Chapter 6 I don't want to be...

ah?

Jin Huan felt the lingering warmth of her coat on her legs. The slightly heavy garment had a noticeable presence on her legs. Outside, rainwater streamed down the windowpane, turning into countless winding rivers that flowed into her heart.

Jin Huan was shocked by what he said, but she understood that he was saying he was changing his mind.

Jin Huan stared at him blankly, speechless with surprise.

Zhong Yan looked at her calmly.

He accepted this expectation in that instant.

Zhong Yan had not set any limits for his marriage partner before this, but he always needed someone suitable, and nothing else mattered. Marriage had never been important to him, like a piece of bread on the breakfast table. You could eat it or not. The simple bread wasn't particularly delicious, and it was even ranked after other foods.

Marriage plays a very minor role for him here; once the interference of elders is removed, it becomes almost superfluous.

Seeing the girl's surprised look, he said, "Next, we'll talk about marriage."

"Let me hear what you have to say first," he said tolerantly.

To get married.

She was the one who brought it up, but now she's at a loss. She doesn't know what to do or what to do for the wedding. All those things about dowry and bride price online seem so complicated.

Jin Huan thought Mr. Zhong wanted to talk to her about this.

She hasn't told her aunt yet. Her parents aren't that important to her; they rarely care about her affairs these days, at most they'll find out. But her aunt is her closest relative, and she definitely has to get past her aunt's approval.

However, this is something that Jin Huan should definitely say herself.

She couldn't possibly create more problems for Mr. Zhong because of this.

"My name is Fang Jinhuan. I am 23 years old and a second-year graduate student majoring in biomedical engineering."

Jin Huan introduced herself as if she were going on stage to perform. She believed that it was most important to understand the basic situation first. As for the actual marriage, her voice gradually softened: "As for the elders in my family... I just need my aunt's approval."

"Does your aunt agree?" Zhong Yan asked her gently.

Jin Huan slightly opened her mouth, neither nodding nor shaking her head. Her expression was somewhat defeated, making her previous insistence seem like a joke.

Zhong Yan didn't urge her or say anything else. She was thinking, so he waited for her to figure it out.

At her age, she needs to think things through.

“Mr. Zhong, I know what you’re worried about. You’re afraid I’m acting on impulse, and you’re also afraid I’ll regret it later.”

Jin Huan understood his meaning from his silence. She knew that her behavior seemed irresponsible. She had never thought she would do this before, but because her parents were divorced, she was actually more mature than other children. From childhood to adulthood, she had made many important decisions on her own.

In her teens, she made the decision to live with her aunt instead of her mother or father. In college, she chose to apply to a university in the north, thousands of miles away from home. After graduating, she chose to return to China to pursue a master's degree.

Jin Huan knew what she wanted from a young age. Because she was clear about it, she made many choices firmly and quickly. She firmly believed that she had to do it because her heart told her so, and therefore she would not regret it.

She looked at him with such sincere eyes, eyes that held a determination beyond her years. Zhong Yan saw the meaning she was trying to convey in her eyes, and a smile appeared in his eyes... well, he was a little surprised.

Surprisingly, she had such a firm belief in this matter.

For over thirty years, his heart had remained as still as stagnant water. In other words, he was an old-fashioned and conservative man whose thoughts were likely not on the same wavelength as hers. He also found it hard to imagine that he would ever fall in love. Therefore, he knew long ago that all he could give his future partner was respect and love.

The girl in front of me seems to be in need of love.

He might not be able to give it to me.

Zhong Yan's statement about changing his mind did not mean that he wanted to make a decision right now.

He asked Jin Huan to leave his phone number.

His contact information.

Jin Huan quickly took out her phone, saved his number, carefully noted it down as "Mr. Zhong," and then asked him, "Is this also my WeChat ID?"

Zhong Yan nodded: "Mm."

Jin Huan blinked: "If I add you as a friend, will you agree?"

Zhong Yan agreed.

Before Jin Huan could even feel happy, she heard Zhong Yan's voice.

“Miss Fang, I don’t want people to call me a beast, or… to say things like bullying a child who doesn’t know any better. I haven’t gone that far with you yet.”

He was very careful about his feelings for the girl in front of him, and it was precisely because he was careful that he wanted to make things clear to her. He didn't want to be cryptic; he wanted to be upfront and talk things out.

Only after understanding the consequences can one take action.

This reflects Zhong Yan's attitude towards life and interpersonal relationships.

"I've agreed to your request now, but I'm still giving you some time, which I think is necessary." Zhong Yan said gently, "If you regret it, you can message me anytime."

Jin Huanxin brought it up with a hint of concern and asked, "How long will you be staying?"

The way she asked the question made it seem like she was afraid someone else would beat her to it, as if he were some kind of hot commodity, but there was really no need for that.

It was rare for Zhong Yan to be remembered like this, and he said with a smile in his eyes, "When we all think things will fall into place."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Don't worry, I won't go around making promises to everyone."

It was a very calm sentence, yet it was his promise.

She was the only one who promised her.

Jin Huan was truly relieved to hear this. She smiled and nodded, "I understand."

The rain came quickly and ended just as fast. By the time our chat was over, the rain had stopped, and the air was filled with moisture, which was being rustled by the wind.

Zhong Yan said, "Go back to your dorm and change your clothes first. I'll wait for you here."

"Let me treat you to afternoon tea."

.

Jin Huan rushed back to her dorm to change her clothes. The new clothes she bought at noon came in handy. She carefully cut off the tags and quickly touched up her makeup. If she had enough time, she should wash her hair. Her hair, which had been wet by the rain, was not smooth and soft, even though she had already blow-dried it.

But she didn't want to keep Mr. Zhong waiting for too long.

The coat that Jin Huan had covered was put back in its original place, next to the bouquet of flowers, and the inside of the coat was a little damp from her touch.

Jin Huan was about to apologize when Zhong Yan, without even looking up, said, "It's alright, we were supposed to clean it today anyway."

Zhong Yan was always tolerant of these things; it was just a piece of clothing.

"Is there anything you'd like to eat?" Zhong Yan asked her first. "Or... do you prefer coffee?"

Mentioning coffee made Jin Huan blush. Last time she said she would treat him to a coffee, but he ended up paying for it, making it seem like she was just there to freeload.

"No coffee, no coffee," she said, though she didn't actually like it much; it was just an excuse.

Jin Huan reluctantly said, "Let's not drink coffee then."

Zhong Yan's car drove for about ten minutes and stopped downstairs. This restaurant was one that Zhong Yan had visited once before when he went out to eat with his younger family members. It was a very cute restaurant with an animal theme, which was very popular with children.

The taste is also good.

Well, Jin Huan felt something was off.

Mr. Zhong, sitting opposite her, was tall and imposing. He had taken off his coat and was only wearing a dark turtleneck sweater, which revealed his strong and broad arms, almost twice the size of hers. His hands were as wide as her waist. He looked at her with a tolerant smile, and the slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes softened his expression. He was a man of mature stature.

The food laid out in front of her was for children.

Jin Huan asked him why he wasn't eating.

“No need, I have dietary restrictions today,” Zhong Yan explained.

He manages his physique regularly each week, and his diet is strictly controlled during this time, with a nutritionist at home to arrange it for him.

Oh... Jin Huan thought, no wonder he looks so healthy, much healthier than her.

With this in mind, it doesn't stop you from enjoying your meal to the fullest.

The fries were really delicious, crispy and crunchy, with a slightly spicy sauce. The pink drink was a fruit juice, much better than the milk tea and fruit tea that I used to love. It had pomegranate, strawberry, and even a hint of carrot flavor.

Jin Huan believes that having carrots makes you healthy.

Jin Huan is now a little hamster diligently eating, happily burying her head in her food. She's not shy about eating and even recommends the drink to Zhong Yan, suggesting he try it next time it's not his management day.

Hmm... she thinks it tastes better than coffee.

Zhong Yan nodded in agreement and promised to try again next time.

Jin Huan finished her afternoon tea, carefully wiped her mouth with a tissue, and then said to Zhong Yan, "Thank you for treating me today. I'll treat you next time."

"Oh, right, we need to agree on a time for next time," Jin Huan paused for a moment, then said, "How about this Sunday? Is this Sunday okay?"

The girl's thoughts were written all over her face, and Zhong Yan could tell at a glance. He said, "I have a meeting on Sunday morning and a social engagement in the evening. Other than those times, I'm free."

Sundays are always so busy.

Jin Huan's expression stiffened for a moment. She licked her lips and asked, "Am I taking up too much of your time today?"

She made him wait for her, talked to him for so long in the car, and now she's eating here. I don't know how much time she's wasted on him.

This was what Jin Huan was thinking; she didn't want to hold him back.

Zhong Yan had a deep crease under his eyelids, and his gaze was profound beneath the crease. He quietly watched her expression change from enjoying her meal to feeling ashamed and annoyed. He lowered his head silently, only able to see a bit of her chin.

Her features are very soft and completely non-aggressive, which makes her very pleasant to look at.

Some people have this innate ability to make people feel comfortable just by their looks.

That's also a talent.

"Aren't you going to marry me?" Zhong Yan met her gaze, paused, and said, "If you're going to be my wife, I can take up as much time as I want... Don't worry about it too much."

His tone was casual, yet it sounded like he was joking with her.

Jin Huan blushed at his unexpected use of the word "wife".

She was bewildered and could only stammer, "Oh...oh..."

A note from the author: