Chapter Twenty-Seven: Look, Another Fairy Appears

Old Tang’s Sichuan Cuisine.

By eleven o’clock, the place was already bustling; reservations were coming in, and many dishes needed to be prepared in advance.

Tang Zhichu found Wang Jun in the kitchen.

“My wife’s at the hospital. She wouldn’t let me stay,” Wang Jun explained.

“That’s good. Running back and forth between the two places would just tire you out.”

Wang Jun handed his work to Fatty, then slipped out the back door with Tang Zhichu.

Across from the back door stood a grand banyan tree, with stone benches underneath where elderly men played cards and chess.

Wang Jun lit a cigarette and asked with a smile, “How’s it going?”

Tang Zhichu knew he was asking about the dating show. He shook his head. “What can I do? I just have to grit my teeth and go through with it.”

Wang Jun looked at him with a hint of sympathy; he believed Tang Zhichu was telling the truth. In Wang Jun’s eyes, Tang Zhichu’s personality had changed a bit, but he still wasn’t cut out for socializing.

“How about I take you out for some fun tonight?”

“For some fun?”

Wang Jun looked like an honest man now, but he and Tang Zhichu knew each other through and through—there was no pretending.

In Wang Jun’s opinion, Tang Zhichu was still a virgin, lacking experience with women—a natural disadvantage.

Just then, someone approached. In a low voice, he said, “Uncle Jun, I… I want to go too.”

Tao Bo, Tang Zhichu’s cousin, was younger than Wang Jun.

Wang Jun glanced at Tao Bo. “Sure. Learn something from me. If you can handle the stove, I’ll take you out for some fun.”

Tao Bo fell silent.

Tang Zhichu glanced at Wang Jun. Clearly, his aunt had already told Wang Jun about Tao Bo wanting to learn to cook.

Tang Zhichu figured things were more or less settled; Tao Bo was never one to have strong opinions.

Tang Zhichu smiled. “Be careful.”

Wang Jun waved a hand. “I’m just talking. Who goes out to those places anymore? I’m too old for that.”

They all burst out laughing.

“What are you all chatting about?” came a voice from behind.

They turned to see Tang Xiujun.

“Aunt.”

“Mom.”

Tang Xiujun nodded, seeing her son there as well, clearly satisfied.

Wang Jun was now the backbone of Old Tang’s Sichuan Cuisine, and Tang Zhichu was a child she thought highly of. Her own son in their company put her at ease. This was, in fact, one reason she’d kept Tao Bo here.

Tang Zhichu pulled over a stool from the back door. “Auntie, sit here. I was just about to bring you lunch. Didn’t expect you’d be back already.”

Tang Xiujun shook her head. “You do what you need to do. The hospital has me, the restaurant has Xiao Jun. I finally figured out what kind of show you’re on—it’s not as unreliable as you made it sound. We have to take it seriously…”

She’d done her homework. Tao Bo had briefed her, and she’d confirmed with Tang Maode at the hospital.

To Tang Xiujun, this was a big deal. She felt more certain she was right to come over, so her nephew could focus on the show. If he did well, it could be both courtship and a career opportunity.

Tang Zhichu nodded along dutifully at her words, agreeing to whatever she said.

When she finished, he asked, “Auntie, Tao Bo said you want him to be a chef?”

She turned her gaze to Tao Bo, who quickly looked elsewhere, thinking his cousin really had his back for speaking up.

“Auntie, I think Tao Bo’s grown up now. We should ask what he wants,” Tang Zhichu added.

Tang Xiujun nodded, knowing her son must have told Tang Zhichu himself, then called out, “Tao Bo, your cousin’s asking you. What do you think?”

Tao Bo froze, mumbling for ages but failing to get a word out.

“Speak up! Don’t hem and haw—you’re a grown man, why all the fuss?” Tang Xiujun was getting impatient and stood up.

For a moment, Tang Zhichu saw a shadow of his own father in her. Was this the family style of the Tang clan?

Startled, Tao Bo blurted out, “I… I think being a chef is good. I want to learn.”

Tang Xiujun sat back down with a sigh. “Good. I’ve always been a reasonable mother. In this, I think I’m better than your dad.”

She said this to Tang Zhichu, then turned to Tao Bo. “If you want to learn, follow Uncle Jun and study hard.”

Tang Zhichu and Wang Jun exchanged a look, both suppressing a laugh.

Tao Bo, meanwhile, gave Wang Jun a pitiful look. “Uncle Jun, you have to remember what you promised me.”

Wang Jun was puzzled. “What did I promise?”

Tao Bo whispered, “You said if I could handle the stove, you’d, you know…”

Tang Xiujun interjected, “You’d what?”

Tao Bo shivered. “No, I meant Uncle Jun said he’d teach me real skills once I got on the stove.”

Tang Zhichu tried to invite Tang Xiujun to stay for lunch, but she insisted on packing it to eat at the hospital, saying that if she ate here first, there’d be no atmosphere for Tang Maode to eat at the hospital.

Watching his aunt get into a cab, Tang Zhichu felt touched. In critical times, family truly was dependable.

After lunch, Wang Jun pulled Tang Zhichu outside and handed him his phone.

On Wang Jun’s WeChat Moments was a new post by someone saved as “Big Sister,” with a photo attached.

In the picture were her and Tang Maode eating together in the hospital.

Below the post, many people were asking what had happened.

Tang Zhichu and Wang Jun exchanged a glance but said nothing before Wang Jun went back inside to work.

Tang Xiujun’s post was, in effect, announcing Tang Maode’s condition.

Tang Zhichu shook his head, realizing his aunt was not as simple as she appeared.

Announcing Tang Maode’s illness was fine—it was something people would eventually learn. Still, Tang Xiujun’s stance was clear: as a sister, she was doing her utmost to care for him. When relatives and friends asked, what would she say?

Tang Zhichu trusted his aunt wouldn’t speak ill of him, but she’d surely highlight her own efforts.

With the second son of the Tang family facing such trouble, who among the siblings was the most warmhearted? Who was the most reliable?

Still, there was nothing wrong with that. Her willingness to help was already a great favor.

As for whether the eldest uncle or the younger aunt would be gossiped about? That wasn’t Tang Zhichu’s concern.

“Thanks, cousin,” Tao Bo came out after him.

He hadn’t enjoyed lunch much today, but now the matter was settled. From here on, he’d have to follow his cousin’s lead.

Tang Zhichu snapped out of his thoughts. “What for?”

“For speaking up for me.”

Tang Zhichu didn’t reply, just patted his cousin on the shoulder.

With a mother like that, Tao Bo’s life was destined to be challenging.

“No way around it. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m scared of my mom…” Tao Bo’s face was full of bitterness. But before he could finish complaining, he suddenly froze.

Then he tugged at Tang Zhichu’s sleeve. “Cousin! Look! Another goddess!”

Tang Zhichu followed his gaze. A Maserati, silver-white and streamlined, shimmered by the curb.

A woman in a white, floral dress stepped out, retrieving her phone from a handbag.

Her hair brushed her shoulders, the dress cinched at the waist, accentuating a figure both slender and full, curves all the more enticing. Looking up, there was a beautifully rounded face, attractive and with a hint of allure.

Tao Bo felt utterly intoxicated.

Just then, a phone rang beside him—his cousin answered.

Tang Zhichu frowned, saying, “What is it?”

A pleasant voice replied, “Guess where I am?”

“Guess whether I’ll guess.”

“Heh, just come out. I’m right outside your restaurant. You promised me this morning, remember? Don’t go back on your word.”

Tao Bo’s mind buzzed. He glanced at the dazzling woman leaning on the luxury car, then at his cousin beside him. For the first time, he felt a deep sense of awe.

He let out a heartfelt exclamation that seemed to rise from his very bones: “Damn…”