Look, Another Fairy

Old Tang Sichuan Cuisine.

By eleven, the restaurant was already bustling. Some customers had reserved tables, and many dishes needed to be prepared in advance.

Tang Zhi Chu spotted Wang Jun in the kitchen.

"My sister's watching over things at the hospital. She wouldn't let me stay there," Wang Jun explained.

"That's good. You've been running between both places lately too. Must be exhausting."

Wang Jun handed off his work to Little Fatty, then left through the back door with Tang Zhi Chu.

There was a large banyan tree across from the back door, with stone benches beneath it. Some elderly people were playing cards and chess there.

Wang Jun pulled out a cigarette and lit it, then asked with a smile, "How's it going?"

Tang Zhi Chu knew he meant the Dating Show. Shaking his head, he said, "What else can I do? Just grit my teeth and keep filming."

Wang Jun gave Tang Zhi Chu a sympathetic look. He thought Tang Zhi Chu was telling the truth.

After all, in Wang Jun's eyes, although Tang Zhi Chu's personality had changed somewhat, socializing was still not his strong suit.

"How about I take you out for some fun tonight?"

"Some fun?"

Wang Jun looked like an honest man now, but he and Tang Zhi Chu knew each other inside out. There was no need for him to put on an act.

Wang Jun figured Tang Zhi Chu was still a virgin and had no experience in that department. That was an innate disadvantage when dealing with women.

Just then, someone sidled over and whispered, "Uncle Jun, I... I want to go too."

Tao Bo was of the same generation as Tang Zhi Chu and, by seniority, Wang Jun's junior.

Wang Jun glanced at Tao Bo. "Sure. Learn something from me. Once you can handle the stove, I'll take you out for fun."

Tao Bo fell silent.

Tang Zhi Chu glanced at Wang Jun. Clearly, Aunt had already told Wang Jun about Tao Bo wanting to learn cooking.

Tang Zhi Chu felt the matter was pretty much settled. Tao Bo was not someone with particularly strong opinions of his own.

Tang Zhi Chu smiled. "Be careful."

Wang Jun waved a hand. "I was just saying. Who still goes to places like that for fun these days? I'm too old for it."

"Hahaha!"

"What are you guys talking about?" a voice called from behind them.

They turned around and saw that it was Tang Xiuju.

"Aunt."

"Sis."

Tang Xiuju nodded. Seeing that her son was there too, she looked rather pleased.

Wang Jun was now the backbone of Old Tang Sichuan Cuisine, while Tang Zhi Chu was also a child she considered outstanding. She felt at ease letting her son spend time with them, and that was one of the reasons she had kept Tao Bo around.

Tang Zhi Chu brought over a stool from beside the back door. "Aunt, have a seat. I was just thinking of bringing food over later. I didn't expect you to be back already."

Tang Xiuju shook her head. "Focus on your work. I'm at the hospital, and Little Jun is at the restaurant. I only just found out what kind of TV program you joined. It's not as unreliable as you made it sound. We need to take this seriously."

Tang Xiuju had done her homework. Tao Bo had explained it to her in private, and she had gone to the hospital to confirm it with Tang Mao De.

In Tang Xiuju's eyes, this was a major matter. She felt even more strongly that coming here had been the right decision, so her nephew could focus on filming the show. If he did well, it would not only be about finding a partner—it could also become a career.

Tang Zhi Chu stood obediently beside her and nodded. Whatever his aunt said went.

Only after Tang Xiuju finished speaking did Tang Zhi Chu ask, "Aunt, Xiao Bo said you want him to become a chef?"

Tang Xiuju immediately looked at Tao Bo. Tao Bo hurriedly looked away, thinking that his cousin really was loyal—he had actually brought it up for him.

"Aunt, I think Xiao Bo is grown up now. We should still ask what he wants," Tang Zhi Chu added.

Tang Xiuju nodded. She knew her son must have told Tang Zhi Chu about it, then called out to Tao Bo, "Xiao Bo, your Brother Zhi Chu is asking you. What do you think?"

Tao Bo froze. He hemmed and hawed for a long time but could not force out a single word.

"If you've got something to say, say it. If you've got to fart, let it out. You're a grown man—why are you so damn slow?" Tang Xiuju snapped, about to stand up.

For a moment, Tang Zhi Chu saw a glimpse of his father in his aunt.

Was that just the way the Tang family was?

Tao Bo shuddered in fright and quickly said, "I-I think being a chef is pretty good. I really want to learn."

Only then did Tang Xiuju sit back down. She sighed. "That's good. I've always been a democratic mother. In that regard, I think I'm better than your dad."

Tang Xiuju said this to Tang Zhi Chu, then turned back to Tao Bo. "Since you want to learn, then study properly under your Uncle Jun."

Tang Zhi Chu and Wang Jun exchanged a look. Both wanted to laugh, but held it in.

Tao Bo looked at Wang Jun with a mournful face. "Uncle Jun, you have to remember what you promised me."

Wang Jun paused. "What? What did I promise you?"

Tao Bo said softly, "You said as long as I could handle the stove, then, um..."

Tang Xiuju: "What was that?"

Tao Bo's body trembled. "Nothing. I said Uncle Jun would teach me some skills once I got in the kitchen."

Tang Zhi Chu wanted Tang Xiuju to stay for lunch, but she refused, saying she wanted to pack it up and eat at the hospital. If she ate first, there wouldn't be any atmosphere for Tang Mao De to eat at the hospital.

Watching his eldest aunt get into the taxi, Tang Zhi Chu felt somewhat moved.

At critical moments, family really was the most reliable.

After lunch, Wang Jun pulled Tang Zhi Chu outside the shop and took out his phone for him to see.

It was Wang Jun's WeChat Moments. Someone saved as "Eldest Sister" had posted an update, along with a photo.

The photo showed her and Tang Mao De eating together at the hospital.

Quite a few people below were asking what was going on.

Tang Zhi Chu and Wang Jun exchanged a look. Neither said anything, and Wang Jun went back inside to get busy.

Tang Xiuju's post was essentially an announcement of Tang Mao De's condition.

Tang Zhi Chu shook his head, thinking that his eldest aunt was not as simple as she appeared.

He thought it was fine to make Tang Mao De's illness public. Everyone would find out sooner or later.

But Tang Xiuju was presenting herself as the little sister doing everything she could to care for Tang Mao De. Surely relatives and friends would ask about it—what would she say then?

Tang Zhi Chu believed his eldest aunt would not speak badly of him, but she would definitely highlight herself.

Old Tang the Second had suffered such a major incident. Among the siblings, who had the most human warmth? Who in the Tang family was the most dependable?

Still, there was nothing wrong with that. His eldest aunt was willing to help, and that was already an enormous favor.

As for whether Uncle and Aunt would become the subject of gossip, that was not Tang Zhi Chu's concern.

"Bro, thanks." Tao Bo had followed them outside as well.

He had not particularly enjoyed today's meal, but he knew the matter was settled. From now on, he would have to follow his cousin.

Tang Zhi Chu came back to himself. "What for?"

"For speaking up for me."

Tang Zhi Chu did not answer. He merely patted Tao Bo on the shoulder.

With a mother like that, Tao Bo's life was destined to be difficult.

"Can't help it. I don't want to admit it, but I'm scared of my mom." Tao Bo wore a bitter expression, but before he could finish complaining, he suddenly froze.

Then Tao Bo hurriedly tugged on Tang Zhi Chu's clothes. "Bro! Look! Another beauty!"

Tang Zhi Chu followed Tao Bo's gaze. It was a Maserati, its silver-white streamlined body exceptionally eye-catching.

A woman in a white floral dress stepped out of the car, then took out her phone from her handbag.

Her hair fell to her shoulders, and the dress cinched at the waist, making it look slender yet full. Her curves were even more alluring. Looking higher, she had a delicate, slightly rounded face, beautiful with a touch of seductive charm.

Tao Bo felt as if he were already drunk.

Just then, a phone started ringing beside him. His cousin answered it.

Tang Zhi Chu frowned and said, "What?"

A pleasant voice came from the phone. "Guess where I am?"

"Guess whether I feel like guessing."

"Hmph, come out. I'm right outside your shop. You promised me this morning—you're not backing out, are you?"

Tao Bo felt his mind buzz. He looked at the girl leaning against the luxury car by the roadside, then at his cousin standing beside him. For the first time in his life, a feeling called admiration rose from the depths of his heart.

Then Tao Bo let out a sigh that seemed to come from his very spine. "Holy shit."

The story goes on recommendation tomorrow. Please vote and keep following—thanks, everyone.

Thanks to the three brothers, (Ms Qian Nian), (Little Grass Swaying in the Wind), and (What Is This), for helping me catch typos!

Thanks to the two brothers, (Book Friend 2018042600261475) and (Book Friend 150720012442601), for the tips!