Chapter 11 Why Can't It Be You

Hearing her words, a trace of surprise flashed across Shen Xichuan’s eyes.

It seemed as if she was unexpected to ask this question.

Seeing that he didn't say anything, Xu Jialan pursed her lips and said, "I'm sorry, if you don't want to say it, you don't have to."

The man chuckled, "It's not a secret. There's nothing I can't tell you."

Xu Jialan breathed a sigh of relief.

"but."

Shen Xichuan glanced at her sideways and asked, “How did you know that I changed my choice?”

Xu Jialan's expression froze, "I..."

The man curled his lips and glanced at the rearview mirror. "It seems that you paid a lot of attention to me when you were in high school."

"No." Xu Jialan retorted subconsciously.

Shen Xichuan glanced at her.

"I just happened to hear a classmate talking about this." Xu Jialan explained lamely.

The man nodded, not knowing whether he had any doubts or not.

After a long while, he spoke, "Maybe it was my belated rebellious period, or maybe it was because I felt at that time that becoming a firefighter would leave me with no regrets in life."

Xu Jialan listened quietly.

She shook her head, "You're not someone who would rebel."

Shen Xichuan smiled and said, “How do you know that I’m not rebellious?”

"You are very rational." Xu Jialan said, "You chose this profession after careful consideration, and it was definitely not a decision made out of rebellion."

Her voice is very nice, not too gentle, but with a bit of coldness.

But it is like a trickle of water, bringing an oasis to the dry land.

Shen Xichuan stepped on the brakes and looked at her sideways.

The dim light fell on her face, softening her outline.

Xu Jialan met his gaze and was stunned.

After a few seconds, the man curled his lips and said, "It seems that you know me well."

Xu Jialan was stunned for half a second and couldn't help but call his name.

A bit embarrassed and annoyed.

“Shen Xichuan.”

"Hmm? I'm here."

The man's voice was deep and pleasant.

Xu Jialan: “…”

She reluctantly turned her gaze away from him.

Shen Xichuan coughed lightly, suppressing his laughter.

"We're here, let's get off."

…

The two got out of the car.

There is a hot pot restaurant not far away.

It was quite lively, the lobby was almost full.

Xu Jialan glanced around.

At this time, the waiter came over.

Shen Xichuan said directly, “My surname is Shen, and I booked a private room.”

The waiter checked the reservation record.

"You two, please come this way."

The private room is on the second floor, away from the hustle and bustle downstairs.

Someone is passing by and wants to go downstairs.

Shen Xichuan stood on Xu Jialan's left, blocking the sight of the man next to her, with his right hand protecting behind her.

Xu Jialan lowered her eyes slightly, clutched the strap of her bag, and quietly followed the waiter in front of her.

After coming to the box and sitting down.

Shen Xichuan still handed the tablet for ordering to Xu Jialan.

Xu Jialan took it and looked down at the dishes on it.

Hot pot restaurants are almost all the same.

The pot has a bright red base and a variety of meats and vegetables.

She ordered the red pot without changing her expression, and also ordered some meat and vegetables.

The action was without hesitation.

When the tablet returned to Shen Xichuan's hands.

When he saw the dishes she ordered, there was a hint of smile in his eyes.

A few more dishes and desserts were added.

“Last time I thought it was a coincidence, but I didn’t expect that our tastes would be so similar.” Shen Xichuan said, looking at her.

Xu Jialan paused, "Really? You like to eat these too?"

The man nodded. "Exactly the same."

Xu Jialan smiled faintly, "That's quite a coincidence indeed."

The dishes are all served.

The heat is swirling.

The red soup was bubbling.

Shen Xichuan put the cooked meat and vegetables into Xu Jialan’s bowl with a serving chopstick.

He watched her eat a little faster than last time, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.

"You didn't eat lunch?"

Xu Jialan was already extremely hungry, even the spicy food made his mouth numb.

She also forced herself to eat the food in the bowl.

When I heard his words, I didn't react for a moment.

"Well, I was in the lab at noon and didn't have time to eat."

After she finished speaking, she came back to her senses.

Just when he was about to explain something, he choked on the chili pepper.

Her eyes turned red from coughing.

Shen Xichuan quickly poured a glass of plum juice and handed it to her, "Drink slowly."

Xu Jialan quickly took it and drank half a cup before he came to his senses.

Those almond-shaped eyes were tinged with red, adding a touch of tenderness and fragility.

The man's fingertips moved slightly, "You often don't eat lunch?"

Xu Jialan licked his lips and said, "Not really, it's just that sometimes I have work to do and don't have time to eat."

After she finished speaking, she added, "Today is just an exception. Usually there is food."

A hint of helplessness flashed across Shen Xichuan’s eyes, “I won’t scold you, what are you afraid of?”

Xu Jialan: “…”

I don’t curse, but it’s no different from cursing.

Shen Xichuan picked up the serving chopsticks, scalded some meat for her, and put it in her bowl.

"It's okay to be busy at work, but don't forget to eat regularly. It's bad for your health."

He raised his eyes to look at her, "Professor Xu won't be naughty, right?"

Xu Jialan paused, picked up the serving chopsticks, and put his favorite meat into his bowl.

"What about you? Captain Shen."

She remembered that day, she vaguely heard someone calling him captain.

Shen Xichuan chuckled, “Of course.”

Xu Jialan raised the corners of his mouth slightly, lowered his head, and ate the piece of meat in the bowl.

The two ate quietly.

After eating and drinking his fill, Xu Jialan took a sip of the iced plum juice.

Her mouth was numb from the spiciness.

Shen Xichuan raised his eyes and his gaze fell on her lips.

The lips are an alluring red, plump and like a piece of sweet jelly.

His eyes darkened and he looked away.

…

After leaving the hot pot restaurant.

Shen Xichuan sent Xu Jialan home.

The vehicle stopped steadily at the entrance of the community.

Xu Jialan unbuckled his seat belt and said, "Thank you for bringing me back. It's getting late. You should go back early."

She paused, "Good night."

After saying that, he was about to open the car door to leave, but found that it was locked.

Xu Jialan was stunned for a moment and turned to look at him.

Shen Xichuan tilted his head, his left hand lazily resting on the steering wheel.

"What have you thought about what I told you last time?"

Xu Jialan did not answer.

"Any concerns?" he asked.

Xu Jialan took a deep breath and asked, "Why me?"

"What?"

"You go on a blind date and choose someone to marry, but why me?" she asked.

Shen Xichuan looked at her quietly.

"You are excellent, and the people you meet are naturally excellent too, but why me?"

She wanted to ask this question on the day of the blind date.

Shen Xichuan supported his face with one hand and asked, “Why can’t it be you?”

Xu Jialan was stunned.

Shen Xichuan continued, “We are of the same age. You are a senior laboratory technician in the laboratory and a visiting professor at the medical university, while I am just a firefighter. If we talk about excellence, no matter how you look at it, you are much better than me.”

He looked at her, "What do you think? Why can't it be you?"