Chapter 178: Things That Any Man Would Mind

The news that Han Yangting had added people on WeChat only to delete them again soon spread throughout the circle.

The girls all cursed him, saying he was playing with people, that he deserved to be a bachelor, and that he deserved it when his former wife left him.

But later, when they learned he had only kept Nana, the girls shut their mouths.

As expected of Han Yangting; at any given time, he only ever dotes on one person.

When Ye Caiyue heard that Han Yangting had deleted everyone else and only kept Nana, she couldn't help but feel worried.

Although she was open-minded, if her son wanted to marry a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, would it be... untraditional?

Upon further thought, she felt she was being overly anxious; her son had been single for so many years, so it was already quite good that he was taking the initiative to find a wife—why mind the skin color?

Besides, Nana had grown up in the country since she was a child, and her father was a diplomat; she was more than a match for Han Yangting.

……

That night, Han Yangting and Nana met.

The meeting place was a Michelin-starred restaurant, and Han Yangting ordered two of the more expensive set meals.

Not long after, Nana arrived.

Whether it was intentional or not, Nana was wearing a qipao that evening.

She was about 168 centimeters tall, and the qipao accentuated her curvaceous figure; she was not old, only about 24, and stood with graceful poise.

Even though their skin tones were different and their appearances were different, for some reason, as Han Yangting looked at Nana, the image of that other person surfaced in his mind.

Nana sat down in front of Han Yangting, and in his presence, she was clearly somewhat restrained.

Han Yangting was older and possessed a strong aura; who wouldn't feel restrained when meeting him?

Moreover, she had indeed always admired him.

"Mr. Han..." Nana began, greeting him.

Han Yangting nodded, then beckoned the waiter to pour her some water.

He added, "I'm not sure if you're used to the food here, so I just ordered two sets at random."

Nana hurriedly said, "I'm used to it; I've never been a picky eater."

"That's good." Han Yangting signaled the waiter to serve the dishes.

Michelin dishes are actually often neither Chinese nor Western; this restaurant's style was Cantonese cuisine combined with French, and they even served a seafood congee in the middle.

Han Yangting stared blankly at this small bowl of seafood congee.

Seafood congee was also a famous dish in Fengcheng, and restaurants everywhere had this kind of congee; he remembered that the first time he went out for a late-night snack with Bai Shuruo, they had eaten seafood congee.

Seeing Han Yangting staring at the seafood congee in front of him, Nana couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Han, what's wrong?"

Han Yangting came back to his senses, then pushed the seafood congee toward Nana: "You eat this; I won't."

"But I have this congee in my set as well," Nana said.

Just as she was speaking, the waiter brought over Nana's seafood congee as well.

Only then did Han Yangting realize that he had ordered two identical sets to save himself the trouble.

Nana didn't mind, but as someone with half-foreign ancestry, she still spoke her mind: "Mr. Han, you have something on your mind. You are clearly not as invested in this date as I am."

"I'm sorry." Han Yangting was also honest: "I just saw this bowl of congee and thought of my ex-wife."

"You and your ex-wife must have had a very good relationship? But it's a pity; I heard you were the one who was abandoned."

Han Yangting nodded: "Yes, she had a child with another man."

"Did you only find out recently?" Nana asked.

Han Yangting nodded again.

"You mind that point very much, don't you?" Nana asked while eating.

The education she received from childhood taught her to be honest and open, so even though she felt a bit stage-frightened in front of Han Yangting, she still spoke the truth.

Han Yangting actually appreciated this about Nana; he said, "Any man would mind."

"I am sorry to hear such news, but Mr. Han, you must move on from this; no one can live in the past forever."

Han Yangting said, "That is why I am trying to make a start."

Nana smiled knowingly: "Mr. Han, I have always liked you and want to try to heal you. I hope you will give me a chance."

Han Yangting nodded: "Let us both give each other a chance, if you don't mind my past and don't mind that I am ten years older than you."

Nana said, "I don't think age is a problem. My father is also ten years older than my mother, and they are very happy together. They are the happiest couple I have ever seen, and I have confidence that I can manage my own marriage just like my mother."

Han Yangting smiled again.

Nana then pushed the bowl of seafood congee back in front of him: "Mr. Han—oh no, I should call you Brother Yangting. To forget the past, you must first face the past, not escape it. You must eat this bowl of seafood congee yourself."

Han Yangting smiled, took the congee, and began to eat.

Nana also revealed a satisfied smile.

……

Dali.

Bai Shuruo handed a new list of travelers to Meng Ze and said, "These are the guests arriving today; go and pick them up."

Meng Ze looked at the list and handed it back to her: "Aren't these yesterday's guests? They've already been picked up."

Bai Shuruo took a careful look and hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, I was careless."

Meng Ze couldn't help but look at her and say, "Ever since your sister went back, you've seemed absent-minded these past few days. Is it because you miss your family, or are you thinking about Han Yangting?"

Bai Shuruo smiled: "It was just a small mistake; don't make a mountain out of a molehill."

"You can fool others, but you can't fool me. We've lived under the same roof for over three years, after all; I understand you better than I understand myself," Meng Ze said.

Bai Shuruo looked at Meng Ze and said, "That statement is both right and wrong. What each of us understands the least is actually ourselves, but you don't necessarily understand me that well. I never change my decisions, and I think my current life is quite good. Meng Ze, if you meet a girl who is suitable and whom you like, just be honest with her about our relationship; I don't want to hold you back."

Meng Ze said, "I don't have that intention at all. My current life is fine; why bother finding someone to bring trouble upon myself? I'm already tired enough taking care of you and your daughter; I don't want to take care of another person."

Bai Shuruo looked at Meng Ze: "Meng Ze, actually, I've always wanted to ask... to ask you, what are your thoughts regarding me? I am very grateful for your care, but you never marry or date—could it be that in your heart... you have me?"

Meng Ze also looked at Bai Shuruo.

Meng Ze is thirty-one this year, and Bai Shuruo is twenty-eight; the two of them stood together, covered in dust and dirt, both looking like youths from a small town, and they actually looked quite well-matched.

After watching for a while, Meng Ze took the new guest list from the counter and said to Bai Shuruo, "Whether you are in my heart or not, you should actually be able to feel it; what do you say yourself?"

Bai Shuruo said, "I am very slow when it comes to feelings; in the past, Han Yangting said he liked me, but it took me a long time to perceive it. Ever since I decided to leave Beishi, you have accompanied me as I drifted along the way, and I have felt that between us... it is like family. You must feel the same way about me, right? Could it be..."

Bai Shuruo licked her lips and asked again, "Could it be that you have other feelings for me?"

Meng Ze thought for a moment and said, "My feelings for you are very special; to be honest, I do not want to lose you, but I also do not want to possess you."

After saying this, Meng Ze went out to receive guests, leaving Bai Shuruo standing there alone in a daze.

So, were Meng Ze's feelings for her also born out of familial affection?