Jiang Qiuli really did seem like she was made of water.
Tears welled up in her eyes, swirling at the corners.
Her tearful, hazy gaze, so fragile and pitiful, made anyone who saw it feel a pang of heartache.
Chen Zhuo quickly reached out and wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, “Alright, alright, why are you about to cry just because I said something? I’m not a bad person. I just want to visit your aunt. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything inappropriate.”
“I promise, I’ll just take a look. I definitely won’t say anything!”
Jiang Qiuli looked at Chen Zhuo, who was swearing so earnestly, and shook her head.
“What, even after I promise, you still won’t let me go?”
The reason Chen Zhuo insisted on visiting Jiang Qiuli’s mother was simple… if he missed today, her mother would die.
And when that happened, Jiang Qiuli would carry a wound in her heart that would never heal, perhaps even changing her personality completely.
Jiang Qiuli shook her head again and said softly, “No… I mean… I’m sorry.”
“It’s me who’s too sensitive. Thank you for wanting to visit my mom. It’s just that her condition isn’t very good… it might scare you.”
Chen Zhuo took her soft hand into his, “It’s fine. Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria.”
“Ah? Why are we going to the cafeteria?”
Jiang Qiuli didn’t pull her hand back, only asking in confusion.
Chen Zhuo turned to glance at her, “Aren’t you bringing food to your mom? If we don’t go to the cafeteria, what are we going to eat?”
Jiang Qiuli’s face flushed red again.
She actually had her own way of preparing food. In her mother’s ward, she had secretly hidden a small electric cooker, along with rice, eggs, and vegetables.
Although the hospital strictly prohibited such things, the medical staff knew about her situation and chose to turn a blind eye.
As for going to the cafeteria…
“I… I don’t have money.”
“It’s fine, I’ll treat you. Besides, I’m visiting your aunt, it’s only right to buy something.”
Jiang Qiuli shook her head, “No, I can’t accept that. I’ll count it as a debt.”
Chen Zhuo looked at this gentle yet stubborn female lead and sighed inwardly.
There was a saying… refusing a good deal was foolish.
Especially in times like these, even treating someone to a meal on a blind date would be judged if the restaurant wasn’t good enough.
Girls like Jiang Qiuli were becoming rarer and rarer.
“Alright, then consider it a debt. I’ll put it on your account and deduct it from your salary later.”
Jiang Qiuli nodded in agreement.
The hospital cafeteria was located between the inpatient and outpatient departments.
Just like a university cafeteria, to prevent monopoly, it was divided into various food stalls, each outsourced separately.
This ensured both price and quality.
Not cheap, not expensive… just reasonable.
For a hospital, it was already quite decent.
Chen Zhuo led Jiang Qiuli to a small dish stall.
“Aunt, one serving of braised prawns, one serving of braised pork, and one—”
He turned around. It was Jiang Qiuli.
“What’s wrong?”
Jiang Qiuli looked at him awkwardly and said softly, “My mom… she can’t eat those.”
Chen Zhuo rolled his eyes, “Of course I know. That’s for me. I’m hungry. By the way, what do you want to eat?”
Jiang Qiuli lowered her head, wishing she could disappear into the ground.
“I… I’m not eating. I’m not hungry.”
“Your stomach is already growling, and you’re saying you’re not hungry?”
“I’m really not. I usually eat at night… it’s not time yet.”
Jiang Qiuli raised her head, her tone firm.
Chen Zhuo sighed, “Alright, just order something. You don’t need to pay for it, it’s on me.”
Jiang Qiuli still shook her head, “No… I’ll treat you.”
“You’re treating me? Do you even have money?”
“I’ll… I’ll put it on the account.”
Seeing her lips trembling nervously, Chen Zhuo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Alright, alright, I’ll put it on your account.”
He then turned to the stall owner and said, “Also add braised pork trotters with soybeans, a tomato and egg dish, and a stir-fried vegetable.”
After a brief pause, he added, “And two bowls of rice.”
The staff quickly packed the food.
“That’s 58 yuan. Please pay here.”
Chen Zhuo scanned the code, paid, and took the tray of prepared dishes.
Jiang Qiuli stood behind him, rubbing her hands nervously, not moving.
“Let’s go. Why are you just standing there?” Chen Zhuo asked, puzzled.
“That… that’s so much. Can you finish it?” Jiang Qiuli asked blankly.
Chen Zhuo paused, “What, does it hurt you to see it?”
Jiang Qiuli nodded quickly.
Chen Zhuo almost laughed out loud. This female lead… she was really too honest!
She looked cold on the surface, but once you got familiar with her, she could say anything.
“Well, I don’t care. You said you’re treating me. This is how much I eat.”
He shrugged, walked to the nearest table, and sat down, picking up his chopsticks to start eating.
Jiang Qiuli followed and sat across from him.
The small dishes were lined up in front of Chen Zhuo.
Holding his bowl of rice, he began eating in big mouthfuls.
He really was hungry.
“Mm… not bad.”
After a few bites, Chen Zhuo looked up.
Jiang Qiuli’s throat moved as she swallowed repeatedly.
Chen Zhuo deliberately made a displeased expression, “If you keep staring at me like that, how am I supposed to eat?”
Jiang Qiuli immediately lowered her head, murmuring softly, “Then I won’t look.”
Chen Zhuo pushed the other bowl of rice toward her, “Alright, just sitting there across from me makes me uncomfortable. I can’t eat like this. You eat too.”
“I—”
Jiang Qiuli raised her head, wanting to refuse, but when she met Chen Zhuo’s gaze, she lowered it again.
“If you don’t eat, then when we see your aunt later, I’ll—”
This time, before he could finish, Jiang Qiuli quickly picked up the chopsticks, her voice trembling as if she might cry, “I’ll eat, I’ll eat! Just don’t tell my mom! I’ll do whatever you say.”
Chen Zhuo nodded in satisfaction and said while picking up his own chopsticks, “I hadn’t even finished speaking. I was going to say, if you don’t eat, I’ll tell your aunt that you’re starving yourself.”
Jiang Qiuli lowered her head, but her eyes subtly glanced upward at him.
That tiny look seemed to say… do you think I’d believe that?
Seeing that Chen Zhuo hadn’t noticed, she quickly returned to normal and began eating in large bites.
This meal… Jiang Qiuli ate with great appetite.
It had been a long time since she had eaten such good food.
Chen Zhuo had originally ordered enough for both of them.
But under Jiang Qiuli’s ravenous eating, he actually didn’t end up full.
It seemed she had truly been starving.
Not just physically… but emotionally as well.
Jiang Qiuli looked at Chen Zhuo awkwardly, wishing she could hide somewhere.
She really couldn’t control herself just now!
Would Chen Zhuo think she was like a pig?
“I… I’m sorry, I—”
She tried to apologize, but Chen Zhuo interrupted her, “I knew the moment I came here that this place would be good. How is it? Not bad, right?”
Jiang Qiuli froze for a moment. She hadn’t expected him to say that.
At a loss, she replied softly, “I-it’s good.”
Chen Zhuo nodded, “Very good. Thank you for treating me to such a delicious meal. I’ll remember this favor. Next time, I’ll treat you. Come on, your mom is still waiting.”
“Ah?”
Jiang Qiuli froze again.
She felt like the man in front of her was somehow setting her up… but she couldn’t figure out how.
“What are you standing there for? If your aunt doesn’t see you soon, she’ll start worrying!”
“Oh!”
Thinking of her mother, Jiang Qiuli hurriedly began cleaning the table, stacking the plates and bowls, then quickly wiping away shrimp shells and grease stains with a tissue.
Her movements were skillful and meticulous.
Chen Zhuo nodded repeatedly as he watched.
This female lead… he definitely had to win her over!