Brother, Let Me Introduce You to a Girlfriend

In the first-floor lounge area, Tao Jianshe and Tao Bo were sitting there.

Tao Bo originally didn't grasp the severity of his uncle's illness; even cancer felt distant from him.

But after arriving and seeing his uncle, he felt an indescribable sadness.

Within the entire family, his second uncle was one of the people Tao Bo feared the most. He had a tough, streetwise demeanor and a fierce appearance.

And now?

He was thin, his hair gone, just like how Tao Bo felt when he realized his grandfather was getting old as a child.

"Dad, is Uncle's illness really incurable?"

Tao Jianshe patted Tao Bo's shoulder. "The King of Cancers. It's difficult."

"Then isn't Zhi Chu Ge almost..."

Tao Jianshe sighed softly. "Yes, that's why I agreed to let your mom come stay for a while. When things get tough, they get tougher. Zhi Chu Ge hasn't had an easy life these past twenty-plus years. You should talk to him more when you have time, share some of his burden."

Tao Bo nodded.

He had been quite happy initially. Not only were his parents not making him learn at his uncle's shop, but they were also sending his mother away for half a month.

This meant for the next half month...

But this joy was overshadowed by his uncle's pathetic state. He also felt Zhi Chu Ge was somewhat pitiable.

Tang Xiuju had a fiery personality; once she decided on something, she acted immediately. After staying at the hospital for half an hour, she returned with Tao Jianshe.

They went back to pack their things to move in with Tang Zhi Chu. Conveniently, there was a guest room.

Tao Bo stayed behind, as his parents had asked him to keep his cousin Tang Zhi Chu company.

Tang Zhi Chu took Tao Bo home. Since his aunt was moving in, he didn't want to trouble her with everything. Tang Zhi Chu wanted to tidy up in advance.

Tao Bo kept observing his cousin.

His cousin looked like he was completely unfazed, but Tao Bo felt that Tang Zhi Chu must be heartbroken inside.

He's so pitiful, about my age, doesn't smoke or drink.

And at the dinner table, he has to take care of my difficult mother.

Tao Bo knew how hard it was to appease his own mother.

Tao Bo even felt that the reason his dad so readily agreed to his mom moving in wasn't because he needed to take care of his second uncle and cousin.

He probably wanted some relaxation too.

Cousin tidies up the house so quickly, even faster than Mom.

Truly pitiful, clearly the type who always does chores.

That makes sense. My uncle doesn't seem like the type to do housework. He looks like a gangster, so scary. Luckily, my dad is gentle.

Even though my mom is a bit fierce, cousin's mom...

The more Tao Bo thought about it, the more unsettled he felt. He then went to the bathroom, found a mop, and started helping.

"Bro."

Tang Zhi Chu was changing the bedsheets and duvet cover in the guest room. He heard Tao Bo call him and turned around.

He saw Tao Bo standing at the doorway, holding a mop in one hand and his phone in the other.

"What's up?" Tang Zhi Chu asked.

Tao Bo swiped on his phone for a bit and said, "Bro, how about I introduce you to a girlfriend? Look, here's a photo, she's quite pretty."

Tang Zhi Chu was stunned, unsure what this kid was up to.

"Really, don't believe me? Look, I even liked this girl. She's pretty and gentle, and most importantly, she knows how to take care of people." Seeing his cousin remain silent, Tao Bo moved closer and handed his phone to Tang Zhi Chu.

Tang Zhi Chu chuckled. "If you like her, why don't you pursue her? Also, how do you know she's gentle and knows how to take care of people?"

Tao Bo smiled sheepishly, then said, "Because... because she's my good buddy's girlfriend. My buddy told me so much about them. This girl is really gentle and can cook."

Tang Zhi Chu: "?????"

Tao Bo: "Seriously, cousin, I'm not lying. She broke up with my good buddy. I was going to try, but you're my cousin, so I'll give her to you."

Tang Zhi Chu turned back to continue changing the duvet cover, thinking, Thank you, I guess your good buddy will thank you too.

"No need, I don't want to date right now."

"It's okay, bro. Our situation is a bit complicated, but you're handsome. This girl is a bit of a romantic, she really likes handsome guys. I think it could work."

Tang Zhi Chu ignored Tao Bo. This guy seemed a bit clueless.

Seeing his cousin ignore him, Tao Bo shook his head. Maybe his cousin was afraid of delaying the girl.

Tao Bo didn't push it anymore and continued mopping.

Just then, Tang Zhi Chu's phone vibrated. He took it out and saw a phone number he had just saved that morning.

"I'm almost done here, how about you?"

"I'm about done too."

"Shall I pick you up then?"

Tang Zhi Chu thought for a moment before replying, "Sure, the address is..."

Half an hour later, Tang Zhi Chu was mostly ready. He nodded with satisfaction, then took another shower and changed into a decent outfit.

Tao Bo looked confused and suddenly remembered his cousin mentioning he was participating in a blind date show during lunch.

"Cousin, are you going on that blind date show?"

Tang Zhi Chu nodded.

"Is it one of those blind date shows on Penguin Video?"

"Something like that."

"Wow, are the female guests really pretty, and also very rich?"

Tang Zhi Chu nodded while searching for his keys.

"But, cousin, don't get discouraged. Those girls aren't suitable for marriage. If you're looking for a girlfriend, I think you should find someone kind and caring."

Tang Zhi Chu interrupted Tao Bo, "Are you coming to the restaurant with me, or staying here? Here, I'll give you a set of keys. I'll give them to your mom later."

Tao Bo took the keys. "I'll go with you to the restaurant then."

By five o'clock, the Old Tang Sichuan Restaurant was starting to get busy.

The kitchen became hectic, with Little Fatty expertly twirling a wok, sending sparks flying.

Tang Zhi Chu gathered some items he had promised earlier and then left the restaurant.

At the entrance, Tang Zhi Chu was carrying two bags, and Tao Bo was also carrying two.

Tao Bo looked confused. "Cousin, what are we doing?"

Tang Zhi Chu replied, "Waiting for someone."

Less than three minutes later, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon pulled up in front of the Sichuan restaurant.

The car door opened, and a woman in professional attire got out.

Tao Bo quickly nudged Tang Zhi Chu, his eyes wide with admiration. "Cousin, look, it's a Fairy!"

Jiang Lan was still in her work clothes: a white shirt and a hip-hugging skirt that reached below her knees, paired with smooth, slightly glossy black stockings.

Jiang Lan waved generously at Tang Zhi Chu.

Tang Zhi Chu walked over.

"What are these?" Jiang Lan asked, looking at the bags in Tang Zhi Chu's hands.

Tang Zhi Chu gestured with the bags. "Pickled chicken feet and spicy crayfish. They're from our own restaurant, so the ingredients are trustworthy."

Jiang Lan's eyes lit up. "Wow, I'm in for a treat today!"

Tang Zhi Chu noticed Tao Bo hadn't come closer and called back, "Little Fatty, come over here."

Tao Bo snapped back to attention and jogged over.

"This is my cousin, Tao Bo."

Jiang Lan smiled slightly. "Hello, I'm Jiang Lan."

In the sunlight, the woman looked like an Urban Beauty straight out of a TV show. She was still smiling, and seemed so gentle. Tao Bo's face instantly turned red, and he couldn't even say "hello" clearly.

Tang Zhi Chu handed the bags in his hands to Jiang Lan, then took the bags from Tao Bo.

"This is fish, from the Yangtze River. I'll make Steamed Mandarin Fish tonight. And this is Free-range Chicken, bought through our restaurant's channels. You won't necessarily find this at the market," Tang Zhi Chu explained, indicating the bags he was holding.

Jiang Lan was delighted. So, this guy had already made arrangements, and here she was, having spent all noon wondering what to cook for dinner.

"Excellent, excellent! Get in the car. Bye, cousin!" Jiang Lan said impatiently.

Today was her and Tang Zhi Chu's turn to cook.

Tao Bo: "Bye-bye-bye."

Watching the flashy SUV drive away, Tao Bo took a long moment to come back to himself before pulling out his phone.

A moment later, Tao Bo gritted his teeth and deleted the contact of his cousin's good buddy's ex-girlfriend, whom he had been planning to introduce.