0023 May You Have a Son Soon (Bonus Chapter at 200 Pearls)
They eventually went to a local specialty restaurant in City B. The restaurant had a vintage feel, and the local flavor made them feel very close to the people. Inside the restaurant, there was an old man with a white beard playing the erhu.
Jiang Jifan prefers restaurants with a more down-to-earth atmosphere to upscale Western restaurants.
However, she was very curious as to why someone from his background would come to eat in a place like this.
“My grandfather was a regular here; he often brought me here when I was a child,” Tantai Qing explained.
In reality, he wasn't as aloof and unapproachable as she imagined.
As the only child in the family, Grandpa Tan did not want his son to develop extravagant lifestyle habits. Therefore, Tantai Qing spent half of his childhood living with him and inherited some of his hobbies from his grandfather.
During the meal, Jiang Jifan remembered the injury on his head and asked with concern, "Has your wound fully healed?"
Tantai Qing used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of roast duck for her, and after putting down his chopsticks, he said, "Yes, I went to the hospital for a check-up a few days ago."
Do you want to take a look?
She shook her head and refused, saying that checking on wounds and such was too intimate...
"Will it leave a scar?" she asked again.
"I don't know." Tantai Qing shook her head and smiled faintly, not particularly concerned. "Probably."
Jiang Jifan suddenly lost her appetite; his seemingly indifferent demeanor only made her feel more guilty.
Seeing the worry in her eyes, Tantai Qing immediately comforted her, "It's okay, your hair can cover it up."
Just as she was finishing her meal, the waiter suddenly brought out a dish that she couldn't identify.
"What is this?" Jiang Jifan glanced down at the bowl of clear, sticky stuff, frowning in confusion.
“Chuanbei loquat syrup,” he explained.
"This is good for coughs."
Jiang Jifan was slightly taken aback.
How did he know he had a slight cough recently?
Seeing her surprised and suspicious look, Tantai Qing found it amusing and explained, "Don't worry, I didn't use any improper means."
Fearing she wouldn't believe him, he told her about seeing her on a video conference in Chang'an that day.
Jiang Jifan tried hard to recall, and she did cough twice at that time.
In this light, it seems she was judging others by her own petty standards.
Feeling guilty, she lowered her head and tasted a mouthful of the Sichuan fritillary bulb and loquat syrup. It was just the right amount of slightly sweet, and it must have contained mint, as it made her throat feel cool.
I just had a big, greasy meal, so this is really refreshing.
Jiang Jifan put down his spoon and explained, "I didn't mean to doubt you."
She herself didn't believe it when she said that...
Tantai Qing showed no resentment whatsoever, maintaining her gentle and mild demeanor, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Yes, I know."
After the meal, Jiang Jifan noticed that he kept drinking water and seemed somewhat agitated, so she asked, "What's wrong?"
Tantai Qing paused slightly, put down the cup, and said truthfully, "I feel like having a smoke."
"Then go ahead and smoke," she said, but before she could blurt it out, she suddenly stopped.
"If a non-smoking man can get full marks in your heart, I hope I can get 100 points."
Jiang Jifan suddenly remembered his words, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
She hadn't expected him to be so true to his word and actually quit smoking for her, and a feeling she couldn't quite describe welled up inside her.
For someone who has been smoking for years, suddenly quitting must be a terrible experience; the feeling of not being able to smoke is probably as unbearable as ants crawling on your heart.
"Let's go outside." Tantai Qing interrupted the conversation at the right moment, got up and walked to her side.
When it was time to pay the bill, the waiter who had served the food earlier came over with a paper bag and handed it to her.
Jiang Jifan glanced inside and saw several delicate, transparent jars containing the loquat syrup she had just eaten.
Without a doubt, it was his order again.
Knowing his way of doing things, she didn't refuse anymore and accepted it generously, saying, "Thank you, you've gone to so much trouble again."
Tantai Qing shook his head and chuckled softly.
The two left side by side. They had just eaten in a private room, which was relatively quiet. Outside, it was quite noisy. Several children chasing and playing ran over and were about to bump into them when Tantai Qing quickly grabbed her shoulder and pulled her towards him.
Jiang Jifan was caught off guard and bumped into his arms. She looked up and saw her face reflected in his clean, gold-rimmed glasses.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly turned her head away.
Tantai Qing released her hand from her bare shoulder and said softly, "Watch where you're going."
"Hmm..." Jiang Jifan nodded awkwardly.
As they approached the restaurant, a little girl with two pigtails quickly walked up to them, stood in front of them, and said with a smile, "Pretty sister, buy a bouquet of flowers! Flowers complement a beautiful woman!"
Jiang Jifan found it amusing and was about to tease her when he saw her shift her focus to Tantai Qing.
"Big brother, don't you think so?" she asked the man in front of her with a smile, her bright eyes revealing the innocence and mischievousness of a child.
Tantai Qing glanced at the woman beside him and smiled, replying, "I think so too."
Seeing that he really wanted to buy it, Jiang Jifan quickly said, "I don't need it..."
But it was too late.
The little girl packed up the basket of roses and handed it to her, leaving her unsure whether to take it or not.
Sighing inwardly, she reached out and took it.
The flowers sold out as soon as they came out, and the little girl was overjoyed. She kept thanking them and even recited a few of the congratulatory phrases that adults love to use: "Wishing you a long and happy marriage and many children!"
What...?
Jiang Jifan was so embarrassed that he wished he could run away as fast as he could and get away from this place of trouble!
He glanced at him, and seemed to find it funny as well, laughing and nodding in agreement.
Back home, Jiang Jifan carefully placed the Sichuan fritillary bulb and loquat syrup and roses he had brought back from outside, then sat on the sofa, gazing absently at the roses in the vase.
His last meaningful smile always lingered in her mind.
"Old fox," she muttered to herself.
He'll just take advantage of her...
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