Just then, Tan Linyuan slowly raised his eyes.
The moment their eyes met, Nan Yu suddenly came to her senses and averted her gaze first.
She lowered her eyes. "Uncle Tan."
Tan Linyuan sensed that Nan Yu was in a strange mood, but he didn't know the reason. He just asked her, "Just arrived?"
"I've been here for a while," Nan Yu replied. She thought to herself that he must have known in advance that Qu Jiaran would invite her here.
Moreover, he even calculated that she wouldn't decline.
Of course, nothing could be hidden from him.
"Does your ankle still hurt?"
Tan Linyuan casually asked, his tone giving away neither concern nor courtesy. "If you're not feeling well, ask someone to take you back."
This sounded more like he was trying to get rid of her.
Was he going to discuss something at the dinner table that he didn't want her to hear, so he was looking for an excuse to send her away?
Nan Yu took a deep breath and forced a smile. "I don't get out much. I'd like to spend more time with Qu Jiaran."
Tan Linyuan stared at her silently, his expression blank. "Did you take the wrong medicine today? You usually don't like to be around her."
Nan Yu: "..."
Are you kidding me? Isn't this Qu Jiaran's home? Why is he talking so boldly?
Nan Yu nervously swallowed and quickly scanned the surroundings. After making sure there was no one around, she heaved a sigh of relief.
Seeing her finally show some vitality, Tan Linyuan let out a faint laugh.
Nan Yu stubbornly said, "I'm just out for some fresh air. Why are you so eager to send me back, Uncle Tan?"
"Not in a hurry," Tan Linyuan said casually. "It would suit me just fine if you stay."
"What do you mean it suits you fine?" Nan Yu was confused.
Soon, Nan Yu would find out the answer to this question.
In the evening, Tan Linyuan and Nan Yu stayed at the Qu family's for dinner.
To entertain the guests, Qu Gaolin specially opened a bottle of good wine. However, when the wine cup was offered to Tan Linyuan, he declined. "I have to drive Nan Yu back later, so I can't drink. Uncle Qu, please understand."
So he was using Nan Yu as an excuse.
Qu Gaolin was in his fifties, but he took good care of himself and looked much younger, like someone in his forties.
Qu Jiaran smiled and picked up the conversation. "Dad, us young people don't like to drink at dinner parties these days. It's better to have some good tea."
Qu Jiaran's grandmother owned a tea plantation. The new tea sent this morning was brewed and placed on the table.
"This is the last batch of new tea this year. In half a month, winter will come, and we'll have to wait until spring," Qu Jiaran said, playing the role of a very virtuous hostess. She stood up and poured tea for everyone. "Linyuan and Yuyu are really lucky to be able to taste the last batch!"
Qu Gaolin laughed heartily. "Linyuan, I really owe it to you. Otherwise, I don't know when I'll be able to have my precious daughter pour tea for me."
"What are you talking about?" Qu Jiaran pouted, looking unhappy. "It's like I've never been filial to you. Why do you always mention Linyuan?"
Tan Linyuan said, "Uncle Qu is being too polite. Jiaran has always been a sensible and filial girl."
Qu Jiaran chimed in, "That's right, that's right!"
"Alright, alright," Qu Gaolin smiled. "Once a girl grows up, she's ready to leave home. Once she's in love, she sides with her boyfriend against her father."
Listening to their warm conversation, Nan Yu lowered her head and stared at the tea in the ceramic cup, remaining silent all the time.
She felt out of place here.
Qu Jiaran noticed her and leaned over to whisper, "The tea is still hot. Drink it slowly, Yuyu."
Nan Yu returned a smile.
When the dishes were served, everyone started to eat.
The Qu family had prepared several light stir - fried dishes and a bamboo fungus soup.
It was obvious that the meal was mainly based on the vegetarian dishes that Tan Linyuan usually ate.
Although Tan Linyuan wasn't a formal monk and didn't have to completely abstain from meat and alcohol, he had developed a habit of eating light food. So wherever he went, he always gave people an impression of being aloof and noble.
Even when eating, he was slow and deliberate, hardly making any sound when he put down his chopsticks. He had excellent manners.
He was like a living Buddha. Naturally, every word and deed of his was worthy of scrutiny.
In a way, he could be called a perfect man.
Normally, as a guest, Tan Linyuan should follow the host's arrangements. However, the Qu family, who also had a high status, completely catered to Tan Linyuan's dietary preferences, which showed their sincerity and respect for him.
Nan Yu couldn't help but think that if the two families were to get married, it would be a wonderful story.
Qu Gaolin was indeed a person in a high - ranking official position. Occasionally, he would bring Nan Yu into the conversation. He said modestly and implicitly that his daughter was too lively and it was not easy for her to make a true friend, so he hoped Nan Yu would take care of and tolerate her.
Nan Yu sat up straight and politely responded with a few words.
Judging from Qu Gaolin's way of dealing with people, his daughter Qu Jiaran was indeed just like him.
They both took care of everyone and made sure no one was ignored.
In short, during the whole meal, no one was left out, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
When the meal was almost over, Qu Jiaran poured another round of tea for everyone.
Qu Gaolin took a sip of the tea poured by his daughter and smiled kindly. "How long have you two been together, Linyuan and Jiaran?"
Tan Linyuan looked calm, and his tone was amiable. "For two months."
He was probably referring to the time they officially got together. After all, it had been three months since Qu Jiaran publicly announced that she wanted to pursue Tan Linyuan and got his consent.
It seemed that they had already confirmed their relationship.
Ah, they were really together.
Nan Yu couldn't quite describe her feelings.
Tan Linyuan didn't really have the obligation to report his dating progress to her. Moreover, she had already guessed something from their previous interactions.
She wasn't completely surprised by this outcome. Even if they had gotten together the day after Qu Jiaran's confession, she wouldn't have been shocked.
Nan Yu didn't even need to be surprised. After all, based on her understanding of Qu Jiaran, she was a person who wouldn't give up until she achieved her goal.
However, when the news was right in front of her, she found that she wasn't as calm as she had imagined.
It was like a guillotine hanging above her head had finally fallen.
She just realized it now.
"To be precise, it's two months and twenty days," Qu Jiaran added after Tan Linyuan's words. She leaned her head on Tan Linyuan's shoulder and said dreamily, "We'll soon be able to celebrate our 100 - day anniversary."
Qu Gaolin couldn't resist his daughter's coquettishness at all. His eyes narrowed with laughter. "So how do you plan to celebrate?"
"I haven't decided yet..." Qu Jiaran blushed and her voice dropped.
"Since you haven't decided, I'll make the decision for you two," Qu Gaolin said, smiling at them. "Actually, your aunt and I aren't that old - fashioned."
"Isn't 'flash marriage' in vogue among you young people these days? How about you two try it?"