Chapter 7 Dinner with Cheng Nuo
Even when I sat at the table eating with Cheng Nuo, I still felt a bit dazed.
Cheng Nuo was the friend who had helped when Chen Yanzhou left me at the restaurant and said he would send me back.
Although he and Chen Yanzhou were from the same second-generation circle, he had a much better temper than Chen Yanzhou.
Several times when Chen Yanzhou embarrassed me in public, Cheng Nuo had helped me smooth things over.
After that, we added each other on WeChat.
Later I treated him to a meal to thank him.
After that, we would send festival blessings to each other.
Overall, our relationship was quite good.
But he was a rich second-generation. How could he come to our small city and live next door to my family?
"The company has a hot spring resort project nearby. My dad had me take it to practice. I think living here is great. It's full of lively atmosphere, and the fried pancake downstairs is really delicious."
I asked curiously, "Can you get used to living here?"
Cheng Nuo smiled, showing two rows of white teeth.
"When I'm busy at the company, I often skip meals. It's so good here. Uncle and Auntie take care of me. Auntie's cooking is too good. I come over every few days to mooch meals and improve my life."
My mom smiled so widely her eyes crinkled.
She kept serving food to Cheng Nuo.
"Don't talk about mooching. If you like it, come eat often in the future. But next time don't bring anything. We haven't finished what you brought last time, your uncle and I."
I could see why he ran the company so successfully at a young age.
With that face and this emotional intelligence, it was unbeatable.
He kept saying, "Auntie, the cola chicken wings you made are too delicious. Can you teach me how to make them?"
My mom waved her hand. "Aiya, why would a company boss like you learn this? Just have the chef make it for you."
"I'll make it for my future girlfriend. Auntie, you don't know. It's hard to find a date nowadays. Girls won't want you if you can't cook."
My mom felt so sorry she almost slapped her thigh.
She kept asking Cheng Nuo, "Cheng Nuo, with your great conditions and still single, are your standards too high?"
"What kind of girl do you like?"
I knew my mom's mind was active again.
But not to mention that Cheng Nuo was Chen Yanzhou's friend, his conditions were far better than mine.
There was no way anything would happen between us.
"Mom—"
I was about to interrupt my mom in embarrassment.
Cheng Nuo said enthusiastically instead, "Auntie, I like girls with big eyes, a bit fair-skinned, preferably half a head shorter than me. We can share common interests and have things to talk about."
My fingers paused.
Every point he mentioned fit me.
Cheng Nuo and I did have a lot to talk about.
The time I treated him to dinner, I thought it would be awkward.
But our interests matched surprisingly well.
I had a niche hobby of crochet.
I liked making various clothes and bags at home.
I didn't expect a big guy like Cheng Nuo to like crochet too.
He said it was very relaxing.
Whenever he had work pressure, he would crochet something to reward himself.
Later he even gave me a moss carpet he crocheted himself.
It was very exquisite and beautiful.
I liked it a lot.
Unfortunately, Chen Yanzhou threw it away later.
My mom's expression toward Cheng Nuo looked even more like she was looking at a future son-in-law.
She doted on him endlessly, constantly serving him food.
Cheng Nuo coaxed my mom too.
The two seemed as close as if they were the real mother and son.
Just when I felt this was too absurd, the doorbell rang.
I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left the table to open the door.
I thought it was some relative coming to pay New Year's visits.
However, as soon as I opened the door, I froze.
Outside was the second surprising face of the day.
Chen Yanzhou carried big and small bags.
His wool coat was neat and straight.
His hair had gel in it.
He clearly had dressed up carefully.
He was about to speak but saw Cheng Nuo inside the house.
The smile on his face vanished.
"Why are you here?"
The situation was really too complicated.
Although I had done nothing wrong, I felt inexplicably nervous.
Cheng Nuo showed no guilt at all.
He raised an eyebrow. "I came to visit. On the other hand, you aren't spending New Year with your little childhood sweetheart. Why run all the way here?"
My mom was confused too. "Tang Ning, this is..."
I opened my mouth, my feelings complicated.
"Chen Yanzhou."
Chen Yanzhou glanced at Cheng Nuo.
He hooked a smile and added, "Hello, Auntie. I am Tang Ning's boyfriend."