Free Web NovelChapter 169: Chapter 169: This Kid Looks a Little Familiar
Shi Lan looked at the head close in front of her. Her cheek felt a little itchy where his hair had brushed against it, and she couldn’t help but shrink back a bit. Hearing He Hanshi’s words, she nodded in understanding.
’No wonder it felt so unfamiliar,’ she thought. ’It’s different from the seatbelts in the Hovercars I’ve been in before.’
He Hanshi sensed her subtle retreat and thought she didn’t like him being so close. His heart sank a little, but he quickly composed himself.
His gaze swept over the two other third wheels behind him. Knowing the Hovercar wasn’t a suitable place to talk, he temporarily pushed aside his other thoughts.
After setting the coordinates for Shi Lan’s home, the Hovercar proceeded smoothly toward its destination.
As if struck by a thought, He Hanshi had the car stop midway. He bought a number of gifts before getting back in and continuing on their way.
At first, Shi Lan didn’t understand why he was buying so many things. That is, until Aunt Gao came over around lunchtime. "Xiao Lan, come eat at my place today! Your fourth brother just got back, so I had your Uncle Gao make a huge feast. Oh, and Xiaxia and Tang Feng are coming over too."
Shi Lan had also been planning to make a big lunch for He Hanshi, but she hadn’t expected Aunt Gao to come over. The older woman was all smiles, clearly delighted by the fourth brother’s return.
She didn’t want to dampen her spirits, but with He Hanshi there, she worried that having too many people over for dinner would be an imposition. She explained apologetically, "Aunt Gao, today... I actually have another friend who just arrived, so I have a guest. It might be a little inconvenient..."
Aunt Gao had always been warm and hospitable. "What’s that to fuss about? Come on over together! It’s not like we’re short on food for one more person."
"Let me tell you, Xiao Lan, more than half of what your Uncle Gao is making today are your favorites! If you don’t come, he might get very sad."
With Aunt Gao putting it like that, Shi Lan couldn’t find a reason to refuse. She simply called He Hanshi out and briefly introduced the two.
He Hanshi’s gaze lingered on the familiar face before him. His eyes were gentle, and a faint smile touched his lips. "Hello, Aunt Gao. My name is He Hanshi. I am courting Lanlan."
Facing an elder Shi Lan was close to, he stated his intentions directly.
Hearing his words, Aunt Gao’s gaze swept over his face. She was first surprised that every one of Shi Lan’s suitors was so handsome. But for some reason, looking at He Hanshi, she felt an immediate sense of goodwill, a strong liking for him.
She couldn’t help but look at Shi Lan and say, "This boy is a good one. He has such a kind face. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before."
Aunt Gao had lived on Yaoxing for years and was getting on in age. Her memory wasn’t always the best, and she didn’t pay much attention to online news. But she must have seen He Hanshi’s photo before and known that such a person existed; it was just difficult to suddenly connect a person you never thought you’d meet with reality.
Shi Lan understood what Aunt Gao meant. But since He Hanshi hadn’t introduced himself by his official status and had even changed into casual clothes when he arrived at her house, she assumed he wanted to hide his identity. So, she didn’t say anything, just listened to Aunt Gao praise him, feeling a little bashful.
She couldn’t help but glance at He Hanshi, not expecting him to be so direct. He was also looking at her, his gentle blue eyes filled with undisguised affection.
The two of them seemed to be in their own world, gazing at each other. Faced with his idol and the person he loved, Mu Tangfeng’s mouth seemed to be stuck, unable to say a word. Jiang Xia, on the other hand, looked sourly at Aunt Gao and said unhappily, "Aunt Gao, what about me? Am I not good? Uncle Gao even praised me in the kitchen."
Aunt Gao gave an awkward laugh. Not wanting to expose the truth, she could only nod and quickly change the subject. "Let’s go, let’s go. Time to eat at my place."
Just then, He Hanshi brought out the gifts he had bought on the way. He walked naturally beside Shi Lan, following Aunt Gao. When they arrived at her home, he skillfully presented the gifts. "Just a little something. As a member of the younger generation, it’s rare for me to visit, so please don’t refuse, Aunt Gao. And thank you for taking care of Lanlan all this time. I can tell she’s been very happy here on Yaoxing."
Aunt Gao looked surprised, then enthusiastically tried to decline. "Oh, you kids. There’s no need to be so formal just for a meal. Besides, we think of Xiao Lan as our own daughter. What’s there to talk about ’taking care’ of her? It’s what we should do."
He Hanshi’s hands didn’t move an inch, and his smile remained. "It’s only right. Please accept them, Aunt Gao. Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng have probably troubled you a lot these days as well. Some of these gifts are from them, too."
A look of surprise crossed Aunt Gao’s face, and her smile grew even more benevolent. "I didn’t expect these two to be so formal with me."
Since He Hanshi had put it that way, Aunt Gao didn’t say any more and accepted the gifts. Inwardly, however, her impression of him improved even more.
’This boy really knows how to handle people,’ she thought.
Meanwhile, Shi Lan secretly poked his arm with her finger, stifling a giggle. She discreetly gave him a thumbs-up: ’Impressive!’
’Who would have thought He Hanshi would be so considerate, buying gifts in advance and even including ones from Jiang Xia and the others.’
Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng also looked at He Hanshi with a hint of admiration. They felt a little ashamed; it had never even occurred to them to do something like that.
After all, as young masters from the Capital Star, they were used to being the ones people tried to please. They never had to be polite to anyone, so their social skills were inevitably a bit lacking.
Now holding the gifts, Aunt Gao was even more pleased with He Hanshi. She happily told Shi Lan to take the three of them to rest in the living room, then went to the kitchen to hurry Uncle Gao and her fourth son, who was helping out.
Her eldest and second sons had left again two days ago. Her third son had just woken up and was still washing up, but he would probably be over soon.
After hurrying them along, Aunt Gao came back out, poured water for everyone, and served some fruit. She told them to wait just a minute or two more, then sat down to chat with them.
Aunt Gao knew that Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng both had Double S Spirit Power, so she guessed they must be well-off and didn’t ask too much about their work.
But now, looking at He Hanshi, who was simply dressed in a black coat and other low-key, casual clothes, she asked curiously, "Han Shi, are you usually busy with work? How did you suddenly find time to come to Yaoxing and see Xiao Lan?"
He Hanshi thought for a moment. "I was quite busy before, but things should be better from now on. As for this trip to Yaoxing, I happened to have work in the area, so I thought I’d come see Lanlan."
"Oh, so you’re here on a business trip to Yaoxing."
Aunt Gao seemed to understand something and said with a wide grin, "Well then, you’ve come at the right time, young man. My youngest son is home today, so you’ve made it for a feast. You’re in for a treat with your Uncle Gao’s cooking. It’s not just me saying it—my Beast Husband is truly second to none in the kitchen. I crave his cooking every single day."
As the saying goes, the way to a female’s heart is through her stomach.
Uncle Gao had put this into practice. Even though his body was damaged and he couldn’t have children, he had remained the primary Beast Husband for many years without fail, and Aunt Gao’s other Beast Husbands had no complaints.
Beside them, Shi Lan nodded in agreement. "Uncle Gao’s cooking really is delicious."
Even the picky Mu Tangfeng couldn’t bring himself to say the word "bad." As for Jiang Xia, he was hardly a picky eater at all.
