However, she squinted her eyes at Qiu Tian. This man, whom He Su Ye had once described as more cunning than a fox, always wore a devil-may-care smile, as though life were a game. On closer inspection, he seemed like someone worth noting.
Two men with such contrasting personalities were, somehow, best friends.
The atmosphere at the table was lively. He Shou Zheng darted around, showing no restraint in his remarks. “Li family boy, how come you’re getting married already? My uncle hasn’t even tied the knot yet!”
Li Jie glared at him. “What does your uncle’s marriage—or lack thereof—have to do with me? Kid, call me Uncle! Show some respect!”
Unfazed, He Shou Zheng retorted, “With your lousy obstetrics exam retake, you still expect me to call you Uncle?” Then, he clung to He Su Ye and whined, “Uncle, why aren’t you married yet? I want double red envelopes during the New Year!”
Li Jie ground his teeth in frustration. Su Shan, trying to placate him, served him a bowl of buckwheat cold noodles and laughed. “Why are you arguing with a child?”
Qiu Tian mused, “Buckwheat… isn’t it some sort of traditional medicine? My knowledge of herbal medicine is poor. What about you, Pointy Corner?”
He Su Ye thought for a moment. “That would be golden buckwheat—it clears heat and detoxifies, soothes the lungs, and alleviates coughs and sore throats caused by heat in the lungs. As for buckwheat noodles, they’re highly nutritious and help prevent diabetes, hyperlipidemia, periodontal disease, and stomach ailments. My family’s elderly patriarch has used buckwheat hull pillows for decades—they cool the body and improve eyesight.”
* * *
When the meal ended, Shen Xi Fan lingered outside the hotel with He Shou Zheng and Su Shan, chatting. He Su Ye and Qiu Tian were the last to leave. As they walked, Qiu Tian, wearing his trademark sly grin, threw an arm around He Su Ye’s shoulders. “I know you lost to me on purpose. You hesitated for three knots at the end. Back when we took exams together, I could estimate your speed.”
He Su Ye began to explain, but Qiu Tian cut him off with a light punch to his head. “Spill it—what’s your angle?”
He didn’t dodge, instead smiling openly. The dazzling light from the hotel’s crystal chandelier reflected in his eyes, softening his expression. “It’s not that I don’t want to be a groomsman. But first, I can’t drink, and second, if I’m the groomsman, who will take care of her?”
Qiu Tian was stunned. “People say I’m cunning, but I think you’ve got me beat. Fine, I’ll admit defeat. But this might actually work out—you’ll have more chances to spend time together.”
For a moment, He Su Ye seemed moved. “Qiu Tian, honestly, I’m not very confident about this. She and I have almost no interaction in our daily lives. We just happen to live in the same neighborhood, and even then, I rarely see her. I know nothing about her past, and when I think about it, I feel like I missed the best time to meet her.”
Qiu Tian rolled his eyes. “You’re surprisingly poetic today. But in my experience, the ‘best time’ isn’t early or late. Some people you could never love, even in a lifetime. Others, you fall for at first sight, and if they love you back, that’s the perfect time—the luckiest timing.”
He Su Ye chuckled. “Psychology? I’m surprised you didn’t score higher than me.”
Qiu Tian snorted. “Li Jie failed obstetrics, even though his grandmother is an obstetrics expert! What kind of reasoning is that?”
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