Chapter 640: 404 Huo Ye: Your boyfriend, I can give it a try (2 updates)_2
This person, with his flamboyant maneuvers upon arrival, left her unsettled for a long time.
“I can tell you were also unaware of the blind date, and I’m grateful that you didn’t embarrass me in front of Teacher Xi.”
Yu Wei thought that since everything was kept from Shen Shuci, being “blind dated” without prior knowledge and not being given a hard time was pretty good, all things considered.
As for whether she had a boyfriend or not, she wasn’t intentionally hiding it—after all, she wasn’t informed in advance.
“Don’t feel pressured or guilty. When it comes to relationships, mutual affection is needed. Since you and Huo haven’t told them, I’ll keep your secret too.”
If Xi Fangli could appreciate Yu Wei, he certainly wasn’t a bad person.
“I’ll talk to the teacher privately later, any excuse will do. Don’t worry about this; I’ll handle it and won’t make it difficult for you.”
“If you think I’m alright, then consider today as the day you made one more friend.”
Shen Shuci, who was initially surprised by the sudden event, couldn’t help but be impressed by Yu Wei’s graciousness and nodded in agreement to his proposal.
Without the awkwardness of a blind date hanging over them, their interaction became natural and unforced.
Upon their return, everyone sensed a different atmosphere around them, and Xi Fangli was naturally very pleased, thinking the two had gotten to know each other better through deeper conversation.
However, he also understood that he could only play matchmaker—the future development was beyond his control; he had forced his son into blind dates before, and it ended unpleasantly…
Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; the rest has to be left to nature.
…
Huo Qinqi arrived quite late, and Jiang Jinsang asked one more question, “You’re leaving now?”
“No.”
Once everyone sat down to eat, the elderly lady, loving the lively atmosphere and rarely seeing Huo, pulled him beside her, lamenting the passage of time, “… When you were studying and staying at our place, you were just a kid, and now you’ve grown up so much.”
“Xiaohuo, have you thought about stepping down from your position?”
Everyone turned to look at Huo Qinqi.
The tasks he normally carried out were quite dangerous, mainly because of the age factor in his career—a 30-year-old cannot compete with a 20-year-old in physical condition, and the years of hard knocks, struggling on the edge of death countless times.
It was quite normal for Huo Qinqi to retire from the frontline.
“You can do other things besides frontline duties; at your age, it’s time to get married, settle down, and serve the country in many other ways…”
Her own grandchildren were finding their matches, and since the elderly lady treated Huo as her own, she naturally wished for him to be safe and establish his family soon.
“I know,” replied Huo Qinqi.
The elderly lady tactfully did not press further, instead, Shen Shuci, eating quietly, sneaked peeks at Huo.
Her expression remained faintly indifferent, but remembering the kiss on the forehead in the woods, she couldn’t help her heart racing.
Later, the elderly lady brought up Jiang Yanting’s wedding, wanting to invite Xi Fangli…
“I’ve got an exhibition tour, but if I’m free by then, I definitely want to come for a drink.” Xi Fangli said with a smile.
Talking about Jiang Yanting getting married naturally led to discussions about when Jiang Jinsang and Tang Wan were planning their celebration; Xi Fangli kept complimenting the elderly lady on her fortune.
“What fortune! You have no idea how worrisome these boys used to be when they were little.” The elderly lady humbly said, still proud of her excellent grandsons.
“Your third son must be a calming presence, handsome and studious.”
…
Tang Wan almost burst out laughing, leaving Shen Shuci clueless. She asked softly, “What’s so funny?”
“Thank goodness Master doesn’t have a daughter, or he’d definitely push her onto Third Cousin. Speaking of which, he was even considering matching you up with Third Cousin…”
“Pfft, cough—” Shen Shuci nearly choked on her rice.
“Last night, Third Cousin came over for dinner. Knowing you both live in Hexi, Master discreetly inquired what he thought about you. Guess what he said…” Tang Wan leaned in, whispering to her.
Xi Fangli, so fond of intellectuals, had tried to probe Jiang Shiyi based on the principle that one should not let a good thing pass by a relative.
“What did he say?” Shen Shuci frowned.
Her and Jiang Shiyi? What was this old man thinking?
Her marrying into the Jiang Family would be totally inappropriate.
“Third Cousin said, you are my aunt, so he respects you like an elder.”
Respect?
Shen Shuci didn’t quite know how to respond; her encounters with Jiang Shiyi had been very limited.