Hearing her words, a flicker of surprise passed through Shen Xichuan’s eyes.
He seemed taken aback that she would ask this question.
Seeing his silence, Xu Jialan pursed her lips. “Sorry, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
The man chuckled lightly. “It’s not a secret. There’s nothing I can’t say.”
Xu Jialan breathed a slight sigh of relief.
“However.”
Shen Xichuan glanced at her sideways. “How did you know I changed my college application preference?”
Xu Jialan’s expression stiffened. “I…”
The man curved his lips, looking at the rearview mirror. “Seems you paid quite a lot of attention to me in high school.”
“I didn’t.” Xu Jialan refuted instinctively.
Shen Xichuan looked at her.
“I just happened to hear classmates talking about it,” Xu Jialan explained awkwardly.
The man nodded, though it was unclear whether he doubted her explanation.
After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Maybe it was belated rebellion. Or maybe because at that time, I felt becoming a firefighter wouldn’t leave regrets in my life.”
Xu Jialan listened quietly.
She shook her head. “You’re not someone who would rebel.”
Shen Xichuan smiled. “How do you know I don’t rebel?”
“You’re very rational,” Xu Jialan said. “Choosing this profession must have been a decision you made after careful consideration, definitely not out of rebellion.”
Her voice was pleasant – not overly delicate, but carrying a hint of coolness.
Yet it flowed like a gentle stream, bringing oasis to parched land.
Shen Xichuan stepped on the brake and turned to look at her.
The dim light fell on her face, softening her features.
Xu Jialan met his gaze and froze.
Several seconds later, the man curved his lips. “Seems you understand me quite well.”
Xu Jialan stared blankly for half a second before unable to resist calling his name.
With some embarrassment and annoyance.
“Shen Xichuan.”
“Hmm? I’m here.”
The man’s voice was deep and pleasant.
Xu Jialan: “…”
She helplessly averted her gaze, refusing to look at him.
Shen Xichuan cleared his throat lightly, suppressing his laughter.
“We’re here. Let’s get out.”
…
The two got out of the car.
Not far away was a hot pot restaurant.
It was quite lively, with the main hall almost full.
Xu Jialan scanned the area.
At that moment, a server approached.
Shen Xichuan spoke directly. “The reservation is under Shen. I booked a private room.”
The server checked the reservation records.
“This way please, you two.”
The private room was on the second floor, away from the noise downstairs.
Someone passed by ahead, heading downstairs.
Shen Xichuan stood on Xu Jialan’s left, blocking the gaze of the man beside them, his right hand hovering protectively behind her.
Xu Jialan lowered her eyes slightly, clutching her bag strap, quietly following the server ahead.
After being seated in the private room.
Shen Xichuan still handed the ordering tablet to Xu Jialan.
Xu Jialan took it, looking down at the menu items.
Hot pot restaurants were almost all the same.
Fiery red broth bases, along with various meats and vegetables.
Without changing expression, she selected the spicy pot, then added some meats and vegetables.
Her movements showed no hesitation.
When the tablet returned to Shen Xichuan’s hands.
Seeing her selections, his eyes held some laughter.
He added several more dishes, along with desserts.
“Last time I thought it was coincidence, but I didn’t expect our tastes to be so similar,” Shen Xichuan said, looking at her.
Xu Jialan paused. “Really? You like these too?”
The man nodded. “Exactly the same.”
Xu Jialan smiled faintly, “That is quite a coincidence.”
The dishes were all served.
Steam curled upward.
The spicy broth bubbled and churned.
Shen Xichuan used the serving chopsticks to place cooked meat and vegetables into Xu Jialan’s bowl.
He noticed she was eating faster than last time, and his brow twitched slightly.
“Did you skip lunch?”
Xu Jialan had been starving for hours, and even though her mouth was numb from the spiciness, she forced herself to eat the food in her bowl.
Hearing his question, she didn’t process it immediately.
“Hmm, I was in the laboratory all afternoon and didn’t have time to eat.”
Only after speaking did she fully register his words.
Just as she was about to explain further, she choked on a chili pepper.
She coughed until her eyes turned red.
Shen Xichuan swiftly poured a glass of plum juice and handed it to her. “Drink slowly.”
Xu Jialan quickly took it, drinking most of the glass before catching her breath.
Her almond-shaped eyes were tinged with red, adding a touch of softness and delicacy.
The man’s fingertips twitched slightly. “Do you often skip lunch?”
Xu Jialan licked her lips. “Not really. Sometimes work keeps me too busy to eat.”
After a pause, she added, “Today was an exception. I usually eat.”
A trace of helplessness flickered in Shen Xichuan’s eyes. “I’m not going to scold you, so why be nervous?”
Xu Jialan: “…”
He might not scold her, but the effect was pretty much the same.
Shen Xichuan picked up the serving chopsticks again, blanching some meat for her and placing it in her bowl.
“It’s fine to be busy with work, but don’t forget to eat regularly. It’s not good for your health.”
He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “Professor Xu wouldn’t be disobedient, would she?”
Xu Jialan paused, then picked up the serving chopsticks and added some of his favorite meat to his bowl.
“What about you, Captain Shen?”
She vaguely remembered someone calling him “Captain” that day.
Shen Xichuan chuckled lightly. “Of course.”
A slight smile touched Xu Jialan’s lips as she lowered her head and ate the piece of meat in her bowl.
They ate in comfortable silence.
Once full and satisfied, Xu Jialan held the chilled plum juice, taking small sips.
Her mouth was already numb from the spiciness.
Shen Xichuan glanced up, his gaze lingering on her lips.
They were temptingly red and plump, like sweet jelly.
His eyes darkened, and he averted his gaze.
…
After leaving the hotpot restaurant,
Shen Xichuan drove Xu Jialan home.
The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance of her residential complex.
Xu Jialan unbuckled her seatbelt. “Thank you for driving me back. It’s getting late, you should head home soon.”
She hesitated briefly. “Goodnight.”
Just as she reached to open the car door, she found it locked.
Xu Jialan was taken aback and turned to look at him.
Shen Xichuan tilted his head, his left hand resting lazily on the steering wheel.
“About what I mentioned last time—have you thought it over?”
Xu Jialan didn’t respond.
“Do you have any concerns?” he asked.
Xu Jialan took a deep breath. “Why me?”
“What?”
“You’re going on blind dates to find a marriage partner, but… why me?” she pressed.
Shen Xichuan watched her quietly.
“You’re outstanding, and the people you meet must be outstanding too. So why choose me?”
She had wanted to ask this question since their blind date.
Shen Xichuan propped his chin on one hand and countered, “Why shouldn’t it be you?”
Xu Jialan was momentarily speechless.
Shen Xichuan continued, “We’re the same age. You’re a senior analyst at the laboratory and a guest professor at the medical university. I’m just a firefighter. If we’re talking about excellence, by any measure, you’re far more accomplished than I am.”
He looked at her, “What makes you think it can’t be you?”