Chapter Twenty-Six: The Mini Date

The night had deepened, and it was once again the hour for exchanging text messages. Yang Jiaxing hesitated for the first time, leaning back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

He asked himself, should he still send a message to Chen Siyang?

It wasn't Chen Siyang's attitude that made Yang Jiaxing retreat, but rather what had happened earlier in the kitchen.

He had been tidying up by the stove, moving slowly, his attention fixed on the interaction between Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang.

He realized the difference between himself and Tang Zhichu.

Yang Jiaxing regarded himself as a sincere person: when I like you, I tell you wholeheartedly. But Tang Zhichu was not like that; he conveyed his feelings through actions, quietly and without fuss.

In theory, the rhythm of his own approach on the first day should have been the best, while Tang Zhichu was the least present, almost invisible. With such an opening, why was he gradually drifting further and further from Chen Siyang?

Just moments ago, Yang Jiaxing had found some answers.

I like you, but in the way I like you. He likes you, but in the way you like to be liked.

It must be said, this Tang is superior to Huang. Yet Tang Zhichu’s initial introversion, or perhaps his understated demeanor, or even his disguise, had misled him.

Everyone assumed his lack of presence and few words stemmed from insecurity about his circumstances. But this understanding was subjective, fundamentally unfair. And from the outcome, this unfairness was not directed at Tang Zhichu, but at Yang Jiaxing himself.

Because from the very start, Yang Jiaxing had not taken him seriously, never considered Tang Zhichu a rival.

Tang Zhichu had precisely used this prevailing perception to turn the tables.

Chen Siyang’s current attitude was obvious to anyone; she was interested in Tang Zhichu.

Yang Jiaxing asked himself, would he spend so much effort and time studying someone’s preferences, investing in something so laborious? Like Tang Zhichu’s homemade gummy candies today?

Yang Jiaxing doubted he could do that. It simply wasn’t his view of relationships, and that was the source of his hesitation.

He felt his cards were fewer than Tang Zhichu’s.

So, the real reason Yang Jiaxing hesitated was Tang Zhichu.

If he didn’t send a message to Chen Siyang, should he send one to Zhou Yun instead?

While Yang Jiaxing wavered, a sudden vibration sounded.

Tang Zhichu picked up his phone, glanced at it, and a smile appeared on his face.

“The food was delicious, the candies were sweet, and Tang Zhichu is handsome…”

Beside him, Huang Zejun turned his head away, thinking, how quick that text came—look at that smug face!

Huang Zejun also picked up his phone, composed a message, and sent it.

A moment later, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Lan’s message had arrived.

“Rest early”

Although it was just four words without even a punctuation mark, and indeed a bit melancholy, Huang Zejun felt there was still hope, though it would require some effort.

As Tang Zhichu was composing a reply, his phone vibrated again.

Another message appeared.

“I read the book you recommended. It wasn’t good.”

This message made Tang Zhichu pause—it was clearly from Zhou Yun.

Tang Zhichu’s phone had vibrated twice; Huang Zejun glanced over, and Yang Jiaxing withdrew his gaze from the ceiling.

He received another message?

By now, the texting phase was almost an open game.

Jiang Lan had messaged Huang Zejun, so the two messages Tang Zhichu received were obvious as to their senders.

Huang Zejun looked again at Yang Jiaxing across from him, and suddenly didn’t feel so dejected.

Yang Jiaxing’s face showed bewilderment.

Even… even the backup plan was gone?

Tang Zhichu, who had received two messages, was not particularly happy.

Zhou Yun’s message did not carry any hint of affection—if anything, it felt like the opening of hostilities.

...

The next morning, Tang Zhichu came downstairs much later than usual.

After returning to the dorm last night, he had stayed up late, busy with his own affairs.

The villa was empty; everyone must have gone to work.

He walked alone into the kitchen, and, unusually, found food on the dining table.

A plate was covered with a bowl, and on top was a small note.

“For Old Tang (^∀^)!”

Tang Zhichu removed the bowl—it was a sandwich.

He still remembered Chen Siyang had planned to make sandwiches on the first morning, but hadn’t managed to.

With a sandwich at hand, Tang Zhichu didn’t need to cook.

He poured himself a glass of water, sat down, ate, and scrolled through his phone.

He would have to go home later; his aunt had arrived, and he couldn’t leave his elder unattended.

Almost done with his sandwich, someone entered.

It was Zhou Yun. Tang Zhichu greeted her good morning.

It was reasonable to see Zhou Yun at this hour; as a gym owner, her schedule was much more flexible than that of a restaurant proprietor.

“Morning,” Zhou Yun replied, sitting across from Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu felt uneasy under Zhou Yun’s gaze and asked, “Have you had breakfast?”

“I have.”

“Then are you here because you need something from me?”

Zhou Yun nodded, then reached out from under the table, revealing a bottle of drink—the sponsor’s product for the show.

Tang Zhichu understood immediately.

This was a Mini date invitation.

A mini date allowed a participant to invite someone for a one-on-one outing, and the invitee couldn’t refuse.

It was part of the dating show’s rules; each guest had one Mini date opportunity during the season.

“Are you free this afternoon?” Zhou Yun asked.

Tang Zhichu replied seriously, “Are you sure you want to use your chance on me?”

Zhou Yun nodded.

“Alright then.”

...

At half past ten, Tang Zhichu stood at his own front door.

He took out his key, opened the door, and found himself face-to-face with Tao Bo, who was holding a mop.

“What are you doing here?”

“Cousin, you’re back!”

They spoke almost simultaneously, then Tao Bo said bitterly, “Cousin, save me. My mom won’t let me go home.”

“What?”

“My mom thinks I just play games at home, so she wants me to help out here.”

“You’re not working?”

Tang Zhichu didn’t have much contact with Tao Bo and wasn’t sure of his situation, only knowing his cousin had graduated university almost a year ago.

Tao Bo shook his head, “I quit last month, interviewed at several companies, still waiting for notifications…”

“It’s fine here. Tell your mom she doesn’t need to trouble you.”

Tao Bo shook his head, “I told her, but it’s useless. She wants me to help at your shop, learn the trade, become a chef.”

“Do you want to learn?”

“Not really.”

“Not really?”

“Not at all.”

Tang Zhichu nodded, “Alright, I’ll talk to your mom. By the way, where is she?”

“She went to the hospital.”

His cousin hadn’t left. Tang Zhichu glanced around—the sofa he’d slept on last night still had the blanket on it.

It must have been arranged by his aunt, who cared a lot about such details and didn’t like to touch someone’s bed without them knowing.

Tang Zhichu went to the kitchen, opened the fridge to put away the groceries he’d bought, only to find it packed full.

“Um… my mom bought groceries too,” Tao Bo’s voice came from the doorway.

Tang Zhichu had to set his groceries aside.

“The bedding in my room has just been changed—you could’ve slept there. Why the sofa?”

“I find the sofa comfortable.”

“My desktop computer is fine too.”

“Then I’ll stay in your room. By the way, cousin, you didn’t come home last night?”

After putting things away, Tang Zhichu left the kitchen.

He took a good look at Tao Bo.

Tao Bo wasn’t bad-looking—Tang family appearance was generally decent. If anything, his own father’s face was a bit fiercer, with heavy jowls, which made him look intimidating.

Now that he’d lost weight, he actually looked much more pleasant.

Tao Bo looked fine, just a bit timid, with a slight stoop.

“Cousin, are you all living together?” Tao Bo asked again.

Seeing Tang Zhichu nod, Tao Bo was curious but didn’t pursue it further, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Men and women living together—what could that mean?

Tang Zhichu felt there wasn’t much to tidy up in the house since his aunt wasn’t staying, so he turned to Tao Bo, “Will you come with me to the shop or stay home?”

Tao Bo looked around, then said, “I’ll go with you to the shop.”