Chapter 154: Likes and a Car Accident

That night, Chen Che and Ma Menghan did not immediately move into the Nanchang Road Villa.

Ma Menghan was in a bad mood and hadn't eaten dinner; instead, she held the box and walked aimlessly.

Chen Che followed behind her, keeping a proper distance, giving her both space to be alone and a sense of security.

Not knowing how long they had walked, Ma Menghan stopped, turned back to look at Chen Che, and smiled: "I'm hungry."

Chen Che gazed at her red, swollen eyes and smiled: "Let's go, let's go eat."

As night fell, the hustle and bustle of the city gradually subsided, but in a corner by the roadside, the liveliness of a barbecue stall was just beginning.

Under the dim streetlights, smoke curled, and the red glow of the charcoal flickered in the night, adding a touch of warmth to this corner.

On the grill, various meats and vegetables were skewered on iron sticks, sizzling as they roasted and emitting an enticing aroma.

Chen Che and Ma Menghan picked a table and sat down facing each other.

"Boss, serve the food."

Ma Menghan called out generously.

"Coming right up!"

The stall owner was a middle-aged man wearing an apron stained with oil, skillfully flipping the skewers and occasionally sprinkling on a handful of cumin and chili powder to make the flavor of the skewers even richer.

His face always wore an enthusiastic smile as he chatted with customers, cracking jokes from time to time to create a cordial and relaxed atmosphere.

Customers sat around simple plastic tables and chairs, some in groups of three or five, others enjoying the food alone.

They either raised their glasses to drink or chatted in low voices, their faces brimming with satisfaction and joy.

Occasionally, the roar of cars and the chatter of pedestrians could be heard nearby, but these sounds seemed to be drowned out by the liveliness of the barbecue stall.

Here, time seemed to slow down; people could temporarily forget the fatigue and worries of the day and immerse themselves in this simple and pure happiness.

Ma Menghan seemed to be truly hungry; the speed at which the boss grilled couldn't keep up with the speed at which she ate.

Seeing her wolfing down the food, Chen Che smiled without a word, instead giving her the items from his own plate.

Ma Menghan finished the skewers on the table once more, gulped down a large mouthful of her drink, let out a satisfied burp, rubbed her belly, and said, "Mm, full."

"Shall we head back then?"

Chen Che handed her a napkin again, and Ma Menghan took it to wipe her greasy hands and mouth.

"You haven't eaten yet, I'll wait for you."

Ma Menghan looked at Chen Che with a hint of apology and shyness on her face.

Chen Che shook his head: "I'm not hungry."

"You should still eat something, it's my treat today. You'll be at a loss if you don't eat."

Ma Menghan ordered another portion from the boss, then rested her chin in her hands, blinking her large eyes and staring fixedly at Chen Che.

Chen Che laughed in spite of himself: "If you look at me like that, I can't eat."

"Then I'll feed you."

Ma Menghan said.

Before Chen Che could react, Ma Menghan had already moved the food from the skewer onto a plate and reached out with chopsticks to hold it to Chen Che's mouth.

"I'd better do it my—mm..."

Before Chen Che could finish, the chopsticks were already in his mouth, and Chen Che, helpless, had no choice but to eat it.

"Yo, look, that young couple at that table, how sweet!"

"It's good to be young, so envious!"

"Handsome man and beautiful woman, they really are a match; such a heartwarming moment, it ought to be recorded."

The stall owner and the guests at the surrounding tables all looked at Chen Che and Ma Menghan with doting smiles.

Some young people had intense envy on their faces and raised their phones to record the moment.

However, the parties involved had no idea they were being discussed.

Soon, under Ma Menghan's insistence, Chen Che finished the food on the plate.

"Do you want more?"

Ma Menghan looked at Chen Che, her large eyes flashing with brilliance.

"No need, I'm full."

Chen Che reached out to block the chopsticks Ma Menghan was extending, saying.

Ma Menghan put down her bowl and chopsticks, staring blankly at Chen Che; her clear eyes were like a pool of water, containing thousands of emotions.

"Thank you for today."

Ma Menghan suddenly spoke up.

Chen Che didn't think much of it: "It's nothing, just a small favor."

Silence...

"Chen Che." Ma Menghan suddenly called him.

Chen Che raised his eyes: "What's wrong?"

"I like you!"

Ma Menghan's voice was not loud, but her words were clear, reaching not only Chen Che's ears but also the people at the adjacent table.

"Damn, what's going on?"

"So they aren't a couple yet, the girl is taking the chance to confess!"

"This is a girl chasing a guy, and this beauty is so pretty, why don't I have such luck!"

"Are you as handsome as her boyfriend? If not, stop fantasizing!"

"Everyone stop talking, watch closely!"

The onlookers all stopped eating and turned to look at Chen Che and Ma Menghan, their faces full of excitement and anticipation.

"Uh..."

Chen Che did not expect her to say this, and for a moment, he was at a loss for what to do.

Ma Menghan spoke again at this moment: "You don't need to overthink it; I am just telling you that I like you."

"Also, thank you for today, and thank you for everything all this time."

Ma Menghan said again.

Chen Che smiled slightly: "We are friends, there's no need for this."

Ma Menghan's pupils reflected Chen Che's image, shining brightly: "I have already decided to return to Shanghai tomorrow. My mother's mementos are coming back, and there is nothing left here for me to linger over."

"I know you have things to do, so before I leave, I want to tell you that I like you."

"Thank you."

Chen Che held it in for a long time before spitting out those two words. This left all the onlookers looking as if they were frustrated by his failure to live up to expectations!

"Do you still remember that you owe me two things?"

Ma Menghan asked with a face full of smiles.

Chen Che nodded: "I remember."

"Now I will state the second thing."

A trace of sorrow suddenly appeared in the eyes with which Ma Menghan gazed at Chen Che, "The second thing I want you to do is that you must be well; no matter if we can meet again in the future or not, you must be well."

Chen Che was stunned and did not speak.

"I know I am not worthy of you, and I may never be able to keep up with your pace, but I will not give up; I will become a better version of myself! I won't let you look down on me!"

Ma Menghan suddenly burst into tears, her eye sockets, which had not yet lost their swelling, becoming even more swollen, "So my third thing is, please, you must not forget me!"

Chen Che nodded heavily and promised: "I definitely won't!"

Seeing this, the onlookers also sighed one after another.

"It looks like this young lady really loves the boy deeply."

"Although I don't know who this boy is, judging by the meaning, he must be the girl's 'white moonlight'; as expected, one shouldn't meet someone too stunning when they are young, otherwise it will be etched into their bones."

"I really envy their relationship! Even if it's etched into the bones, I don't want to have regrets, but why don't I have such a 'white moonlight'? As expected, good men all belong to others!"

The onlookers discussed it heatedly, and some even had teary eyes.

Ma Menghan, however, broke into a smile through her tears at this moment and said: "Alright, alright, no need to be so serious, let's go back."

Chen Che curled his lips into a smile: "Okay."

"Wait a moment, I'm going to the restroom."

Ma Menghan stood up and trotted toward the restroom.

Chen Che sat in his original spot, turning his head to look at the bustling crowd, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Screech—"

"Bang!!!"

"Ah—"

A piercing sound of brakes rang out, followed immediately by a dull sound of impact, and finally the terrified scream of a female customer at the next table.

Chen Che's heart skipped a beat; he turned his head to look, his face instantly covered in horror and disbelief.

Ma Menghan had been sent flying by a black Honda, and bright red blood drew a long streak on the ground.

"Hum—"

A sharp ringing in his ears began, and after a momentary trance, Chen Che catapulted out of his seat.