Chapter 60

The next day was Saturday, and everyone got up later than usual. Qin Su actually got up earlier than usual.

Gu Chiyan was earlier than her, sitting in the restaurant drinking coffee.

Seeing Qin Su come downstairs, he held the book next to the plate: "Good morning, didn't you sleep in a little longer this weekend?"

Qin Su: "I'm used to it; I can't change my biological clock."

Gu Chiyan smiled slightly: "Me too, even if I want to sleep a little longer, my body won't allow it."

He stood up and asked, "I made coffee, would you like some?"

Qin Su sat down opposite him: "Okay."

Gu Chiyan poured her a cup of hot coffee and made her a simple egg and vegetable sandwich.

He placed it in front of Qin Su and casually said, "Low-fat diet, very healthy."

Qin Su took a sip, her mouth filled with the bitter aroma of coffee.

She gently stroked the rim of the glass with her fingertips: "You like working out, right?"

Gu Chiyan looked up in surprise: "How did you know?"

He has never revealed this to anyone on the show.

Qin Su: "Your breakfast eating habit is very much like that of a fitness and health enthusiast."

Gu Chiyan glanced at the breakfast in front of the two of them and couldn't help but laugh: "Really... I didn't realize it before."

However, Qin Su was able to notice it so quickly, probably because she herself has a similar habit.

Gu Chiyan asked, "Do you also like working out?"

Qin Su slowly blew on her coffee: "I like swimming."

"I like swimming too!" Gu Chiyan was surprised but also happy. "I used to be a swimming teacher when I was in school, teaching children to swim."

"Really? That's quite a coincidence." Qin Su smiled slightly. "I've also taught children dance and swimming."

Once people share common interests and experiences, they naturally become closer.

Before Qin Su came downstairs, Gu Chiyan was eating breakfast while reading to pass the time. Now that Qin Su was sitting opposite him, he couldn't continue reading, so he put the book away.

He was afraid he would forget where he was looking, so he wanted to make a mark, but he didn't want to fold the page, so he hesitated for a moment.

Qin Su noticed his movement and asked, "What are you looking for? A bookmark?"

Gu Chiyan: "Yes, I left the bookmark at the company and forgot to bring it back."

Qin Su glanced around at her surroundings.

A bouquet of roses arranged by the production team was placed in a vase on the dining table. Although they were a little wilted, they were still a vibrant red.

She reached out and plucked a flower, quickly squeezing it flat in a few strokes.

"Use this." Qin Su handed it to Gu Chiyan. "You can find the bookmark later and throw it away, or you can process it and make a bookmark yourself."

Her outstretched palm was as white as jade, and the withered roses placed there looked like some kind of exquisitely crafted work of art.

Gu Chiyan was taken aback, then picked up the rose and tucked it into the book: "Thank you."

He closed the book and pushed it aside: "You said yesterday that you had also read this book?"

“Yes,” Qin Su said, “This book is quite famous; I have it in my study.”

Gu Chiyan: "Some of the business cases inside are very interesting and I feel they are worth learning from and referencing."

Qin Su had been looking at the data since she came into this world, so of course she knew that Gu Chiyan liked this book.

Moreover, because he kept reading this book during this variety show episode, it greatly increased the book's sales.

She said casually, "There's one case I particularly like, it's the cross-border acquisition case in Part Two..."

Gu Chiyan was even more delighted: "You like that too? I like it too, especially the methodology he mentioned, it's very insightful..."

The two of them naturally started talking about this topic.

Gu Chiyan's eyes lit up as they talked, and he felt that he and Qin Su had many similarities.

Perhaps it was because both Qin Su and he were people who needed to inherit the family business and were also people who wanted to innovate, that he felt that the two of them had completely compatible views and opinions in all aspects.

This joy, as if meeting a kindred spirit, sends shivers down one's spine.

When a normal person gets too involved in a conversation, their body will involuntarily lean towards the other person.

Therefore, when Xu Shishi finished getting ready and came downstairs, she saw Gu Chiyan and Qin Su chatting happily.

Qin Su had finished her breakfast, but Gu Chiyan hadn't; he hadn't even noticed that his coffee had gone cold.

Although the two were sitting opposite each other, Gu Chiyan's upper body was clearly leaning towards Qin Su.

Xu Shishi paused in her steps.

[Xu Shishi is finally here! I felt like Gu Chiyan was going to switch sides if she hadn't come!]

[He's already fallen apart, isn't he? Look at Gu Chiyan's energy; he hasn't been this enthusiastic since the show started.]

[Damn, is this some kind of chaotic scene already?!]

[Exciting! Let's fight!]

Gu Chiyan was completely absorbed in the conversation and did not notice Xu Shishi's movements.

Qin Su noticed her first and nodded at her, saying, "Good morning."

Xu Shishi smiled and said, "Good morning."

Gu Chiyan turned to look at her and said, "Good morning."

He paused for a moment, then said, "There's breakfast in the kitchen."

[Holy crap, family, isn't this blatant discrimination? He personally went to the kitchen to bring it to Qin Su when she came downstairs.]

My salt-themed couple finally couldn't hold on any longer...

[I feel so sorry for Xu Shishi; what a fickle and scumbag!]

Calling him a scumbag is too harsh. At first, Gu Chiyan and Xu Shishi just had a bit more affection for each other; they didn't make any promises, and they were just getting to know each other better.

Xu Shishi, unaware of what had happened, went to the kitchen and got a breakfast.

In just a short while, Gu Chiyan and Qin Su started chatting again.

Xu Shishi's gaze swept over Gu Chiyan's face before she sat down next to Qin Su.

Last night, Qin Su and Jin Xiao were chatting about why they came to participate in the show, and later other people joined in.

She lied at the time, saying that she wanted to be in a relationship.

But in reality, she wasn't interested in dating; she came to the show to hook up with rich guys.

She wanted to take a shortcut, and marriage was the best way to cross social classes.

It wouldn't be accurate to say she liked Gu Chiyan that much; she just noticed that Gu Chiyan was the richest among the male guests.

I originally thought that rich second-generation guys all liked innocent girls. I finally managed to hook up with one a couple of days ago, but now it seems that they prefer like-minded soulmates.

Xu Shishi stirred her coffee with a spoon, subtly observing Gu Chiyan and Qin Su.

As a woman herself, she could naturally tell that Qin Su had no interest in Gu Chiyan.

Should we wait until Gu Chiyan is rejected by Qin Su and then take advantage of the situation to change our strategy?

Xu Shishi hesitated.

Qin Su probably misunderstood her actions and pushed the plate of sugar cubes towards her: "You can add sugar if you think it's too bitter."

Xu Shishi's thoughts were interrupted, and she subconsciously smiled sweetly: "Okay, thank you Su Su."

Sigh, why isn't Qin Su a man?

Xu Shishi was quite disappointed.

She added a piece of sugar to the cup and asked Gu Chiyan with concern, "Is your coffee cold? Would you like to get a new one?"

Gu Chiyan then realized that he had been chatting with Qin Su for too long, and gave an awkward smile: "Then I'll go get a new cup of coffee."

Xu Shishi asked Qin Su, "What are your plans for today?"

Qin Su shook her head: "No, but I need to go to the supermarket later to buy some vegetables and fruits."

Today it was her turn to cook with Jin Xiao.

Xu Shishi: "Then I'll go with you."

Qin Su: "Okay, I'll let Jin Xiao know in a bit."

When she mentioned Jin Xiao, Xu Shishi's heart skipped a beat. She glanced at the camera, leaned closer to Qin Su, and asked in a whisper, "I have a question."

Qin Su glanced at her: "Sneaking around... What's the problem?"

Xu Shishi blinked: "Do esports players earn a lot of money?"

The fact that she avoided filming when asking Qin Su such a question made her intentions crystal clear.

Qin Su raised an eyebrow and replied softly, "Top players earn a lot."

Xu Shishi hesitated, thinking of Jin Xiao's age, and said, "Then Jin Xiao..."

Qin Su: "I don't know, you should ask him yourself."

Xu Shishi pouted in dissatisfaction, complaining in a half-coquettish tone, "How can I ask myself?"

Qin Su poked Xu Shishi's forehead with one finger, pushing her away, and calmly said, "Don't try to provoke me again."

Xu Shishi: "..."

The viewers in the live chat were stunned.

[What's going on? I thought I turned on the wrong video. Is this Xu Shishi and Qin Su?]

Weren't those two just bickering yesterday? How come they're whispering to each other today?

[This is so sweet! Is this feeling of being pampered just my imagination? Tell me I'm not alone!]

Overnight, everything changed!

What are they saying? I want to hear too! ghwtt!

[Is it just my imagination? It seems like Xu Shishi is closer to Qin Su than to everyone else; even the curve of her smile is different.]

[What kind of cult-like couple is this? I'm speechless, I'm already shipping them.]

Xu Shishi appears innocent on the surface, but she is actually very guarded and always keeps a certain distance between herself and others.

Logically speaking, she shouldn't have asked Qin Su such a question; it revealed her true inner thoughts too much. Such questions are generally only appropriate to discuss with very close same-sex friends.

But last night's conversation gave Qin Su a special place in Xu Shishi's heart.

Qin Su saw through her, yet accepted her as she was.

This gave Xu Shishi a feeling of "what's the use of trying?"

Since she no longer has a positive image with Qin Su, she doesn't need to worry about anything or pretend anymore.

This, on the contrary, made her feel inexplicably happy and comfortable.

The cat system later asked Qin Su about this situation: "Why is Xu Shishi closer to you instead?"

Qin Su replied, "This is called destruction before construction."

...

In the morning, Qin Su, Jin Xiao, and Xu Shishi went to the supermarket together to buy ingredients for lunch and dinner.

Xue Jianxing, considering Qin Su's background and mannerisms, figured she had most likely never cooked before, so he had already tied on his apron and was ready to help her.

Unexpectedly, Qin Su's demeanor changed drastically as soon as she entered the kitchen.

The peeled potatoes were laid out on the cutting board. Qin Su held the knife in one hand, the silver gleam of the knife almost leaving an afterimage.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, the wooden cutting board was covered with evenly shredded potatoes.

With a sweep of her left hand and a flick of her right, Qin Su deftly scooped up the shredded potatoes with a single shovel and poured them into the vegetable washing basket.

Jin Xiao blankly took it and washed it.

The cleaned shrimp are placed in a large celadon bowl, seasoned with salt and raw flour, and mixed well. Meanwhile, in a hot pan, small pieces of tender tofu are being pan-fried until both sides are slightly golden brown.

Qin Su took the tofu out, added oil again, turned on the heat, and stir-fried the shrimp until they were 70% cooked before serving.

The broth, made from shrimp heads and shells, is golden and rich. Once the shrimp meat and tofu are added and cooked for a few minutes, the aroma is irresistible.

Qin Su put the pot lid back on and turned to face the several people who were completely dumbfounded.

"So, can someone help me put on an apron?"