Chapter 509 - 508: What-if: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 77

Chapter 509: Chapter 508: What-if: Did the Big Shot Vie for Favor Today? 77

Jiang Xia’s roommates knew he had a crush on someone, but they’d always assumed it was a girl from their university or at least someone their age. Looking at the situation now... something seemed off.

Jiang Xia wasn’t the bashful type, and he was counting on his roommates to help him strategize. So, with only his ears turning a little red, he nodded firmly. "Yeah."

"No wonder. So, Brother Jiang came here hoping for a ’chance encounter.’"

His roommates teased. Jiang Xia’s ears turned an even deeper shade of red. He shot them an embarrassed glance and whispered a reminder, "My cousin’s still here. Keep it down."

He Hanshi’s hand, which was holding a teacup, tightened unconsciously. The two tables were so close that he had heard every word Jiang Xia said.

’No wonder. No wonder when Jiang Xia went downstairs to apologize to Shi Lan, he was so meticulously dressed.’ At the time, He Hanshi had only felt that something was off, but since Jiang Xia and Shi Lan shouldn’t have had any interactions in the past, he’d never considered this possibility.

Sitting across from He Hanshi, Assistant Chen no longer knew what kind of expression he should be wearing.

’Oh my god,’ he thought. ’If I’d known, I would have brought the car over later. And now I’ve stumbled upon some major gossip. Young Master Jiang and Mr. He are in love with the same woman?’

’How terrifying!’

He nervously chugged his water, but He Hanshi wasn’t looking at him. The man remained in his seat, as immovable as a mountain.

He, too, would wait for Shi Lan to arrive and see for himself what was going on.

Jiang Xia fidgeted anxiously in his seat, his eyes darting to the entrance every so often.

One of his roommates suggested, "Brother Jiang, why don’t you just go find her? If you like her, you should pursue her openly."

Jiang Xia propped his chin on his hand, looking gloomy. "You think I don’t know that? But I’m afraid she’ll find me annoying and start to hate me."

He was too embarrassed to tell his roommates that for every ten messages he sent Shi Lan, she left five unanswered. That was actually a slight improvement in response rate since he’d given her the concert tickets. Before that, she ignored him nine times out of ten.

Shi Lan had told him in no uncertain terms that she wasn’t interested in him. That was why Jiang Xia didn’t dare pester her constantly. ’If I can turn deliberate pursuit into a series of chance encounters,’ he reasoned, ’it might be easier for her to accept.’

"Come on, Brother Jiang. You’re so handsome. As long as you don’t do anything too outrageous, it’s impossible for a girl to hate you."

"Just look around. See how many people are staring at you and your cousin."

"Honestly, with your charm, getting a girl should be a piece of cake. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you try your luck with one of the girls sneaking glances at you right now?"

Wang Biao was genuinely curious now. What kind of woman could so adamantly reject a rich, handsome, second-generation heir like Jiang Xia?

Hearing Wang Biao’s suggestion, Jiang Xia shot him a displeased glare. "What nonsense are you spouting? I’m not that kind of guy. I only have eyes for my sister."

"Ahem, I was just suggesting a test, you know? I was worried your confidence was taking a hit."

Wang Biao gave a sheepish laugh.

Another roommate chimed in, "Well, what about making her a little jealous? You know, tell her you have other admirers, create a sense of urgency. That way, she’ll realize what a great catch you are."

"Are these the only terrible ideas you guys can come up with?"

Jiang Xia was speechless. He was starting to think his roommates were completely unreliable. He would bet money that if he told Shi Lan he had other admirers, she would just run even farther away.

’He wasn’t that stupid.’

Jiang Xia ignored them, opened WeChat on his phone, and agonized over whether to tell Shi Lan he was at her shop. Just then, he heard a small commotion at the entrance, and Shi Lan walked in.

Jiang Xia was still staring at his phone when he heard one of his roommates mutter excitedly, "Damn, another beauty just walked in."

He’d bet this shop had more beautiful women than any other place he’d ever been.

This one was different, though. The moment she stepped inside, her dewy skin seemed to glow, making it impossible not to stare.

Shi Lan paid no mind to the stares around her. Ever since her shop had become an internet-famous hotspot, the number of eyes on her had only grown. That was why she had gradually started coming to the shop less frequently, hoping to wait for the hype to die down.

Her gaze fell upon He Hanshi. He had been waiting for her, and upon seeing her, he instinctively rose and took two steps in her direction.

"You’re here."

Shi Lan looked at his smooth brow and the curve of his smiling lips. The words of his confession from the recording echoed in her mind, and she felt an inexplicable warmth creep up her ears. Forcing aside the chaotic mix of emotions, she nodded. "Mhm, I promised to treat you to tea. Of course I wouldn’t go back on my word."

"Please, have a seat."

Jiang Xia, who had been composing a message on WeChat, froze. That voice... why did it sound so much like his goddess?

Jiang Xia started to wonder if he was just missing Shi Lan so much he was starting to hear things. Still, he couldn’t stop himself from turning to look. His eyes instantly lit up, and he happily walked over. "Sis, you’re here! I was just about to message you."

He Hanshi, who had just sat back down, accidentally pressed his fingertips hard against the arm of the chair, producing the faint crack of a knuckle.

Following the voice, Shi Lan turned to look at Jiang Xia and was taken aback. "Oh, Jiang Xia. You’re here too."

"Yeah, yeah! Sis, what a coincidence! I can’t believe I ran into you the first time I came to your shop to eat. It must be fate."

"Sis, come over and tell me what’s good to eat here."

Jiang Xia gazed at her expectantly, his dark eyes reflecting only her and her alone.

Meanwhile, He Hanshi had also turned slightly, looking up at Shi Lan from his seat.

Two pairs of eyes landed on her at once. One was like a blazing fire, full of passion; the other was deep and indecipherable, yet seemed to conceal a raging tempest.

Shi Lan swallowed hard, unsure where to look.

She had never expected Jiang Xia to be here. If she had known, she would have procrastinated a little longer.

And now, the thought that both cousins might have feelings for her made Shi Lan worry she would come between them, and an indescribable feeling of guilt washed over her.

’This is a total train wreck. How did I end up in the middle of it?’

She was probably the only one feeling awkward, however. The other customers and staff were all sneaking glances at the trio, both intentionally and unintentionally, eagerly awaiting the drama to unfold.

’The visuals of these three are good enough to film a TV drama.’

’No, wait, this is more exciting than a TV drama. Maybe the boss should just take them both...’

The customers’ inner monologues were running wild; they all felt they had really gotten their money’s worth today.

The scene remained frozen for a good while before He Hanshi finally spoke, his voice slow and deliberate. "Jiang Xia, I don’t recall you having a sister."

Jiang Xia’s eyes were on the rounder side—not almond-shaped like Shi Lan’s, but just with rounded corners. When displeased, he would narrow them into a squint that gave him an arrogant, fierce air. How else could he have held the title of school tyrant?

Right now, however, he didn’t show that intimidating side to He Hanshi. Instead, he was like a young animal that had sensed danger, its quills raised as he watched him warily. "Cousin, I’m younger than Shi Lan. Isn’t it only natural that I call her ’Sis’?"