mother." Liu Qingqing, given a little sunshine, began to beam and boast proudly.

"Well, a model who can't cook or do housework." Chen Yang bluntly exposed her.

"No problem." Liu Qingqing, unbothered, said: "I can learn!"

"Don't, just stay as you are." Chen Yang truly didn't want Liu Qingqing to change for him.

His past-life experience told him that the more one lives for others, the more exhausting life becomes. Liu Qingqing grew up with a silver spoon; she had no reason to suffer. The idea of a rich young lady becoming a housewife for a poor guy is just TV dramas and novels fooling common folk who like to daydream.

"Senior, you have so little faith in me?" Liu Qingqing didn't grasp his meaning, feeling a bit dejected as she pursed her cherry lips.

Chen Yang explained: "First, I can cook, and I don't like having someone else bossing me around in the kitchen."

"Second, we're just schoolmates and friends. I have no right to ask you to do anything beyond that relationship."

"Finally, if you want to change for someone else, my advice is: better not. If you can't do it well, there's no need to. The mutual support I understand should be a man and woman coexisting each in their most genuine way, not deceiving each other."

Liu Qingqing struggled to digest Chen Yang's words, then said: "From now on I'll buy groceries, you cook, and we'll share a household."

Chen Yang was speechless, feeling he couldn't reason with Liu Qingqing.

At that moment, Grandpa Zhang brought two large bowls of rice noodles, the pork rib portion generous. After just one bite, Chen Yang felt Liu Qingqing hadn't been boasting.

He downed a big bowl in one go, yet still felt unsatisfied. Liu Qingqing then shared half of her own bowl with him.

When settling the bill, Chen Yang couldn't resist asking Grandpa Zhang for the soup and seasoning secrets, but was flatly refused.

Grandpa Zhang solemnly told Chen Yang: "Kid, there are two things in this world you can't share with others. First is the woman you like; second is your eating utensil."

Chen Yang agreed with his view, but still unwilling to give up, saying: "I can offer some tuition money, and guarantee not to use it commercially."

Grandpa Zhang still smiled and shook his head.

Chen Yang could only give up. He felt a faint regret deep down.

On the way back, Liu Qingqing suddenly asked Chen Yang: "Senior, do you really want to learn Grandpa Zhang's cooking skills?"

Chen Yang instinctively nodded. He no longer needs to struggle for a livelihood, and indeed wants to improve his cooking.

"Then I can take care of it." Liu Qingqing said with a triumphant look.

Chen Yang eyed her skeptically: "He doesn't care about money; you can't possibly send him a woman, can you?"

Liu Qingqing gave a hehe laugh and didn't answer.

"Don't mess around…" Chen Yang startled, seriously reminded her: "You're messing with generations!"

Liu Qingqing kicked Chen Yang hard, fuming, and said:

"Chen Yang, in your heart I'm just such a casual woman!"

Chen Yang hurriedly apologized. Once her anger had mostly subsided, he asked: "Classmate Liu Qingqing, do you have any clever ideas?"

Liu Qingqing said: "It's simple. Let our grandma take the lead."

Chen Yang was speechless again. After all that, it's still a beauty trap—just swapping the young beauty for an old one…

"This… can it work?"

"Of course, Grandpa Zhang liked my grandma when he was young."

"You said that yourself—it was when he was young!"

"It's the same now!"

"So, is your grandma single now?"

"No, she's been getting along great with my grandpa all along!"

Chen Yang's brain felt a bit stuck.

"Since your grandpa's still around, having your grandma go see Grandpa Zhang seems inappropriate."

"What are you thinking?" Liu Qingqing gave Chen Yang a look, annoyed, and said: "Can't a man and woman have a purely platonic relationship?"

"No!" Chen Yang firmly believed: "Even if it starts pure, over time it will change."

Liu Qingqing still earnestly and solemnly said: "My grandma and Grandpa Zhang are truly just very good friends. They've known each other since childhood."

Chen Yang didn't want to keep arguing about this, after all they were discussing Liu Qingqing's grandma. If he kept suspecting the worst, it would be somewhat disrespectful to elders.

Seeing Chen Yang silent, Liu Qingqing took out her phone, walked aside, and made a call. After chatting a while, she hung up and told Chen Yang to wait.

Five minutes later, Liu Qingqing's phone rang. After answering, she grinned and pulled Chen Yang back to Grandpa Zhang's rice noodle shop.

The shop was still full of customers, but Grandpa Zhang wasn't working. He held an oil-stained old notebook, looking displeased at Chen Yang.

Chen Yang felt a bit embarrassed under his stare, even having a sense of guilt for snatching someone else's beloved treasure.

Grandpa, maybe we should just forget it. Today's matter, pretend I never brought it up!

Old Man Zhang snorted, then handed the notebook to Chen Yang. "Look at it carefully, don't damage it, remember to return it to me later."

Chen Yang felt embarrassed to take it.

Old Man Zhang became displeased again, and snorted coldly: "What? You think my stuff is dirty?"

Chen Yang, afraid of misunderstanding, hurriedly took the notebook with both hands, repeatedly thanking him. He couldn't help but feel moved: this man before him was truly a devoted man. For the woman he liked, he was willing to give anything.

Compared to him, Zhang Jun is nothing!