Chapter 157 Would you like to date me?

The old man killed the conversation with just one sentence.

Qin Ce stood up and said, "I'll go buy groceries too."

After saying that, he turned and walked out, leaving the two of them to continue their awkward conversation.

The old man realized something and sighed, "That's right, it's been twenty years. Even if we met, we wouldn't know what to say."

We don't yet know that kid's attitude towards Joey, so informing him rashly might backfire.

Qin Ce drove to the vegetable market and found Qiao Xing in the crowd. She was picking out vegetables and was already carrying a large bag.

She thought she would have guests today, so she bought more vegetables, a variety of kinds.

"Qiao Xing".

Qin Ce's voice came from behind her. Qiao Xing was stunned for a moment, then turned around abruptly and saw Qin Ce standing behind her.

He took the groceries from her hands; they were quite heavy. "This is enough, don't buy any more."

"I still haven't bought any shrimp. I don't know if Auntie and your sister like seafood."

"It's alright, this is enough, don't be so polite." After saying that, Qin Ce took her hand and walked outside.

Qiao Xing followed him to the parking lot next door, watched him put the groceries into the trunk, and then opened the car door and got in.

She frequently turned her head to look at Qin Ce's profile, hesitating several times as if she wanted to say something.

Qin Ce didn't look at her, but he knew she was looking at him and had something to ask.

He spoke first: "You want to ask about company matters?"

Qiao Xing quickly looked away, staring at her fingers. "No, you don't have to say if you don't want to."

"There's nothing I don't want to say. I used to work at S&C, and I'm returning to China with the company this time."

"I see."

"Um."

"Then you lied to me before, saying you were looking for a job."

Qin Ce tightened his grip on the steering wheel, and the car became quiet for a long time.

Only then did they hear Qin Ce say three words, "I'm sorry."

"No need, no need to apologize. We didn't know each other back then, and we didn't really want to get married. I also lied to you before and said the house was mine, so let's call it even."

Qin Ce's expression remained solemn, and he did not respond.

The market isn't far away, only a few minutes' walk, but if you drive there you have to go around and make a U-turn.

After making a U-turn, Qin Ce drove the car to the side of the road in the residential area and parked it.

Qiao Xing went to open the car door, only to find it locked. She looked back at Qin Ce, puzzled.

He was still holding the steering wheel, showing no intention of getting off.

"What's wrong?" Qiao Xing asked.

Qin Ce sighed heavily, turned to look at Qiao Xing, and asked, "What do you think of me?"

Qiao Xing was taken aback by the question and paused for a moment before saying, "You're very good."

"How wonderful?"

Qiao Xing truthfully replied, "He's better than most men I've ever met."

"Yeah?"

"Um."

Qin Ce stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, "Would you like to date me?"

"..." Another question left Qiao Xing speechless.

Qiao Xing asked in confusion, "Weren't we already married?"

Qin Ce shook his head slightly: "It's different. As you said, getting married wasn't our original intention at first, so perhaps we can start from the first step."

"Is the first step... dating?"

"No, it's a confession."

It's hard to believe that he said this with such a serious expression, giving Qiao Xing the feeling of being in a work meeting.

She suddenly felt a lot of pressure.

Qin Ce suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned closer to her, and stared intently at Qiao Xing's face. "Qiao Xing, would you like to date me?"

"..."

The heat hit her face, and Qiao Xing's face immediately burned. She didn't dare to look Qin Ce in the eye, and lowered her gaze, scanning back and forth on her legs.

"I'm willing, right?" Qiao Xing's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

"You're willing...right? Why add 'right'?"

"If you don't want to, you can just say so. I don't mean to force you."

Qiao Xing suddenly looked up and realized that the two of them were very close, close enough to kiss with the slightest movement.

She could even see a few faint stubbles on his chin, which wouldn't be visible at normal social distance.

"I'm not unwilling." Qiao Xing's heart was pounding, almost as if it would jump out of her chest.

"So that means you're willing?"

"Hmm." Qiao Xing was about to bury her head again.

Suddenly a hand appeared and lifted her chin, forcing her to look the man in the eye.

Qiao Xing immediately gripped his knee tightly with his fingers.

Qin Ce paused, then suddenly released her. "Never mind, it's not a good time to kiss now."

"..." Does he always have to speak so bluntly?

It's true, with people coming and going outside, it's not really suitable.

But to Qiao Xing, these words sounded like they were saying that today was not a good day to go to work.

Qiao Xing suddenly remembered the words Qiao Yi had said—"unromantic," which really suited Qin Ce.

After he finished speaking, he opened the car door and said, "Get out of the car."

Qiao Xing rubbed his burning cheeks, let out a long breath, unbuckled his seatbelt, opened the door and got out of the car.

Qin Ce took the groceries out of the trunk and then reached out his hand to her.

Qiao Xing felt around in his pocket and suddenly realized that he didn't know what the other person wanted.

Just as Qiao Xing was about to ask, he heard him say, "Hand."

Qiao Xing felt embarrassed again. She took her hand out of her pocket and placed it in his large palm.

He held her hand tightly and led her into the residential area.

The two had barely stepped inside when a parking ticket was affixed to their car door.

After returning home, Qiao Xing went to the kitchen to cook. She had bought a lot of groceries, including chicken and fish, and she was too busy to manage, so Qin Ce offered to help her.

The old man exchanged a glance with Joey, then gestured with his chin toward the kitchen, "See that?"

Joey nodded seriously, "Hmm, not bad."

The old man started rambling again, "That's why I say, once a man gets married, he changes."

Joey leaned back on the sofa and smiled. "That depends on what kind of man he is."

These words were loaded with meaning, and the old man looked somewhat embarrassed. "That's true."

"Shanshan, I was wrong to you back then. It's kind of you to come back and see this old man."

Joey glanced at the old man and said, “Dad, there’s no need to talk about this. So much time has passed. Qin Ying and I had our own problems back then, it has nothing to do with you.”

"And I've been doing quite well all these years."

The old man sighed again, "Let's not talk about it anymore. I'm relieved that you're doing well."

Qiao Xing, who had come out to get something, overheard this. She went into the kitchen and whispered to Qin Ce, "Qin Ce, what kind of person is your stepfather?"

A person who can revitalize a woman who has failed in her marriage and have two children with her must be an exceptional person.

Qin Ce put the washed fish into a plate, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "I don't know."

"Forehead……"

Qin Ce looked at her again and said, "You can ask my mother about this."