Chapter Fifty: Fishing?

Around one o’clock, there were still three or four tables occupied in the restaurant’s main hall. Tang Zhichu and Jiang Lan sat at a window seat. Jiang Lan noticed that Tang Zhichu’s restaurant seemed to have quite a few waiters; each dish was brought out by a different person.

Seeing Jiang Lan looking around, Tang Zhichu asked, “Are you done with your work?”

Jiang Lan shook her head. “There’s no end to it, but everything has to get done. I use the time I’d normally spend on lighter tasks to fill in the busy periods, taking breaks right at the edge.”

“Then hurry up and eat!” Tang Zhichu replied, his tone none too friendly.

Jiang Lan withdrew her gaze and picked up her chopsticks, thinking to herself how stingy he was.

Upstairs, a group of people crowded at the top of the staircase, peering down. As soon as the person in front saw something, he grinned and nodded to those behind, only to be pulled back so someone else could get a good look. After everyone had had their fill, they headed back into the private room, satisfied.

As they entered, they found Tang Chao sitting there, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Maocai asked.

Tang Chao shook his head, gritting his teeth. “Seeing my good brother finally finding love, I’m just so happy!”

“That’s right, it’s something to be happy about. That rascal is finally coming to his senses,” Tang Maode visibly brightened, even picking up his chopsticks, ready to eat a little something.

“This is wonderful news. You can tell at a glance that young lady has exceptional poise. Second Brother, you’re always worrying about Zhichu, but look—it’s happened. You couldn’t find a better girl even if you tried,” Tang Xiuju said with a laugh.

Even after only a few glances, everyone was pleased and the room filled with praise.

Tang Maode finally let out a long breath. He’d always worried his son might have some sort of autism or depression.

Tang Maode was never one to stick strictly to the rules. Everyone assumed he was eager for grandchildren, but in truth, Tang Maode didn’t care much about that.

He didn’t care whether Tang Zhichu carried on the family line; he only hoped that even after he himself was gone, his son would live well.

“Don’t get ahead of yourselves. She drives a G-Wagon,” Tang Chao cut in as the conversation grew ever more exaggerated.

“A G-Wagon? What’s that?”

“A Mercedes—one of those that costs millions.”

Tang Xiuju glared. “So what? You think Zhichu’s not good enough?”

Tang Chao’s well-timed cold water left everyone a bit disgruntled—even his father, Tang Maocai, shot him a glare.

Couldn’t he pick a better time to be a wet blanket?

Tang Chao laughed. “I’m just sharing the facts with you—no need to get worked up. Of course, I’m confident in my brother. I even let him drive my car because I was worried he’d lose confidence otherwise.”

Hearing this, everyone relaxed.

Tang Maocai was briefly surprised, then patted Tang Chao on the shoulder.

Soon, the conversation shifted to what might come next. Perhaps emboldened by a bit of drink, Tang Maocai told Tang Maode not to worry—if it ever came to discussing the bride price, they’d all pitch in together.

Tang Chao pursed his lips. The relationship wasn’t even official yet, but he knew better than to dampen the mood anymore.

It was obvious the whole scene was for Tang Maode’s benefit, to keep him happy.

Then Tang Chao tugged at his father Tang Maocai’s sleeve.

Tang Maocai looked over.

“Dad, you see, your son’s career is on the rise, right? I gave my car to Zhichu, so now I’m without a ride. How about... how about you let me borrow your Benz for a while?”

...

When they left the restaurant, Tang Zhichu got into Jiang Lan’s car.

Inside, Jiang Lan waited for Tang Zhichu to fasten his seatbelt before starting the engine.

Tang Zhichu had thought Jiang Lan would pick somewhere like her company as their date spot, but instead, she headed for the highway.

Did Tang Zhichu believe Jiang Lan had come on the show for love? Of course not.

If not for love, then for her career.

Unlike Zhou Yun, Jiang Lan was in real business, exuding confidence. She never even bothered with product placements.

“Tired?” Jiang Lan asked suddenly.

Tang Zhichu shook his head.

Jiang Lan smiled, her words carrying a subtle hint. “We’re already halfway through recording the show.”

Tang Zhichu caught the reminder in her tone.

“Lan-jie.”

“Yes?”

“If you really met someone you liked on the show, what would you do?”

Jiang Lan thought for a moment, then smiled. “What else? I’d go for it! At my age, I’m not like you all, playing guessing games. If I like someone, I’ll take the initiative. If we get along and still like each other, I’d just go get the marriage certificate!”

“What if it conflicted with your career?”

“Then I’d have to think carefully. But honestly, that’s unlikely to happen to me. What kind of conflict could there be? Unless I met someone with bad intentions—but I don’t think I’m that naive,” Jiang Lan said, glancing at Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu laughed. “You’re not naive.”

“Exactly. What about you?”

“Me?”

“Mm. If love and career came into conflict, which would you choose?”

Jiang Lan was sharp; she’d already realized that this was the dilemma between Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang.

If Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang ended up together, it probably wouldn’t impact his career much. But what about Chen Siyang?

That might mean two entirely different paths. Jiang Lan didn’t think Tang Zhichu was foolish—he must’ve noticed too, or he wouldn’t be asking her these questions.

Tang Zhichu joked, “Of course I’d choose my career.”

Jiang Lan shook her head. “I don’t believe you.”

Would someone who put his career first treat Chen Siyang so well? Not only did he draw Zhou Yun’s attention to himself, but he also brought crayfish and QQ gummies.

Jiang Lan didn’t buy it. In all her experience with dating shows, she’d never seen a male contestant like this.

The recipe for QQ gummies wasn’t complicated, but the design was clever. Jiang Lan and her colleagues had held several meetings just for that snack.

A snack with the potential to become a hit, invented by a man for a woman—just hearing that was romantic enough.

Jiang Lan felt a little dazed. Why had she never met a man like that?

Why did she always end up with “domineering CEOs” like Huang Zejun?

After a turn, the car climbed into the hills and finally stopped at a place that looked like a guesthouse.

Around them, staff members immediately picked up their cameras.

Tang Zhichu got out and took in the surroundings.

It was April, when the grass grew lush, the trees were verdant, and the air was filled with birdsong. The sunlight was just right, awakening in people a longing for all things beautiful.

Tang Zhichu took a deep breath—the air was wonderful.

Jiang Lan pulled a large package from the trunk.

“What’s this?” Tang Zhichu asked curiously.

“Fishing gear!”

Beyond the guesthouse was a reservoir so vast its edges disappeared from sight.

A gentle breeze ruffled the water, sending waves across the surface. The reflected clouds stretched into infinity, like a mirror about to shatter.

Tang Zhichu carried Jiang Lan’s fishing bag, and together they walked to the water’s edge.

There were fishing platforms here, as well as lounge chairs and sun umbrellas.

Tang Zhichu shook his head. “I really didn’t expect us to come fishing.”

Jiang Lan opened her gear bag. “There’s more you didn’t expect.”

She casually set up the rods and fish baskets, then mixed some bait.

“You start. I’m going to grab something.”

With that, she headed back toward the guesthouse.

Tang Zhichu had rarely fished, but it didn’t seem too hard—just mold the bait around the hook and cast it out, right?

He set up both rods just as Jiang Lan returned, carrying two blankets.

“This is for you.”

She handed one to him.

Jiang Lan sprawled on a lounge chair, draped the blanket over herself, and didn’t even glance at her fishing rod. Instead, she smiled at Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu followed her example, reclining on the neighboring chair.

Faced with the tranquil lake and the endless blue sky, fishing? As if!