Chapter 68: Fate or Not

This was certainly not some mystical connection.

What to eat has always been one of humanity’s greatest dilemmas.

So when Aunt Su suggested going to Ting Haichao, he didn’t think twice and blurted it out.

And now they were on their way to Ting Haichao.

Ting Haichao was actually a Sichuan-style hotpot restaurant localized for this region.

It kept the signature flavors of Sichuan hotpot while incorporating some local touches.

As a result, it was popular with locals, but not many tourists came.

Ruan Hongzhuang wasn’t a local, but she loved spicy food, so she adored Ting Haichao.

When she had free time, she would bring Jiang Taozhi along to eat there.

This tortured Jiang Taozhi, who loved sweets, into near-delirium.

Sometimes Jiang Taozhi couldn’t help complaining that their parents must have swapped them at birth.

Ruan Hongzhuang was from Siming, where people should prefer sweets, yet she loved spicy food.

And she was from Binhai, where people adored yellow lantern peppers and Xiaomi peppers, yet she Pianpian loved sweets.

Seeing Ruan Hongzhuang’s stubborn expression, Jiang Taozhi grumbled, “Tonight’s my date—since you don’t like him, don’t you dare steal him.”

“Oh, do you really like him?”

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at her, asking as if it were no big deal.

“Like? Not really—we’ve only just met—but I feel comfortable with him, so I want to give it a try,” Jiang Taozhi said after thinking.

She spoke honestly, not to provoke Ruan Hongzhuang.

Ruan Hongzhuang’s eyes flickered, and she nodded lightly: “Try it, but don’t get attached. People’s hearts are hard to read—don’t end up regretting it later.”

Jiang Taozhi grinned: “Are you worried about me? Or…”

But Ruan Hongzhuang didn’t answer. She simply walked ahead.

“Come on, don’t keep others waiting.”

Shen Siyuan had noticed them talking behind him and stopped to wait.

“Beef tripe, shrimp balls, beef meatballs, fish slices…”

Shen Siyuan listened to Aunt Su’s suggestions as he ordered.

He didn’t notice Jiang Taozhi staring at Ruan Hongzhuang in shock.

And Ruan Hongzhuang’s beautiful eyes sparkled, equally surprised.

Because every dish Shen Siyuan ordered was exactly what she loved.

Then Ruan Hongzhuang noticed he’d even prepared his dipping sauce the same way she did—and was even more stunned.

“Does this really taste good?”

While the two weren’t looking, Shen Siyuan quietly asked Aunt Su.

“Of course it does! You’ve got to trust me—I was an expert in cooking back when I was alive,” Aunt Su declared firmly.

So Shen Siyuan believed her, tried it, found it actually delicious, and accepted it.

He never noticed Ruan Hongzhuang watching him with her eyes the whole time.

After finishing the hotpot, the three exchanged WeChat contacts and parted ways, no further plans.

They’d just met today; sharing a meal was already pushing it, especially with three people—it wasn’t convenient.

So Shen Siyuan politely took his leave.

Once he was gone, Jiang Taozhi boldly confronted Ruan Hongzhuang.

“Spill it—do you like him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ruan Hongzhuang said, walking ahead without looking back.

“You two knew each other before, didn’t you?”

“Are you annoying or what?”

“I don’t know, but since you don’t like him, if I go after him, you can’t compete with me,” Jiang Taozhi said.

Ruan Hongzhuang stopped, turned, and looked at her.

Jiang Taozhi felt a pang of unease under her gaze.

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

“Do you like him?”

“No, I already said—I just have a slight fondness.”

“Then why are you going after him?”

“Because then you’ll come chasing after him.”

Ruan Hongzhuang frowned and shot her a cold glare.

As Jiang Taozhi shrank back, Ruan Hongzhuang stepped forward again.

“I never steal my best friend’s boyfriend.”

“Pfft~”

Jiang Taozhi was the type who was cowardly but loved to play games.

Aunt Su didn’t follow Ruan Hongzhuang anymore.

Instead, she trailed behind Shen Siyuan.

“Let me tell you, you and Ruan Ruan are perfectly matched…”

“You’re a very special person, and my Ruan Ruan is talented too…”

“She’s a bit domineering, but with you, she’s gentle—she always considers your feelings…”

…

Aunt Su chattered nonstop beside Shen Siyuan, trying hard to bring them together.

Shen Siyuan understood her good intentions—Ruan Hongzhuang was already twenty-eight, an age when marriage was overdue, and Aunt Su’s anxiety was understandable.

Still, he declined: “I don’t think she’s bad—she’s too good. That’s why she’s not right for me.”

“Why say that? Being too good isn’t a bad thing?”

“Do you think someone with her personality will ever settle down to raise children and manage household chores?” Shen Siyuan countered.

Aunt Su fell silent.

But finally she spoke: “She truly likes you—she can learn all that.”

“Then would she still be herself?”

Aunt Su fell silent again.

She was a perceptive woman and understood the truth.

“When a person changes for another, they lose themselves. Being true to oneself is when one is most attractive.”

“Miss Ruan is beautiful, but what truly draws people in is her aura—if she were stuck at home raising children, would she still have that captivating presence?” Shen Siyuan pressed.

Aunt Su fell silent again—this time for a long while.

After a while, she spoke: “A girl must marry someday.”

Her voice carried resignation and worry for Ruan Hongzhuang’s future.

Ruan Hongzhuang’s personality was simply too strong—it made her marriage prospects even harder.

“Let things unfold naturally. Let’s not talk about this anymore, Aunt Su—what unfinished wish keeps you tied to Miss Ruan?” Shen Siyuan changed the subject.

“Of course it’s her marriage,” Aunt Su brought the topic right back.

“This conversation is over.”

Aunt Su burst into laughter.

Clearly, she’d been an extremely cheerful person in life.

“If you ever need anything, come find me.”

Only when Shen Siyuan returned to his residential compound did he say this to Aunt Su.

Aunt Su smiled, nodded, glanced around the neighborhood, then turned and walked away without looking back.

“Could her wish really be nothing more than Ruan Hongzhuang’s marriage? If so, I can’t help.”

Shen Siyuan pulled out his phone and sent Jiang Taozhi a message.

“Got home safely?”

He had a good impression of this girl—she was simple, without guile. Such a girl was actually perfect as a girlfriend.

She wouldn’t play games with you; all her emotions showed on her face, and she was a foodie—so even when angry, she’d be easy to soothe.

So Shen Siyuan had a favorable first impression and wanted to get to know her better.

Since that was the case, he needed to show some initiative—that’s why he sent the message.

But since he returned from his hometown, Jiang Tingyu hadn’t sent a single message these past two days—as if she’d vanished.

Still, Shen Siyuan had no intention of reaching out to her.

If he’d decided to pursue Jiang Taozhi, he shouldn’t keep dragging things out with Jiang Tingyu—he shouldn’t waste her time.