In a state-run restaurant, four people sat around a table, looking at each other in an extremely awkward atmosphere.

Although Sun Xuelin was an honest, simple-minded man from the countryside, he was very popular in Liushu Village, and easing tensions was a piece of cake for him.

"Haha...Everyone must be thirsty, right? Have a glass of water to quench your thirst, haha..."

A flock of crows flew overhead.

The atmosphere was already tense, but now it's even more awkward. Sun Xuelin awkwardly scratched his head, realizing that his approach wouldn't work with city people; it only works in the countryside.

He stopped talking, it was incredibly awkward. Couldn't we just give him some face and cooperate properly?

Even a word or two in response is fine, but leaving him to perform a one-man show makes him want to dig a hole and disappear.

City people are so hard to deal with, they're so cunning. I wonder if they're thinking to themselves that he's acting like an idiot and a moron right now.

"Never mind, as long as we have food to eat, I won't hold it against you," he said. "Thank you, Su, for treating us to dinner. I'll toast you with water instead of wine."

It would be good to liven up the atmosphere and make it less quiet, so Su Ying picked up the water and clinked glasses with Sun Xuelin.

To those who were paying attention, however, this scene didn't look like that at all. "Wouldn't Su, the educated youth, just toast with Comrade Sun and skip over us?"

Su Ying raised her eyes in shock and looked at Gu Sinian in disbelief. Was he jealous?

Really?

The fact that Gu Sinian was jealous made Su Ying secretly happy.

It's so good to be reborn; I actually got to see Gu Sinian get jealous in my lifetime.

Although she knew in her past life that Gu Sinian remained unmarried and lived a lonely life for her sake, this was the first time she had ever seen Gu Sinian so jealous, and she found it quite interesting.

He poured another cup of water from the teapot and touched it to the rim of Gu Sinian's cup. Although he couldn't tell whether Gu Sinian's expression was good or bad, he felt that the heavy atmosphere from before had dissipated considerably.

That was close!

Gu Sinian is quite scary when he's jealous. I need to be more careful about this next time, so he doesn't get jealous over unrealistic things again.

When they got to Qiao Xiyan, she haughtily moved her water glass away, pretending not to see her.

Su Ying stood there awkwardly, feeling for some reason that Qiao Zhiqing was deliberately trying to embarrass her.

But wasn't this their first meeting?

Why would someone harbor such deep hostility towards her? Could it be...? Realizing what was happening, Su Ying turned and glanced at Gu Sinian before understanding why Qiao Zhiqing was targeting her.

The trouble caused by a handsome man.

Being too good-looking can also be a troublesome thing for a man.

There must be some untold story between Gu Sinian and the educated youth in front of him...

Just as she was feeling awkward and at a loss, preparing to take her cup back, Gu Sinian took the initiative to touch her cup. Su Ying was stunned for a moment, and just stared straight at the man in front of her.

He was helping her out of the predicament.

Su Ying pursed her lips and sat down.

Sun Xuelin, however, sensed something unusual about the two; after all, he was an experienced man...

Gu Sinian, who was known for keeping women at arm's length, was quite different from Su, the educated youth from Shanghai.

He had observed that although Qiao Zhiqing kept talking about her engagement with Gu Sinian, Gu Sinian had never paid any attention to her.

In contrast, he showed a different side to Su Ying. Gu Sinian stared at Su Ying most of the time, and occasionally the corners of his lips would curve into a smile.

This is what it feels like to like someone. He used to treat his wife the same way. When they first started dating, he wanted to watch her 24/7.

He understands.

There will be a wedding banquet soon.

Staring meaningfully at Gu Sinian and Su Ying, sparks flew between their eyes.

Su Ying was completely baffled. Did Sun Xuelin have something wrong with his eyes? She felt like he was looking at her with a strange gaze... and Gu Sinian too...

Regardless of the deeper meaning behind his gaze, she didn't spare him any extra attention.

She only had eyes for Gu Sinian; his vibrant presence was truly captivating.

Gu Sinian's crazy move not only stunned Su Ying, but also left the other two looking completely dumbfounded.

"cheers."

Sun Xuelin was so shocked he almost spat out his water. He had known Gu Sinian for quite some time, and this was the first time he had ever seen him interested in women.

Gu Sinian was too aloof. Many young and beautiful girls from Willow Village came up to him, but he didn't even glance at them. His indifference to women made Gu Sinian think for a time that he was gay.

Unexpectedly, they hadn't even met someone they liked yet; once the one they did like appeared, their passion ignited more intensely than anyone else's...

Although Qiao Xiyan was drinking the water in her glass, she became quiet and reserved.

This was the first time she had ever seen Gu Sinian look at her with such eyes. His gaze towards Su Ying was filled with tenderness and doting, the kind of look she had always longed for.

She must have misjudged him; Gu Sinian isn't the type to fall in love at first sight...

Perhaps it's just a coincidence...

It must be a coincidence.

Gu Sinian loved her his whole life in his previous life and remained chaste for her. It was impossible for him to be attracted to other women, though he might have a tiny bit of affection for them.

She and Gu Sinian grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. No one knew Gu Sinian better than her. Even if he had just a little bit of affection for Su Ying, she would never let them be together.

They are not a good match at all. Only she is worthy of Gu Sinian. They are still engaged, and their relationship is closer than that of Su Ying.

So what if she's pretty and has fair skin? Who would dare marry a rich heiress like that?

When choosing a wife, one should choose someone virtuous and capable, rather than marrying a demanding woman to serve.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!